Dalmat awaited them at the top of the stairs, grinning from ear to ear. "Thank ye for listenin', girlie!" he said cheerfully. "I will obey Roan sir, but liftin' a young lady? It ain't real good mannahs, ye know?"

Again, Ash was struck by the need to laugh. If anyone else had said such words, especially with their life choice to be a pirate, she would have thought them an imbecile, but Dalmat radiated such an upbeat, friendly energy that it somehow made the words come across as genuine. He almost unnerved her more than Roan.

He gave her one more grin before lumbering forward, his footsteps crashing against the wooden floor. Ash contemplated spinning on the steps and tackling Roan, but she knew it would do no good. Dalmat could be back to them in seconds. And, as much as she loathed to admit it, even if he wasn't there, she couldn't best Roan. She didn't forget his unyielding grip as he held her still, allowing him to stare directly into her eyes. And that stare itself had allowed him to wield a power that fogged her mind and made her obey.

No, even if Dalmat was out of the picture, she was powerless.

Breath tickling the side of her neck reminded her of Roan's presence moments before his hand pressed against her back. "Come along, Ash," he said, half-occupying the step with her. "As I've said—"

She hurried up the rest of the way before he could finish, barely restraining from slapping him. She shot him a glare over her shoulder. "Don't touch me," she spat.

He sighed, the sound long suffering. As if she was being unreasonable about the entire situation. Resisting physical violence became harder by the second. "Ash, I am not your enemy."

"You manipulated me, you hurt my sister, and now you're holding my friend captive." Ash stared straight into his eyes as he ascended the steps, trying to deliver every bit of her rage through their locked gaze. "Yes, Roan. You are."

He loomed over her now that they were on the same floor and simply studied her for a few long seconds. That strange nothingness had returned to his expression. His gaze was emotionless, and his face was all hard edges with no threatening sharpness to them. A perfectly sculptured masterpiece with no heart poured in by the artist.

Roan made a noncommittal noise in the back of his throat. He looked away first as he shut the doorway to the cell room below. "It's a pity you think that, because I really am trying. But soon you will be returned to your home, and all of this will be behind you."

"If you think this is the last that we see of each other, Roan, then you're wrong." Ash's emotions crashed as fiercely as the waters outside the wooden walls, but her heart beat an unwavering, determined rhythm. She tilted her chin up and hoped only one of those things shone through. "Not until my sister is restored and Callum is safe."

He took a step forward, putting them so close that their foreheads nearly touched. Their air would have mingled if she hadn't stopped breathing. His lip curled in what could have been a taunt if there wasn't a hint of sadness to it.

"As much as I respect the fire, you will not. Where I'm going, you will have no way to follow. Give up on the boy and know I will someday make things right by Odella. Trust me."

The ice within Ash's veins melted instantly from the flames burning in her lungs. She fixed him with a withering glower. "I did once, and I have learned my lesson."

As she heated, he seemed to cool, his expression turning icy. "Let's hope you also learned that you cannot get in my way. Now, let's continue onward, shall we?" He gestured to the side. "Remember that you have chosen to come along willingly."

She glared at him for a moment longer before turning on her heel.

The ship they were on wasn't large. Aside from the doorway she'd left behind, there were only a few others on this floor. Nobody else occupied the hall with them. Lightstones cast their brilliant glow from spots within sconces. An ascending staircase sat in the middle of the corridor, and Dalmat stood on the bottom step, whistling as he waited for them.

He pushed off the banister at their approach, the wooden beam creaking under his weight, before climbing the steps. Ash followed without a glance behind her. She could both hear and feel Roan staying near to her back.

Dalmat swung the door at the top open, and she barely refrained from stumbling back into the Scion. Light streamed in from above, and not just any light, but sunlight. The warm rays greeted her like a relative she hadn't seen in many sols. She hadn't been trapped for too many days, but she had never before gone a single one without a brush of natural light in some form.

And the air. She took a deep lungful of it. Even weighed down by the sea salt intermingling in the breeze, the fresh air filled her in a way the stale mimicry of her cell couldn't. She took the last few steps out onto the deck with more eagerness than she had before.

