by Becca Andre
With a final flourish, she pulled the bow from the strings. No one spoke, as if afraid to break the spell of the ethereal song.
Grayson took a deep breath, then pushed himself to his feet. Slowly, he faced her, his blue-gray human eyes meeting hers.
“Better?” she asked, needing to break the awkward silence.
A slight smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “Yes,” he answered, his voice soft. “I feel like me again.”
She smiled.
“You healed him?” Kali demanded. “With music?”
“Yep,” Briar answered.
“She’s a soul singer,” Grayson said. “Though, an atypical one. She channels the ability through the violin.”
Kali had to close her mouth before continuing. “Soul singers can heal?”
“No,” Perseus spoke up. He’d been quietly watching them until now. “That was ferromancy.”
Kali frowned. “She’s not a ferromancer.”
“She turned his own magic back on him.” Perseus’s expression gave nothing away. “The golden glow was dragon’s fire.”
Chapter 17
“Dragon’s fire?” Jimmy repeated.
Briar bit her lip to keep from laughing at the goofy name. Or perhaps it was just a touch of hysteria after everything.
She glanced at Benji. He still coughed occasionally, but he was watching the proceedings with wide blue eyes, alert and aware of the crazy world around him—and very much alive. Zach still knelt beside him, a hand on his brother’s shoulder, and eyed him critically each time he coughed. Briar’s heart clenched in her chest. This all could have ended so very badly.
“Captain?” Eli’s voice brought her back. “We’re drifting. Perhaps we should tie up and evaluate the damage.”
“Yes, we—” She fell silent as she faced him. He was slumped over the tiller, and blood once again stained his white shirt. Had he pulled some stitches? “Are you all right, Eli?”
“A little tired,” he admitted. “Told you I could still steer.”
She smiled at that, but soon sobered, her gaze drawn again to the bloodstains. If only she could heal him. A shame he wouldn’t let Grayson…
Wait. If Perseus was right and she had channeled Grayson’s power, could she help Eli? She knew Grayson could heal humans. She also knew there were side effects when he did. Eli would not be happy if Grayson absorbed a bit of his soul. But what if she were the one wielding Grayson’s magic?
Without a word to anyone, she brought the silver fiddle to her chin and closed her eyes.
“Miss Briar?” Eli sounded concerned.
She didn’t answer. She launched into a new song. This one was easier. After all, this was Eli. Her best friend. He knew everything about her as she knew him. She loved him with a brotherly affection that was simple and true. She had no problem opening her heart to him—unlike Grayson. She didn’t bother to puzzle that out, she just focused on how she wanted to help Eli.
He gasped and she smiled. Yes, she could do this.
The cheerful, upbeat song rang out as she poured her love and hope into the melody. When she judged that it had been enough, she finished the refrain and took the instrument from her chin.
Opening her eyes, she found Eli slumped against the rail. Jimmy had stepped forward to take the tiller since the current continued to pull them along.
“Eli, are you all right?” she asked.
“I, I…” he stuttered to a stop. “What was that?”
“That was her soul,” Grayson answered for her, his tone soft. “She laid it open to you in order to heal you.”
Eli frowned.
“Did it work?” she asked. When he didn’t look particularly enlightened, she continued. “Did I heal you?”
He blinked a couple of times, then reached down to pull up his shirt, revealing his bandage-wrapped stomach. He hesitated, then tugged up the bandage to reveal the unbroken skin beneath.
“Dear Lord,” Molly whispered, moving closer. She reached out, lightly touching Eli’s bare stomach. He must have pulled in a breath, because the muscles tightened beneath the skin. For all of Eli’s size, there wasn’t an ounce of fat on him.
“Oh, sorry,” Molly muttered. “I just… The wounds are gone.” She spoke the last in wonder, turning to Briar.
Briar laughed. “Lock?”
A tingle of static, and the fiddle became the little dragon. He sprang up to her shoulder and gave her a questioning whirr.
“That was brilliant.” She rubbed him beneath the chin. “You are amazing.”
He cooed and rubbed his cheek against hers. A rush of affection swept over her as he returned the sentiment. Goodness, she loved the little guy.
“Captain,” Jimmy said. “Looks like we weren’t the only ones who went for a ride.”
She looked up, and in the distance, she could see another boat had washed up on shore. With the current pushing them back the way they’d come, the Briar Rose had probably just come in view of the other.
“Lock, you’d best hide.”
He scampered down her waistcoat, morphing into the watch as he reached her pocket.
“Guess I’d better go find a shirt,” Grayson said.
That seemed a shame, but she kept her opinion to herself.
He looked back at that moment, his gaze meeting hers, an amused glint in his eyes.
Ah hell. He’d picked up on that. Damn, she needed to figure this connection out.
Still smiling, Grayson climbed through the hatch into her cabin.
She looked up and found Eli watching her. “Yes, we need to tie up,” she finally answered his earlier question. “Jimmy, Zach, you want to grab the poles and give Eli a hand?”
