by Adalyn Grace
I try to open my fingers, but the insects buzz angrily and morph yet again into spiders of a hundred varieties—crawling, burying into my flesh, working at my lips to try to get into my mouth before giving up and using my ears, instead.
My knees buckle, but ultimately I remain in place. I don’t want to feel this. I want him to hurry up and pry this blasted necklace from my hands.
“Amora.” Bastian dips his head to mine so that our foreheads touch and he’s all I can see. “Focus. You’re stronger than this magic. Open your hands and drop that necklace.”
My breaths are ragged from the spiders inside me, but I shift my focus entirely onto those breaths and on clamping my eyes shut. I’ve no idea how long it takes for my visions of spiders to disappear, but eventually I fall into the comfort of the darkness behind my eyelids.
Within me, the spiders still.
“Good.” Bastian’s voice sounds like a faraway dream that I fight desperately to reach. “Now drop it…”
My hands may still be lead, but I can at least focus on them now that my eyes are shut. My hand jerks and rattles as I move it, but slowly I pry my fingers from the necklace, one at a time.
It clatters to the floor after what feels like hours, and instantly I’m flooded with warmth. I suck in a gasp as the sensation of my body returns. The weight of the lead has disappeared, and I’m light and floaty once more, swaying on my feet as I readjust. The insects are gone, and my lungs are clear.
“You okay?” Ferrick places a hand on my back in an attempt to steady me, though he’s the one that sways.
“I’d no idea enchantment magic was like that.” I’m breathless as I shake myself off, still convinced something’s inside my ear.
“It’s not.” Bastian’s voice is quiet as he eyes the fallen necklace. “But Zudoh’s magic can be. Congratulations, Princess. I believe you’ve had your first experience with curse magic.”
My chest constricts. First the coat, and now this?
“Kaven’s influence might be spreading quicker than we thought.” His voice is cold, though it’s not me his frustration is aimed at. “It’s a wonder you were able to break out of the curse so quickly. I thought I was going to have to try to pry that thing out of your hands.”
“That was quick?” I rasp. “By the gods, I thought I was going to be suffocated by a thousand spiders.”
I jump as, outside, someone begins yelling. The voice sounds distant, but it’s clear we’ve worn out our welcome. With palace guards and the royal Visidian soldiers on the island, we need to hurry and get out of here.
With the edge of his boot, Bastian scoots the necklace off to the side. “Let’s keep moving.”
Ferrick nods and follows him to the back wall. I glance over my shoulder, ensuring they’re not paying attention as I wrap my hand in one of my shirts to hide my exposed skin. I scoop the necklace back up and tuck it safely into the stolen boots.
The chance to study Zudoh’s magic has been handed to me, and I don’t intend to pass it up.
I follow the boys to the back wall of the shop. The wall looks no different from the others, except for the tiny markings of crossbones. Bastian knocks on them once. Then twice, and suddenly the wall splits clearly down the middle and opens like a door.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Ferrick and I stumble back in shock as an alarmingly tall man knocks the hangers back and peeks out from behind them. He wears a rich lavender suit that looks as though he’s pulled it straight from the constellations. A shooting star flies across his legs and onto his vest, shimmering through the sky that winks with his every step.
“Evening!” he says pleasantly, as though there’s nothing strange about standing in the middle of what was a solid wall only seconds before. Then he squints at Bastian, and his lips curve into a grin. “Well, now! I didn’t think we’d see you any time soon.” He stretches a long arm out to push the wall open wider, as if opening a door. On either side of him, trousers tilt askew on their hangers. “Welcome, welcome. Come on in.”
The wall continues to stretch until it reveals a room of a dozen colors, enchanted lights swirling behind him. When the man steps back, those colors reflect off his cool umber skin in shades of pink, orange, and then a vibrant, sharp red.
My body tenses with uncertainty, but there’s no denying the echo of soldiers somewhere nearby. I force myself to follow behind Bastian as he steps into the strange lights, and with a nervous glance, Ferrick does the same.
The wall slams shut behind us.
