The Band of Shadows (The Djinn Kingdom Book 3)

by LJ Andrews

  “Don’t forget what I said,” Atlas whispered low and dark before stepping off to the edge of the cave.

  Nova swallowed hard as Kale pulled her closer.

  “I want to ask about that later,” he whispered so only she could hear before turning to the others with a sense of urgency. “I have to tell you all something. They are going to move us. I don’t know where but they keep saying something about the ring. I think I’ve been here for days. I’ve lost track, but I know one thing: These people are unlike anyone I’ve ever met. They are silent in their movements, they are fierce fighters, and they are certainly our greatest enemy.”

  Chapter 11

  Shadow Island

  The air was cold in the dark cave, signaling night had fallen on the secret prison. Kale leaned against one wall, facing Nova who leaned against the other. He smiled at her as if so pleased his lips could not stay neutral.

  “What is it?” Nova said, laughing at his silly grin.

  Kale shook his head. “I just never imagined I would…you know…be so bold. I’ve just been keeping that in for so long, when I saw you…I don’t know what came over me,” he said, looking away and keeping the same childish expression.

  Nova flushed and slowly entangled her fingers with his. “I can understand. I’m just so pleased you’re safe.”

  “What about Atlas?” he whispered, nodding to the corner where Atlas and Briggs were sleeping. “Is he going to shoot me in my sleep?”

  Nova chuckled. “Perhaps. Before you arrived, Atlas and I were slowly discovering we are not a good match for one another. Even if he doesn’t see it clearly, I think deep down he knows it, too.” Kale rested his head against the wall, as if not entirely confident in her conclusion. Nova cleared her throat, trying to change the subject. “Kale, what happened? How did they take you?”

  Kale’s face fell almost instantly. “I have a hunch I was set up. I had already made the decision to come after you. Of course, I had to tell Geni, who did not take the news well. The next thing I remember after going to bed for the night is waking up in the back of a wagon, and being dragged to the coast by masked men. I don’t even know what has become of my family, or Geni.”

  “They are unharmed, from what I understand.”

  “How do you know?” he asked, with piqued interest.

  “I’m afraid it was Dirk who double-crossed you. We crossed paths with Geni and him, and he is also the reason we’re here.” Kale cursed Dirk’s name and tossed a pebble hard against a wall. Nova stroked one side of his cheek, just under his bruised eye. Kale turned and faced her, seeming to calm with her touch. “They’ve hurt you. Why, when they haven’t interacted with us in the least?”

  “I get the feeling they didn’t intend to interact with me either. However, I didn’t exactly go quietly. They were defending themselves.”

  “Kale Tucker,” Nova said in mock irritation. “Have you been causing trouble for the scary men in black?”

  He chuckled and kissed the side of her head while wrapping one of his arms around her and pulling her against him. Nova nestled against his chest, feeling a peaceful serenity listening to his rhythmic heartbeat.

  “Kale, I have to tell you something,” she said quietly.

  “What is it?”

  “I chose the power,” she said. “I felt I had to let it in to find my family. I know you believe I don’t need to choose one or the other, but I don’t see how I can ever find Dia without it. Though since being here, something seems to be blocking my ability to use it.”

  Kale was silent for a long moment until he pulled her tighter against him. “You are still you,” he whispered. “If you had lost your Nova-ness, you wouldn’t be here with me right now. I will die believing you can have both the power of a Djinn while still keeping your kind” –he kissed her head— “caring”—he kissed her forehead— “stubborn”—he kissed her nose, while lowering his voice “sweetness that has always been you and always will be.” Kale kissed her lips gently, filling Nova’s stomach with hurricanes.

  The clang of a door outside the bars snapped them apart. Atlas and Briggs shot up and watched straight ahead.

  “Nova,” Kale whispered urgently. “No matter what, don’t let them see your power. I heard them speak of the temple as a curse. I don’t believe Djinn and these people see eye to eye.”

  “Kale, I can’t always help it,” she said, feeling a growing tension inside as shuffling feet surrounded the bars.