“What about me, Captain?” Benji asked.
“You catch your breath. If he didn’t get swept away, Big Red is going to be in rare form.”
Benji smiled. “Aye.”
Briar glanced around for her newest passengers, wondering what they thought about these recent developments. Climbing down to the cargo hold, she found Perseus and Kali gathering their scattered possessions.
“So,” Kali said, before Briar could speak. “A drake and a soul singer?”
“Yes,” Briar answered, uncertain where she was going with this.
Kali released a low whistle, then turned to Perseus. “You completely missed that one. You said he was a lesser talent.”
Perseus didn’t answer, but looked up, meeting Briar’s gaze as if for an explanation.
“Grayson had his final casting forced on him about a week ago.”
“What?” Kali looked stunned. “But all that visible metal. And I saw his ribs. They were—”
“Yes, I know. Thank you for reminding me.”
“It could be worse,” Perseus cut in before Kali could reply.
“How? Is there a talent that devolves more quickly?” Briar demanded. “Perhaps the exceedingly rare unicorn talent?”
Perseus smiled. “No, my lady. I meant that he could be worse off. I believe your… playing for him has helped.”
“You really think so?” A hope that she hadn’t dare acknowledge filled her.
“I can’t say for certain—I’m unfamiliar with your talent—but as quickly as your music restored his humanity, it makes me think there’s more to it.”
Briar gripped the bow she still held. What would happen once she learned to use her magic? Could she slow, stop, or even reverse Grayson’s devolvement? She had to convince Esme to train her.
“Captain?” Eli called to her. “You need to see this.”
“That sounds foreboding,” Kali said.
Briar silently agreed. She returned to the upper deck and saw that they were passing the other boat which had drifted into the trees. The swa
mped boat sat at an angle, water lapping over one side. She grimaced. If not for Grayson that could have been them.
“Guess you were right,” Eli said.
His comment puzzled her until she took a better look at the boat’s partially obscured transom. She could make out enough of the boat’s name to see what it said. River Shark.
“The bastard,” she muttered. How had Darby fixed his rudder so quickly? Then too, with the fight between Grayson and Eli, they had been stationary well into the morning. And since she had revealed her presence in Massillon, Darby might have checked his rudder before he even set out.
“Reckon he got what he deserved,” Eli said. “Chasin’ after us out of greed.”
“Reckon so.” Briar eyed the swamped boat. “Let’s tie up behind him. I’m curious to hear what he has to say for himself.”
A smile lit Eli’s face. “Aye, Captain.” He adjusted the tiller and she hurried off to grab a pole.
The strong current made it a challenge, but they were able to secure the Briar Rose close enough to Darby’s boat that her bow almost touched his stern.
Grayson emerged from the hatch shortly after they tied up. It didn’t look like he’d done more than pull on a clean shirt. Perhaps he’d needed some time to collect himself after merging with Lock. She had never discussed with him just what that entailed.
He started to speak, but stopped as he stared past her toward the front of the boat where Darby’s lopsided transom was visible.
“Yeah,” she said. “Look’s like your vandalism could use some practice.”
A faint frown creased his forehead before he headed across the catwalk. His pace increased as he neared the bow of the boat.
“Grayson?” She hurried after him.
“What’s going on?” Kali called as Briar crossed over the cargo hold.
Perseus took a more active approach, climbing up onto the stable deck just as she reached it.
“Something caught his attention,” Briar said as she hurried on.
Grayson came to a stop in the bow where Zach and Jimmy still stood after tying up the boat.
“What is it?” she asked.
“The rudder.”
Not understanding, she stepped closer to edge. The swamped boat sat at an angle, leaving the rudder partially exposed. It was easy to see the shiny silver metal that had been used to repair the rudder.
“Soul iron,” Briar whispered. She turned to Grayson. “Judging by your reaction, this wasn’t you.” She looked up at the boat. “Darby is working with Farran?”
“That would be my conclusion.” Grayson eyed the boat. It appeared deserted.
“Can you tell if Farran is onboard?” she lowered her voice, though she’d done nothing to hide their presence until now.
“He’s not,” Kali spoke up before Grayson could answer.
“A shame.” Briar hopped across the small gap that separated her boat from Darby’s, though she stumbled a little as she adjusted to the sloping deck. A hand gripped her elbow and she looked up expecting Grayson. It was Perseus.
“Thanks,” she said when he released her.
He nodded, lifting his blue eyes to study the swamped boat—or what they could see from the tiller deck. “The captain of this boat is the one you have a conflict with?”
“Yes.”
Perseus answered with another nod, but said nothing else.
“Hello,” Briar called. “Anyone aboard?”
“Here!” a muffled female voice echoed up from the cabin below them.
Jimmy stepped up on the aft deck and opened the hatch. He bent to help the woman climbing up the ladder. It was Darby’s daughter-in-law.
“Are you hurt?” Jimmy asked her, as she stepped out onto the deck.
