by LJ Andrews
Nova stepped close to Atlas, wishing she could run her blade through Gregor’s chest. Atlas’s jaw clenched, but his eyes blazed with anger. “Then I suppose you’ll have to get used to having no children,” he hissed before pushing through the door appearing desperate to hold in the fury bubbling beneath the surface.
With a final glance, Nova reveled in Gregor’s stunned expression before joining the crew outdoors. Smythe was pacing while the surrounding forest seemed engaged in battles.
“Atlas,” she called out. He stopped and turned on her furiously. “Are you all right?”
His lips pulled tightly as he clenched his teeth. “I would do well to get off this island. You’ve seen the only person who can make me cower like a beaten dog.”
“Don’t let him…” She trailed off, but Atlas was already tearing toward the forest line, away from Madame Vix’s shack and his father.
“Ye took much too long,” Smythe snarled. “It should’ve been a clean plunderin’.”
“We didn’t kill her,” Nova said darkly standing next to the captain. “Not everyone has to die for you.”
Smythe glared at Nova before snatching the tin from her hands. Ripping open the lid, he smiled widely staring at the inside. Nova curiously stepped around, wanting to see the great Eye of a Beholder. Nestled on a soft white cloth, a green stone the size of her fist pulsed with fiery blasts of color inside the translucent shell. It gleamed magically and Nova was transfixed with its beauty.
“Right then,” Smythe said slamming the lid closed. Nova felt a drudge of disappointment for the Eye being taken away. “Let us get back to the Vengeance, and make haste, ye dogs. I’ll not be rescuin’ anyone left behind. We have an Eye to deliver.”
Chapter 11
Winds of Change
The wind was calm and the ship sailed smoothly through the velvet clouds. In the upper skies, stars glittered as if trapped gems dotted the dark night. Below, the unaware islanders of Launi Kingdom tucked their young ones in for the night and went about peaceful business with no knowledge of the looming pirate ship sailing high above.
Smythe had holed himself in the captain’s cabin since retrieving the Eye and now the Star’s Vengeance sailed under the new moon waiting for word from the Three Brothers on the exchange location. Nova tangled her fingers nervously, first twisting them around one another before unraveling each one by one. Atlas was leaning against the rail of the ship, appearing melancholy as he stared off into the distance. Another pirate took over the helm in the smooth air currents, giving Atlas his respite time.
Nova took a deep breath and finally made her way across the deck toward him. From the corner of her eye, she saw Kale stop repairing a hinge on the brig hatch and follow her with quizzical eyes. Atlas held tightly to the rail so his knuckles pulled white against the pressure.
Clearing her throat, she stepped next to him. “I, um…I wanted to let you know I thought it was good…I mean, brave of you to face people you know like you did.”
Atlas looked down, his dark hair falling forward beneath his black bandana. “I never wanted to go to that island ever again.”
“But you faced it, and no one was harmed.”
He scoffed. “Apart from a few villagers. The crew couldn’t even contain their bloodthirst for that amount of time.”
“No one was killed,” she corrected. Shuffling her feet, she wrung her hands together again. “I just wanted to say thank you for doing what you did to help us get the Eye. It probably saved my skin for sure.”
A slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “It sounds like it saved everyone on this ship. For all you know, I did it to save myself.”
Nova shrugged. “At least no one on board will have to find out if we were all doomed, and you don’t scare me with your selfish talk, Atlas. I saw you that night, and you didn’t want to do anything to harm Vix. If you were saving your skin, you would’ve killed her and taken what you wanted without so much talk.”
He scoffed. “I suppose that’s true. I’m sorry she lost her powers, but I admit I’m elated we didn’t require an actual eye. I don’t believe I could’ve done it to Madame Vix. She did much for me in the months before and after Eliza died.”
Nova nodded, finding the words to say difficult to come by. After a long pause, she tapped the rail and stepped back. “Well, I’ll leave you to your thoughts. I’m sorry you had to see your father again.”