The air is hazy with pungent cigar smoke and raucous laughter I somehow couldn’t hear only a moment ago. My eyes widen as I take in the enchanted interior. The marble floor shimmers an iridescent turquoise that darkens and stretches like the ocean before it shifts to a deep violet. The farther in we venture, the louder the music of piano and horns becomes.
Aside from the man in the star suit, the only ones inside this strange place are women who do not don the typical Ikaean style I’ve grown accustomed to. While the colors remain shades of soft pastels, the dresses are shorter. Tighter and simpler. Two women with pink hair cropped to their chins and matching satin dresses kick their feet and dance with the quick rhythm of the music, sipping from tall flutes of effervescent or deep goblets of wine. Others spend their time smoking cigars that puff sweet violet smoke and chatting, while more fill the back booths, sitting with their bodies pressed too closely to only be having friendly conversation. A few of them wear attractive suits tailored to fit their bodies perfectly, something I’ve yet to see any woman in Ikae wear.
Across the floor, behind the piano, a glass wall overlooks Ikae’s bay. And though we can see people as they pass by, no one seems to be able to see us.
“This is impossible,” I whisper, breathless. “How did we not see this place before?”
“Because it wasn’t there before.” The man in the star suit laughs. “It was covered by an enchantment. When you find the entrance to our club, that’s when we lift the veil. And we never use the same entrance twice. Now, let me help you with those.” He rests his hand atop my pile of clothing, and the trousers at the top lift in the air. I choke on my breath as the other pieces follow, folding themselves into the trousers and shrinking. Shrinking, shrinking, shrinking, until the entire stack is no larger than my pinkie. He draws a small teal ribbon from his pocket and swiftly ties it around the miniature trousers before handing them to me.
I promptly tuck them into my satchel. Beside me, Ferrick rubs his eyes in disbelief.
“Just untie it when you want them,” the man says, only smiling at the strange expression I’m surely making. “What’s your name, lovely?”
“We’re not here to chat, Liam,” Bastian interrupts. “We’re here to talk to Shanty about a job.”
“Shanty, huh?” Liam sets his hand atop Ferrick’s pile of clothing and repeats the enchantment. “Let me guess, this has something to do with all those guards running around outside? I suppose they must be looking for Princess Amora, don’t you think? I heard her ceremony was one for the books; it’s a shame I missed it.” His silver eyes flash to mine, and the smile on his glittering lips stretches.
Magic clenches my gut as I instinctively set a hand upon the dagger beneath my cloak.
Liam gently shakes his head. “There’s no need for that. We make no judgments here at Barracuda Lounge. This is a place of … opportunity.”
“Barracuda Lounge?” My skin crawls as I think back to Bastian’s conversation with the woman at the tavern. “Just what is this place, exactly?” Liam is no longer the only one paying attention to us. Behind him, dozens of women examine us with keen interest.
“This is where you come when you need the type of help or information you can’t find anywhere else.” It’s a girl who answers—a beautiful blond with generous curves. She wears a slinky red satin dress that clings to her body and leaves little to the imagination. Her eyes are the same color, as are her lips, which pucker sourly as she glances at Bastian.
; “You owe me money,” she growls at once, arms folding. “If you think I’m helping you again, you’re more of a fool than I thought.”
Liam’s face never falters from its grin. “Your assistance is precisely what he requested, Shanty.”
The girl rolls her eyes. “Of course it is. Then pay up, pirate. You know we don’t work for free.”
Though I’m well aware of the freshly stolen pouch of coins hidden beneath his cloak, Bastian’s face contorts into a convincing grimace. “You know I’d pay you if I could. But I’ve been trying my hand at more honest work, lately. Only taking what I need, you know? I’m afraid keeping my hands clean doesn’t make for too much coin.”
Shanty waves a dismissive hand and turns to go. “Then I’m not interested in what you have to say. Get out of my club.”
“Wait a second—” Bastian reaches out to grab Shanty’s wrist, and all at once there are a dozen barracudas behind her with weapons at the ready—knives, spiked whips, and other rather creative tools I’ve never before seen. I swallow hard and set my hand upon my satchel as their lips twist into vicious sneers that force Bastian to quickly release his grip.
