71

Kaylin

As I race past the helm, it’s all I can do to keep myself from slowing down, taking Ash in my arms, and explaining everything. Promising that even in these dire circumstances, everything will be all right. I keep running instead. I deceived her from the start. There’s no time to beg forgiveness now.

When I reach the stern, out of sight, I pull my knife and squat to the deck. The rowboat’s mooring line is tied fast to the cleat. I haul up the slack until wet rope is in my hand. I make a loop and slip the knife against it, ready to saw back and forth. It would look like the reef frayed it. These things happen…

But my knife doesn’t move, the landers’ lifeline intact while voices battle in my head.

Sink the ship, the Sea King ordered. Kill them all and get me Aku’s first whistle bone. It’s Father’s will, and he expects me to obey.

If you betray Teern, you’ll not see the surface again. Salila’s warning rings true.

But Ash’s soft words are there, too. She speaks from the battlefield of Aku when I urged her to flee the island. They are our people, she tells me. We don’t leave our people behind. And her face when we found the Heir? The love and care in her eyes blinded me. I imagine her turning those sparkling eyes my way, meeting me without reservation.

But if I cut the rope, saving only Ash, and manage to hide her from Teern, what of the others? Can I let those who matter to her most drown?

Do not fail, Teern’s voice echoes. None must survive.

“None must survive what, Kaylin?” Ash’s question sounds directly in my head.

She’s at the helm, her back straight, bandaged hands on the wheel.

My heart tightens in my throat as I boil it down to one of two things—save only Ash or save them all. Either way, I cross the Sea King and forfeit my life… The truth is, there is no choice at all.

I drop the rope, uncut, and sheath my knife, making my way back to the wheelhouse. “Be ready, lass.” I rest my hand briefly on her shoulder. “We’re in for a rough ride.”