Atlas released the rail and looked at her so intently, Nova froze in place. “I tried so hard to avoid the other lane. Remember, I specifically said which lane to take to Madame Vix’s home? The other lane would’ve taken us to my childhood home. How I wished to avoid him, but I’m certain I deserved what I was dealt. My deeds haven’t been good, Nova. I should be punished for things I’ve done on this ship.”
“Atlas, stop,” she whispered, feeling her chest tighten with bitterness and pain.
“No,” he said abruptly. “I deserved it. I deserved reliving my pain and realizing even more the regret of my choice to pick that man over your life. Could there ever be…” He stopped and closed his eyes before looking at her again. “Could there ever be a day where you could forgive me?”
“I don’t think we need to open this again,” she said as flashes of memories filled her mind. Long nights laughing and dreaming of escaping the Vengeance. She remembered the day they met—Atlas had saved her then because he’d concealed her from the crew. He’d fought for her many times…was it so damning to try and save his father’s life? Wasn’t that what she had tried to do nearly a year earlier? She was still trying, and Nova knew she was a long way from the girl she’d been on Mollem Island. She’d done things to survive, to continue her search. Hadn’t Atlas done the same?
“I know it isn’t fair of me to ask,” he continued. “And I don’t think Kale would appreciate me talking like this.”
“Kale? Why would you say that?”
“I see the way he looks at you,” Atlas answered sadly. “I couldn’t ask you to ever trust me enough to try…us again, but I would be lying if I said I hadn’t wished it.”
Nova felt her insides twist when he stepped one step closer. “Kale…Kale is engaged, Atlas,” she said, looking at the deck. “We are only friends, and not even that really.”
Atlas took another step and brushed his hand over hers softly. Nova pulled it back, feeling as if different sides of her were being torn in opposite directions. “Then I will continue to hope for the day I have your forgiveness.”
Atlas bowed his head slightly and turned back toward the quarterdeck to resume helm duties. He glanced back once, meeting Nova’s eye. She felt like lead filled her boots, and her jaw dropped slightly in surprise.
“You okay, missy?” Taylor said, smiling from behind her.
She slowly nodded. “Yes, I’m fine.”
“Well, then don’t shirk yer chores.” He laughed. “Get a move on. We’s got lots to do before we set out to find them brothers.”
Nova turned and took the mop handle Taylor was holding out for her. She laughed, trying to hide the true turmoil inside. “You’re right. It wouldn’t do well now to be tossed into the Below. Not after all the fighting I’ve done to stay aboard.”
“That’s the spirit,” the old man chuckled and walked along the main deck, gabbing about all the crewmen he’d seen tossed overboard, even the ones meant to look like accidents. But he knew better.
The next morning was dreary and gray. Heavy, rain-filled storm clouds threatened to unleash upon the decks of the ship. Nova held a small tin filled with bitter root tea, the only drink Willy said was left for the likes of her. Angrily, she sipped the drink, dreaming of the day she could escape from the ridiculous, superstitious pirates.
She turned around at the sound of heavy clomping boots coming toward her quickly. Instinctively, she gripped the hilt of the dagger, but relaxed when Smythe stood behind.
“The meeting has been set,” he snarled. “We are to take the Eye to the brothers on a small unn
amed island off the shores of Silva. The message specifically asked to see ye again. So ye’ll be joinin’ me.”
Nova sighed. “I’d rather not see them again.”
“Ye don’t have a choice, lass. I’ll take ye kickin’ and screamin’ if I have to. Now, get ready.”
Smythe narrowed his eyes before stalking away from her as if it pained him more that he had to take her. Nova breathed out a long, strained string of air before stomping in the opposite direction.
“Nova, what’s going on?” Kale called out. She stopped and waited for him to catch up. “I saw the captain speaking with you. What’s up?”
“Apparently, we’re going to meet the Three Brothers today,” she snarled.
“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?” He asked, lifting an eyebrow. “Aren’t they supposed to tell us where the Island of Bones is? Then we’ll find the spyglass.”
“Yes, it’s a good thing,” she relented. “I’m just so fed up with Smythe I could…” she lifted her hands as if wringing someone’s neck, but didn’t say anything more.