There’s no question as to whether Barracuda Lounge was aptly named. No one sits at the piano or holds the swaying saxophone, but somehow the swanky rhythm knows to quiet as the tension rises.
Shanty turns her focus to me, eyes roaming over my body in a way that forces heat to my cheeks. “The princess may stay, of course. My barracudas and I will assure that she remains safe.”
Though I suspected Liam had already guessed who I am, I falter when Shanty confidently announces my title, as though she recognized me from the moment I stepped into this strange place.
“How’d you know?” I ask, earning a quirk of her brow.
“Please.” She snorts, blond hair shifting to baby-pink waves that she bats over her shoulder. “You may be cooped up on your island, but that doesn’t mean the rest of us are. It’s my business to know faces.”
Something about the way she says that forces shivers down my spine.
“The pirate and I have something to take care of,” I tell her after licking my dry lips, squirming under her scrutiny. “I’m afraid I’m stuck with him for the time being.”
Shanty casts a dramatic sigh toward Bastian. “Fine. Out with it, then. Tell me why I should further help someone who’s already in my debt.”
“Because you’ll be offering your assistance to the future High Animancer of Visidia,” I say for him, ignoring the way my stomach clenches again, cramping up. I set a hand upon it, trying to steady my nerves. “And I have to think that’s a good person to have on your side.”
“Funny, because I heard your performance didn’t quite go as expected.” She cocks a brow.
“By the season’s end, that won’t matter.” I put every ounce of conviction into my words as I can muster. “I’ve a plan to earn my title.”
“But we need your help,” Bastian finishes.
This earns her attention. She pauses, head cocking as a thoughtful grin eats its way across her face. “So you’re saying that the future of Visidia’s throne is up to me?” She licks her lips. “What a position to be in. But you know, it’s interesting. I received a counteroffer to this very same issue a few weeks ago.”
My body numbs as Bastian tenses beside me. “What are you saying?”
“My barracudas and I have quite a bounty on our heads, you know. And we were offered an interesting proposition to help take care of that … assuming we help eradicate Visidia’s monarchy.”
My magic thrums to life, warming my core and stretching into my forearms. I want to sink into its protection, but hesitate.
I heard your performance didn’t quite go as expected.
The memory of Aran’s bloodied, mangled body eats through my brain. Rather than reach for my satchel, I tighten my grip around my dagger’s hilt.
I can’t risk letting my magic loose in a crowd this large. Not until I know for sure I’ll have to fight.
Not until I know that I’ll have to kill.
Bastian mirrors me, moving for his sword. But a girl with soft blue hair presses a dagger to his throat before he can even get the blade out.
“Stars,” he growls. “You women really love these things.”
Ferrick throws his hands in the air as one of the barracudas points a long, thin knife at him. Though he may be able to regenerate, even the most powerful Suntosans can’t mend a fatal wound.
I stiffen expectantly, waiting for a knife to my own throat. But surprisingly, the barracudas leave me alone.
Shanty looks Bastian over and arches a fine pink brow. And then she laughs, a soft but dark sound. “Oh relax, pirate. I’d never accept a deal with Zudoh. Even with Kerost, they don’t have the numbers to take on Visidia. I know a losing battle when I see it.”
“It may be a losing battle now, but Kaven’s influence is spreading.” I don’t sheathe my blade as Shanty’s attention flickers to me. She tilts her head, catlike. “Stores here carry Zudian clothing. I found a necklace possessed with Zudian curse magic, as well—”
“Oh, I bet that was a fun time,” she teases.
I side-eye Bastian, who swallows against the blade on his throat, then say, “Should Kaven win over another island, there’s no saying how bad things might get for Visidia. I need to put an end to his rebellion before it spreads any further.”
She nods her head side to side, as if considering this. “Aye, but I don’t see where I fit into this problem. As I’ve said already, there’s a price on my head. Why should I help the kingdom that put it there?”
