NINETEEN

HOOK WATCHED his cigar holder vanish over the waves. When it was gone he looked down at his fist. Prilla’s head was free, but he couldn’t see it. Nonetheless, he knew he’d caught something, and he didn’t think it was a ghost.

His grip was too firm for Prilla to wriggle out. Her wings were crumpled. She’d have been in agony if wings felt pain.

Hook wanted light to see what he was holding. He headed for his lantern. As he walked, he tightened his grip on Prilla. The pressure on her lungs was so great she couldn’t even scream.

Not that screaming would do any good.

Out over the ocean, Rani felt awful about leaving Prilla behind. Naturally, they’d come back for her; but she could be dead by then.

The cigar holder grew heavier with every inch. Despite their frantic efforts, she and Vidia were descending.

The holder would have been much lighter if Vidia had used her fresh dust before. She wasn’t thinking about that, however, because she never blamed herself for anything. Instead, she was mad at Rani for not flying faster.

The shore was a half mile off, and at this rate they’d never get there with the holder.

Prilla wished she had Rani’s dagger. She wished she were covered with butter. She wished she could vanish and reappear wherever Rani and Vidia were.

Hook started lighting the lantern with his teeth and his hook. He’d done it many times. It took only a few minutes.

Prilla began to hope. He’d open his hand to look at her, and when he did, she’d fly away—if her wings still worked.

Rani and Vidia were eighteen inches above the waves. They’d been graced with a strong wind at their backs, and they hadn’t lost any height for a few minutes.

But Rani was tiring rapidly.

Hook got the lantern lit. He went to the porthole and shut the window. Then he started for the door.

Prilla was going to be trapped.

Rani and Vidia were fighting a downdraft that had forced them within nine inches of the water. Vidia had already felt ocean spray on her ankles.

Hook was three steps from his door. Prilla bit into his index finger as hard as she could. She spat out the blood, which was viscous and purple and tasted like spoiled cheese. She bit again. And again.

Veteran of many battles, Hook was accustomed to pain. He took two more dogged steps before he looked down at his hand—

And saw his own blood. A ticking crocodile and the sight of his purple blood were all Hook feared. He shrieked and let go of Prilla.

Before she hit the floor, her wings righted themselves, and she began to fly. She flew out of the cabin, up a short flight of stairs to the deck, and over the ocean, hurrying after Rani and Vidia.

The sea was vast. Prilla looked for Rani’s and Vidia’s glows, but the sky was brightening, and fairy glow no longer stood out.

Still, Prilla thought she saw a sparkle. She flew toward it, hoping it wasn’t Rani and Vidia. If it was, they were very close to the water. Prilla flew faster, although she was exhausted by her struggle with Hook.

She shouted, “I’m coming! Don’t drown!” But her voice was lost in the roar of the waves.

The shore was a quarter mile off. Rani and Vidia descended another inch.

Prilla was catching up, but not fast enough.

Rani wondered if it was time to tell Vidia to drop the holder and save herself.

They descended another inch.

Rani yelled, “Drop the holder!” although she didn’t let go.

Vidia was as brave as Rani. She yelled, “No!”

Rani thought of drowning, of melting into the delicious sea.

Prilla yelled, “I’m coming!”

But it was hopeless. She couldn’t possibly reach them in time.