by LJ Andrews
“Forgive us, Highness,” a man’s voice said. “We’re searching for a dangerous thief. He’s already killed one of our men.”
Nova snarled at their lies, but part of her worried Neah might believe them and change her mind about helping her.
“I heard the alarm bells,” Neah said breathlessly. “I’ve been so frightened in here alone. Is my husband safe?”
“Of course, Majesty,” the man said. “Do not fret. We’ve searched your floor in its entirety. You are safe, but please don’t leave your quarters until we’re certain the culprit has been apprehended.”
“Of course,” Neah said.
Nova listened as the guard left. “Well played, Your Highness,” Nova said to the darkness before rushing up toward the north tower.
Just as the queen had said, the stairs took her to another level and she quickly turned into the tower’s stairwell. The north tower was nothing but an enormous room filled with fine furnishings and paintings of Insel.
Nova softly padded into the room, careful to not make a sound. She saw the large window where the Vengeance was to be waiting. It was beautiful, with colorful glass creating a collage of Launi Kingdom. Everything else was dedicated to the arrogant king.
Nova glared at one of the overly huge portraits of the king atop a black Pyrebird, conquering the greatest beast of the skies. She pulled her knife from her boot and slashed a long tear in the canvas.
“Murdering coward,” she muttered.
As she turned toward the window, the door burst open and suddenly the room was filled with guards, and the king himself stood in the middle.
He glared at her with malice, the evil in his dark eyes apparent even in the shadowed room. His long green robe draped far down the hallway, but he pulled it back so a jeweled sword was visible.
“You’ve sealed your fate, pirate,” he said, pointing at his destroyed painting. “Shoot her.”
The guards aimed their guns, but Nova smiled, feeling the rush of power surge through her. “I don’t believe I have,” she snarled.
With fascinating speed, Nova rolled head over feet until she slid underneath one of the long, low tables. Muskets blasted, but the bullets sailed past her with room to spare.
“Shoot her, fools,” Insel shouted.
The guards reloaded the guns as Nova leapt to her feet again with silent agility. In one swift step, she was near the king and his guards, who fumbled with their guns.
The king’s face twisted into frightened surprise. Nova stood closer, feeling the darkness pour through her eyes. With each tense moment, her strength grew and deepened the more she intimidated the murderous king.
She sliced her knife across the air, slashing a long gash across the king’s chest. The wound was superficial, but blood flowed over his fine clothing and caused him to stumble backward.
Faster than the guns could keep up, Nova rolled and dashed across the floor until she was underneath the stained glass window. She was leaning against one of two large pillars by the time the king had composed himself.
“That was a warning,” she seethed. “I could’ve killed you. And if I hear you are doing anything I deem bad behavior, you wretched excuse for a man, I’ll return to finish the job.”
Her eyes narrowed at Insel, who clutched his bleeding chest and watched her with fear and awe.
“What are you?” he breathed.
Nova’s lips curled up in a snide grin. She removed her leather hat and waved it mockingly in the air. “Your Highness, I’m a pirate.”
Chapter 21
The Task
Nova curled the bronze ring tightly in her palm. The darkness sparked wildly inside her as she laughed at Insel’s stunned expression. Instead of the dangerous arrogance, her heart filled with a brilliant vibrancy. The magical ring certainly had ignited a missing piece she’d never known was missing. With confidence, she pounced back and forth like a jungle ape between the two marble pillars surrounding the wide square window.
“Stop her,” Insel shouted. Lowering to one knee, the royal guards aimed their silver muskets again. The bullets fired in simultaneous flashes of light. Nova ducked her head, arched her back, and flattened her body in the sill of the window as the balls narrowly missed her body.
Every sensation was exhilarated. She was complete, and sure nothing could stop her. As the guards poured more powder into their weapons and reloaded, Nova slammed her elbow hard against the beautiful stained glass window, shattering the unfortunate masterpiece.