Without the barrier of the wooden walls around her, she heard the slapping water against the ship's frame. Below that, though, carried on the wind was another sound—voices, low and rough as they grumbled to each other.

A knot built, encircling its roots around Ash's lungs and constricting, as she trudged behind Dalmat. As her eyes scanned over the people gathered on the deck, the knot exploded, ripping the breath from her and rooting her to the floor.

She recognized a handful of the faces. She even saw one pirate with snow-white hair and unnatural animalistic ears perking up from his head. He leaned against a far away railing, a vicious smirk flashing when he caught her gaze. And suddenly, despite the sun blazing ahead, Ash was in the dark, her only light a dropped lightstone and the moon overhead. Callum cried out behind her while shadowy figures approached from every direction, Sanford's corpse bleeding out behind them—

Someone's hand fell gently on her shoulder and nudged her forward. The memory fell away, and the sunlit afternoon returned. She realized she knew the hand on her arm because she'd felt its familiar, reassuring weight so many times. Gritting her teeth, she jerked out from under Roan's touch.

He sighed but said nothing as he followed her out onto the deck.

Dalmat walked off to the side. Ash began to follow, but Roan interceded. He didn't touch her, thankfully, but instead nodded toward the edge of the ship. She had been so lost in her panic over seeing the ones who had kidnapped them that she hadn't noticed the larger ship floating in the water beside this one. It was in decent shape and looked to be a trader's ship from its craft.

A plank connected the two ships. Two pirates stood by an older man who stood at the end of the plank on their side. He wore a white shirt underneath a loose, deep red leather jerkin and dark navy trousers shoved into leather boots. Based on the colors, she would guess him an ocean trader from the Naficia country. They were the closest country on the continent across the sea. It always amused Ash that a country separated by an ocean knew to honor the gods while a country that shared their land like Caeleria shunned them.

Was that why this man would dare step on a pirate's ship? Did he know that Roan was a Scion? Had Roan fed him lies just as he had done to Ash? She couldn't see any other reason. Pirates were the number one enemy of many, but especially ocean traders, who they raided more often than seaside villages.

The man's dark eyes examined her. He gave her a sickeningly sweet smile. A pale scar ran the length of his cheek, and it rippled with the motion. "I take it that this is the girl I'm meant to escort?"

Roan stepped forward, putting himself a few inches in front of Ash. He stared down his nose at the man, lips twisted in distaste. "Sabin," he intoned in greeting. "This is, indeed, that girl. Ashlin, this is Captain Sabin. He has graciously agreed to return you home."

Sabin lowered into a small bow. "Nice to meet you, young miss. I hope you will enjoy being under my care."

She didn't respond, but Sabin didn't seem offput when he straightened up. If anything, the entire situation seemed to amuse him.

"She is to be well treated on your ship," Roan said. "If I hear that anything happens to her—a hair out of place, a single drop of blood missing—you will suffer a fate worse than death. Do you understand?"

The trader rolled his eyes. "You know I would never cross you, my dear Sci—"

"I said," Roan growled, his eyes blazing emerald with magic. The air crackled, like a lightning storm was about to sweep through the area, and the hairs on Ash's arm rose. "Do you understand?"

Sabin's tanned skin paled, and although his smile remained, the edges twitched from strain. "Of course. Yes, I promise I will get the miss home safely."

The pulsing magic receded, and Roan nodded. "Good." He placed his palm against Ash's elbow, applying pressure to urge her forward.

She let him guide her, in part because she knew how fruitless resisting was, but mostly because she was lost in an idea forming. Sabin didn't seem to have any fondness for Roan, but he did know about the other being a Scion. More than likely, Sabin only complied because of that. If Ash went with Sabin, maybe she could explain the situation, how Roan had gone rogue from the gods, and how she needed to get to Volant to carry out their will. When she was there, she could find the Holy Guard. Explain all that had gone wrong to people who could actually help.

And if she couldn't convince Sabin... Then she would find a way to cross into Caeleria. Her magic wasn't gone from her. Maybe she could disguise herself. No matter what, she would find some way to use the tools Roan presented to get back to Callum.

