44. Evanee
Evanee
“What the hell is that?” I asked, squinting far across the never-ending sea. My body was exhausted, and my sight struggled in the bright, hot sun.
“We’re not sure.” Captain Gideon held a scope to his face, scowling. “Whatever it is, it’s staying beneath the surface.”
“Can we go around?” I asked nervously.
He shot me a look. “No. It would add too much time to the journey, and I’m under strict instructions from Thaddeus to stay on this course.”
Gideon stalked back toward the stairs, yelling at sailors to prepare for battle, getting cannons and ammunition gathered. Luna neighed nervously from her spot with Shadow in the stall.
I cast a glance back toward the water ahead, and something large glided beneath the surface. The stories we’d all grown up hearing of the beasts that roam these waters came to mind. Creatures that made the useo look as gentle as a bunny. I fought a shudder as goosebumps skittered across my skin.
The sun was still high, meaning it would be a while before I could shift.
I scowled as I stomped back down the stairs and went to calm Luna and Shadow.
Ryker stood on deck with his back to me, tattoos stark against his pale skin from losing so much blood. Veda worked ferociously, weaving the fresh bandage around him.
“They’re saying there’s a monster in the water!” I jumped at the screech of Lyra’s voice.
“We don’t know that,” I snapped, side-eyeing Ryker as he held a hand to his side, smiling at Veda. Acid burned in my veins at that smile.
I turned to see Lyra staring at me with an annoyingly large grin on her face.
“What?” I barked.
“Oh, nothing,” she said, narrowing her gaze at Ryker.
I scowled at her, turning to walk away—
“You know you can do better. You don’t need that big bastard. Besides, I remember him from long ago. He slept around with—”
My open palm met with Lyra’s face before I could blink, a snarl tearing from my throat.
Her hands flew to the reddened skin, eyes wide.
“Oh, great moon! Lyra, I’m so sorry—I didn’t mean—”
“No!” she squeaked, eyes flicking to the now silent crew. To Ryker. “It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m going to go find the Pup. Moon knows he can’t do much without some guidance.” She forced a laugh past her lips, the corners of her mouth lifting tightly before she turned her back to me.
“Lyra—” I started, but she hurried her steps, without turning back. As I watched her, a pit formed in my stomach until I met Ryker’s hard gaze. My teeth ground together as I dragged my attention to the sea instead.
I raked my hands through my hair. What is wrong with me? I didn’t lose control like that. It was as if my Gargoyle took over, only I was still me.
The ship jolted as it struck something hard, sending me flying forward, landing on my hands and knees, the impact jarring.
I grabbed the railing, pulling myself up when we were struck again.
Shit.
Bells rang, men cursed and yelled, the sound of cannon balls being loaded clanged through the air.
“Starboard side!” Gideon yelled.
I leaned over just in time to see something huge and shimmering shoot past beneath the water.
“Steady!” he ordered, face stern.
My eyes strained as I searched the water, an eerie silence settling over the ship. Only the sound of waves lapping against the side filled the void, the subtle groaning of wood.
“FIRE!” Gideon shouted.
Cannons boomed in unison. The ship shuddered as recoil rocked the deck, and I stumbled.
“RELOAD!”
Even Ryker grabbed a bow and quiver, wincing as he knocked the arrow. Not that I was watching him.
I leaned over the side of the rails in time to see that shimmering in the water slow, a small head popping out with three sets of teal eyes locked on mine.
Just like the head on King Raul’s wall.
The scaled head tilted to the side, the sun making its scales sparkle in the most alluring color of lavender and blue as it blinked and studied me.
Its serpentine body moved with the waves, like a snake.
Its feather-like mane surrounded its narrow head with patches missing, scars telling a story of many battles.
My mouth ticked up in a smile as I looked at this creature before me. The beauty of it. And a powerful feeling that it didn’t mean us any harm at all, but was only curious.
“The beast is this way!” A sailor shouted from behind me.
The creature ducked back under as the sailor raised a bow.
“NO!” I shouted, throwing myself in front of him, just as he let loose his arrow.
The arrow sliced through my shoulder. The same damn spot that had just been healed. My teeth dug into my lip, barricading the scream that lodged in my throat.
A roar bellowed so loud that, had I not known the source, I would’ve sworn it belonged to a different monstrous sea beast.
Ryker’s face came into view, his eyes completely silver as he grabbed that terrified sailor and threw him away from me, down to the deck below, where he landed with a sickening crunch. Sailors fumbled, running to their mate.
“Ryker, I’m fine,” I said through gritted teeth. He turned that silver stare my way, assessing me. Thunder rolled above, clouds blotting out the sun.
“Seriously, it’s okay. Just a little sting.” I tried to smile. But it fell, and it had nothing to do with the arrow sticking out of me.
“Why the hell did you step in his way?” he demanded.
“Because I don’t think that creature is trying to harm us,” I barked, looking out in time to see it beneath the surface, swimming away from us. Relief flooded me, although I couldn’t explain why I felt relieved to see it disappear to safety.
“Damn it, Evanee.” His jaw flexed as he carefully touched the arrow.
I hissed in pain. “Just do it.”
His jaw tightened as he snapped the arrow and pulled it so fast, I hardly had time to process it.
A raw cry ravaged my throat as I leaned my forehead against his bare chest, and he pressed fabric against the wound.
The smell of cedar and leather instantly relaxed me. And something else… banana? Regardless, only one word bounced incessantly through my mind—Friends.
“Sir, I apologize for my sailor. He—”
“Go,” Ryker commanded Gideon. “Let me see.”
I forced myself to pull away from him, not meeting his eye as I slowly backed up, clamping a hand over my wound.
“I’ll go see Veda.”
“Evanee—”
“No.” My gaze snapped to his, my voice low and filled with anger.
“You said you loved me. That I was yours and you were mine. Now this. If all you want to be to me is a friend, after everything we’ve been through.
Everything we’ve done and said to one another, with no explanation for the sudden change, then I need space. ”
His jaw ticked.
My Gargoyle moved beneath my skin, and before things could be made worse by changing forms and turning to stone in the bright sun, I stomped off. Every step made the crack in my heart and soul fracture deeper.