The Vengeance bobbed below her, her crewmates shouting and watching intently as she stood tall. Turning behind once more, she saluted coyly at the furious king before leaping through the air. Every sensation tingled with life as the ring rested against her skin. The wind smelled fresh with raindrops enclosed in the nearby storm clouds. The moon glimmered like a round diamond lighting the magnificent floating Launi Kingdom.
Even the earthy smell of the thick planks making up the body of the Vengeance stuck to the core of her soul. Everything was right as she dove faster toward the deck, trusting the webbed net attached between masts to catch her.
The ropes were taut and scratched her exposed arms, but they gave a little as she landed. Cheering and celebration forced a smile over her lips. Glancing down, she saw the pirates shooting off pistols and cannons while punching their fists in the air in excitement.
Smythe manned the helm, and quickly the Vengeance fired high in the sky out of range of the scrambling naval ships trying to pursue the pirates.
Nova rolled onto her back in the net, still holding tightly to the ring. She smiled, watching the ship blaze upward through the thick clouds, feeling the damp, cold water droplets cry on her skin until the sails tore through the gray cover into the dark open sky.
The world was quiet as the pirates stared in awe at the grandeur of the upper skies. The stars twinkled in bright yellow, red, and white. They seemed so close Nova almost believed she could reach up and touch them. She had never been in the upper skies of the kingdom and never imagined such beauty.
The net jerked, she looked over her shoulder, forcing her eyes away from the incredible stars. Several pirates were slowly lowering her down to where Smythe was waiting. Kale was one pulling on the ropes, and for a moment she thought he seemed relieved she’d returned, but he quickly looked away, denying her existence again.
When the net was only a few feet off the ground, Nova leapt off and bounced excitedly toward the helm. Atlas was next to it, and relief flooded through her when she saw him, quickly forgetting their earlier disagreement. She beamed up at him, but before he could respond to her Smythe came between them.
“Ye retrieved the map successfully?” Smythe asked.
Taylor stood behind him, his wrinkled face filled with pride as she stepped in front of the captain. She winked at her old friend, happy to finally be free of her commitment to the Star’s Vengeance. She’d upheld her part of the deal, and now she could focus completely on finding her father.
“Yes, I found it,” she breathed out. Holding the bronze ring out in front of the crew, the pirates watched it curiously. “See the symbols on the edges?”
“Aye, just as I suspected. The simplest of objects hold the greatest power,” Smythe said. “Hand it to me, lass.”
Dreading the loss of the vibrant power radiating from the ring, Nova slowly handed it to the captain.
Smythe smiled viciously before turning toward the crew. “Gents, the time for pretense is over; we be on our way to the lost mountain. We’ll be the ones to steal the temple treasure. This map is proof it exists,” he shouted, holding the ring above his head. The pirates muttered excitedly, while some cheered, holding rum bottles in their hands. The celebration hadn’t taken long to get underway.
Smythe chuckled and nodded his head. “Aye, we will be the most feared pirates in the skies. But we must give credit where credit is due,” he said, turning to face Nova. She felt the heat of pride flush through her cheeks. Smythe applauded slowly as he stepped
closer. “For it was Miss Nova who brought us our guide.”
Nova felt a strange rush of anxiety as Smythe continued to close the gap between them. He smiled, but his eyes were dark and angry.
“It only be a shame ye won’t be able to share in our spoils, lass.” Smythe’s countenance darkened and he stared at her through narrow slits.
Before Nova could move, strong hands from both sides wrapped hard around her upper arms. Kane stood on her left and Fat-Hugh on her right. Both men held her tightly. She looked about wildly and she met Atlas’s eye. He didn’t move to stop the attack, but simply watched.
Her heart broke. Atlas was no longer the pure sailor of the sky; he’d chosen to let the thrill, greed, and power of piracy corrupt the kind gentility she’d first noticed. Nova let the tears drip over her smooth face, mourning the man she’d once known. Now only a two-timing pirate stood in his place.
“Ye may be wonderin’ why I’m not keen on keeping ye aboard,” Smythe said, rolling the ring in his palm.
“You’re a pirate. All you needed me for is now in your hands,” she spat.
