Chapter 20

Something was wrong. I could feel it deep within my bones, yet I kept my eyes closed. The nagging feeling continued to pester me until I pried them open. I blinked a few times to adjust my vision to the gentle glow in the room. I glanced at the window. The sun was just peeking above the ocean, pouring rays of warm sunlight through the pane. Then it hit me. The putrid scent of decay curled in the air, lodging in my nose. Fear snaked through my veins as I leaped from the bed, threw open the cabin door, and rushed up to the deck.

A gasp tore from my lungs as my eyes confirmed what my mind had already grasped—Dark Water. Panic seized me as I spun around. The inky evil enveloped us from all directions. My knuckles whitened as I clutched the railing, my knees trembling in fear.

A hand grasped my upper arm, wrenching me toward a solid body. "Rhea, is there a reason you are prancing aboard my deck in nothing but a shirt?" Kai reprimanded.

I glanced down at the white shirt as the wind whipped at the hem, blowing it against my mid-thighs. At that moment, I couldn't care less about my half-dressed state, but it was evident that Kai did. I could see the muted fury behind his indigo eyes as he used his body as a barricade between prying onlookers and me.

I reached up, gripping Kai's shirt collar in desperation. "Kai…Dark Water has spread further than I imagined…" Tears leaked from my eyes as I turned and watched the black water dance in victory with the rotting corpses of sea animals riding the waves.

Kai surprised me by wrapping his arms around my waist from behind, hugging me tightly to his chest.

"It will be fine," he whispered in my ear.

I tugged away from the solidness of his chest. "Fine? How can you possibly say this will be fine? We're trapped! How are we going to make it to the Dark Hydra? How am I going to save my family?" I was on the brink of a panic attack. My lungs tightened with each syllable I spoke, making inhaling difficult.

Kai cupped my face between his rough palms, forcing me to focus on him. "I need you to breathe."

"But…"

"Breathe," he demanded.

I inhaled a shaky breath, and he used his thumbs to wipe away the tears running down my cheeks.

Kai pulled me back toward the railing. "Look down."

I followed his command, glancing at the water below, and went still.

Dark Water closed in from all directions, yet there remained a small six-foot diameter expanse of crystal-clear ocean surrounding the ship. Dark Water swirled almost angrily, like it was desperate to reach us, but no matter how hard it tried, it could not break through the invisible barrier.

I turned to Kai in awe. "What is this?"

Kai's gaze traced the V of my shirt. He reached up, running a finger seductively down my throat, venturing lower until his aching, sweet touch finally stopped when he reached the locket. "This."

Realization dawned on me, dousing the fear that had nearly consumed me. I undid the clasp and slowly removed the locket from around my neck. The metal twinkled in the sunlight as I marveled at its power. I extended my hand over the railing of the ship, the locket dangling over the water. Dark Water made an evil hissing sound as it scurried further away from the locket.

My mouth hung open as I clasped the necklace back around my throat. "It works."

"I would hope so, after you risked your life for it." Kai seethed.

Something flashed across his steely face, something dangerous and foreboding. I took a tentative step back, reminding myself that even the most stunning of blades were lethal, and Kai was just as deadly as he was handsome.

Kai stepped toward me in a manner that made me want to shrink away, but I held my ground. "Go below and put some clothes on before I am forced to gouge my own men's eyes out."

I swallowed past my dry, scratchy throat as I looked around the ship. Sure enough, all eyes were on me, and they were particularly interested in my bare legs. Without another word, I rushed down the stairs, threw my clothes on, and returned back on deck.

Kai had resumed his position at the helm. His gaze met mine, and something warm and tingly ran down the length of my spine, reminding me of getting stung by a sea anemone, but in a good way. I crammed that feeling deep down, focusing my attention on the rise and fall of the black waves that seemed to be screaming of our impending doom.

I demanded that my shaky legs cooperate as I climbed the stairs to the helm. Cael stood by the Captain, both men strong, unmoving towers with unreadable expressions. Their serenity stood in stark contrast to my escalating terror. I chewed on my bottom lip as I gripped the railing and continued scrutinizing the monstrosity known as Dark Water. Each carcass of a sea mammal or fish that littered the water carved a notch in my heart. I couldn't help but feel guilty for each of their forfeited lives. If only I had moved faster, done more…

"Enough," Cael interrupted my musing with a stern expression etched across his face. "Stop worrying about things you have no control over."

Hot tears burned behind my eyes at his words, but I refused to shed them in front of him. He spoke words of wisdom, just like my father, and I knew my fear would defeat me if I gave in now.

