Page 23

“Fabulous,” I huffed, reaching for my reserve of power, finding it eager and ready. “I think the torques are deactivated.” To test my theory, I held out my hand, conjuring a raven. The illusion came easily, then darted off, flying for the horizon.

“Mine as well.” Drazen snapped his fingers, creating a single flame, then snuffed it out.

“Good. We’re going to need it,” Custodis said, his keen eyes taking in everything around us.

Several wooden boats rested along the shore. Those competitors who were closest to them turned on each other, fighting to claim one.

“Boats are out.” I strode to the edge of the water. “I suppose we could swim.”

“No. Wait.” Victor grabbed my arm. “Look.” He nodded.

Eager to beat the others, a number of competitors charged into the water. With quick strokes, they swam away from shore.

“Over there,” Drazen pointed.

Directly in front of a small group, water twirled, gathering speed.

Screams rang out. Several of the swimmers were caught up in the whirlpool.

As the first group vanished beneath the surface, violent waves began to crash.

Growing bigger, more powerful, they rolled and tumbled, headed straight for the few who had managed to claim boats.

Waves pounded the flimsy timber. Wood splintered, and the boats came apart.

As the passengers struggled to hold onto the broken pieces, massive waves claimed them, dragging them under.

In the distance, cheers erupted, the king’s audience enjoying the show. Filthy bastards .

“Athos can manipulate stone,” Custodis stated. “Can Kronk raise them from beneath the water?”

“If Kronk creates stepping stones, we could cross on foot,” I finished the vampire’s thought. “Do it.” I smacked Kronk’s iron arm, then shook out my stinging hand.

“Very well.” Kronk took a knee, plunging his fist deep into the sand.

Then, with a brow furrowed look of deep concentration, he summoned his magic.

The ground trembled beneath our feet. Out in the water, bubbles exploded in a violent stream.

Along the surface, dark mounds erupted, slimy stones the size of adult bula emerging from the depths.

Adrenaline sped through my veins. This might actually work.

“Kronk, you’re a genius.” I ignored Victor’s contribution.

“ Ten clicks ,” said a mechanical voice.

“Hurry,” Victor ordered, and we took off at a sprint.

One at a time, we leaped from stone to stone. Frigid water sprayed our bodies, wetting our clothes and hair.

I blinked my blurry eyes. We were getting closer. Hope welled inside of me.

“Brace yourselves!” Drazen shouted over the roaring water.

A massive wave exploded against the stones, threatening to knock us off our perches.

“Runa!” Before I could brace for the next impact, a larger wave crashed into the pillar I stood on.

It slammed into my chest, knocking me off my feet.

I tumbled, knees and elbows cracking on the rock.

With the deluge threatening to suck me under, I dug my nails into the slippery stone surface, finding little to stop my fall. Flark. I was going in.

Stony fingers clamped down on my wrist. With one hand, Kronk dragged me up, setting me on my feet.

“Behind us,” Kronk shouted over my head.

I spun to look. Others had taken advantage of our path, leaping across the stones, gaining on us.

“Drazen, your flames,” Victor shouted from the rear.

“Duck,” Drazen yelled, launching a fireball.

The flaming orb sailed over Victor’s head, barely missing him. It crashed into a guy with green scales. The creature squealed, falling into the water, where the waves quickly swallowed him.

“ Five clicks ,” said the disembodied voice.

“Move,” Victor shouted .

This time, I didn’t balk at the order. I leaned back and hurled my frozen body at the next foothold.

Only a few steps to go. We were so close.

I reared back, prepared to make another jump. Bolts of lightning whizzed past my nose.

“Hey!” I threw out my arms, wobbling on my perch.

“Argh!” Kronk bellowed behind me.

He’d been hit. Panic washed over me until I remembered his skin was made of stone.

Still, no one messed with my brother. I spun in a circle. Where were those bastards? To my surprise, one of the boats had survived. While two of the occupants paddled, the third flung magical lightning bolts at those closest to the island.

I braced my legs, drawing power from my core. My hands warmed, and my illusion took shape. In the water beside me, an enormous sea monster broke through the churning waves. Razorblade fins, daggers for teeth, bulbus eyes—my baby was glorious.

“Go get ’em, boy.” I hurled my illusion at the boat, and my sea creature took off. Water rolled off its charging back.

“There! Over there!” voices yelled. “What is that thing?”

Halfway to the boat, my beautiful beast reared its ugly head and roared.

Screams rang out. Mr. Lightning Bolt blasted energy into the illusion. The other two began paddling, their movements erratic, their boat spinning in panicked circles. Apparently, paddling wasn’t in their skill set.

“ One click,” that infernal voice warned.

“Move your sweet ass, Runa,” Drazen bellowed.

My feet struck the next stone with a tooth-rattling jolt. The next one as well. Then the next. My leg muscles burned. The sound of the others following behind me propelled me to move faster. Seconds remained .

I hit the sand and tumbled, rolling out of the way. My teammates followed, piling onto the beach.

Horns blared. Time was up.

Heart racing, I sat up. “Kronk, Drazen?” Custodis ?

“All here,” the vampire answered, even though I hadn’t included him in my concerns.

“Nice sea monster,” Drazen praised.

I snorted a laugh. “It was. Wasn’t it?”

We glanced around the island. Cheering echoed from far away. Those infernal orbs hovered over our heads. Flark. I’d almost forgotten our audience. I was so focused on surviving. Plenty of the other competitors had survived as well. Pity.

I flopped back on the sand, catching my breath. “That wasn’t so bad.”

“Right,” Drazen growled, flicking droplets off his muscled arms. “Great fun if you’re a fan of water.”

He never had enjoyed being submerged, which made bath time as a youngling particularly entertaining.

Horns blew, and I tensed. What now?