Taylor shifted uncomfortably behind Smythe. She met his eye, and he watched her sympathetically, torn between his loyalty to the ship and their friendship.
Smythe shook his head. “Despite what ye think, I had grown quite accustomed to the idea of ye stayin’ aboard the Vengeance. That is, until young Atlas told me about this.” Smythe pulled back his long coat. The blue sapphires twinkled beneath the stars. Smythe withdrew the dagger and in an instant placed the blade against her throat.
Kane pulled back on her thick, golden curls, and Atlas turned his face, as if not wanting to watch the fate he’d thrust upon her play out.
“So, you would always be there? Look at me!” she snarled, feeling the cold blade against her throat. Shamelessly Atlas raised his eyes. “You promised you’d always defend me. You gave me up to them? Eliza would be ashamed of you.” Her voice cracked as she said the words, spurring a wave of mocking laughter throughout the crew, but Atlas looked hurt and she watched his eyes shade in shame.
“You were becoming a danger to us all, Nova—even yourself,” he said quietly.
She spat at his feet and glared her dangerous fury in his direction. He shook his head and lowered his face once again.
Whispering close to her ear, Nova closed her eyes as Smythe’s foul breath burned her nose. “As interesting as this heartbreaking display of lost love is, I have some things to tell ye. It may surprise ye, Miss Nova, that I recognize this dagger. It isn’t a normal blade, as I’m told ye be aware. See, I was there when it was taken from the temple. I told ye my mate betrayed me and left me for dead.”
Nova shook her shoulders, struggling against Kane and Hugh, but Kane wrenched her hair harder, straining her neck painfully. “What does that have to do with my dagger? It’s not my fault you couldn’t spot treachery with your mate. I shouldn’t be surprised, since I had to save you from a mutiny on your own decks.” The darkness filled her soul. She saw Smythe as disease, something she must rid the world of soon, but the strong grips held her in place despite the raging storm within her.
Smythe’s lowered the dagger briefly as his hand flew hard against her cheek. Coppery blood flowed over her tongue and she spit a stream of red saliva at his feet.
“Me mate took the dagger and the Djinn that day. He’d never rid himself of such a possession, so when I saw this, the truth was clear. My mate’s name was Varick, lassy,” he said, seething as he pushed the blade against her exposed neck again.
Nova’s eyes widened as she met Smythe’s eyes. The crew watched the tense betrayal with peaked interest, many men shouting out death threats and creative ways for Smythe to kill her.
Smythe laughed as the name recognition filled Nova’s mind. “Does the name mean something to ye, lass?”
Desperately, Nova shook her head. Her thoughts were dark and strong, but her words trembled as they escaped. “Should it?”
Smythe threw his head back and laughed dangerously, his dark beard bouncing against his chest. “No sense in lyin’ girl. I know the truth. Strange how ye told me yer pap was missin’ and I never put it together, but ye look just like him. Ye see, I be the one who took him.” Slowly, Smythe pressed the dagger’s blade harder against her skin. Her muscles ached as Kane held her head back, but she refused to show weakness in front of her betrayers. “After years of searchin’ I found that coward livin’ the simple life on Mollem. What sort of fates be on me side that his own child would find her way onto me crew? And to have her bring me the very map her father kept from me. Now, I think I’ll be sendin’ ye to the Below with yer pap.”
Nova ripped her head up, feeling a handful of hair tear from her tender scalp as she pulled against Kane’s grip. Smythe stepped back slightly, but kept the dagger against her. Her skin bled as the blade cut into her once she broke free of Kane’s grip.
Why am I bleeding? The dagger burns, not cuts, she thought to herself.
“My father isn’t dead,” she snarled. “He’s too smart to lose to a fool like you.”
Smythe cocked his head and chuckled. “Keep believin’ that, lassy. Master Kane, heave this wench over the rails. We’ve got no use for females aboard the Vengeance.”
Kane laughed. “Aye, aye sir.”
Immediately, Nova dropped like an anchor in their arms. “Atlas, don’t let them do this. This isn’t what you want, either. You aren’t a pirate,” she begged as Kane and Hugh struggled against her dead weight.
