by Apryl Baker
“No, I’m the real Stephen. Shoot him,” the changeling and Stephen said at once.
Lukas’s brow was furrowed, uncertainty etched into his hard features.
If this weren’t enough, the changeling flung himself at Stephen, continuing their struggle to further confuse the first mate.
“Shoot him!” the changeling roared.
A wild idea sprung into Stephen’s thoughts. One that would prove him as the real Stephen without causing him any harm.
“Lukas, shoot us both,” Stephen said, blocking another blow from the changeling’s saber. “It’s the only way to be sure.”
The plan was foolproof. Lukas would know only the real Stephen would offer up such a sacrifice.
Stephen was wrong.
Both pistols roared into life as they dispersed their shot. Stephen felt a fiery ball of pain explode across his right leg before he fell to the ground.
Unconsciousness sought to drag him into a dark embrace, but Stephen fought past the pain and shock at being shot. A quick look told him the changeling was also down with the exact same wound.
“Both of you stay down until we can figure this out.” Lukas dropped his pistols and unsheathing his own sword. “They aren’t life threatening shots. Whichever of you is the real Stephen will be fine.”
“That’s easy for you to say.” Stephen pressed a hand to his right upper leg to stop the bleeding. Out of the corner of his eye, he witnessed the much stronger changeling coil its legs under itself and launch into the air toward Lukas. “Watch out!”
The warning was just in time for Lukas to pivot his stance and bring his sword up.
The changeling abandoned its form again in midair, reverting to its true self. It tackled Lukas, pinning him to the floor. The two began to violently struggle.
I can’t believe he actually shot me. Stephen labored to his feet as he fought to ignore the agony in his leg.
Each step was a new definition in pain as Stephen limped to the battling pair. The changeling was on top, both claws being held in check by Lukas’ own hands, but the latter was slowly losing the fight.
“Shhhhh, let go,” the changeling whispered to his victim. “Let go, and it will all be over soon.”
Stephen grabbed one of the many cannon balls still rolling free on the deck and lifted it high over his head. In one brutal move, he brought the piece of lead down on the changeling’s skull.
The changeling fell to the side, unconscious. Stephen fell to Lukas’ other side, weak from pain, exhaustion, and loss of blood.
“Thanks.” Lukas heaved a huge sigh of relief. The man’s hands were both bloody, his right eye already swelling.
“Don’t thank me too soon,” Stephen said, only half joking. “I owe you a bullet in the leg.”
“Not the leg.” Lukas made a poor attempt at stifling a chuckle. “I shot you in the butt.”
“You’re the worst rescuer ever.” Despite the pain, he also felt a laugh of relief escape his lips. “In the butt?”
“In the butt,” Lukas agreed, both men openly laughing.
Chapter Fourteen
Valeria stood braced against one of the railings, watching the wild storm. Sheets of heavy rain bombarded the ship. Several of the men had been washed overboard in the initial onslaught. Thankfully, due to Jacoby’s quick thinking, he’d grabbed some extra rope they stored in one of the compartments near the main mast, and with the help of several others, they’d hauled them all back aboard. Thankfully, at that point, they had still been pretty low to the water.
The sky raged with dark blue and purple storm clouds, obscuring the sun and plunging them into near darkness. Thunder boomed and lightning lit up the sky, the only source of light to be found.
They’d moved from one extreme to another.
The complete and utter darkness unnerved Valeria more than it did even the crew. She’d been locked in the dark as a child at Madame’s, one of the woman’s favorite punishments. Perhaps that was why she wasn’t so quick to judge the Dragon, even felt some compassion for the girl. They shared a fear of the dark and small places. Lukas had told her how the girl had been reprimanded as a child. It seemed it wasn’t only humans who came up with inhumane punishments. All races and species were capable of horrific deeds.
“Here you are!” Tobias shouted over the storm, reaching her side and grabbing the railing. “Who passed a test?”