  “You can,” he said, squeezing her hand. “I don’t know what they want with us, but we’ll get out of this.”

  Before she could say anything, Nova felt strong hands wrap around her arms, pulling her away from Kale. Four men covered head to toe in black clothing subdued her. The swirling darkness inched through her body, but the fire was extinguished into shaky weakness as they lifted her out of the cage and down a long, dark hallway.

  One by one they were loaded onto a long ship made from dark wood. The hull gleamed with heavy lacquer creating a sparkling effect that matched the stars in the sky. The canvas sails were oddly shaped, more jagged and triangular.

  Nova was first to be tossed against the low rails on the main deck of the ship. Atlas came next; five men held tightly to his ankles and shoulders as he kicked and pitched, fighting against the band with every step they took.

  With more force than necessary, they tossed Atlas next to Nova. He had his hands bound in thick, scratchy rope, but it didn’t stop him from lunging awkwardly after them.

  “Come back here, cowards!” he snarled.

  “Atlas, it will do no good right now,” Nova whispered.

  He faced her with blazing eyes. “Forgive me if I haven’t resigned myself to these monsters just yet.”

  Nova pursed her lips, feeling a wave of frustration toward him. It was clear; Atlas would punish her for a while for her choice. Briggs and Kale both walked freely up the gangplank, two men on either side. Briggs mumbled curses and threats under his breath, but the band of shadows members took no notice.

  As the ship disembarked into the night sky, the hull and sails seemed to disappear against the twinkling backdrop of stars and clouds. Nova gulped as the ship sailed through the dark night at an incredible speed. The sails miraculously captured every tailwind and speeding current in the sky. Whether it was luck or the craftsmanship of the vessel, it was clear there was more to the band of shadows than she’d originally thought. Never in Launi had a ship of such speed sailed the skies. The royal armada was filled with the fastest ships, but nothing compared to this. The wind whipped her golden curls against her face as the hidden cave disappeared in their wake.

  Kale met Nova’s eye before scooting closer to her on the deck. “From my experience in the navy, when prisoners are transported, it usually isn’t to a better place. I suggest that when the ship docks will be our best opportunity to make a run for it.”

  Atlas scoffed. “And what if they cover our heads again and take us to another cave? Then what? I say we take them out now. It would help if we had some supernatural force on our side.”

  Nova glared at Atlas, but with similar stubbornness, he glared back.

  “Don’t put that on her,” Kale said, his jaw tensing.

  “It’s no use, Kale,” Nova replied with sarcasm. “Sometimes when you live the life of a pirate for too long, all you can see is power, even if it isn’t healthy, or good.”

  Atlas’s face turned up in painful frustration as he wrenched his eyes away from Nova and stared straight ahead. Nova bit her bottom lip until she tasted metal on her tongue. Her words had been too harsh, but the churning tension building in her chest kept the humility of apology at bay.

  “That’s enough from both of ye,” Briggs growled. “We stick together and don’t turn away from each other, ye understand?”

  The three of them nodded slowly as though they were pouting children. From the stern of the ship a man with a long, black robe and his face completely covered sauntered with ease, despite the speed of the s
hip. The narrow slit in the material over his face revealed knowing eyes that seemed to see deep within them. Nova squirmed uncomfortably beneath his gaze, unsure why his presence made her feel physically ill.

  He stopped in front of them, his hands clasped behind his back as he watched them for a long, uncomfortable moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was clear and smooth. The deep rumble sounded like a perfectly tuned drum, rolling easily over his tongue and onto their senses. Despite the pleasant sound, the accent was foreign. Each island in Launi had different dialects and subtle accents, but the dark stranger’s was unlike anything she’d heard before. Nova cocked her head studying his words, unsure if his mystery frightened or intrigued her.

  “Being pirates, you surely have gone through a trial to prove your worthiness to join your crew. We desire the same from you now,” he said. Even though his mouth was covered, Nova imagined him smiling beneath the shroud. “In the ring, you will prove your worthiness not to join the band, but your worthiness for life.”

  “We aren’t pirates,” Kale said, glaring at the man whom Nova determined to be the leader of the band transporting them. “You have no reason to do this.”