Her crystal eyes narrowed as she watched his taut jaw. He looked torn between his morals and his duty, but stood still and silent.
“Sir, couldn’t she be of further use? She’s the sneakiest she-pirate I’ve ever seen.” Taylor’s quiet words broke her heart.
The only person fighting for her was the old man. She wished she’d told him how grateful she was for all he’d taught her, but now it was too late
“Ye keep yer mouth shut, old man, or you’ll join her.” Smythe shouted. His crackly voice sent chills down her spine when he addressed the crew. “Gents, shall we see where this cursed map be takin’ us?”
The pirates cheered, but the sound was muffled as Nova watched the edge of the ship get closer with each step. Her only care was about her impending doom.
“Stand up, wench,” Kane shouted, but his words seemed so far away. She grimaced when his thick boot met her side.
“Just throw her,” Atlas said. “No need for that.”
She glared through her fear. He was concerned Kane was being cruel and unusual, but he was standing silently as they were about to throw her into the Below? She promised herself if she survived her sure death by some miracle, she’d come back and seek her revenge against Atlas. The dark, sinister thought settled her somewhat, and she relaxed against their pulls.
Kane and Hugh wrapped their arms beneath her shoulders and lifted her so her toes were barely touching the deck.
Nova peered over the edge. The gray clouds shrouding the Below from Launi Kingdom swirled angrily, ready to swallow her up into the mysterious abyss. She closed her eyes, preparing for the fall, as the two men pulled her against the rail.
“STOP!” Smythe’s voice brought her from her contented acceptance. Hugh and Kane still held tight to Nova’s arms, but lowered her to her feet as they faced the captain.
Smythe’s disgusting teeth were exposed as his lips curled in mad fury. His shoulders heaved and he spewed hatred toward her through his small, black eyes. He’d removed his coat and rolled up his black, billowing shirt so his forearm was exposed.
The bronze band was on his finger and glowed rusted orange, but what was curious were the sprawls of words carving into his underarm. The black ink appeared slowly, one letter at a time, swooping in neat calligraphy. Beneath the magical tattoo, Smythe’s skin was irritated and red, but he wasn’t clenching his jaw in pain, but in anger.
“The blasted map is written in the ancient language of the temple,” he snarled at Kane
and Hugh. His face had turned a purple-red and seemed ready to spout steam as he glared at her.
“What does that mean, Captain?” Atlas asked.
Smythe pointed a trembling finger. “She be the only one who can read the map.”
Nova’s shoulders relaxed and, throwing her head back, she laughed wildly, enjoying every moment the pirate captain boiled in his own ignorance.
“You expected an ancient ring from some ancient temple to be written in the present Launi language.” She laughed, her eyesight blurred from the joyful tears filling her eyelids. “You’re more of a fool than I ever imagined.”
Kane hit his fist across her cheek. The pain shot from her face all the way to the crown of her head, but she didn’t take any mind and laughed harder as if slipping into madness.
“What does it say, or so help me I’ll drain ye of all yer blood right here,” Smythe threatened.
Nova bit her lip, trying to stifle the laughter threatening to explode. The swift arrogance and superior feeling swelled deep in her chest and gave her dangerous confidence. Her mind told her she was greater than every man aboard the ship, but her heart warned her to tread carefully. Despite her disdain for Smythe and his crew, she was surrounded by dangerous men.
She shrugged Hugh and Kane’s hands from her arms and sauntered closer to the captain to read the strange words.
“This isn’t a map,” she said with a wicked smile. “I thought you said it would lead you to the mountain.”
Smythe pulled out his pistol and pointed it at her forehead. “What does it say?”
“It says,” she began slowly, “whoever dares wear this ring is…nothing short of a flying dunce with no true sailing skill.” She clenched her teeth together, wishing she’d never said the words.
The crew shouted angrily at her disrespect, and through the noise she heard Smythe’s hammer on his gun click. Closing her eyes, she waited for the deadly shot, but when the gun blasted she felt nothing.