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CHAPTER TWENTY

IN WHICH THE PARTY ENCOUNTERS LIFE ON THE ISLAND

The ship docked on the far side of the island before the sun rose on the third day.

After assembling our things, we paid Gerda the rest of our fee, shuffled down the rickety old gangway, and watched our transportation pull away from shore through bleary eyes.

Despite the calm night, something itched under my skin, making it difficult to sit still.

Whether it was residual mana from practicing the evening before or nerves, I couldn’t tell.

“No going back now,” Vyrain remarked, straightening the strap over his shoulder.

“No shit,” his brother mumbled.

In the ensuing silence, I racked my brain for a suitable plan of attack.

We couldn’t avoid the islanders completely since we’d need to ask around to figure out what happened to Narille, but we could take the time to get a feel for the lay of the land.

What I wouldn’t give for a map of the island.

It was small enough that we didn’t have to worry about getting lost, but knowing where the city was and knowing how best to approach it were two different things.

The area we stood on now was only just above sea level, with a short drop to the ocean behind us as a steep hill ahead. A bird’s- eye view would be helpful. Could Luthri fly at all, even for a short time? I opened my mouth to ask but thought better of it.

“Let’s head that way.” I pointed to a section of elevated, grassy terrain up ahead. On the edge of my vision, a shadow darted out of a bush to disappear behind a ridge of dirt. An animal? “Uh… It’ll be a hike, but it should be a good vantage point. We can figure out a plan from there.”

“Works for me.” Lu eyed the hill, sizing it up.

Noting the twins’ burdens, I added, “And we’ll take turns with the bags. It’s only fair.”

“That’s all right. I’m good.” Vyrain looked to his brother, who inclined his head in agreement. “Yeah, these are nothing. You focus on the walk.”

I might have taken the implication as an insult, but at this point in the journey, I didn’t have the energy to care.

We made our way uphill from the shore, fighting every step as a mix of mud and sand clung to our boots.

The next thirty meters or so were covered in tall, stiff grass that sliced at exposed skin, leaving shallow wounds equivalent to a dozen paper cuts.

“No wonder this side of the island is less traveled,” I groused as I drew in mana to harden the skin on my limbs and reinforce my clothing. My fae companions fared better, their rapid healing allowing them to better meet the plant’s assault.

“Shall I carry you?” Luthri offered, coming to my side.

I waved him away, getting warm at the thought of being princess-carried up the hill while the others trudged behind us with our things. That was going a step too far. “I’m complaining for the sake of it, is all. There’s nothing wrong with my feet.”

We continued to climb, one foot in front of the other.

Upon reaching the top of the hill, I paused to admire the view, shielding my eyes from the glare of first light.

This was a corner of paradise, with sheer cliffs to one side and deep blue water stretching in all directions.

All was calm but for the occasional wave crashing against rocks below.

The ship chugged along in the distance, steam-powered wheels engaged once more now that they were no longer journeying through the open sea. It was a remarkable sight.

Something else caught my eye—a flutter of movement.

The hill beside ours was smaller, bare of vegetation, and riddled with lumps and holes that would have made hiking it a chore.

Now that I examined it more closely, there was something off about it.

For one thing, it was a shade too light—a dull tan compared to the gray-brown of the beach, like mud gone pallid in the sun. It was also… sparkling?

No, that wasn’t it. The holes were sparkling—and not the holes themselves, but rather the familiar little figures emerging from within them. The shimmering was hundreds of iridescent wings reflecting the morning light as the Aminkinya horde took to the air in droves.

I said a reprehensible word.

It wasn’t a hill at all, but an Aminkinya nest larger than I’d thought possible.

The twins threw down our packs to face the ambush, and Luthri raised his fists, but we had no chance.

There had to be hundreds of them, and we knew from personal experience how dangerous even a single Aminkinya could be.

Our only hope was to talk our way out of this.