“Not me.” She raised her voice just enough to be heard. She’d suspected the second trial had been completed; she only wished she knew who.
Another heavy burst of wind and rain rocked the ship, causing them both to lose their balance. Had they not been holding onto the railing with a death grip, they might have gone overboard.
“We can’t take much more of this,” she said, regaining her balance.
“We’ll have to for as long as it takes to complete the third and final trial of The Crucible.” Tobias’ voice came out grim and strained.
Valeria couldn’t see how her ship could withstand this hurricane of a storm. The Emerald Queen wasn’t built for this. Sure, she’d weathered a few here and there, but never for more than a day or two. Any type of sustainability for days on end? It had never occurred to her to plan for that when building the airship. It had been designed for speed, not storms.
She spotted Lukas and Stephen staggering up from below decks and tried to get their attention, but her voice wouldn’t carry over the sound of the violent storm. She saw Jacoby was having the men lash themselves to the ship in the areas they were working. At least no more would go sliding overboard. She’d pulled her ship up further off the water. The waves had been too hard to deal with, but the wind wasn’t much better.
Squinting, she looked closer at the two of them. Lukas seemed to be supporting Stephen. Was he limping? Her first thought was they’d gotten into a fight. Lukas had professed feelings for her earlier. He knew she had feelings for Stephen. Had they argued?
No, she told herself. Lukas wouldn’t do that, at least not while they were in such a perilous situation. He understood the need for every able-bodied man and woman to survive this adventure.
It took them several minutes to reach her, and even Tobias appeared concerned.
“What happened?” she snapped as soon as they could hear her.
“He shot me.” Stephen sank down against the railing, looking relieved to be able to sit.
“You did what?” Valeria bellowed, rethinking her position on Lukas’ jealousy. “Why would you shoot him?”
“I shot the other Stephen too.” Lukas held up his hands in front of him as if to ward off Valeria’s ire.
“He did,” Stephen agreed.
“The other Stephen? What are you two talking about?” Neither made sense. Perhaps all the constant sunlight had tampered with their minds at long last?
“The changeling?” Tobias asked, his face drawn into tight lines.
“Aye.” Lukas caught hold of the railing as another gust of wind shook the ship. “We need to find shelter. The Emerald Queen isn’t built for this.”
“Never mind the ship.” Valeria’s confusion was quickly turning to anger. It was obvious everyone except for her knew what was going on. She was the captain, and they’d hidden this from her. Her eyes narrowed, and she shot them all a glare hot enough to scorch the driest desert. She did not like being kept in the dark, especially on her own ship.
“Now, before you go blowing up, hear me out.” Lukas swayed with the ship, and Valeria automatically reached out to catch him. Instinct. They’d kept each other safe for longer than she could remember. Stephen followed the movement, but she didn’t flinch from his questions. Lukas meant a lot to her. She just wasn’t sure if he meant more to her than Stephen himself did.
“Explain.” She bit the word out, frustration inching its way into her voice. She kept hold of him for safety. It wouldn’t do to have her first mate washed away in a hurricane. Or so she told herself, but the knowing smile he gave her made her want to squirm. Especia
lly in front of Stephen.
“It was part of the second test.” Tobias stepped closer to her, his voice fighting the wind. “It was the one who set up the Dragon.”
“And you are only now telling me this?” she seethed.
“Perhaps we should go below decks and speak on this?” Tobias offered. “It’s hard to hear up here in the wind.”
“Aye, we don’t want to leave the creature too long either,” Lukas agreed.
“You caught it?” Tobias asked, surprised.
“Stephen knocked it out while it was doing its best to kill me.” Lukas and Tobias both grabbed hold of Stephen, and they struggled to get him down the deck stairs.
Valeria stared after them a moment, angry. They kept this from her. She didn’t care for what reason either. The fact was they kept this from her. She snarled an obscenity as she stalked after them, stopping only to leave Jacoby in charge of the crew while she got to the bottom of this mess.