  He knelt low, leaning closer to Kale’s face so his surprisingly clear eyes were more visible. “Are you looking for the mountain?” Kale didn’t answer but backed away in surprise. “Have you sailed beneath pirate colors?”

  “You have us wrong,” Nova said angrily.

  The leader turned his head toward her, eerily slow, his eyes furious as if she ignited bitter rage within him. “I do not think I do. You fools do not know the damage you could cause, and the Commander made certain we would recognize Dia pirates.”

  “Perhaps you should think for yourselves,” Nova said with venom before repeating her sentiments. “Because your commander has us wrong.”

  “I lead the band of shadows,” he said in the strong smooth voice, which stirred a sense of fear within her. “It is of no consequence to you who we welcome for guidance. You would still face the ring even without the commander. Your desperation to find the mountain is evident. I can practically smell it on you.” His eyes narrowed as he studied her.

  Nova’s lips curled angrily, and to her relief, the heavy weight of the Djinn seemed to strengthen on the deck of the dark ship.

  “You’ll regret this,” Atlas snarled as Briggs shot a curious look in Nova’s direction.

  She took no notice; the storm strengthening inside filled her with confidence and the dark arrogance. She nearly chuckled with indifference as the band’s leader slowly backed away, his eyes bright and clear with excitement.

  “We shall see. We’ve arrived,” he said darkly.

  They peered over the rail as the peeking sun shone along the surface of a heavily forested micro-island. Beyond the island, it was as if a clash of the dark Below and the gray Unknown met in one heavy black line of stormy clouds. It was ominous and certainly far enough away from the other islands in the kingdom that no one would find them. Taking a deep breath, Nova embraced the budding strength shooting through her blood as the ship rocked ever closer.

  The island was shrouded by heavy clouds, while the surface was covered in rocky vales and peaks breaking through the forests. The cloaked leader stood stiffly at the stern as the ship slowed gently, and the helmsman drifted into a dark cove with a dock made of heavy iron bars.

  Painful sparks ignited in Nova’s chest as she fought to thwart the direction of the ship; as Kale had said, it was their only chance. Somehow, she knew once she stepped foot on the island her life would change forever and there was no time to learn what lay beyond the dock.

  The invisible shield that had once fought against her power seemed to crack as stronger waves pushed through. The ship rocked slightly, drawing Atlas’s eyes in her direction. Nova saw Briggs whisper to Kale out of the corner of her eye, but she kept her focus straight ahead. The ship pitched again as a new wave of swirling turmoil blasted through her veins. This time, the band of shadows soldiers took notice. Several gripped the rigging around the gray sails and adjusted the heavy triangles, hoping to combat rough air.

  Nova glared at the leader, who slowly turned around. His eyes glimmered in the sunlight, which surprised her. Everything about the others was dark, even their eyes. But now, more than before, his eyes shone like gold crystals beneath his black mask. Nova took a deep breath and in a final surge of fury, the darkness broke through the invisible barrier. The ship pitched violently, swerving off course before pummeling into a line of jagged rocks just off the coast of the small island. Splitting wood echoed through the skies as the masts and sails mangled upon one another like a tangled web of wood and rope.

  Nova leapt from her spot, followed closely by the others. Atlas jutted his shoulder into a smaller man’s midsection, sending him to the deck onto his knees. Kale unsheathed a small, hidden dagger from his boot and cut the ropes binding Atlas’s wrists.

  “You just happened to have a knife down there, and just cut these ropes now!” he shouted.

  “I kind of like it when you’re tied up and dependent on my help,” Kale responded snidely.

  Nova rolled her eyes as she leapt over the rail, landing off balance on the outer rocky coast.

  “Careful,” Kale shouted, leaping after her.

  Once Briggs and Atlas had followed they darted toward the smoother, sandy beach.

  “We’s got to hide in them trees,” Briggs shouted.

  Nova glanced over her shoulder. The unique ship was mangled against the jagged rocks. Dark captors leapt from the deck, darting after them on foot. Nova scoffed arrogantly.

