‘I know, we need to stop him, but killing him – that would make you just as bad as him. There are other ways – other ways that won’t change you.’
A blast of anger exploded like a bomb inside me.
‘Don’t you see? He has already changed me.’
Jet grabbed my hand, but I yanked it away.
‘Eva, you’re burning up. Please, let me help you. I know some plants in the bush that have magical healing properties. I’ll go now and find them.’
‘So I take it you’re not coming?’
Deep lines filled Jet’s forehead. ‘I’ll come with you – when you’re better. Not before.’
‘Suit yourself,’ I said, sitting back as sweat broke out on my skin.
‘Tell me you’re not going to try and leave now,’ he said, glancing around into the bushes. ‘It’s nearly dark and you’re sick.’
I kept my voice even. ‘Okay, I’ll wait – if you teach me black magic.’
Jet gasped. ‘That’s never going to happen.’
‘Well then, all bets are off.’
‘So…in your condition, you think you can make it back to the mainland, find Orpheus, save your family…’
‘Even if I die, I will know I’ve tried.’
Jet sat back uncomfortably, as though he’d sat on a bed of prickles. ‘Can you wait – two days? I’ll go and get those plants now. That will give you time to recover. Please, Eva. Your family will be okay for two days.’
I remembered the look in Elijah’s eyes after he’d been tortured for one night.
‘Sure,’ I said, not looking at him as I let my lie slip. There was no way he would let me go until he thought I was better. The truth was, I was never going to be better. The creatures may have accelerated my change, but my world was never going to be the same again after Orpheus arrested my family and Violet.
Jet stood and busied himself in the makeshift kitchen, then returned with a bowl of soup.
‘Please eat this while I go find those plants.’
I took the steaming bowl of soup, which made my stomach churn. When was the last time I’d eaten – on Ezra’s boat, before my eighteenth? Was that only yesterday?
Jet slid on his coat and grabbed a torch and backpack. ‘Eat and get some more sleep, okay? I’ll be back shortly.’
I put on my best smile, how I imagined I used to smile – when I’d still been a good person. ‘See you soon.’
Jet walked away and Boy followed. Jet stopped and turned at the edge of the clearing, his expression unreadable.
‘I’ll be fine,’ I said, sickly sweet.
He groaned before walking away. I listened to him move amongst the bushes until it was silent again. I placed my bowl of soup back on the table, then put on my shoes before standing and tottering to where my jacket was hanging. Within minutes, I was stumbling my way down onto the beach in search of the dinghy, finding the night still and bright.
The truth was, my body was burning up, walking was difficult and it was challenging to even keep my eyes open. But there was simply no way I could hide away for another minute. I had to go back to Melas and help my family, and nothing and no one was going to stop me.
Chapter Eight
The boat skimmed across the ocean, which was as still and flat as glass. The half-moon was rising in the sky, lighting my path and my return to Melas. My gaze darted around, searching for signs of the coastguard or the dark forces of nature. But for once, I was completely alone.
As the town of Melas came back into view, my mind skipped ahead to how I would start searching for my family. The truth was, I didn’t have a plan. I’d been so intent on getting back that I hadn’t stopped to think about how I would locate my family.
I wiped the sweat bubbling on my forehead. Every second, my energy grew weaker and the sickness that was growing inside me became stronger. I hated to admit it, but for the first time, I saw the sense in Jet’s words.
Glancing behind myself, I saw the cove was now hidden under darkness. Jet would get the shock of his life when he returned to camp to find me and my boat gone. I pictured his face as it transferred from shocked to mad as hell.
Turning back towards Melas I tried to organise my thoughts, which were shooting off in all directions. I knew my parents would be locked up, but where? I doubted they would be at the police station – the most obvious place. They could be held in the town hall, or perhaps locked up in Orpheus’s own house so he could keep a close eye on them.
I adjusted the tiller and steered the dinghy towards the boathouse. If I could hide the boat, then I could try and get to Orpheus’s house, search for them. As I came closer to the shore, I made out the familiar shape of the boathouse and the glass that reflected back onto the water. I slowed the boat, but nothing would hide the roar from the engine that echoed along the shore. I tried to create mist, but I couldn’t muster the energy to produce an ounce of steam. If someone looked now, they would see me.
As we neared the shore I cut the engine and steered the boat under the timber pylons of the jetty. As I tied my boat up, I heard footsteps running down the stairs.
Shit! Shit! Shit!
I tried to conjure up some heat – some fire – in my hands, but they remained cold. I jumped from the boat and hid behind a pylon. My legs shook and I slid down onto the ground, cursing myself for being so utterly wilful and stupid.
‘Eva, is that you?’ came a voice that used to bring
