In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens (most motivational books txt) 📕

would have, as he’d been compelled to on Zeph’s ship. No, it was time to start controlling the narrative about magic, even if this pirate didn’t know who he was. “Step aside and I won’t kill you.”

She didn’t hesitate. Raising her hands, she stepped over the body of her fallen compatriot and moved to the corner.

“Is there anyone behind you?”

“No. We thought three would be enough.”

Tal kept his sword point leveled at her. “Don’t look at him.”

She turned her head and stared at the wall.

Tal extinguished his flames, then tossed a glance over his shoulder to spy Athlen holding the dagger close to his chest with both hands, trembling, pale, and unsure.

“We have to run. Can you?”

He nodded, gulping. He reached out and fisted his hand in the back of Tal’s shirt. That was the only signal Tal needed.

They crept from the room into the hallway. Finding it clear, they ran for the stairs. Tal jumped down them, turned sharply, and ran for the back door and the kitchen courtyard. Together, they made it outside into the misting rain, but Athlen’s hold on Tal’s shirt abruptly gave way as Athlen let out a cry.

Tal spun in the mud just as the captain caught Athlen by the arm and swung him into the exterior wall.

One large hand splayed across Athlen’s chest and held him pressed into the daub, while the other twisted Athlen’s wrist, weakening his grip on the dagger. It fell harmlessly to the mud.

Two others charged Tal from the side. He swiped with the sword and met steel in return. As the first man deflected his blow, the second dodged and grabbed Tal in a bear hug, pinning his arms down to his sides. Tal struggled, grunting and twisting, but the larger man had him in a vise grip. Breath squeezing from his lungs, Tal dropped the sword.

“I knew that was you,” the captain said with a deep growl. He gestured to the storm. The rain had calmed to a drizzle, but lightning lit up the clouds as the sky rumbled. “And in the company of a squall, no less. Who are you trying to drown this time?”

“I’m not.” His voice was tinged with fear and desperation, a plea.

Athlen trembled and turned his head away when the captain leaned in to sneer, “Where’s the gold?”

“Gone,” Tal said.

The captain cast a glance over his shoulder. “And how do you know that?”

“He told me.”

“He’s a liar.” He pressed harder on Athlen’s chest, and Athlen’s hand grasped the captain’s wrist. He struggled, breath punched out in a gasp, mouth open as he gulped helplessly. “You’ll pay, boy. I’m certain I can find a use for you.”

“I won’t do it. I won’t go with you.”

“Who says I want you on a boat, where you can sink us again? I’m sure there is a traveling spectacle that would pay money for your kind. An actual merman. It would give me great satisfaction to see you spend your life in chains in a tank of your own filth.”

Athlen fought weakly.

Tal lifted his chin. “Let him go.”

“Or what?” He laughed. “Who are you? His protector? Did he promise you riches? Or was your time behind the curtain riches enough?”

Tal’s gut twisted with fire. “Last warning. Let him go.”

“You’re annoying, protector.” The captain nodded at the man holding Tal. “Kill him. And bring me the chains for this whelp. We’ll take care of the bird, then we’ll figure out what to do with the fish.”

Tal dipped into the embers of his magic. Fire danced down his arms, wreathing his hands in flame. The mercenary holding him yelped, releasing him as his skin burned. Tal dropped to the ground and rolled away in the sludge, grabbing the hilt of the sword and finding his feet. The blade was covered in mud, but it would do, and Tal willed fire to engulf the metal.

“What in the blazes?”

Tal raised his other palm, a ball of fire hovering at his fingertips. “Let him go. And I promise I won’t hurt you.”

Tossing Athlen to the ground, the captain turned and focused his full attention on Tal. In the storm-filtered moonlight Tal appeared as a demon, wreathed in flame and misted with blood. Rain hissed when it hit his skin, and a thick steam surrounded him like ether. He was a wraith, a spirit called forth from beyond to exact vengeance on those who would hurt his family.

“Who are you?” the captain demanded, unafraid despite the specter Tal made. “What are you?”

“Like you said, I’m his protector.”

“I think someone would pay a price for you as well.” He narrowed his eyes. “Not much magic left in the world.”

“I have plenty.”

“I see that. They didn’t find that boy’s body—the magic prince.” He jerked his head to where Athlen lay in a puddle. “Maybe it’s the other way around and he’s your protector.”

“I don’t need protection.” Tal dropped his gaze. “He doesn’t need much either.”

Athlen surged up from the ground, dagger in hand, and plunged it into the meat of the captain’s side. He cried out as Athlen ripped it free and struck him again. Tal threw the fireball at the mountain of a man who had held him. It struck him in the shoulder, and he toppled backward. The third took off running into the night, and Tal let him, concerned only with the two twitching in the mud.

Athlen staggered toward him, face as white as the moon, hands trembling, holding the dagger streaked with dark heart blood. Tal took it from him and wiped the blade on his trouser leg before tucking it into his waistband.

He took Athlen’s hands in his own, squeezing them, pulling him close. His skin was ice. “Are you okay?”

Athlen nodded shakily. “I think so. I don’t…” He swallowed, throat bobbing. “I don’t know.”

“We can’t stay here. There’s more of them and we’re bound to attract attention.”

“Okay. Okay.”

“You’re safe. Understand? You’re safe and we’re running. Let’s get to the mare.”

Tal laced his fingers with Athlen’s and tugged him into