Chapter 41

41

The port wasn’t what Arya expected. She wasn’t even sure it was the port until she heard the water softly lapping. The air was so humid it felt like a blanket around her. As the shadows fell away, she hid behind a crate, peering around it to take in the enormous chamber.

The domed ceiling gave way to walls too straight to be natural. Within the walls, she spotted what looked to be tunnels or perhaps small rooms used to store goods. There was an arched entryway that was obviously the way in, but that was the only entrance she could see from her position. The floor was smooth and angled toward the water. The smell of salt hung in the air, telling her the water was close. She followed the water, only for it to end at a wall. She guessed it acted like a gate of sorts. The ships must be anchored on the other side. Which meant the Masters had a way to get any slaves captured from ships out on the oceans to their holdings within the mesa.

Arya searched for Priya or anyone else, but the chamber was empty. The crates and water suggested a port, though she didn’t know any as quiet as this one. No sooner had she thought that then she heard voices approaching. Three elves, two females and a male, walked to a stack of crates. But it was their conversation that intrigued her.

“ I can’t believe it’s finally time,” the tallest of the two Dark females said. “ I’ve been waiting for months to get word from Priya .”

The male, a Sea Elf with greenish-black hair and blue-green skin, chuckled. “ Just wait until you get out on the sea. It’s much different than the river. The water stretches forever.”

“ I’ve been dreaming of this my whole life,” the second female declared.

The tall female grinned. “ It’s time we visit other lands and see what they hold. The dragons can’t occupy the entire realm. I doubt there are others with magic that could stand up to ours.”

“ You mean mine,” Priya stated.

Arya’s gaze found her target as she strode into the cavern through the arched doorway and stopped before the trio.

“ No more delays. We set sail as soon as everything is loaded,” Priya said.

“ Did it work?” Yasmin asked breathlessly.

Ravi shrugged. “ Your guess is as good as mine.”

“ Get him up. We’ll carry him, but we have to move,” Jai urged, something pushing him to get moving. And quickly.

He and Ravi got Dain upright, and his arms looped around their necks. They half-dragged/half-carried him down the hallway, with Yasmin leading them through the labyrinth of corridors.

Sweat ran down Jai’s face as they walked as fast as they could. With every beat of his heart, it felt like he was losing something. “ We’re not going to make it.”

Ravi glanced at him. “ Make what?”

“ I don’t know. I’ve had a pit in my stomach since we left Mamta’s , and it’s getting worse. I have a bad feeling we won’t reach Arya in time.”

Yasmin glanced over her shoulder and motioned to Dain . “ We’re not going anywhere fast with him out cold.”

“ If he’s even him,” Ravi added.

Jai adjusted his grip on Dain . “ Walk faster.”

Arya watched the trio carry a crate into the water. The wall rolled back, but the chamber didn’t fill with seawater as Arya had expected. She realized it acted like a barrier to keep others in. The trio walked until the water was to their chests. Then the Sea Elf dove beneath the surface and came up under the chest, carrying it on his back as he swam effortlessly. The two Dark followed at a much slower pace. Priya watched them while Arya waited to see if other crew members were about. Priya walked into the water, and Arya knew it was time.

“ Going somewhere?” she asked as she stepped out from behind the crate.

Priya’s head swiveled in her direction. The shock on her face was worth all the suffering Arya had endured. Then Priya barked out a laugh. “ I suppose I should’ve seen this coming. I underestimated you.”

“ Aye , you did.”

“ Tell me, how did you get the Masters to free you?”

Arya grinned. “ I might have shared your mishaps with them.”

“ I have to give that one to you. I would’ve done the same. Not that it makes much of a difference now.” Priya moved out of the water, black magic swirling around her hands.

Arya called to hers. Energy pulled from the shadows and darkness whirled around her, sliding sensuously through her. Every step she had taken had led her to this moment. All of Dain’s relentless training and the demanding missions had molded her, sculpting her into a warrior. Maybe she wouldn’t get to see the end of the Masters or the takedown of the fort. But she would be the one to stop Priya . “ This ends now. Only one of us is walking out of here alive.”

“ I couldn’t agree more,” Priya said.

Movement around the cavern drew Arya’s attention. She counted seven elves as they emerged from the shadows and the tunnels in the walls. The others held swords or daggers in one hand and magic in the other. The Star Elf’s warning about watching her back came to mind.

Priya smiled then. “ Your mistake was thinking I’m alone.”

