Sea and Sky

Chapter 27

GAVIN

My heart pounds as the siren call of the phoenix stone sings to me. The vortex of energy makes me drunk and giddy. Even Ailey is affected. She stands at the rails, watching the sea.

I know my life is about to change.

I’m on the main deck with Kyler, both of us naked and ready to retrieve the stone. The moment I’ve been waiting for this whole trip is finally here, but as I glance at Kyler, unease creeps in. The light in his eyes is gone, replaced by something lifeless and distant.

“Please forgive me,” he says, his voice trembling. Something’s wrong, but before I can ask what he means, he blows something into my face. Confusion grips me for a split second, then darkness rushes in, swallowing everything.