“This is incredible,” I whisper as I walk past the seats, my gaze riveted on the view outside. “What a lovely scene.”
“You can see Mt. Rainier, there.” Eldaren points.
I stare. I’d heard about it, but I have never seen it through the smog of Liberty. “It’s beautiful.”
“One of the few places that remained relatively untouched by humans,” the prince says. “Maybe I will take you there, one day.”
“I’d like that.”
He arches an eyebrow. “Then, I will definitely take you there, one day.”
I study the pictures that line the walls on the other side of the ferry. “How long was this boat in use?”
“I’m not sure,” Eldaren says. “Quite a long time, though, especially for humans. I have had repairs made where needed but tried to keep it historically authentic. I know you like that sort of thing. I find that peculiar about you, but it’s also endearing.”
With a shuddering jolt, the ferry begins to move. I rush to a booth and sit close to the window, looking out. The boat makes waves, and I watch the white foam dance away as the ferry picks up speed. Never in a thousand years would I have guessed I would one day be riding a piece of history, and I’m glad that Eldaren took me on this, rather than an elven ship.
The seat creaks, and Eldaren is sitting beside me, settling his chin on the top of my head as he gazes out at the Sound.
He smells like books and cinnamon, and a shiver passes through me at the contact. I swallow, trying to work moisture into my suddenly dry mouth. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” My voice cracks and I try again. “The water. The ocean.”
Eldaren shifts, lifting his head, but still seated beside me. “Yes, it is. Unfortunately, it also houses a disgusting amount of trash and pollution. Some of you humans tried to clean it, long ago, but it proved to be too vast an undertaking.”
“You could have just stopped at ‘yes, it is,’” I joke.
Eldaren shakes his head. “It’s nothing to make light of, Stella. This world is crippled by the amount of garbage you humans have generated. It’s horrific.”
“I’m well aware,” I say dryly. “I live here, remember?”
“I know.” His voice softens. “And it’s not your fault, not really. It’s just that humans no longer have the capability to care for this planet, so you need help.”
He falls silent and tilts his head, eyeing me sideways. “Did I just miss a romantic moment?”
I laugh and turn away, looking out the window again. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Fyit.” The word is a mutter, and it makes me laugh harder.
“It’s not funny,” he says with a scowl. “I’m still learning human customs.”
I nudge him. “Move,” I say. “Let’s walk around.”
“Fine,” he grumbles. He obliges, and I slip out of the booth and walk down the wide corridor. I see double doors at the far end, and a gasp escapes me. “Can we go outside?” I ask.
“Yes.” Eldaren strides ahead, and I follow him.
The wind is fierce and whips about in a howling gale. “It’s cold.” I shout to be heard over the shriek.
Eldaren shakes his head. “Only for humans,” he shouts back. He grasps my hand and tugs me over to the rail.
Here, we get an excellent view of the water churning below us as the ferry speeds ahead. Looking further, my eyes widen. “Is that Vashon?” I point.
Eldaren nods.
Vashon.
It’s an island of thick, dark trees, as far as I can see. “Where are the houses?”
“There aren’t any on the waterfront,” Eldaren says. “Not anymore.”
“But there used to be?”
“Yes. Vashon was said to boast a population of several thousand. I’d be surprised to learn there were more than two thousand, now.”
That makes me sad. It looks so peaceful, like the War never touched these shores. “Where did everybody go?” I lean my arms on the rail, my hair whipping about my face.
“From reports, many people fled the island during the War,” Eldaren says. He’s standing straight, his balance sure even on the rolling waves. “Most didn’t want to risk getting stranded on an island if things got bad. Things did get bad, but in hindsight, staying on the island would have been safer if still miserable.”
“Some still live there?”
“Yes, though, I suspect they’ll lie low if they find out I’m here. Humans don’t trust us.” He frowns briefly. “You’re poor, foolish creatures.”
I watch the forest as the ferry approaches it. The trees loom forebodingly. What secrets lie in those woods? What people? How very different their lives must be from what mine was. Or maybe it’s the same. Perhaps the forest harbors gangs and drugs as well. I don’t know.
But I want to know. A story is out there. Vashon is thick with history, and I want to learn it.
“It’s time for us to return to our vehicle,” Eldaren says. “Let’s go.”
4
Lyra
Stars, this elf is persistent. I’ve ducked down shady alleyways, woven through crowded streets, walked in blasted circles, and Sol won’t—leave—me—alone.
“Isn’t there some other chick you can stalk?” I grumble.
Sol splits his time between watching me and the ever-changing flow of people. “Not really,” he says. “The female elves don’t need protection, and Stella is with the prince.”
“Well, don’t you have some vampires to kill or something?”
“It’s daytime,” Sol points out. “They’ll be in hiding.”
“Well, go train those elven muscles, then.” I look over my shoulder at him. “Or work on those plans of yours to house the poor of Liberty.”
Sol halts so suddenly I almost lose him in the crowd. “You’re right,” he says. “I should work on those plans.” He resumes his stride and catches up with me in a moment. “But I can’t leave you alone. Why don’t you come with me?”
“Are you going back to Journey’s Stop?” I can’t repress my shudder.
“They are probably the last place in Liberty who will get housing, after what transpired yesterday,” Sol replies. “So, no.” He eyes me. “Where do you think I should start?”
Somewhere that isn’t with me, idiot. “Why
