Chapter 32
KYLER
My mind swirls. I’m not sure what Vex has given me.
I don’t even know what day it is. Have I even been free, or is this a drugged fever dream?
I blink up at the ceiling. The bed is lumpy and uncomfortable.
Everything aches. I lift my hands to press them to my eyes.
If I had just swum away with the phoenix stone, I’d be truly free, not stuck in this life of— I shake my head, not wanting to think.
Something feels off, but I can’t wrap my mind around what it is. Fog plays along the edges of my thoughts as I stare at my hands. Nothing binds my wrists. I sit up too quickly, and my head starts to spin. Nothing binds my legs either.
Vex is betting the drug will keep me in place.
In the past, it would have been that simple.
I’ve been scared of what Vex would do to me, but not anymore.
I scramble to my feet, finding my balance.
I’ve been on my back or knees since I gave myself over to Vex.
My joints ache. I haven’t shifted in too long.
I need water desperately, and I only realize it when I start to sober.
If I can find the phoenix stone, I can get back to Gavin and help him. But what’s to stop Vex from following me? He knows where Lane is. He knows who Gavin is.
Surely a kingdom of dragons can destroy a pirate captain? I scramble to find the stone.
For all the magic Vex has access to, he never really uses it for storage. That gives me the advantage. For the time being, I can snoop around for the phoenix stone.
The captain’s quarters are the biggest on Vex’s ship. I know because I’ve been fucked on damn near every inch of it. The simplest hiding places are usually the ones Vex uses. Most people would dismiss something in plain sight.
I look behind the books on the bookshelf, in the desk drawers, and under the bed, in the boxes stored there. But it’s the glint of gold in the wall sconce that catches my eye.
Holding my breath, I run on my tiptoes to the far wall and rip the glass globe from the sconce. The phoenix stone tumbles out and thumps to the floor. A cry rips from my throat, and I slam my hand over my mouth.
Slowly, as if the stone could grow legs and run away, I kneel and pick it up. The stone pulses in my hand like before. If anyone asked, I’d swear the effects of the drugs wore off fully in that instant. My head clears.
No doubt, Vex has the door spelled to keep me inside.
But I’m not having it. The phoenix stone is rumored to take away the cost of magic, but what if it removes magic altogether?
What if it has to do with the user’s intentions?
I have to try. Even though I have no training, I press my hand to the door.
When my palm sizzles from unseen fire, I grind my teeth and press on.
“I need out,” I whisper.
The stone throbs once, as if it understands me. The spell on the door falls away. My palm aches, but I can’t dwell on it.
To hide in plain sight, I need clothes. I grab a shirt from Vex’s wardrobe, not caring that it hangs down to my calves. It covers me. I cinch a belt around my waist, then grab a dagger from the desk. It’s time.
I tiptoe run back to the door and crack it open. Night. Perfect. No one is around, and I creep out, keeping the stone close to my chest. The air is eerily calm. The crew snores on deck. I can’t just run past everyone with Vex out of sight.
I hold the dagger, ready to strike while keeping the stone as safe as possible. My hands sweat, and I’m too afraid to breathe.
“Find him!”
The time is now. I run across the deck and climb the rails.
A bellowing dragon scream comes from ahead, and a pair of dragons blow flames at the ship just as I jump.
Instead of freedom, burning pressure snags at my gut, then pain blooms worse than I’ve ever experienced. I smack against the side of the ship instead of falling into the water as I planned.
I lose the dagger but keep the stone. My confused brain doesn’t want to comprehend the harpoon sticking from me. I blink up at the dragons. A pair. Silver with violet and blue. Golden brown. Gavin. Damon.
I laugh at my fortune. I dangle by a harpoon line as the man I’m trying to return to comes to me. I wonder if I’ll live to see the prince again.
The dragons scream again. Liquid fire pours over the sides, thankfully not touching me. But the flames lick at the rope holding me prisoner.
The rope snaps, and finally the sea takes me in one last time.