Something about her demeanor must have changed. Roan had slowed, and his brows furrowed as he watched her. If he was going to question her, though, he didn't get the chance. Too soon, they stood right in front of Sabin, and the trader extended his hand toward her.

"Let's get you aboard, shall we? The plank is much easier to cross than it looks, I assure you, but better safe than sorry."

Hoping to get on his good side, Ash smiled and placed her hand in his.

He returned the smile, an odd gleam of satisfaction sparking in his eyes.

"Remember what I told you," Roan spat. "I will be watching. I will know."

Sabin waved his hand dismissively, but the twitch in his jaw gave away his unease. "I gave you my word. Toss away that needless worry of yours."

Roan didn't look convinced, but he pursed his lips and didn't argue.

"Come along, my dear," Sabin said. He backed up onto the plank and pulled Ash along.

She stumbled forward. Her eyes dropped to her feet. The world swam, and although she'd adjusted to the sea's movement, it now pitched her stomach to the side. Endless water swayed stories below her. How were they truly floating on such an untamable surface?

"The longer we stand here, the more chance for a mistake. Lift your head, lass, and let's move along." Sabin tugged at her hand with more force than she expected, and she more fell than walked the next few steps.

Steeling her nerves, she lifted her head and followed Sabin across the single piece of wood that separated her from the beastly water below.

The other ship grew larger and noisier as the sounds of the pirate ship dimmed. Other traders lined the ship's railings and spoke amongst themselves. Some of them were larger, scars carving through their glowering faces and hands resting on swords at their waists. Mercenaries. Not an unusual sight aboard a trader ship. Many needed protection on the seas from threats such as, well, pirates. Ash hadn't imagined traders would choose mercenaries that looked as wicked as the edges of their blades, though.

Then again, most traders also didn't take a kidnapped girl from a pirate ship to return home, either. What must Sabin have thought a Scion was doing mingling with such a bunch? She wanted to ask, but Roan was still too close.

"And there we go!" Sabin proclaimed when their feet touched his ship. "That wasn't so hard, now was it?"

Her trembling legs said otherwise, but she forced an appreciative twist of her lips and nodded.

Something about her reaction made the gleam return to his eyes. Or maybe it had already been there. It was hard to tell when Ash couldn't read what it meant. Not quite happy, but something in that realm. What, though?

He spun on his heel before she had much time to analyze it. "Bring back the plank and then let's get moving again! We have to make a quick stop at Eloina," Sabin barked, and his crew set to work. A few sneaked curious glances her way, but most were diligent about doing their task.

As the men bustled around, Ash walked back to the railing. Her eyes fell to where the water skimmed the pirate ship's hull. Wood blocked her vision, but she could so easily peel it away in her mind and see the cells hidden away. Callum would be there, pacing, hair messed up from where he constantly worried at it.

She curled her fingers around the railing and steeled her heart. This would not be the last time they saw each other. She would find a way to rescue him.

Her eyes lifted.

And they met a familiar emerald gaze.

While the pirates moved around their ship, making their own preparations to continue sailing, Roan stood in the same spot she'd left him, hands stuffed in his pockets, and stared.

She had a brief moment to consider throwing a rude hand gesture his way when someone grabbed her forearm.

"The journey will take us the better part of a quarter-lune," Sabin said. "You'll need proper quarters for the trip. Come, let me show you to them."

Ash perked up. They would be away from Roan's eyes. He had mentioned watching them somehow, but that had to be some sort of bluster, right? If he was truly that powerful, things wouldn't have gone so wrong for him. She could convince Sabin of that as well. Once they were away from prying eyes, she could set her plan into action.

She followed Sabin as he walked toward a doorway leading into the lower decks. Her mind spun with the parts of the story she would share as he opened the door and they descended the stairwell into a corridor. It was much like the one from the pirate ship but more polished and had another stairwell across the hall leading to another lower deck.

If she showed him the partial Dreamweave, could she convince this man she was Odella? Some Dreamwoven came from Naficia, so he would understand the importance. She could even glamour her mark to look complete. Her accusations against Roan were severe, but they were also the truth. She just needed him to believe her so that he would—

A door opened, and a man walked out. One of the mercenaries, based on his build and demeanor. His shirt was only half buttoned, and his hair stuck up in multiple angles. A content smirk stretched his flushed cheeks.

