Page 66 of Folds
I heave out a heavy breath. I’m so fucking tired. After almost a century of ferrying lost souls across the seas, I’m exhausted. Maybe being turned into a hideous beast would be better than this. Maybe one more night with Keres would heal part of my soul.
“Or you’ll truly feel the gods and their wrath.”
Ward’s sword wavers, indecision in his dark eyes. Perhaps he’s not quite as lost as I’d once thought. A pained scream rings out, and he glances over his shoulder. Within seconds, he abandons Bosco and runs down the steps before disappearing into the melee. Apparently, they didn’t get quite as much support as they thought. Then again, it could be Smitty holding his own. I’m sure they thought he wouldn’t be able to fight, and they’re finding out just how wrong they are.
“And then there was one,” I murmur. “Shall we?”
I rest my hand on the hilt of my sword. I’d prefer to use my dagger, but I need this to look real for his sake. He nods and steps back until his feet hit the main deck. The others have moved away,giving us plenty of room. He blanches as I draw my weapon and touch my blade to his. A commotion by the hatch has his head whipping around and his jaw dropping. I sigh and follow his line of sight to only a few feet away.
The tip of my sword sinks to the deck while my mind processes the scene in front of me. Keres, completely naked with her fingers digging into Morley’s cheeks, standing on two feet. She jerks his face closer, her mouth almost on his, and shimmery black smoke swirls between them. After only a few seconds, she drops him to the deck and wrinkles her nose. When her gaze meets mine, her eyes glitter a deep purple.
“He was going to shoot you,” she says, shrugging. As if that’s all the explanation I need.Bosco’s sword clatters across the wood. He sprints for the railing and jumps straight over.
A shadow looms over Keres. I make it one step, a warning crowding my mouth, when a thin blade appears through her stomach. Her eyes widen, and her gaze drops to the foreign object sticking out of her. Time slows as I draw my knife and fling it at her murderer. I catch her in my arms before he’s hit the deck.
“Not...good,” she gasps, then coughs, and blood coats her lips.
“Don’t talk. Just...keep breathing.”
She smiles, her hand lifting to cup my cheek. “I’ll be fine. Just take it out.”
I shake my head, knowing she’ll leave me sooner if I do. She’s dead either way. I shove the thought away, not ready to accept it. In such a short time, she’s become vital to me in a way I don’t fully understand. Perhaps it’s the gods, or the sea, or fate. None of it matters. When she tries to speak again, I cover her mouth with mine.
“Do you feel it?” I whisper against her lips.
“The thread?”
“Yes, the thread, tying us together.”
She huffs out a laugh. “I promised myself I would never be tied to another being, my curse be damned.”
I brush the hair away from her face, then kiss her softly. “And I vowed to never fall for another. I spent years running from the possibility, and then there you were.”
“So much for one night.” She sucks in a sharp breath. “Please take it out. It’ll be fine.”
Gently, I roll her in my lap, then grip the hilt and tug. She grunts when it’s finally free. I toss the dagger aside and press my palm to her wound. Magic swirls around us, pinpricks of electricity determined to fulfill their purpose. A bubble encases our bodies, and I swallow hard.
“Well, that’s unexpected,” she murmurs. Pain flits across her face, and I gather her closer.
“Keres,” I whisper, and her gaze locks on mine. “I’ll find you in the next world.”
Confusion gathers on her face. “I’d rather stay in this one. With you.”
Darkness swirls around us, and I cling to her until I can no longer feel my limbs. Until I can no longer hear her voice calling for me. Until time ceases to exist and I give into the gods and their senseless curse.
chapter eleven
KERES
Later
I dive deeper, relishing the cool water becoming colder. Loch can’t follow me down here. His body hasn’t acclimated to his new form. Circling around, I search for Loch’s shadow floating overhead.
Nothing moves other than the ripple of the tides through the sea. I float closer to the surface, reminding myself he’s able to take care of himself. Something brushes against my fin, and I fold my body, then shoot up. I’m tugged back down and I glance below.
Loch grins up at me, his arm wrapped around my tail. His dark scales seem to absorb what little light filters through the water at these depths. I kick out, yet he doesn’t let go. He practically crawls up my body until his chest presses into my back. We race to the surface to watch the sunset.
He nuzzles my neck and I tilt my head, peace stealing through me.
