Hunt on Dark Waters (Crimson Sails, #1)(68)

I swallow hard. I really don’t want to revisit the events that ended that fight, but he has a right to know. The sooner we finish this conversation, the sooner we can find somewhere warm and dry. Hopefully. “It bit you. Quite badly. You sent out a wave of power that, as best I can tell, turned every bone in every mermaid body to liquid and made their bodies flesh sacks. It was really impressive in a horrifying, nightmarish kind of way.”

Bowen is silent for several beats too long. “Did I kill anyone else?”





CHAPTER 28




Bowen


MY CHEST TURNS TO ICE AS I WAIT FOR EVELYN’S RESPONSE to my question. It’s been so long since I’ve lost control, and I don’t know that it’s ever happened to this degree. Except … there’s something that almost feels like an echo of a memory lingering in the back of my mind, a surety that I have lost control and someone I cared about died when I did. It must’ve happened before I came to Threshold. It’s the only explanation for the bone-deep fear that rises in response.

“I don’t think so.” Her expression is troubled. “I would really like to promise you didn’t hurt any of the crew, but it was pure chaos in that moment and right afterward. I didn’t see any of them taken out by your magic, but I’m not willing to lie to you just because I’m not sure.”

I exhale in something that’s almost like relief. My body hardly feels like my own. My throat and shoulder are pulsing in agony. I’m not sure I have the strength to move right now. Which is a fucking problem, because we have to get off this beach. “Let’s get going.”

“Nox said there was a safe house thirty minutes up the coast from us. If you don’t have a better idea, I think we should head for it.”

A safe house? What are they talking about? That’s not something the C?n Annwn possesses. There are permanent locations where our people can rest or recover, but they are public knowledge, at least among the crews and captains. A safe house is a secret.

Kanghri on First Sister is to the west, a port town nestled across the strait from its twin, Mairi on Second Sister. Together, they form one of the largest communities in this part of Threshold. It’s not quite as large as Lyari, but no other city in this realm is as large as the capital.

I’ve stopped in Kanghri often enough to know some of the locals. That’s where we have to go if we want to find a ship sailing south to Lyari … but I don’t know if I’m thinking clearly. The size of Kanghri means there’s plenty of danger there, and being a C?n Annwn has been enough protection previously, but I’ve never come to the city on foot, without a crew behind me. Weak. It might be fine, but I can’t guarantee it.

On the other hand, Nox saved us. Maybe we should trust them.

“Let’s go see the safe house. Kanghri is farther away, and Hedd and his crew will likely make port there tonight before they head back south. It would be best if we don’t run into them.”

“I’m not about to argue in favor of seeing that jackass again.”

The walk to the safe house might be thirty minutes for a healthy, able-bodied person, but it takes us the better part of two hours to make our staggering way along the coast. Even then, we almost miss the sign Evelyn was told to look for. The crevasse leads through a narrow canyon and into an open area that houses the … Honestly, calling it a shack might be too generous.

I stare at the rotted boards and walls that I’m nearly certain would collapse if they weren’t shoved into the narrow space between canyon walls. The roof sags precariously and there’s no way it doesn’t leak when it rains. If I’d happened across this place by accident, I would turn around and walk away. I certainly wouldn’t risk life and limb walking through the door that’s held up by a hope and some creative patching.

“For something Nox called a safe house, this doesn’t seem very safe.” It’s a good thing it’s blocked in on all sides, because a mild wind would cause it to collapse.

“Took the words … right out of … my mouth.” Evelyn is propped under my arm, doing her best to keep me upright. It shames me how weak I am, but no amount of stubbornness can override my physical limitations. I can’t even use my magic, either, because it’s drained to dangerous levels. I’m shaking in a way that has nothing to do with my wound and everything to do with overextending myself.

We don’t have any other options. We can’t turn around and make the trek back to Kanghri. As much as I don’t want to walk through that door, it’s got to be better than sleeping in the open in damp clothes. “Let’s check it out.”

Pushing through the creaking door, I expect to be met with cobwebs and maybe a few mice. Instead, we walk into a cozy little living room. The furniture is all faded, but clean. Same with the floor underfoot, and the maritime paintings on the walls.

“Another pocket realm?” Evelyn gives a pained laugh. “I always thought this kind of thing was more myth than anything else, and you have them just lying around all over the place.”

“They’re not as common as all that,” I say absently, still jarred by my expectations coming up against the reality of the room we stand in. “They’re incredibly expensive, because there are only so many people who can create them. This isn’t a pocket realm, though. It’s clever construction and a bit of theatrics.” This place doesn’t seem abandoned. It almost feels like someone just stepped out, like the room is holding its breath waiting for its occupant to return. “Hello?”