Page 100 of Seas the Reckoning

Unfortunately, that puts him facing the grass, and he gets a clear view of Pickles as the basset hound emerges onto the beach. My precious pup is snarling.

The councilman sneers and redirects his aim.

“Pickles, no!”

I sprint for the grass, willing my feet to help me fly. I dive for him, but I know I’m not going to make it. Something inside me tears itself in half.

As if in slow motion, I watch the lightning from above arc unnaturally and move toward the dog.

A large form, coated in black volcanic rock for skin, scoops up my dog. They both roll across the sand. Keegan kneels on the beach, breaths coming in huffs of smoke. My dog yips, and licks the volmander across the nose.

Councilman Taylor is no quitter, and he readies another bolt of lightning.

“Found it!” I whip my head around and see Starla holding the glowing shell necklace aloft from where she’s crouched in the sands.

She stands and runs for the water.

“No!” Councilman Taylor turns his aim toward his own daughter.

“Leena! I’m giving it back! Sing!” Starla throws the necklace as her father’s lightning sparks in his hands.

I dive for the piece of jewelry, my chin hitting the sand and my arms outstretched. The waves at the edge of the shore rush against my face. The necklace lands in my palm. Light explodes from the piece of jewelry, throwing anyone in the vicinity back. The magic blast incinerates other spells being lobbed through the air, including Councilman Taylor’s lightning.

Starla is staring, frozen, at her father and the air where lightning was jetting toward her moments before, aimed directly at her heart.

Even the councilman’s mouth is agape.

“I didn’t. I didn’t mean⁠—”

“Stand down.” My voice flows through me as I get to my feet, and the sensation is no longer like fire and lashing flames. It’s soothing water. Coursing current and powerful waves.

Instead of bringing pain and chaos, the song strengthens me. Some of my aches and pains fade away, and a feeling of rightness buries itself deep in my chest.

My words find not just the councilman but also my intended targets all along the beach. Elven weapons clatter into the sand. Warlocks and witches working with the councilman drop their hands. The individuals I take to be Fae stop fighting, although a few of them are smart enough to disappear. Whatever the councilman is offering isn’t worth facing down a siren.

“Do not move. You will not harm anyone else on this beach,” I instruct, my voice aiming true and hitting only those who have come to harm my friends and my home.

No pain stabs my head. No blood gushes from my nose. There is only joy. The joy of using my song at its full strength, and to help others.

“You will submit yourselves to formal investigation by the Magikai or your species’ governing bodies, and you will admit to any and all illegal dealings and illicit activities. You will never come back to this beach again, or seek out anyone you have met here.”

Starla walks past the father who would have killed her if the necklace’s magic hadn’t evaporated his lightning strike.

“I should end you here and now.” Her fingers spark, and for just a moment I think she might do it.

Then she lets her hands drop.

“But I’m not you. I’m going to let you face every consequence you’ve earned.”

She walks away from him, and he opens his mouth, but I shut it for her.

“Silence, Councilman Taylor.”

Starla smiles at me.

“It’s like a statue garden of creeps and creepettes.” She winds her way through a few of our assailants, stuck and frozen by my commands.

“Leena! Look at this! Pretty sure I recognize this guy from Leon’s group. How about that! Remember, one of the warlocks who got away with him?” The witch grins, and then clocks him right in his frozen face.