Behind him stumbled a woman. She couldn't have been much older than Ash, but she was painfully thinner. Not in a way that she was all jutting bones and angles, but in a way that made it seem like all the life had been drained from her. A mess of tangles sat atop her head, and she fell against the man as they walked toward the stairwell leading down.

"Don't damage the merchandise, you hear?" Sabin called, laughter taking away any real edge to the chastisement.

The mercenary grinned wolfishly, and hungry eyes flicked to Ash. "Only if you follow that rule yourself, Captain."

The words sent a cold chill through her a moment before the woman's head lolled in their direction, revealing unfocused eyes and feverish color blotching her otherwise sickly pale skin. Her pupils were large, nearly swallowing the irises underneath.

She was drugged.

Gods above, this trader ship was for more than goods.

The mercenary disappeared to the lower levels with the woman. How many others would be wherever he took her? How many others had Sabin already kidnapped and sold? No wonder he hadn't cared about picking up another kidnapped girl. He was no better than the pirates.

Her hopes to persuade Sabin turned to stone and sank to her feet. Why would he care about her wishes when he likely barely even saw her as human? Had Roan paid him off to transport her? She couldn't out-pay him.

No, it was fine. She could still make her way from Eloina to Caeleria.

Except nothing was okay because this was a human trade ship. She was going to be sick.

"Right this way." Sabin frowned when Ash didn't move. "I said, right this way." This time, he yanked against her.

She yelped as she jerked forward. Before she could catch her balance, Sabin continued walking, guiding her along behind him. He pushed open a door and thrust her inside.

Cold wood met her palms and knees. She grimaced against the sting, but it faded as quickly as a snap when the door clicked shut behind her. She hadn't heard Sabin walk out.

"You know, I heard something quite interesting when I was aboard the Scion's ship."

There had been something different to Sabin on Roan's ship. Being in his own territory and away from the Scions magic brought a confidence that oozed from him and crawled over Ash's skin. To him, he was a giant, and she was an ant he could step on at any moment.

She squirmed back until she hit a wooden surface. "You sell people." She tried to insert as much venom as she felt into her voice, but it broke into a fearful whisper. The drugged woman flashed through her mind, of her and the man's appearance, of what had likely happened behind that door. Bile burned a path up Ash's throat as she wrenched her head to each side. "I won't let you treat me like you do them."

An empty threat, and Sabin knew it. He smirked as he crouched down, appraising her. "No, my dear. Of course not. You are much more valuable than any of them." The more he spoke, the more the gleam in his eyes grew. Without the veil of a pleasant trader over him, Ash could finally place it. Victory. Greed. Hunger. "On that ship, I heard someone say that their captain would be quite displeased when he learned our Scion friend had sent away someone who could use magic."

He reached forward, slowly at first, but then snatched her by the jaw when she tried to move away. His other hand flashed out, pulling the collar of her shirt down. Her breath caught, but he only exposed enough skin to reveal the blue Dreamweave swirling over her heart.

He licked his lips. "Yes," he went on, more to himself than her. "Those girls downstairs may fetch a sack of numias, but you, my dear? A human given powers by one of the wayward Scions? The gods offer a fortune for the capture of the likes of you."

His words smacked her across the face, disorienting her more than any backhand could. So many strange details sprinkled through them—others like Roan? Others like her that the gods wanted?—but only one thing was for sure.

Sabin wasn't returning her home.

*****

I had fun writing Callum and Ash, and then here I am, having too much fun with Ash and her hating on Roan xD But looks like Roan was telling the truth of having a way to send her away, but it doesn't look like it's in the way he thought... Ash just doesn't get any breaks >:D But Roan did say he would be watching... Fingers crossed it wasn't all bluster? XD

Let me know your thoughts on the chapter down below, and if you enjoyed it, don't forget to vote and comment! I also have a discord open to anyone who wants to join, and we have a section there to discuss the book :D Let me know if you want to join!