“ What did you do to me?” Dain ground out as he tried to get his feet under him.

Jai and Ravi halted and leaned him against the wall.

Ravi said, “ We did what we had to. Do you still feel…angry?”

Dain shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut for a heartbeat. Then he looked at them. “ Things are hazy. I don’t recall much after the book launched itself at me.”

“ We’ll explain everything later,” Jai said. “ Right now, we need to find Arya . Can you call the shadows?”

Dain attempted to bring the shadows to no avail. “ Fuck ,” he muttered.

Jai’s gut twisted. Dain had been their only shot at getting to Arya quickly. He swung his head to Yasmin . “ How far away is she?”

“ On the other side of the fort,” Yasmin replied.

Dain pushed away from the wall. “ Then we run until my magic returns.”

“ Looks like we don’t have a choice. Yaz , you take the lead,” Ravi said.

She nodded and began sprinting down the hall, her fingers trailing along the stones. Ravi fell in behind her, then Dain , and finally, Jai .

Priya leisurely walked toward Arya . “ This is when you should run. Not that it will do you any good. You’re in my domain now.”

“ I’m not going anywhere.”

“ Then let me introduce you to your grave.”

Arya faked moving left before diving to the right. As she rolled to her knees, she saw the trail of magic that had come from behind her. She released a volley of magic at the elf, the headshot killing him instantly. Arya then rolled to the left to dodge several more rounds. One came close enough that it brushed against her. More missed her completely, but one got her on the right side.

She stood and pulled the dagger from her boot near an elf to her left. Arya grabbed the female’s wrist as she swung her sword and slid her blade between her foe’s ribs, right into her heart. The elf sagged. Arya yanked her blade free and spun the elf around, using her as a shield to block a torrent of magic.

The female jerked with every hit. Arya released her when she became dead weight. Arya then spun, but not quickly enough. Priya let out a shout of glee when Arya was struck and her knee gave way. There was no time to rest. Arya got back to her feet and went for the next adversary.

Blood ran down her side and leg, but Arya kept moving. The moment she stopped was the moment she died. A blade came at her stomach. She curved inward and scooted back. The tip of the knife cut through her shirt to expose her skin. Arya gripped the elf’s wrist and turned until her back was to him, then she flipped him over and delivered a killing blow to his neck with her dagger.

Magic continued to rain down on her. Each time she went to one of the elves, they got struck by friendly fire, but that didn’t stop the assault.

Arya darted across the sloped floor, staying just ahead of the blasts. The elf she was running toward faced her and released his magic, striking Arya’s left shoulder. More went straight for her head. She dropped to her knees and leaned back, sliding toward her enemy and knocking his legs out from under him. He twisted to remain standing and ended up impaling himself on his own sword.

She flipped him over and yanked the weapon from his body as she got to her feet and ducked behind a crate. Four down, five to go. The shots of magic didn’t let up. She chanced a look around the crate to find Priya in the middle of the chamber, watching instead of taking part. No doubt she planned to deliver the killing blow.

The brief rest allowed Arya to regain her breath and see where the other four opponents were. They were split around the room, which gave them the advantage. Arya took one more quick peek to make sure no one had moved.

“ Regretting your choices?” Priya asked with a laugh.

Arya flattened herself against the crate. She had one go at this.

“ What’s the matter, Arya ? Can’t handle knowing that Jai will never be yours?” Priya shouted.

Arya called the shadows to her and moved to the right. She only got halfway before something barreled into her, and the shadows evaporated, causing her to plummet several feet to the ground. She landed hard enough to lose her grip on the sword and dagger.

Her plan hadn’t worked, but she wouldn’t give up. She rolled several times to get away from the onslaught of strikes. As she got to her feet, she realized the four now surrounded her. She turned in a slow circle, looking at each of them, waiting to see which ones would attack first.

She sensed movement at her back and spun to grab the elf’s arm, shoving him to the side and moving them both as she did. The volley of magic meant for her struck the elf to her left. At the same time, Arya pivoted, ducking beneath her enemy’s arm and coming up behind her. She twisted the elf’s arm up and back, wrenching it from its socket while using her as a shield.

Arya shoved the female at the nearest male. As he moved to avoid her, Arya dove and reached for the dagger at her waist. She threw it as she rose. It landed in the male’s heart. She immediately spun and slammed her hands into the fourth elf’s throat, letting her magic wrap around him, choking him. She stood with her hands out until he crumpled to the ground.