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With a gasp, I close my eyes and allow my terrified marine companion to retreat, wrapping her in my embrace as she trembles along with me.
“The ship’s magic is being attacked, Zara. We must find out who’s behind this before this evil presence spreads further.”
Zara frowns. “If someone’s tampering with the ship’s magic...”
“We’ll stop them.” I finish for her. “Do we have a mage in the crew?”
A noise startles us both—a faint clatter echoing through the hallway. We exchange a quick glance and slip into the shadows behind a large crate.
Footsteps approach, slow and deliberate. My heart pounds in my ears as we hold our breath. The footsteps stop near the markings, and I hear a low murmur, words I can’t quite make out.
Who is that?
The figure lingers for a moment longer before moving away, their footsteps fading into silence.
Zara exhales sharply beside me. “That was close.”
“Come on. Keep the lights off.” I am already following, moving towards where the figure disappeared.
“Cor—“
“No arguments. We need answers.”
I inch along the narrow corridor, Zara beside me, our breaths barely audible. The darkness envelops us, and we’ve lost the trail of the figure we pursued into this passageway. Straining our senses, we find no trace of our quarry, only an oppressive silence and a fading stench in the stifling blackness.
As we emerge from the maintenance tunnels and return to the crew pool, footsteps echo, drawing nearer. I pull Zara into the shadows as the steps halt just ahead. Basil’s silhouette is stark against the dim light.
What is he doing down here?
Zara’s grip tightens on my arm. Her eyes are wide with alarm.
I nudge her with my elbow and put a finger against my pursed lips in the universal signal to stay quiet, and then peer into the darkness to focus on Basil.
He is shaking his head, muttering under his breath, and turning in a slow circle before choosing a direction and continuing down the corridor. His footsteps fade, but my mind races.
I need answers. And I can’t get them with Zara here; she’s too valuable to risk further.
“Zara. Roust the mage out of bed. Get him to the pool maintenance tunnel where we saw the magic residue.”
Her eyes widen in protest. “Cordelia—Baby doc? He is such a stick in the mud.”
“I know. But he’s a damn good mage. Use the rank card. Tell him it’s on my order and I want a full report, including options for fighting or getting rid of this malignant magic.”
“You following Jenks?”
I nod. She hesitates but nods back, her loyalty unwavering. She slips away silently, leaving me alone in the shadows.
I trail after Basil, or rather, I follow the glow of his flashlight, maintaining a safe distance. I linger in the darkness, keeping him within my sightline. Every noise is magnified in the silence, and Basil halts now and then, glancing around as if sensing a disturbance.
What are you looking for?
Chapter Five
Basil Jenks
The luxurious suite feels more like a gilded cage than a sanctuary. I toss and turn, unable to return to sleep after being dragged out of bed to visit the Security Chief.
What is it about this ship that makes me feel like I’m losing control?
