I cloak myself with anger, drawing on memories of our men’s screams. The metal warms, glowing deep amber at first, and then it slowly begins to vanish. I can see the barrels of oil that stand behind it, the oil stains that seep out from a rusted hole in the bottom of the farthest canister.
My arms begin to tremble as I feel my powers pulsate. The entire nose of the ship is gone. The cloak of invisibility crawls across the surface, nearing the door. Like a creeping mist, the ship begins to vanish from sight.
My breath comes out ragged as I push with my mind, pressing myself beyond my limits. Nearly all of the ship has disappeared, but I am draining quickly. Sweat beads along my brow and the sound of laser fire fades into the background. I bite on my lower lip so hard I can taste blood on my tongue.
“Hold on to me.” My voice is raspy and thin, but I feel Bastien surround my waist with one arm. The other rises to press my hand to the ship. My body quakes violently, nearly coming undone as he tightens his grip.
With one final push, the tail of the ship dissolves into nothingness. My knees give way and I collapse into Bastien’s arms. Somehow he manages to keep me connected to the ship, knowing if I let go, I will lose my control.
“Very impressive.” I raise my head at the sound of clapping behind us. “Too bad you wore yourself out for nothing.”
The shock of Bastien’s sudden movement makes me cry out as he spins around. The ship, along with myself and Bastien, materialize. The lone figure in the shadows steps forward, less than twenty feet away.
“Niyah!” Bastien growls.
Seventeen
I hardly recognize the girl standing in front of me. Her features are twisted with hatred, draining any hint of beauty that used to lie beneath.
“How could you betray our men?” Bastien roars, his neck blotchy with rising anger.
With her attention locked onto Bastien, I scan the walls around us in search of an exit but find none. I glance overhead and spy long metal beams running lengthwise across the room. Maybe if I could gather some strength together I could pull one of those down, I think but quickly realize I wouldn’t have to energy left to keep us safe from the wreckage.
“Revenge is a fickle thing.” A raspy voice draws my attention to the shadows. The hairs along my neck rise as Commander Drakon emerges. “It’s so nice to see you again, Illyria. And Bastien… still alive I see. Saved by your first love and now scorned by your second. Oh, how that must sting.”
Bastien’s grip on me tightens. I can feel him shaking and pray he doesn’t do anything stupid. I can’t help him if he does. It’s all I can do to keep my head upright. I fight to ignore Drakon’s quip as he turns his scathing glare toward Niyah. “Why would you betray us to him?”
Meeting his gaze, Niyah winces.
“Isn’t it obvious? She’s jealous,” I answer weakly.
Drakon nods in rapid agreement. “And jealousy can lead even the best person down a dark path.” I slump against Bastien as my knees quake, giving way beneath me. “I do wish I could have seen your faces when she revealed herself. Did it hurt when you realized she is the one responsible for the brutal death of your men?”
Niyah’s hands clench at her sides, but she remains expressionless. “This is how you treat the man you love? By handing him over to a man who’ll take pleasure in killing him slowly?” I spit at her, disgusted. “You’re pathetic.”
I can hear Bastien swallow beside me but don’t have the energy to turn and look at him. I know what I would see if I did. The hollow man, broken and mortally wounded, but this time it wouldn’t be me that lands the fatal blow.
“Sticks and stones, my dear.” The wide sleeves of Drakon’s robe waft side to side as he raises his hands. He looks almost feminine in his royal-blue attire. His face is still gaunt and bird-like, his nose severe, and his brow large and prominent with his receding hairline.
“Niyah has her own reasons for betraying you. She has done a great service to our king and will be greatly rewarded for her actions today.” Drakon sweeps his arm back behind him, dismissing her. “You may go.”
Niyah hesitates, her gaze shifting rapidly between Bastien and Drakon. “I played my part. Now give me what is mine.”
Drakon’s booming laughter echoes off the metal walls. “Stunning but naive. Surely you knew I would never keep that promise. Bastien is far too big a prize just to hand him over to the likes of you.”
Her face blots with crimson. “You tricked me! You promised Bastien would be free.”
“And he will be… eventually.” Drakon’s bloodshot eyes look crazed as he turns to appraise Bastien. “Did you think I would give up the chance to torture the man whose life is a constant reminder of my shame? No, my dear, I will have my revenge.”