Page 75

“She wouldn’t have been an ordinary woman if he’d been allowed to finish changing her. She would have been an immortal capable of commanding the dead as he does.”

My fingers twitch. Ireallywant to kill something.

“So you … spared her that fate?” Kearan asks.

“We cut the King of the Undersea’s power in half by ensuring he cannot use her in such a manner. It’s bad enough that we will have to find a way to capture him once again. Before there are dead for him to command.”

“Well, you did. Congratulations,” he deadpans. “Now where is the crew who came before us?”

Zarian translates, “Many died during the initial battle. Some who made it to land were lost to the elements, and others are still out there somewhere, surviving in the wilderness as your crew is now. Our food and supplies go missing from time to time.”

They’re still alive.

I hadn’t dared to hope.

But they could be anywhere. They’re trying to survive in this land just as we are. Hunkering down somewhere, stealing food and supplies when they can get away with it.

We have to find them.

But first I have to get Kearan out of here.

“How do you intend to deal with him?” Kearan asks suddenly.

“What?” Zarian asks.

“How do you intend to stop the King of the Undersea from slaughtering all of you to add to his army of undead?”

Dynkinar says not a word in response after Zarian translates the question for her.

“I have a suggestion,” Kearan says to the Speaker. “My queen is coming. She does not leave sailors for dead. Queen Alosa has an entire fleet of ships at her disposal. I don’t know how many she’ll send for us, but I can’t imagine it would be less than three.”

Someone shifts uncomfortably within the tent.

“I assume that you only have the one galleon to fend off newcomers on this side of the island. You will lose it should you try to attack when she comes. So I propose this. Do not attack when she arrives. Let me explain the situation to her. Not only does she hold power over her people, but she is also the daughter of the siren queen. She has powers, but even if she alone is not enough, she can get the help of her people to put him back to sleep.”

Kearan’s words are met with silence. Then Zarian starts to translate.

Dynkinar’s response is clipped and abrupt, but I understand.

“You’re lying.”

“Clever of you to try,” the boy continues translating. “I will talk with the other Speakers. You will remain here until we can determine what to do with you and your crew. I want to set you free, Kearan, but we can’t have you and the others depleting our resources.”

And then she leaves. Finally I hear the tent rustling. I press myself into the snow as far as I possibly can.

I wait until I see Dynkinar and the boy to ensure they’re not crossing behind the tent. I don’t want to be in their sights. Even now I can hear more noises in the camp. Daylight must be near.

Crying interrupts my survey of the camp.

Crying from the tent.

I wonder for a moment if the guards have entered and started beating Kearan, for he sounds terrible.

“I’m so sorry, Sorinda,” he whispers. “I tried.”

Is he … crying for me?

The sound of it hurts my heart. It is a startling pain when so much of me is devoid of any sensation.