Chapter Fifteen
Nothing could be allowed to interrupt his speech. The 150-year celebration marking the defeat of DeCadia was approaching quickly, and this was where he would announce his plans for war. Everything had to be perfect.
What was not perfect was the report that the approaching vessel had passed the second test in the Crucible. No matter how miniscule the chance of there being someone on board who could derail his plans, they could not be allowed to enter Atlantis on a whim.
Kronos sat in his throne room, thinking over these things. He was alone. The only things moving in the large room were the blue flames held in ebony braziers. The fires twisted, retreated, and advanced, never striking the exact same pose.
The door opening into his throne room broke him from the trance-like concentration his eyes held on the tiny infernos. Hera entered, dressed appropriately in a dark, flowing cloak of her order.
“You called for me?” she asked as she made her way to his seat. “I can only guess it is about the approaching ship.”
Kronos allowed his normal rigid posture to slouch. His fingertips pressed against one another. What he was about to suggest would be tricky if handled the wrong way.
“Your last report on the Titan Project was—interesting.” Kronos paused here to read Hera’s thoughts. The woman’s eyebrows rose, and her mouth dropped open for a fraction of a second before she remembered herself and regained her stoic composure.
“The subjects are still volatile and difficult to maneuver,” Hera said, choosing her words carefully. “If the Atlantian people got word of what we were doing—”
“That is why they never will. All they need to concern themselves with is that their government is protecting them. How we do so is no business of theirs. They don’t really want to know anyway. It’s easier to turn a blind eye than look the truth in the face.” Kronos lifted himself in his seat and reclaimed his usual erect posture. “The vessel that has managed to pass through the first two tests obviously has someone very capable behind the helm. I have no desire to see them make it safely to Atlantis, not now.”
“I understand.” Hera folded her arms into the long sleeves of her robe. “I can leave right away. I’ll intercept them with the most promising subject of the Titan Project. No one will know.”
“No one can ever know.” Kronos’ voice was so low it almost came out a growl. “As far anyone is concerned, the Titan Project doesn’t exist. Your subjects died as heroes, in service to the Atlantian crown.”
“Of course—I will do as you command.” Hera nodded along obediently. Her shoulders were high, her face tense.
“But?” Kronos offered. It wasn’t like the strong-willed woman to seem so unsure in his or anyone else’s presence.
“But—” Hera cleared her throat. “—there have been some—unforeseen—developments with our most recent class of Titans.”
“I don’t have time for your word games.” Kronos felt his anger at the woman’s uncharacteristic hesitancy building. “Get to the point. What’s happened to them?”
“The combination of dark magic along with the drugs procured by our black-market friend has transformed the men and women in the project into something this world has never seen.”
“And?”
“And if the Titan succeeds in its mission, I’m not sure we will be able to contain it again.”
“So fear is where your reluctance stems.” Kronos’ lips twitched. “I would never mark you for the frightened type, Hera.”
Like he knew it would, his last verbal jab brought back fiery resolve to Hera’s eyes. Shedding her meek façade, she took a heavy breath.
“You don’t know what these creations are capable of. If you’d seen what I have, you wouldn’t be so quick to dispatch them.”
“I have full confidence that you will succeed.” Kronos motioned with his hand that their conversation had come to an end. “When your Titan destroys the ship, let him die along with it. Kill your animals if you can’t control them. It makes no difference to me. All that matters is that ship rests at the bottom of the ocean. I don’t care how you manage that task or who has to die in the process.”
“Your will shall be done.” In a tight whirl of her cloak, Hera turned to go.
“One more thing,” Kronos called to her retreating figure.
His words made her stop halfway to the door and turn.
“I want you to confirm the crewmembers on board before you kill them.”
“Expecting someone?” Hera’s usual taunting tone had returned. “Should I be looking for an acquaintance of yours?”
“Yes. I think you know him by name.”