  They’ll never catch us, she thought to herself as the distance grew between them.

  Turning back around, she smiled as the line of trees grew closer and closer. As they were about to step across the threshold of the beach to the forest, several tall figures clad in black stepped out from the thick trunks.

  Kale slid to a stop and Nova crashed into his back. Her jaw dropped.

  “How…how did you…” she stammered as the cloaked leader stepped in front of the small group of men encircling them and preventing their further escape.

  His bright eyes laughed at her, and her knees instantly crumbled. She fell hard as her lungs heaved for air as if some great force was wringing them like a damp rag.

  “Nova,” Kale said, pulling her toward him on the ground.

  “Stop it, whatever you’re doing,” she heard Atlas shout at them.

  “Don’t hurt ‘er.” Briggs’ growl seemed distant.

  “I think you will find we are not like any foe you’ve faced before.” It was clear as the sun in the sky. The smooth, perfect tone of the leader’s voice came into focus, unlike the foggy sounds of the island around her.

  Her head lolled to one side, trying to find him and surge any last bit of strength in his direction, but before the spark of dark power could ignite again, everything went black.

  Chapter 12

  The Dream

  Her shoulders ached with a stinging feeling going up and down her neck and back. Her long lashes fluttered open to a small cell with a single window allowing a beam of bright sun into one corner.

  Nova’s eyes followed her arms raised above her head. Heavy iron shackles bound her wrists, with a chain wrapped tightly around her waist. Feeling a wave of panic at the solitude and sudden confinement, she jangled the iron chains trying in vain to break free.

  “Nova.” Kale’s voice echoed at the sudden clinking iron. “Are you awake?”

  “Kale? Where are you?” she asked, glancing to every side of her cell.

  “I’m to the left of you. We’re all in different cells, but we’re all here. I thought they would kill us on the beach, but the band of shadows seems more sinister. They must be keeping us alive for some sick reason.”

  Nova sighed loudly. “That’s just what I want to hear.”

  “No sense hiding the truth,” Atlas’s dark tone came from directly behind her.

  “
Glad yer all right, lass,” Briggs said gently from the right. Nova smiled, feeling grateful tears brimming that her adopted uncle was unharmed. “Ye just fell down when we met that big one on the beach. For the life of me, I can’t figure how he got on out in front of us. What happened to ye? Why’d ye go out again?”

  Nova bit her lip, remembering the overwhelming weakness that ripped through her body until she faded away. “I don’t know, exactly. Perhaps he is using some kind of sorcery. Could he be a unique Beholder?” She asked the question to everyone.

  “I’ve heard of powerful Beholders, but nothing that could single out a particular person,” Atlas said. “It obviously has something to do with the Djinn; must be some kind of reaction. So, I suggest you fight back.”

  “I know, you suggest many things,” Nova snipped.

  They fell silent as the sound of impressive hinges creaking open drew their attention to the entrance.

  “What’s happening?” Atlas asked, unable to see the front from where his cell was positioned.

  “It be out of me view,” Briggs replied in a breathy whisper.

  Nova’s eyes turned to narrow slits when he walked closer. The robed leader trudged arrogantly through the entrance and made his way straight for her cell. His face was still completely masked; only his eyes shone through. She’d thought they’d been much lighter before, but now they were a deeper gold with flecks of brown as he studied her without blinking.

  “Still too much of a coward to show your face, I see,” she said arrogantly.

  He scoffed, but to her surprise, he raised his hand to the back of his mask. Slowly, he pulled back the shroud he’d kept on so long. His thin lips pulled up into a confident grin as his golden eyes stayed on her. His face was smooth, not a blemish in sight. He must have been close to her father’s age, but his eyes seemed much older—wiser. His hair was dark, like a brilliant night sky with blue shades as if the light of the sun hadn’t yet faded completely.

  “I am no coward,” he said, almost as if he was mocking her. “And you will see many faces now that you are here, for there is no one to conceal ourselves from. In fact, you may call me Hadwin. Learn my name, she-pirate. It will be the one you call to for mercy.”