The Lost Alliance (Rise of the Drakens Book 2) by Raven Storm (best books for students to read .TXT) 📕

I said a quick prayer to the gods as I appeared against above the front lines of the fleet, trying to fly in an unpredictable pattern and too quickly for them to get a bead on me. I sang as loudly as I could, but they had blocked their ears.

“To what do we owe the pleasure of the Lost Siren?”

Severn stood on the deck of the grandest ship in the middle, unafraid as a long red cloak billowed around him. I wanted to smack the grin off his face, but there was no point in responding. I could see the wax in his ears even from my position in the sky. I vaguely wondered if I could sacrifice myself on his ship, and how many ships it could take out. It might be the only way the refugees escape. If I just—

A loud horn sounded from behind the fleet, and I turned. Far out to sea the water was lifting, a small wave forming and rolling towards us. The horn sounded again, and the wave grew, refusing to break on itself, and growing larger, and larger. Those on the ships closest to the rear began shouting and crying out for help. The armada broke formation, each ship suddenly only out for itself. Severn screamed in rage, but hope welled in my chest. My draken eyes caught a small figure riding the top of the wave, a large conch shell clutched in her hand. Blonde, dreadlocked hair shook itself side to side in delight as she blew another call on the horn.

Meruse.

Sea witches emerged to ride the wave along with her, which was three times as tall as any of the ships. The wave crashed into the armada with no mercy, wrecking into ships and drowning out the screams of the demon hordes. Masts cracked and fell into the water, the ships no more than weak timber against the mighty force of the water. Once the wave cleared, the sea witches were left behind, meeting the gasping survivors with steel and iron. It was over in minutes, with only Severn’s large ship surviving enough to reach the shore, instantly beached.

Severn dragged himself onto the sandy beach, turning to fix me with a deadly look full of promise. He snapped at his crew as they desperately raced back out to steady the ship, lest it incur any more damage. He looked out into the bay where the rest of his forces sank beneath the waves, the waters black with demon and vampyre blood. Meruse’s head emerged from the water as she stoically walked towards Severn, death in her eyes. Her sea witches flanked her on either side, and Severn called out to his men, screaming at them to abandon the ship. If they were in the water, it was too late. The sea witches dragged them down into the depths, never again to emerge. The moment Meruse’s leather boots touched the shore, Severn turned tail and ran, the surviving vampyres and demons with him.

“The refugees!” I shouted, pointing at the struggling ship dangerously close to the rocks near the coastline. With a sharp whistle Meruse and her witches disappeared back under the water, surfacing around Zara’s ship. Slowly, so slowly, the ship turned, and the witches pushed it further out to sea. I raised a fist in victory and shifted back to the rebel camp to report our success.

Nineteen

As planned, the underground lair was empty. Benedict was waiting, with Thad at his side.

“The refugees escaped, and the entire demon armada was destroyed thanks to the sea witches. We are in an excellent position to take back the city.”

Benedict closed his eyes, relief lifting his shoulders.

“Good. I was afraid they would be too late, or not come at all.”

I laughed, the adrenaline from the battle still coursing through my veins.

“It was brilliant!” My eyes shifted to Thad, who was staring at the ground. “What did you offer them to get them to agree?”

Benedict looked away, not meeting my eyes. I narrowed my gaze at him.

“What did you promise?”

He sighed. “I swore we would find their missing witches as soon as this battle was won. Why? Don’t you think I plan to follow through?”

That was precisely what I thought but mentioning it now would get us nowhere. I turned to Thad, scowling.

“Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be with your men? I can shift you to Cantrada.”

“You’re not going to Cantrada.”

I shouldn’t have been surprised but laughed in his face regardless.

“You’re joking. I have control of my voice magicks—I can fight. Just try to stop me.”

Benedict was far too calm in the face of my refusal.

“I won’t have to. Thad has agreed to stay behind and guard you.”

I whirled around, my mouth dropping open. “WHAT?” I stomped the ground, fuming. “I’ll just shift there. You can’t stop me.”

Benedict’s eyes flashed, his lips tightening into a thin line. “Don’t make me order you. I don’t want to.”

Thad moved closer to me and I hissed at him. He put his hands up and took a step back.

“Give me a reason. I’m not one of your subjects; I don’t blindly follow you.” Kieran’s words rang in my ears, and I held them close to my chest. Benedict’s own words from my coronation came back to me, ringing in my ears. Queen in my own right.

“I am your queen.”

Thad sucked in a gasp, and I could see it was on the tip of Benedict’s tongue to argue I was one of his subjects and his queen, but I didn’t give him the chance.

“Is this how it’s going to be?” I pleaded, trying to make him understand. “I do what you tell me so that you trust me, I acquit myself in battle, and you still don’t trust me? Next time I will simply go off alone, since your regard is a lost cause.”

He snarled, knowing I had him.

“Please, let me do this for you,” Thad said softly

My