“Tobias is dead.” Hera shook her head. “Or if not dead, then living out the rest of his miserable life alone, not heading a ship to return home. Paranoia isn’t a mantle that fits well on you, Kronos.”
“Just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean Tobias won’t return one day. I rose to this position of power because of my attention to detail. I won’t be blindsided on the brink of all-out war with DeCadia. I want to know who was on board before your creation kills them all.”
“Understood.” With another rustle of her cloak, she turned and exited the hall.
Memories of a time long past entered Kronos’ thoughts as he replayed his last interaction with Tobias. How the man had unwittingly helped him claim the throne and his eventual escape from Atlantis.
As much as Kronos wouldn’t believe Tobias would be stupid enough to return, there was a thought that he wasn’t alone. That perhaps somehow, through manipulation or otherwise, he had swayed others to his cause.
“Who do you carry?” Kronos spoke to the empty room. “What kind of crew openly braves the Crucible at this hour?”
***
Valeria fumed as she followed Lukas, Stephen, and Tobias below decks and to the storeroom. Lukas had locked it on his way out. For once, Valeria was glad she’d stuck to her guns about having a lock on this door. Initially, she’d been worried about being in a spot where rationing would be steep, and people did all sorts of crazy things when they were hungry.
When she walked in, she found the three of them huddled around a slumped form on the floor. Upon closer inspection, she drew back, horrified at the monstrous creature bound hand and foot. It reminded her of a larva, only human-sized.
“It was the second test.” Tobias pushed at it with his foot. “Meant to fool its victim into failing. Then it would have killed him and taken his place.”
“Me.” Stephen’s lips thinned. “Why would it choose me, though? I have nothing to do with Atlantis.”
“As I’ve explained many times to all of you, the Crucible tests those who are wavering in their beliefs. For you, Stephen, it picked up on your hatred for the Dragon and thought to exploit that. Had you allowed your own selfish need for vengeance to shine through, we would all be dead.”
“What?” Valeria asked. “What do you mean?”
“Did I forget to mention that?” Tobias sighed. “If we fail even one test, the entire crew perishes.”
“Yes, yes, you forgot to mention that!” Valeria nearly shouted. She would never have brought her crew into this had she known. Granted, she wanted to find Atlantis, but not at the cost of the lives of every man and woman on board The Emerald Queen. “It would have been nice to know before we started this journey.”
Tobias rubbed the back of his neck, much like she did when she was tired or frustrated. “It was a hectic moment, Valeria. I can’t be expected to remember everything. I’m too old for this nonsense.”
She quirked a brow. Old? He looked no more than twenty-five years old, thirty at the most. His physique had also regained its youthful vigor. Old he might be mentally, but he’d been returned to health.
“Well, what do we do with it now?” she asked, choosing to ignore that last statement.
“Kill it.” Tobias turned to face her. “We can’t risk letting it get loose. If it does, it could take on anyone’s shape. The creature is too dangerous to keep around.”
A low chuckle emanated from the thing lying on the cold floor. It took a breath and looked up at them. “You are asking the wrong questions, child of Atlantis.”
Her ears ached from the scratchy quality of its voice. It pierced her eardrums in a way that went beyond simple nails on a chalkboard. It felt like someone was stabbing her eardrums. But its question did grab her attention.
“And what should I be asking, then?”
“How I got on board.” Its gaze swiveled up to Tobias, steady, calculating. What did Tobias have to do with this?
“Tobias?”
“We should kill it now.” Tobias refused to look at her, and the instincts that kept her alive this long kicked in. The old man didn’t want to tell her something. She’d suspected he was lying to her about something or at the very least not sharing the entire truth. Was this it? Had he let a monster on board their ship, and if so, why?
“No, I think you need to explain a few things to me first. Did you let this creature on board my ship?”
His jaw clenched. He couldn’t lie to her any more than she could to him. A trait they shared from their Atlantian ancestry. Came in useful at times like this.