“Just bruised, but never mind me.” She gripped his arm. “I—” Her teary eyes settled on Briar and widened. “Briar Rose.”
“Mrs. Darby,” Briar greeted her. “Where is everyone?”
“Call me Clara.” She rubbed at the tears on her cheek. “Hank and the crew went to look for Lester.” Her voice broke on the name.
“Lester?”
“My son. He was driving the team when the flood hit.”
“Oh.” With Benji’s rescue still fresh in her mind, Briar immediately understood.
“We’ll help look for him, ma’am,” Jimmy said.
“Absolutely,” Briar agreed.
Clara thanked them, dabbing her eyes with her apron.
“Before we go,” Grayson spoke up. “Might I inquire after the man who repaired your rudder?”
Clara looked up, her eyes widening once more. “He weren’t no man. I got a glimpse of his face beneath that hood. He was a …” She appeared to struggle with a description.
“The word you want is ferromancer,” Kali spoke up. “Where’d he go?”
Clara struggled to respond, but couldn’t seem to form the words.
Briar was about to speak when Molly stepped past her. She hadn’t realized the Molly had followed.
“It’s alright,” Molly reassured her. “We’ve encountered the demon as well.” She pulled Clara into a hug and she went willingly, pressing her face against Molly’s shoulder.
Kali crossed her arms. Briar thought she might be annoyed with the delay of an answer, but something in her expression suggested discomfort. Did she regret dropping that revelation on Clara so abruptly?
“No one believed me,” Clara mumbled. “Even after Dale left with that…thing.”
“Dale left with him?” Briar asked. “When was this?”
Clara stepped out of Molly’s embrace and wiped her eyes with her apron again. “Last night, in Massillon. There was a note on the table this morning. They took a train north, promising to meet up with us further on.”
Briar glanced at Grayson, but he was frowning at Clara. He had suggested that Andrew had offered Darby more than money. Had Darby found a new benefactor in Farran?
Clara shook her head. “Dale can’t know what he is.”
Molly wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You tried to warn him.”
Clara covered her face, crying softly once more.
Jimmy turned to Briar. “We’ll help look for her boy,” he said, keeping his words soft.
“Take some rope—and Eli and Zach,” she suggested. “The current’s still strong and if one of you fell in…”
“I’ll accompany them as well,” Grayson said.
“As will I,” Perseus added. “Perhaps our skills will prove useful.”
Kali opened her mouth to speak, but a frown from Perseus silenced her.
Leaving Molly with Clara, they moved back to the Briar Rose, everyone hurrying off to gather some supplies.
“Grayson?” she stopped him before he could follow. “Are you planning to merge with Lock again?”
“I don’t need to. He’s already taught me to fly—if it comes to that.”
She frowned, concerned about someone who wasn’t on her crew seeing his wings.
“But only if there’s no other alternative,” he added, seeming to follow her thoughts.
“I understand. I hope he’s found, safe. I don’t like Dale, but I don’t wish ill on an innocent.”
“I know.” His gaze met hers and held. She remembered well the way he had kissed her last night and wondered if he was remembering the same thing.
Movement drew her eye and she turned her head to see Perseus crossing the catwalk. He stopped beside them and wordlessly handed Grayson a coil of thin silver rope.
“Nice workmanship,” Grayson said, turning it in his hands.
“Where’s Kali?” Briar asked.
“She will remain here. She doesn’t swim well. I prefer to avoid putting her in a situation wh
ere her impulsive actions could put her in danger.”
“She is impulsive,” Briar agreed.
“There’s the pot calling the kettle black,” Grayson said.
Perseus smiled, but true to form, refrained from comment.
“What are you saying, Mr. Martel?” Briar asked.
“I’m saying you’re impulsive. I thought that was clear.”
“Are we ready?” Jimmy called. He hurried across the catwalk, Zach and Eli behind him.
“Ready,” Grayson agreed, slipping the silver rope over his shoulder.
“Watch each other,” Briar told them. “Stay safe.”
They agreed and leapt to shore, setting off downstream. She crossed her arms and watched them go, praying they’d find the boy alive.
Briar sighed, collecting the last shard of her aunt’s teacup. She had never known Uncle Charlie’s wife, but he had always cherished her teacups, so Briar had done the same.
She carried the broken pieces to the table. Maybe Grayson had a way to mend broken china. She doubted it, but it didn’t hurt to ask before she threw away the pieces.
Lock moved closer, looking up at her with concern.
“It’s all right. I’m just sad that my aunt’s teacups got broken.” She didn’t want Lock to relay her sadness to Grayson and worry him.
“Criminy, you have regular conversations with it, don’t you?” Kali asked from where she leaned against the wall, just inside the door.
She and Briar were currently the only ones aboard. Molly was still with Clara while Benji had gone to look for the mules, though Briar had made him promise to stay away from the canal.
“He,” Briar corrected Kali, “and yes, we converse all the time.” She rubbed a finger under Lock’s chin.
Kali pushed off the wall and walked over to her. The floor was finally clear of clutter.