Immortal War

the intel team to get word to Sanctuary that we need medical backup.” Bo Yin nodded, remaining admirably calm as the commander in chief of the Pirate Federation continued to bark orders at her. “And get them to warn the rest of our fleet that they are sailing into a battle zone.” As Bo Yin raced off to execute his orders, Black continued to reel off commands. “All senior students to go to their assigned ships, juniors to gather in the bunkers…”

The sirens echoed in the vast dome of the Rotunda. The noise caused the bank of swords above their heads to tremble and agitate.

“We’re under attack!” Connor cried, scrambling to his feet. “I have to get back to The Tiger.”

“Wait!” Grace implored him.

He shook his head. “This is Protocol Nine, Grace. We all have to move fast.”

“But there’s so much we need to say to each other,” she said. “Especially now that you know about the prophecy.”

Connor shook his head once more. “We can’t talk now. We both have important jobs to do.” Seeing Grace’s desolate expression, he added, “Maybe it’s better this way.”

Grace was trembling. Was this the beginning of the end? How were you supposed to say good-bye to the brother you might never see again?

She felt him hug her. She was numb but, as he released her, she managed to get out two words: “Be careful!”

After he’d gone and she was alone in the Rotunda, she berated herself for not saying something more meaningful. She realized it was futile. There were no words to reach across the terrible chasm they now faced.

She was still holding the book. It was open in front of her. As she glanced down, tears spattered onto its pages, staining the paper. Then she saw words gathering again, even over the tear marks. The book was speaking to her once more. But what could it possibly have to tell her?

It is time for you to enter the realm of the dead.

She experienced a sudden tremor of shock, then a strange form of relief. Then confusion. Did this mean that it was her, not Connor, who was destined to die? Her heart was racing as further instructions began to appear right before her eyes.

41

THE DESCENT

Johnny stood side by side with Stukeley at the front of The Redeemer. The night air was heady with expectation. To their port side was Mimma and her crew on board The Calabria; on their starboard, the vast hulk of The Blood Captain with Sidorio at the prow. Johnny knew that The Vagabond was on the other side of The Blood Captain, though for now the larger ship restricted his view.

“Isn’t this amazing?” Johnny turned to Stukeley, his eyes bright. “Look up ahead! Are those the lights of the Pirate Academy?”

Stukeley shrugged. “That’s right, pal. Our suicide mission is almost upon us.”

Johnny frowned. “Don’t talk that way. We’re both coming back from this.”

“I wish I shared your confidence,” Stukeley said, “but Sidorio has lost the plot. We were roundly defeated last night. The only reason we’re back for more is because Lola’s precious wine cellar was breached. She’s always been a bad influence on him, and this time she’s pushed him right to the edge.”

“You think?” Johnny’s face grew suddenly anxious.

Stukeley nodded. “Look at the sky, man. You can read it as well as me. It’s only hours until dawn.”

“This battle will all be over by the time the sun rises,” Johnny said. “I can taste success.” His eyes skimmed the fire beacons that marked the perimeter of the Pirate Academy harbor.

“Now, you’re clear on your own mission in this?” Stukeley said.

Johnny nodded. “When the battle heats up, I slip onto The Vagabond and steal the babies.”

Stukeley nodded grimly. “Still feeling confident?”

Johnny grinned. “Hey, I was a cattle rustler, remember. Stealing is my thing.”

Stukeley gazed at his friend, wondering if it was the right moment to remind him he’d been caught cattle rustling and killed for it. On balance, not, he decided. He needed Johnny to deliver the goods tonight.

Johnny’s expression changed suddenly. “I’m comfortable with the stealing part. But do I have to kill them? I know we need them out of the way, but killing babies is a first even for me.”

Stukeley lowered his voice, intent that no one on his crew overheard this conversation. “Johnny,” he said, “you have to get rid of Hunter and Evil or there’s no kind of future for us. You know that as well as I do. This crazy battle is the perfect smoke screen.”

“I know that, but do I have to kill them?”

Stukeley’s eyes met Johnny’s. “I don’t much care what you do with them. Throw them into the ocean or give them away. Just make sure that when the battle ends and the smoke clears, that nursery is empty and there’s no way back for those kids.”

Johnny nodded. “Okay, I understand, hermano. But wouldn’t it be simpler to have another go at killing Lola?”

Stukeley shook his head. “Too dangerous,” he said. “But if you take away her precious kids, she’ll be a broken woman. And we have to break her, Johnny. You get that, don’t you?”

Johnny nodded, his eyes turning once more from his comrade to the fire beacons, which seemed to be floating nearer and nearer. “I get it,” he said. “I don’t like it, but you can depend on me. I’ll do what has to be done.”

On board The Nocturne, the crew was moving back into attack positions. At least tonight there had been some warning and the Nocturnals had had a chance to feed. Still, Lorcan was fearful that this was one attack too many and too hard on the heels of the last. He was growing tired of this. This wasn’t the life he had chosen. He’d risen to the challenge far better than he had expected—to protect the people he loved and their way of life—but fundamentally he was a peaceful person. He didn’t know how much longer he could go on. He had never felt closer to the edge of the abyss. The sleep of oblivion was starting to appeal to him, had there not been so much at stake.

He hammered on Grace’s cabin door, scarcely believing that once more he was about to say good-bye to her, perhaps for the last time.

“Come in!” came a voice, but it belonged to Oskar, not Grace. Already feeling a deep sense of disquiet, Lorcan pushed open the door.

The sight before his eyes only made his heart hammer faster. Grace lay motionless on the floor of the cabin. It looked as if she had fallen, though she had sustained no obvious wounds. Lying close by her was the precious