Chapter 20 Prince Sloth
TWENTY
Prince Sloth
ALMOST A FULL day had passed without any changes, and Lore’s frustration grew.
“I can feel the magic, but it’s like it’s in a deep sleep.” Her focus slid to mine. “It was eager to help when you were about to lose your head. Now it feels more dormant than it did in the beginning. Is that normal?”
I rubbed my temples. I had no answer. As a dreamweaver, she should be able to access the magic at will.
“Try coaxing it awake.”
“What an inspiring idea.” She gave me a flat look. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
The air grew thick with tension, like a taut wire ready to snap.
We’d been trapped on the ship for less than a day, yet the walls already felt like they were closing in on us.
It could be the dark book working its magic for whatever this test was, but it could also be the circumstances. Lore was remarkably optimistic, even during the worst of times, but dreamweaver bloodline aside, she was human.
I kept reminding myself that her entire world had flipped on itself; she’d been ripped from her family, her life, her home.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, hoping to relieve the pounding ache that pulsed behind my eyes, a painful reminder of our predicament.
“I’m going topside.” I studied Lore. Exhaustion was apparent in the redness of her eyes. “Try to sleep for a while. We’ll practice later.”
“I thought you said we needed to shift stories now.”
It would be ideal to get us off the ship and somewhere we had a better chance of hunting the book, but we’d make do. It also gave me another excuse to keep an eye on the crew in case anyone decided to attempt to overthrow me.
“Rest. A few hours won’t mean the end of the realms.”
I strode out of the room and into the dimly lit corridor, the wooden floor creaking gently underfoot.
A few rugged and weather-beaten pirates crossed my path on their way to their evening meal, and their boisterous conversations came to an abrupt halt as their attention landed on me.
They were wary but not exuding any murderous intent. It was a small mercy.
I ascended the narrow staircase to the main deck, where the open sky greeted me, and I immediately felt more grounded.
The sun hung low on the horizon but still managed to break through the gathering clouds.
I inhaled deeply, and the crisp, salty scent of the sea filled my lungs.
It felt invigorating and fresh after being locked belowdecks for so long.
I slowly ambled across the deck, logging different areas where someone could lie in wait, for future reference.
When I’d done a full loop and reached the railing on the starboard side, I paused to take in the vast expanse of blue surrounding us.
The ocean spread out before me, waves rising and falling rhythmically, the speed slowly increasing with each passing moment.
It was another foreboding sign that a storm was brewing on the horizon. I hoped we’d be off the ship before it reached us.
With enough distance between myself and any other crew member, I enjoyed a few moments of uninterrupted solitude to gather facts and plot our next moves.
I turned over the events of the last few days, beginning with a troubling personal issue. I needed to pinpoint when my powers started to show strain.
The tavern fight actually left bruises for several hours, but I’d really felt the drain when I’d fought the dragon shifter. And then of course when I’d suddenly found myself without any magic after Lore murdered the marquess…
My thoughts kept returning to Xavier’s betrayal. To the temple.
I couldn’t escape the feeling that something had happened there, something far more detrimental than I’d first thought.
But what? What piece of the puzzle was I overlooking?
I’d believed the temple had been warded against magic, but now I wondered if that was entirely true. Was there a spell in place, a trap I’d walked into?
I replayed that day over and over. The only thing that stood out was when I’d held the Liber Noctem.
That seemed like the moment it all went horribly wrong.
I still couldn’t work out why or how the tattoo had manifested itself on me. Or what it meant.
I shoved a hand through my hair.
It was a mystery I needed to solve, sooner rather than later.
There were no such things as coincidences during the Trials. And I was starting to question if anything I’d read about them was accurate.
The old gods could have spread lies to keep their secrets to themselves. It made me want the Liber Noctem even more.
If only I’d gotten to examine it in the temple, I might have unraveled the truth of what they’d done. I needed to locate the damned book before it was too late. But there was little chance of me hunting it while we were trapped at sea.
The sky was now streaked with more shades of gray than gold and seemed to mirror the turbulent waters below.
And, oddly enough, my own darkening emotions.
I pushed off the railing and headed to the quarterdeck, where the first mate stood at the helm.
His knuckles turned white as his grip tightened on the wheel, the only outward sign I made him nervous.
I still didn’t pick up on any deceit or treachery from him.
