Crowned (Beholder #4)(45)

Chapter Twenty-One




After the MAJE hit the water, the ship dove downward. A great groan of metal filled the air. My ears popped from the growing pressure. The ship jolted from side to side, throwing me against one metal wall after another.

Then, stillness.

A low hum sounded. Based on what Jicho said, that must be some kind of propulsion system that was moving us through the water. I leaned back against the metal wall and exhaled.

We’d made it this far.

After that, the vessel tilted upward. We were heading back toward the surface once more. Jicho’s automatic pilot certainly worked. Even so, other parts of the ship didn’t fare as well. Water seeped in through the seams in my small chamber. Once we reached air, the hatch above me popped open. I scrambled out and scanned the deck of the ship. Jicho, Nan, and Mrefu were all crawling out of their respective hiding places.

Safe. We’d all made it.

Rising to stand, I scanned our surroundings. The river here was faster as it cut through heavier jungle. Vines and trees arched over the water, allowing only a thin glimpse of sky through the green.

Morning again. One day left.

The MAJE was afloat and coasting along with the current. Other than that, the boat was a smashed-up mess. The top “fin” had been torn off. Its sleek cylinder engine was now a crushed up hulk. And the shark appearance of the vessel was completely gone. The thing more resembled a crumpled-up wad of metal parchment.

Still, we were all alive.

I carefully inspected the river behind us. No sign of Rowan, either. In my mind, I knew that was a good thing. My heart, however, ached to see him once more and console him. The look of despair and grief on his face as we sped away? It was something I’d carry with me forever.

Jicho’s small hand wrapped around my own. “Are you all right?”

I knelt so I could face the child directly. “I am fine. You did a great job helping us escape.”

Jicho’s big green eyes widened with sympathy. “He’ll remember you again, Elea. You’re his mate.”

I wrapped the boy in a too-tight hug before realizing that Nan and Mrefu were staring. At this point, I either needed to explain the history with Rowan or move onto other topics. Fortunately, there are other subjects that I desperately want to discuss.

I stepped back from Jicho and tried to regain my composure. “How far until we reach the place where the Sword’s blade is hidden?”

Jicho’s mouth fell open. “You have the hilt?”

I patted my pocket. “I do.”

“The blade isn’t far now,” said Nan.

“That’s right,” added Jicho. He wouldn’t meet my gaze. “I saw it in a vision, really.”

“That’s great, Jicho.” I tilted my head and scanned everyone carefully. There was something going on here that I was missing.

As if on cue, Nan and Mrefu exchanged a knowing look.

I leaned back to sit on the deck. “Seems like we have some time now. How about someone tell me where this Sword is and what to expect? I get the feeling like you all know.”

“I’ve been to this place before,” said Nan. “It was pretty rough.”

“She was tested,” added Mrefu.

“Tested how? Battle testing?”

“I can’t tell you that.” Nan plunked done on to the deck and wrapped her arms around her legs. “Wish I could.”

Deciding to try another tactic, I focused on Jicho. “Have you had any visions lately?”

“A few.”

“Do you know if we’ll see Rowan and the Casters again before we reach the hiding place of the blade?”

Jicho paused. “No, we won’t. He’s with the Lady now.”

“The Lady of Creation?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Is she hurting him?”

“She’s giving him a choice.”

“And what is that choice, exactly?”

Jicho looked up from his controls. “I can’t tell you that, Elea.” His normally happy face was the definition of miserable. “I’m sorry. It’s how things work when you’re a Seer. You can’t tell everything you want to.” His bottom lip wobbled. “All I can say is that we’re going to a temple, and that Rowan loves you. Let him help you.”

Guilt pressed in around me, tight as a vise. Sweet Jicho. He was being so brave in a terrible situation. I shouldn’t keep pushing. I scanned the ship, seeing how Nan and Mrefu had begun opening the remaining container spaces. Most were damaged and empty, but others still held supplies. Whenever they found some food or equipment, they set it on deck.

I cleared my throat. “I’ll just help Nan and Mrefu for a while.”

Rolling up my sleeves, I began assisting my friends in his work. If nothing else, I knew that I wouldn’t see Rowan again until we reached the temple. That had to count for something.





Chapter Twenty-Two




Mrefu and I organized what remained of the MAJE’s supplies. As the hours passed, different animal noises echoed through the jungle, so I suspected that daylight had given way to nighttime.

In other words, one day remained before the Martyr’s Comet disappeared.

A thick nest of vines, ferns, and trees blotted out all but the occasional view of the sky. In fact, most of the time I couldn’t stand up without my hair catching on a branch or fern. I ended up sitting on deck, my legs pulled against my chest, feeling lonely and miserable. No one spoke, and the silence became its own kind of cacophony.