“Because I can get rid of it,” I say firmly, watching the interest lift in Shanty’s eyes. “And because if Kaven gains control, there’s no telling what might happen to this lounge of yours, especially since you refused to help him. Kaven can steal magic.”
Though a grin had been previously curling at her lips, it straightens away at once. “Can he, now? Well, that’s a problem.” She waves her hands, and the barracudas relax their weapons. “I’d like to help you, Princess, but let’s confirm one thing: Are you telling me that, should I lend my services, you’ll lift the bounty on me and every one of my barracudas?”
“Consider it done.” Though I may not know what put that bounty on their heads in the first place, it’s not as important as protecting Visidia. Not to mention that if the rebellion’s already tried to team up with the barracudas once, there’s nothing to say they won’t try again.
And something in my gut tells me Shanty isn’t someone I want to make my enemy.
Ferrick’s face retracts. “This doesn’t sound like a good plan—” His words cut off as I give him a swift nudge with my elbow.
“Very well, then. What can I help you with?” A wicked gleam crosses Shanty’s ruby eyes. The music kicks back up, and once again the club is thick with smoke and chatter as everyone slinks away to resume their business.
“We need a way to Zudoh,” Bastian says, rubbing tenderly at his throat.
Her attention bounces to him and she nods, waving us over to two leather booths in the far corner of the club. Taking a seat on the opposite side, she swings one leg over the other and leans back comfortably. She pays no mind to the generous slit of her dress, or the way it exposes a smooth, round thigh.
“The water surrounding Zudoh’s been cursed,” she announces easily. “Unless you’re invited in, it’s nearly impossible to get there without triggering it. Fully manned ships have sunk in those waters. I’ve heard too many stories of curious sailors who have tried to visit, but never made it back. If the curse itself doesn’t kill you for getting too close, it’s said the smell of a thousand dead and rotting fish might do the trick.”
Bastian works at his jaw, the gears in his head visibly shifting. “Surely there’s a way to get around the curse?”
“Around?” She laughs. It’s a soft sound, warm and inviting, but laced with an edge that sends shivers up my neck. “No. But there might be a way t
o navigate through it. You’ll just need some assistance.”
“Yours?” he asks. “Amora has jewels. We can pay—”
“And you have a pouch full of stolen coin!” I argue, shooting him a glare. He at least has the decency to look mildly embarrassed, and turns his face away.
Shanty’s eyes roam over Bastian curiously, likely looking for the well-hidden pouch. “I would never dream of stepping foot on that ship of yours. And it’s not my assistance you’ll need, regardless. If you want to get to Zudoh, you’re going to need to find yourself a mermaid.”
My blood runs hot. “Absolutely not. Anti-poaching laws were put into effect for a reason; their population is dying out.”
Shanty tilts her chin up proudly. “Ah, but there’s a flaw in that law. It’s only considered poaching if you disturb them while they’re still in the sea. The law says nothing about a mermaid on land.”
My blood boils. “So what, you want us to kidnap one? Just how will a mermaid help us, exactly?” Mermaids are no easy target. They’re rumored to have powerful magic that comes in the form of songs. One that can control the tides at will or summon creatures from the depths of the sea, and another meant to seduce anyone susceptible to a woman’s charm into the water and lure them to their deaths. In exchange for their protection, they’re no longer allowed to use their siren magic against us. But that doesn’t mean they won’t.
“Mermaids can sense magic,” she explains. “Namely ones that make things different than they normally are—like Zudoh’s curse magic and Mornute’s enchantment magic. A mermaid would be able to sense the curse barricading Zudoh, and show you how to navigate a path.”
“And how are we meant to find one?” I press my lips together and settle back in my seat.
“It’s been rumored that there’s one somewhere on Kerost.” Shanty inspects her fingernails as she speaks, watching the color change from a dangerous red to a deep plum. “If you can’t tell a mermaid by her face, you’ll be able to tell by her scars. Once they trade their fins for legs, it’s said mermaids have giant scars running down either side of their thighs—scars on their neck, too, where their gills should be.”