The ship glided seamlessly through the water, the darkness never coming closer to us.

I aimed my nervous demeanor at Kai. He stood tall and strong, unmoving like the mountainside. His eyes focused on the horizon. His expression almost seemed to dare Dark Water to try him.

"How long until we reach the Dark Hydra?" My voice trembled, betraying my fear.

"Soon enough," Kai's strong baritone drummed through the air, reaching into my chest and squeezing my heart.

I inhaled a shaky breath as I focused on the horizon. Gone was the beautiful casting of the sun against the crystal-clear water. Now, all we faced was darkness. Nothing dared to touch the inky black depths.

"Can I go up to Rat's nest?" I held my breath as my eyes pleaded with his. Kai turned toward me, a look of refusal written across his features. "Please. I have to see the stretch of its destruction. I have to know."

Kai's eyes met mine, and I swore I saw a crack in his rough expression. With a swift nod of his head, he permitted me to go above.

"Rat!" Kai bellowed. "Help the sea demon." There was a twinkle of mischief in his eyes that caused the heavy burden of the day to lighten ever so slightly.

Rat swooped down from the watchtower, dangling before me. "Si, Capitán."

My lips ticked up in a smile I could not contain as Rat offered me his hand. Rat helped me maneuver each placement of my foot to ensure that I did not have a repeat of the last time I had been in his domain. With slow precision, I made my way to the top. Once in Rat's nest, I glanced down at Kai. His gaze remained fixed on me, and I could have sworn I saw his manly chest heave as though he'd been holding his breath, but it was likely my imagination.

I mustered up my courage and looked out across the expanse of the sea. My hand flew to my chest. It felt like someone had lodged a knife there and twisted it. I expected patches of Dark Water scattered across pristine blue, but I saw a never-ending siege of death and destruction. As far as I could see, there was nothing but Dark Water.

"Oh, Rat." I gasped.

Rat smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. "I know, Se?orita." His voice broke with emotion.

My eyes met his, and a thought skipped across my mind. Not only were the inhabitants of the oceans losing their lives and homes, but also those who sailed the seas. Everyone was suffering because of the Dark Hydra.

Rat stood behind me in silent support as I stared out into the bleakness until the sun sank below the onyx waves. The sight was so disturbing I wondered if the sun would ever rise again.

"Come, Se?orita. It's late," Rat said as he lightly touched my elbow.

I slowly pried my hands from the railing. They cramped in protest from being in the same position for so long. Even with Rat's insisting, I was still hesitant. I felt like a beacon in the darkness with the heart of Poseidon glowing around my neck and had the unrealistic feeling that if I took my eyes off the Dark Water, it would swallow us whole.

I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants legs before slowly descending the rope ladder. So overwhelmed by terror, I failed to notice Kai waiting at the bottom until his arms encircled my middle. He quickly lifted me from the ladder, hesitating before setting my feet back on the deck.

The salty wind whipped my fiery locks across my face, and Kai lifted his hand, tucking my hair behind my ears. The gesture was so simple, yet it struck a chord in my heart.

Kai cleared his throat. "You should get some sleep." He dropped the hand that had reached for me to his side like he had touched literal fire. The sting of his rejection and disgust cut deeper than the claws of the siren that had ripped into my back.

I shoved my feelings and all the disappointments of the day deep into my inner chest of emotions and slammed the lid shut. After turning away from him, I walked absentmindedly toward Kai's cabin. I reached the door and turned the knob. The lush bed called to me like a lover. I couldn't wait to fall into the fluffy sheets, but something was nagging me. When I had asked Kai how much longer it would take to reach the Dark Hydra, his response was vague. How much longer I would have to endure this heartache? I needed, no, demanded, to know the number of days.

I walked back out of the cabin. My hand brushed against the wood rail that led up the stairs, but I stalled there. Deep, husky voices that sounded like Cael and Kai were coming from below. My brow scrunched in confusion. Since killing Flynt, one or the other was always behind the wheel, so why were they below? I turned toward the voices but stalled before going lower. I had not been to lower decks since my first day aboard the ship. Not since Kai had locked me behind those bars. Just thinking about the rank darkness had panic swelling in my breast.

I took a brave step forward and then another, determined not to let my fear overwhelm me. Kai wasn't the same man he had been before. He wouldn't throw me back into that cell. I stepped onto the stairs, hissing in aggravation when the wood squeaked under my feet. I froze, looking around to see if anyone heard the noise, but after a few precious seconds passed and no one came after me, I continued my descent.

