“Roxie, if you can drop the shields for a few seconds, I’ve got a clear shot” I looked over at Sam, who now had the revolver trained on the cloaked figure.
It was too late. The figure looked right at us, as if she’d heard Sam’s words, then hurried around the corner, out of sight. I waved at Rand to move. He took one last look at the body, then ran for the front of the ship. Since it was higher than the back of the vessel, my anxiety rose when I could no longer see him. I heard a roar and more screams. Sebastian.
Sebastian! Rand is on board. He’s coming to help! I knew Danai’s familiar would watch out for him if he could.
I see him. You don’t have to shout. A shot fired out, then he snarled, Your mate just stole my kill.
Relief outweighed the need to correct the big cat. Then I realized what he’d said. We need them left alive!
These men who call themselves pirates know nothing of who hired them. They are terrified of the one they call a witch that oversees them.
So the cloaked figure was a witch. Is she one of the Turned? Would he even be able to tell?
Of course I can tell! She is not. She’s not even a first witch or even a lesser witch. She feels human and smells of the others we battled. Her magick is powered by blood.
The blood magick witches? Shocked, I almost dropped my shield and had to focus to keep it in place.
A few men on this boat have weapons crafted by her magick. The others have shot two of the water fae. One is dying and the other is injured but he still fights.
I looked down at the water, searching for Arella. Was Olen one of those who was injured . . . or worse? I hated not being over there, able to protect them.
Zara spoke and I felt a pang as I realized once again how much I missed having her by my side. It is not the king who lays dying. His second is injured, though as Sebastian said, he still fights. You cannot be everywhere, protecting everyone, at all times, Roxanne. You do what you can and accept it or the guilt will tear you apart.
She was right, I knew that. But it was still a hard pill to swallow. I had all this magick—I should be able to do more.
There was another smatter of gunfire and I tensed. Those sounded like automatic weapons, not the handgun Rand carried. I looked over at the coven and had an idea. “Ladies?” They turned away from the other ship, their eyes wide. “A little help, if you would?” I waved them over to me. They gave one another confused glances, then moved over to stand in a half circle around me.
“Do you think you could hold this shield in place? As a group?”
Even Rayna looked uncertain. “I don’t think our magick works like yours.”
Chewing my lip, my gaze fell to their crystal pendants. Would they be able to join their own shields and expand them? “Join hands and reach for the magick in the crystals. We’re going to try something. Gryff? Think you can protect all of them?”
The lone pixie had stuck close to Tess’s side, as I’d requested, but he’d been watching the other ship with a look that said he’d rather be over there fighting with his flight. At my words, he sprang to attention. “Yes, Madame Witch. I will allow no harm to befall any of your people.” With a smart salute, he drew his sword and took up his position on Tess’s shoulder.
“Just remember, I count you as my people, too, Gryff.” I didn’t think it was possible for the little fae to sit up any straighter, but he proved me wrong.
It took several attempts before they were able to put up a respectable-sized shield. It didn’t cover the entire boat, but it should be enough. I would send Sam in to shield Cappy, just in case. She started for the cockpit, then paused. “What are you up to, Roxanne?” she asked in a low voice.
“I’m going over there. There’s someone using blood magick on board and the pirates have magickal weapons. I think two of the king’s people are dead and Dorn is injured. I’ve got to help.” I pulled the Power ring off and placed it in her palm, curling her fingers around it. “This should give you enough of a boost if you need it.” I hoped. I wasn’t positive the ring would work for her.
Her eyes bored into mine,
