Chapter 6 #3
“We can leave here whenever we want,” Finley said with more confidence than she felt.
“And while I know you may attempt to capture The Mystic without me, you don’t know how to use it.
The crew would mutiny and take you over and not allow you to work its magic.
You wouldn’t be able to even use its magic without me.
The way I see it, you need me more than I need you. ”
“You have no interest in learning how to be free of your curse?” Mariah asked far too sweetly.
“Finley is doing fine without your assistance,” Ai interjected.
Mariah chuckled. “I can see her growing weary from standing here talking. The curse will come to its fruition soon, and I’m sure she’s falling asleep more and more often. Aren’t you?”
It was far too close to the truth than Finley liked. She’d taken more naps the last few days than she’d ever needed to, and holding onto the weapons and traveling through the lake was taking more energy than Finley was comfortable with.
“There are ways to find a cure without you, but yes, having your insight would be most useful,” Finley admitted.
“Which is why we’ve agreed to help. But with our own stipulations.
One, we keep the Shadow Slayers. Two, no harm comes to the crew of The Mystic.
Three, with each favor we do for you, you must tell us something about the curse. ”
“Then we have our own as well,” Amelia answered. “One, you don’t attack us. Two, you must escort us to a location before we give you any information. Three, we need to use the resources of The Mystic and your crew at each location we arrive in.”
The first two requests were expected and made sense. The third? It made sense, but Finley wasn’t sure if she was comfortable with it. Her crew only took orders from her and she didn’t want Amelia to take it too far in her control of the ship.
“All orders for the crew must go through me first,” Finley amended.
Amelia paused for a moment but eventually nodded. “Deal. Now, bring me to The Mystic.”
“Oh, I can do better than that.” Finley handed Ai the sword and Rafe went to collect the other two weapons from their box.
She pushed past the three in front of her and led them all back through the narrow passage to the edge of the cave.
It would take every ounce of energy she had left, but it was the best way to get The Mystic there to them as fast as possible.
Once there, she stood with her toes almost hanging off the edge and outstretched her arms. Most of the rivers and lakes and oceans were connected and part of why Finley had taken a little bit of time seemingly trapped with Rafe.
She’d needed to feel out the waters to locate her ship.
Since most bodies of water were connected somehow, she was able to send her powers through them to find out where the crew was.
They weren’t particularly near, but once the ship received the message Finley needed them, it was already on its way. Now, she needed to draw it even closer.
She closed her eyes and felt for the magic flowing through her veins.
In moments, the tattoo on her arm glowed a bright ocean blue, permeating through the green haze of the lake.
The cave floor rumbled beneath her feet and Amelia grasped the arm of the man to stay steady.
With all her might she sought out The Mystic and minute by minute, it drew closer to them.
Then, there it was. It floated through the lake like it was in a triumphant parade and glided to the edge of the cave.
Finley swayed. She was going to need to sleep for a long time after this, and especially before they started their journey to the next location. Even so, she looked over her shoulder and gave Amelia the most dazzling smile she could muster.
“Good enough for you?”
The look on Amelia’s face was too triumphant for Finley’s liking. “Wonderful. I do hope there’s enough room for all of us, though.”
Finley furrowed her brow. Once they included the baby and Charis, there were only six additional people outside of her and Ai. The Mystic was the largest ship in the realm. Of course it would fit them all.
“There’s a few more of us I haven’t told you about. But I’m sure many can follow along with the ship.”
Amelia then stepped forward and led them to the other side of the cave’s edge and swept her hand through the water to gesture below them.
Finley stood at her side and Ai came to join her.
They both peered over the edge and looked down.
All across the floor of the lake were people.
Not just people. Bodies. Bodies covered in grime and seaweed and rags.
Pieces of flesh fell off their faces and bones shone through their thread bare clothing.
Bright gleaming eyes stared out at them.
Another person stepped forward and placed a firm hand on Finley’s shoulder sending a sharp shudder through her. It was the man she didn’t know and she pushed him off, repulsed at the touch. “It’s time you met our army,” he said.
Finley felt the color drain from her face. An army. Not just an army, but zombies. An army of zombies covered in swamp muck was there to serve Amelia.
This was far bigger than Finley anticipated.