Praying the boys kept their mouths shut, I forced a nonthreatening smile to my face and held up my hands to show I was unarmed as the pixies swarmed us. They flew close, the threat of their sharp wings forcing us back-to-back into a tight circle.

“ Ailou vas tan’ga ?” one in front demanded, her wings making a threatening chirp.

There goes that idea . Cold sweat moistened my palms. What alternative was there to talking—an awkward game of charades? A monetary bribe to let us pass in one piece? Would we need to fight our way out after all? It would be a bloodbath on both sides.

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Do you speak the Ishameti language?”

“ Kap Danagil ,” someone barked, inspiring a flurry of motion.

The one who had spoken first regarded our group anew, her pale green eyes sweeping over us. She held out an authoritative hand and ordered, “Stay. Do not move.”

I released the breath I’d been holding and let my hands fall.

From his spot beside me, Luthri edged closer and slipped his hand into mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

His jaw was set, his gaze dark—no doubt seeing the situation the same as I did.

I glanced back to catch Hohem’s questioning look and shook my head once, hoping that was enough to convey that they should leave this to me.

Behind the defensive line of angry pixies, a new figure emerged from one of the nest’s many tunnels.

This one was larger than the rest, though still no taller than my knee, and several pieces of polished bronze armor protected her torso while accentuating her curves.

She walked rather than flew, long, bright green braids swaying behind her.

This must be their clan head . I didn’t dare speak for fear of saying the wrong thing.

The clan parted to make room for their leader, and Luthri released my hand. Probably for the best, all things considered. If we did end up having to fight our way out of this, it would help to have both hands free.

“You’re not of the island,” the pixie leader observed, looking us over one by one. Her gaze lingered on me and narrowed. “And you’re… not of this world at all.”

My blood chilled in my veins. How did she know?

Sensing my shock, Luthri took the lead. “Please pardon our intrusion on your lands,” he implored, stepping forward. “We were passing through and didn’t recognize these hills were inhabited. We don’t want any trouble.”

“That’s a shame.” The pixie leader grinned. “Been a long time since we saw any action.”

Wings thrummed around her like screaming applause. One of the twins shifted against my back, and I fumbled for his sleeve to hold him back.

“Please,” I said through gritted teeth, my grip tightening .

The pixie leader’s wings beat once, twice, taking her to the air in an elegant hop. She landed in front of me, making Luthri’s spine snap straight. I held my position as she reached out to graze the fingers of my free hand—the hand that bore Daethie’s hair ring.

“A friend doesn’t beg,” she remarked before turning back to her clan. A snap of her fingers sent the crowd scattering back into their holes, with a handful remaining to keep an eye on their queen. She swiveled back around and continued speaking.

“They call me Danagil the Quick-Witted. I’m afraid our halls are not built for guests of your generous size, so I can’t offer you much in terms of hospitality.”

It took a few seconds for the meaning of her words to sink in. The flood of adrenaline seeping into my bloodstream hesitantly tapered off. Relaxing my hold on the person behind me, I let my guard drop enough to appear amiable.

“Oh, that’s—” I cleared my throat. “That’s quite all right. We don’t want to intrude. We’re headed to the city. Looking for the Kereti heiress, if you know about that.”

“I do. Guessed as much.” Danagil eyed our group. “Should have had them drop you on the other side of the island, though. There’s a reason no one bothers us here.”

That’s because a bunch of killer pixies scared them off . But rather than say as much, I kept the conversation cordial. “We were hoping to avoid the islanders—er, the city residents, specifically. Get acquainted with the area before running into anyone.”

“I would have done the same,” the pixie agreed. “Have you a map?”

“Not of the island itself.”

Danagil tilted her head. “Well. If you’d like to continue avoiding unwanted company, you can go through the Blights.

It’s a cave system on the northern side of the island.

Largely left alone, although the occasional group ventures in.

Your other option is through fishing territories and farmland, where you’re sure to encounter people.