Kale chuckled. “Just a little while longer. Can you keep your mood swings in check long enough?”
Nova glared at him. “You’re pretty cocky, Kale Tucker,” she said. “Maybe one of these days one of my mood swings is going to hit you directly in your fat head.”
He laughed, seeming to enjoy goading her on. “I look forward to it.”
“Enough chatter,” Taylor said, shoving between them. “Cap’n says ye need to load onto the boat, Missy. We be pitchin’ down toward Silva. It shouldn’t be too much longer. It just be ye, Master Kane, the Cap’n, an’ me goin’ ashore. ‘Course I don’t know why I needs to go.”
As Taylor spoke the Vengeance dropped through the clouds. The ship was controlled and smooth as Atlas steered it through heavy currents. When the foggy cover split and the Vengeance was once again in the white sunlight, Nova saw the top of the tropical jungles of Silva. The ship sailed around the high peak of an ancient volcano dotted with blue and red flowering Bushes on the fertile soil. She peered over the rail into the mouth of the enormous opening. The dark hole was a gateway to another world it seemed, with glittering black rock lining the lips of the mountain.
The Vengeance sailed on past the beautiful island, but Nova couldn’t help seeing Kale over her shoulder watching the tropics float by. She understood the feeling. Silva was Kale’s home and yet he couldn’t be free to return. She’d been on Mollem, walked its streets, and felt helpless to do anything to return.
“Load the boat,” Smythe commanded, snapping her out of her trance.
Nova rolled her eyes, checked her dagger, and stepped into one of the jolly boats. She sat at the bow, as far from Kane as possible. The wretched first mate slunk into the boat like an ogre. He licked his lips in her direction, watching her with his bloodshot eyes as if she were a meal while stroking his cutlass lovingly. Smythe remained standing at the back of the boat, keeping his eyes focused on the small dark island bobbing just North of Silva’s shores. An icy chill raised the hair on Nova’s arms. The closer they sailed to the border of the kingdom, the heavier the air was. It was strange to be so close to the border of the Unknown. Thick, black clouds clashed against the peachy clouds of Launi. The Unknown loomed ahead of them, filled with dangers Nova was certain she’d never be able to comprehend. She cursed the Three Brothers in her mind for bringing them to such a dismal meeting place, but of course, dismal people would choose such islands for trade.
“Take it about to that small cove I saw just there,” Smythe told Kane and Gold-tooth.
The micro-island was rocky and mountainous but lacked the same tropical foliage as its neighbor, Silva. The island, though considered small, was comparable in size to the other islands in Launi with its winding coastline, empty to any civilized communities. Trees with branches like crooked fingers and only a few dried leaves hanging from the ends lined the coast. Everything about the land shouted darkness. The island had broken through the barrier of the Unknown, floating into Launi as debris. It could’ve been hours earlier, or years, but Nova was certain the mysterious dark cloud cover had stripped the island of its beauty and left it a barren wasteland, and she didn’t want to know how.
Kane hopped out of the boat and quickly tied it off on a jagged shard of broken rock. Small gray lizards slithered around the stones, one snapping at Nova’s boot when she nearly stepped on its flat head.
“Why is it so…dead?” Nova said under her breath, shaking the scaly creature from her path.
“Who knows what this rock has seen in there, missy,” Taylor whispered, nodding toward the Unknown. “Nothin’ good happens when ye cross through them clouds. I already told ye that.”
“Master Kane, ye wait here with Gold-tooth. We’ll meet the brothers in a cave of thorns accordin’ to their message. Should anythin’ go amiss ye know what to do.”
“And what if the witch betrays ye, Cap’n,” Kane growled.
“See to it yer way,” Smythe said before gripping Nova’s arm and pulling her away.
“What did you mean by that, with Kane I mean?” she asked, stumbling across a rocky ledge.
“Master Kane would like nothin’ more than to put a bullet in yer head, miss. It appeases his bloodlust if I at least give him permission to do so, should ye ever think of betrayin’ me.”
Nova sighed. “Good to know, I suppose.”
