Page 43 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

The shadows on my arms surge against my skin, thrashing as if they might break free to defend me. My power flares hot, but it remains lodged in my chest.

A fierce shout cuts through the chaos. “HOLD ON!”

I glance up just as a sailor lunges forward, bayonet gleaming. He drives the blade into the tentacle, pinning it to the railing.

A high-pitched shriek tears through the air, vibrating against my teeth. The creature convulses, loosening its hold.

I kick and push, shoving the tentacle down my legs and scrambling back, away from the flailing limb. My boots slip on the rain-slick wood. I slam into a crate, chest heaving.

The sailor wrenches the bayonet free. Foul-smelling black blood gushes from the wound. He stabs again.

The monster screams. The sound cuts through the wind and rain.

I hold my breath, waiting for the unknown monster to rise out of the dark waves and crawl its way on board.

It never does.

Lightning cuts through the sky, followed by a boom of thunder seconds later. The sailor withdraws the bayonet, and before he can stab a third time, the tentacle recoils, sliding over the railing.

I release a ragged exhale.

“Are you all right, miss?” The sailor kneels beside me, barely older than a boy.

Freckles pepper his nose, and wet hair sticks to his forehead. He props the butt of the bayonet on the deck, knuckles white around the handle.

“I-I think so,” I stammer, wiping water from my face. “Th-thank you.”

He gives a shaky grin. “It’s no⁠—”

“LAD!” someone shouts. “Watch out!”

The warning comes too late.

A tentacle flies over the side of the ship like a whip and coils around the young man’s throat. His scream is cut off before it’s fully formed.

“No!” I lunge, but my hands meet empty air.

The tentacle yanks the sailor upward, slamming him against the railing. The crack of bone echoes in the storm. Then he’s gone, dragged overboard into the frothing dark.

My pulse roars in my ears. The waves are so tumultuous that I don’t hear a splash, but the monster’s vicious shrieks pause for a moment. My stomach churns when I consider what that means.

Elara! A voice explodes inside my skull.

I whip my head around, searching, but there’s no one near me. Sailors yell and race across the deck, weapons drawn, eyes wide with terror.

Elara! the voice calls again.

Only, this time, I’m certain it’s coming from within my own mind. And I know who it belongs to.

At this point, I would recognize his voice anywhere.

I search for Rian, but I can’t see anything beyond a few feet in front of me. The rain falls heavy like a curtain, blurring the rest of the ship.

I don’t have time to dwell on how the Fae is able to communicate with my mind, but after learning of Draven’s mindspeak ability, I think I have a pretty good idea.

Where are you? Rian shouts.

My heart thumps in my chest. I don’t know how to answer him. Unless⁠—