My scouts tell me some never make it to the city, but I have nothing else to offer. The risk is up to you.”

“What happens to them, to keep them from the city? Do you know?” Perhaps the Aminkinya saw something the shippers didn’t, being neighbors in a sense.

“They give up,” Danagil supplied, tone dripping with distaste. “Only they know why. Could be they are threatened or bested in combat. They live here, serving Rugaveld now.”

Threatened? That could explain it. But what could someone hold over a stranger’s head that would make them abandon everything they knew to be subservient? It sounded more and more like we wouldn’t be able to get away with not meeting this Rugaveld.

Vyrain stepped forward. “Have you seen the lady Narille?” he inquired.

Danagil tapped her lips. “When she first arrived. No sign of her since. I suspect she’s being held in Rugaveld’s manor, if she’s still alive. Equally possible that she was fed to the birds and what was left of her given to the ocean.”

Our group collectively grimaced. I’d considered that she might be dead, to be sure, but the possibility at this stage in our search and rescue attempt was a miserable thought.

“That would be the final flourish on an otherwise sensational journey,” Hohem grumbled, voicing what we were all thinking.

Before I could level an exasperated look his way, a hand tugged at mine.

“We appreciate the information.” Luthri none-too-subtly drew me toward him. He stood at an angle, and his gaze darted back toward the Aminkinya nest as though they might reemerge to tear us apart after all. Nonetheless, I planted my feet.

“You can go on ahead,” I told him. “I’ll catch up.”

The boys all stalled, looking to each other for cues. Lu wet his lips.

“We should figure out what we’re doing as a group,” he reasoned. Still, I hesitated. There was more Danagil could tell me. What did she know of the city? Navigating the cave system? Most importantly, how did she know what I was?

“Males,” Danagil scoffed. Pinning Luthri with a glare, she made a shooing motion. “Let the women talk, boy. I swear on my grandmother’s spirit that she’ll return to you in one piece.”

Once they were out of earshot, I turned back to the little chieftain.

“How did you know about me?” I asked in a low voice. “That I’m… not from here?”

My question didn’t surprise her. “We have a sister clan in Miderrum, the capital of Wysalar. Some revolutions ago, they met a human mender there—one of the only humans seen this side of The Rift. The rest I could piece together. Such creatures, their original forms raw and untouched by mana , are not common here, you know.”

I could wonder at how news traveled among the Aminkinya later. My immediate concern was that I might not be living far enough from the U.S. government’s reach after all. “The humans, they haven’t given them trouble? Wysalar, I mean?”

I hadn’t heard of a war or other transfer of power, but I wouldn’t put it past them. It wouldn’t be the first time they’d taken something that didn’t belong to them.

Danagil shook her head. “They are allies, last I heard. The human was staying with the Ishameti leading family. She seemed quite friendly with the younger prince.”

“This human… Did she look like me?”

The fairy’s eyes roved over my body, considering my question. “The same general shape, but different coloring. Pink skin, orange hair. Gold eyes. Someone you know?”

Avery. It had to be . A lump developed in my throat. It was a pleasant surprise to hear news of my old friend, but I couldn’t think of a reason for her to cross The Rift except as collateral or a diplomat. Hopefully, she wasn’t being used as a political tool these days.

“Maybe,” I admitted. Flashing a quick smile, I glanced back to where my companions waited for me with narrowed eyes and tense bodies. I couldn’t dally here. “Thank you for your help. We’d best be on our way now.”

Danagil inclined her head. “May Fate smile on your journey. Should you meet a violent end, we shall hope they tell your tale in songs.”

“Er… I hope there’s no need, but thank you.” Nodding my farewell, I pivoted to go.

“Oh, and a word of advice,” the pixie chief called after me. “The islanders—don’t take anything they give you.”

“Huh?” I turned back to see a flash of lime green disappear into the ground. Left to ponder the meaning of her words, I joined the others, and we continued onward.