“Come here,” he said, pointing toward a large, black opening in a jagged hillside. “There be where we meet the brothers.”
Around the mouth of the opening were remains of bushes she was certain could’ve been lovely. Now, only brambles and branches of sharp thorns slithered up the sides of the cave. Smythe removed his cutlass and sliced through the thorny arms, cutting a small passage for them to slip through.
The cave smelled like rain water, and inside was surprisingly bright. Green algae grew along the walls and almost glowed through the darkness. The neck of the cave was short before opening up to a great cavern. In the center were three high-backed wooden chairs, each occupied by one terrifying brother.
“You have come,” Patus said, his voice smooth and airy. He was dressed in a fine suit, much like an island baron, but his pallid skin seemed even more translucent and diseased since the previous meeting. His yellow teeth showed as his thin lips pulled into a smile.
Virtus and Co smiled next to him, with identical sickly lips. Co had each finger covered in brilliant gold rings, and Virtus held a large wooden box encased in jewels on his lap. His empty eye sockets watched Nova, sending thrilling chills down her spine. The black holes were more frightening yet telling than any eyes could ever be. The brothers dressed immaculately as if to conceal their curse of lust and starvation.
“Have you brought it?” Co asked in his deep, dangerous voice.
“Aye. We kept our end of the bargain,” Smythe said, trying to sound confident, but Nova could hear the fear in his voice.
Virtus laughed wickedly. “I gather from that statement you were about to threaten up if we did not continue to help you with your search for the spyglass?”
“Just tell us where it is,” Nova said abruptly. She was tiring of the brothers’ endless games. The sooner she had the spyglass, the sooner she would be free.
Co’s brows furrowed and Patus clapped his hands together gleefully. Virtus watched her carefully through his soulless black holes.
“Ignore the wench,” Smythe said, sounding desperate. “She doesn’t understand who she be speakin’ with.”
“Oh, I think she does,” Patus said. “Which makes it all the more entertaining. A woman, unafraid of our power.”
“I simply want to be on our way,” Nova insisted.
“Give us the Eye,” Co demanded.
Smythe quickly pulled out the tin and held it open for the brothers to see. Patus absorbed it hungrily, and Virtus inhaled so deeply and with such exhilaration it was unnerving. Co carefully lifted the Eye and held it up to his empty eye sockets.
>
“Is it authentic, Brother?” Virtus asked.
“Yes, it is a genuine Eye,” Co said.
Patus pulled out a rolled yellowed parchment with a red skull on the seal. “This is the way to the Island of Bones. The only thing left to say is choose the crew to go ashore wisely. Anyone of faint heart will not survive. The spyglass will be found in the center of the island on the altar of sacrifice. Our business is concluded.”
Smythe snatched the scroll out of Patus’s gray, wrinkled hand and slowly backed away toward the mouth of the cave.
“Brothers, we nearly have all we need, but I think we would be great fools to dismiss we have a stronger bargain in front of us,” Co said slowly.
“Enlighten us, Brother,” Patus said.
“I think you know,” Virtus replied, cocking his head to one side.
All three brothers turned their heads at once and locked their empty faces on Nova. In a strong, surge of power Nova fell to her knees. Her mind whirled as her sight seemed to drift to another place. The dark cave morphed quickly to the bright throne room, where the woman in white stood stiff and distressed.
Do not go with them, the words echoed in her head as if they were shouted next to her ear. They cannot be trusted. I can protect you, Nova. You must believe me. You must run now before you become a slave to their greed. You are more powerful than them, now use it.
I can’t, Nova’s own thoughts answered as the drowning pressure on her chest threatened to squash all the air from her lungs.
You can, and you must. Stop them and leave before it’s too late. Close your eyes and command your will and it will be so.
The bright gold and white of the throne room swirled into a mesh of gray and black until Nova found herself lying on her side, back in the cave. The woman was gone, but the vision had been undeniable.
Smythe was shouting at her to get up, his face twisted in confusion. Everything seemed out of focus, but slowly she watched the terrifying skeletal figures of the brothers step toward her.