The voices grew louder the deeper I went, but the words remained muffled. I came upon a room with soft lantern light glowing under the doorframe. The door was slightly ajar, so I peeked inside. It was a simple bedroom, and I immediately assumed it belonged to Cael since he was the one sitting on the meager bed in the middle of the room. Kai stood off to the side. I could barely make out his silhouette in the shadows, but there was no mistaking that voice—the one that hummed in my bloodstream every time he spoke.

"We're going to wait here for her to show up," Kai confirmed.

Cael's body tensed at Kai's words as I quietly shuffled closer. What she was he talking about, and why were we waiting on whoever she was? With Dark Water spreading further than I imagined, we did not have the luxury of waiting on anyone. The thought of opening the door and telling him just that crossed my mind, but my curiosity held me in place.

Cael stood, his brows knitted so tightly together it looked like they were about to touch. "You can't uphold the sea witch's bargain, and you know it. Who do you think you are fooling?"

Chills shot through my body at the mention of the sea witch. I placed my hand over my heart in an effort to stifle my heartbeat, afraid that it would alert them to my presence. It drummed in my ears so loudly that it almost drowned out the voices of the men in the room.

Kai took an intimidating step toward Cael, bringing his body into view. "I told you that nothing or no one would keep me from getting the Wraith."

Cael shook his head, brushing his gaze to the floorboards. "You love her," he whispered.

"I don't love anyone. I never have, and I never will," Kai growled.

"You're actually going to stand there in front of me, of all people, and tell me that you still plan on killing that siren?" Cael scoffed.

My knees buckled, and I sank to the wooden floor. Kai was going to kill me. I gasped for air, finding it increasingly difficult to breathe. It felt like someone had reached inside my chest and squeezed the organ that resided there—someone was squeezing my heart, and that black heart's name was Kai.

Kai stood taller, making himself all the more threatening. "Make no mistake, nothing has changed. I will kill that sea demon, take that locket, and hand it over to the sea witch just like she asked me to."

Sea demon. Tears spilled over my eyelids at the spite in his words. I had become all too familiar with him calling me that, and it was starting to resemble a term of endearment when he spoke it, but now…

I reached up and touched the locket around my neck with trembling hands. This had been Morgana's plan all along. She wanted me to find Kai for a reason. She wove that plan so perfectly I was now confident it was her who had washed me up on the beach that day. She wanted me dead, and she wanted this locket. Who better to do it than Blackheart Kai, the sea monster slayer?

Desperation clawed against my skull as I took a tentative step back. I turned with the intention of running but bumped into a barrel. I watched in horror as the empty barrel teetered and then crashed to the floor. Boots scuffed against the wooden planks, and I heard the squeak of the door opening, but I did not wait around for them to find me. I raced up the stairs to the deck.

When I hit the railing of the deck, air burst from my lungs. I looked across the inky water. I couldn't jump, and I couldn't stay here. Either way, I was doomed.

"Get away from that railing."

I spun around as Kai and Cael slowly approached me. Their movements were slow, like I was a timid seal about to flee, and I was.

My eyes brushed against the Dark Water that sloshed below the ship. Would I survive if I jumped in? I gripped the locket that seemed to glow brighter in my palm. I would be safe as long as I had this.

"Rhea." Kai's voice held a subtle warning, and something flashed across his expression that I could not read in the moonlight.

I was about to jump when Rat slung down from his watchtower above. Concern danced across his features as he reached a hand toward me. I had come to care for many of the crew members aboard this ship. Most of all for the captain, who had reached into my chest and yanked out my heart, crushing it beneath his shiny black boot.

I hesitated for another moment, wondering what would happen to them if I jumped in and took Poseidon's heart with me. I had seen the destruction Dark Water caused. With it gone, Dark Water would likely swallow this ship like it was nothing more than a wayward shrimp. I mustered up enough strength to stare Kai in the eyes. He stood there like a statue, cold and uncaring, like he hadn't tricked me or ripped my heart in two. I was startled to realize that I wanted him to say something, to deny the words I'd heard, but he couldn't. They were true.

I didn't want Cael, Rat, or any of the other crew members to die, but what were the lives of a few pirates worth when it came to everyone and everything that resided in the ocean? If the sea witch or Kai got their hands on this necklace, all would be lost, and the Seven Seas would cease to exist.

Kai stepped toward me, and that was all the incentive I needed to throw myself over the edge of the ship and into the swirling Dark Water.