And I suspected I had Lore’s personable nature to thank for that. She’d smoothed things over expertly.
“Yer needin’ an’thing, Cap?”
A steel beam to the temple.
I gave Kensington a polite shake of my head. Then thought better of it.
“I’ll need a change of clothes for the young lady. Trousers, shirts, a weapons belt with a pouch if you have one.”
A flush crept up his neck.
“Leave it to ol’ Kensie. I’ll have it done w’thin an hour.”
My lips twitched upward.
That erased any lingering doubts about the first mate’s loyalty. Lore had truly worked her magic and won the first mate over. I wasn’t at all surprised. It was hard not to fall under her spell.
“Where were you headed before we arrived?”
He nibbled on his lower lip, his gaze darting around the nearly empty deck.
“The Isle of the Damned.”
His words were barely audible and carried a heavy, ominous weight that hinted at more trouble than the island’s dark name.
“What were you looking for there?”
“Fortune an’ glory.” He steered the ship into a wave, then noticed my raised brows. “Legend claims the island has a host o’ treasure, waitin’ t’be found. Magic compass. Riches. If ya survive the specters.”
“Ghosts?”
Kensington shook his head.
“Ol’ Kensie hears whispers from distant shores. Specters isn’t spirits, they’re creatures. Stand about yea high—” He indicated about three feet. “Skin and hair as white as snow, eyes as red as blood. Distant relations to vamps, if stories can be believed.”
The ocean lapped at the side of the ship, the soft, rolling waves a sharp contrast to the eerie tale he’d just shared.
I glanced out at the endless expanse of sea, half expecting to see the island he’d mentioned looming in the distance.
All was quiet, peaceful. The proverbial calm before the storm.
In the short time we’d been talking, the sun had set.
Moonlight glimmered on the water’s surface, and the wind rustled softly through the sails.
I really didn’t want to fight any miniature second or third cousins to vampires, distant relations or not. They would be monstrous given our location.
“Might wantin’ t’be gettin’ belowdecks.” Kensington jerked his chin toward the racing clouds. “Storm’ll be ’ere soon.”
It was exactly what I was afraid of.
I stopped by the galley before heading to our room, hoping to select an assortment of food items to arrange on a small tray to bring back to Lore.
I was surprised by what I discovered there. The ship was far from the scurvy-ridden historical accounts I’d read of other long voyages.
I walked along a buffet-style table laden with food.
There were ripe fruits, and the aromas of warm freshly baked bread and savory meats mingled in the air as I gathered the peace offerings.
I almost walked by the dessert station before I halted and turned back.
I carved a thick slice of chocolate cake and added it to the tray.
As was the case with everywhere I went on the ship, conversations halted as I passed by the tables of pirates lingering over their dinner, but no one sent any glares my way.
Once I’d made it to the corridor, the chatter started up again.
Someone loitered outside our door and my hand was on my dagger before I took in the scene and slowly released it.
Alongside the meal, the items I’d tasked Kensington with procuring for Lore arrived. He’d come through well.
A timid young man was standing outside the captain’s quarters. He’d brought me the bundle of clothing.
“’Ere ya go, Cap’n. Got ev’rythin’ you asked fer.”
“Well done.”
I handed him the tray while I took the clothing and inspected it.
I was pleased with the quality.
There was a pair of finely crafted leather trousers, their supple texture promising comfort and durability, a fitted tunic woven from soft linen, and a sturdy leather belt equipped with pouches for carrying essential supplies.
I took the tray back from the young man and sent him on his way.
He hurried off without a second glance.
I nudged the door open and closed it with my boot, then crossed the room, feeling Lore’s gaze burning into me and my overflowing arms.
I placed the bounty of goods on the desk with a gentle thud, finally meeting her wide, astonished eyes.
“Did you rob a small marketplace while I was sleeping?”
“I wasn’t sure what you liked to eat, so I got a bit of everything.” I gestured to the varied selection before her. “The clothes will allow you to move more freely, and the belt is essential in case we have no time to gather supplies. You should be able to keep the phoenix tear in it safely.”
Her attention shifted to the tray, then back to me.
“There’s enough food to feed a family.”
“Not quite that much.”
I held out a plate and fork for her, hiding a grin as she rolled her eyes at my literal nature. It was far too amusing to get a rise out of her.