“Well, I have no idea how to just give you my power,” I said. “So you’re out of luck.”
A viscous smile snaked across his lips. “There are ways to persuade you to learn how.” He paced slowly. “Those you care about, perhaps. It’s come to my attention that your mother is still alive.” He faced me. “For now.”
“You bastard, don’t touch her.” I jumped up, but before I reached him, he blasted me with a ball of Flame, sending me crashing back into the cot.
“You’re not the only one with power, Destiny,” he said. “And I’m sure we can figure out a way to help each other without anyone getting hurt.”
I clutched my chest. The burned fabric of my blouse wafted up my nose. He hadn’t sent enough power to actually hurt me, but I assumed he probably could. “I have no idea how it works. I can’t just hand it over,” I pleaded for my mother’s sake. Then what he called me hit me. The hair test might have proven who I was, but my mom was the only one allowed to call me Destiny. “And don’t use my name.”
“Why not?” He arched an eyebrow. “I’m the one who gave it to you.”
Recognition hit me all at once. No. He was lying. Trying to use me, trying to make me more upset. “You’re a liar. My father’s dead.”
“I’m sure your mother told you as much. I wonder if she’s still as fond of me as I am of her.”
I wanted to tear his eyes out. But I controlled my anger, swallowing it down into the pit of my stomach. “I don’t believe you, but…I’ll do whatever you ask.” I bowed my head, feeling my power wanting to burst forth. “As long as you don’t go near my mother or my friends.”
“Excellent.” He clapped his hands together. “You may call me Drevan, if not Father, by the way.” He shook his head, glancing down to the floor. “Seventeen years I’ve longed for this moment. And I’ve been waiting to find the one to release us even longer.”
I scowled at him. “Why did you end the experiment, then?”
His eyes darkened “Not me, them.” He cocked his head toward Haven.
“Your weak Shythe couldn’t handle a few dead children. Of course they weren’t killed, but I couldn’t let them know who I was searching for. The Narcolym have to become the freed race.” He laced his arms across his chest. “I had to try and build trust between the races before I could convince them it was imperative we try again.” He chuckled deeply. “Oh, but power and fear are wonderful tools where trust fails.”
I hated him. More than anyone. More than Reese. Reese had only been Drevan’s pawn. If I ever escaped, I was going to make it my mission to destroy Drevan and all Narcolym.
“Come,” he said.
I ignored his outstretched hand, standing on my own, and followed him into the corridor. He led me to the center of the airship, right before a giant window.
Stepping hesitantly toward the glass, I pressed my palms to its cool surface. Below, just past the bay, the city erupted in lights and fire. Smoke billowed from the tops of buildings. The fight—no, the war—had begun.
“Call it off,” I said, panic lacing my voice. I shot my head toward him. “You said if I agreed you wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
He took a step forward, looking directly into my eyes. “I didn’t do this.” He turned his gaze toward the city. “This is your army, though feeble it may be, trying to get you back.” His lips curled into a sinister grin. “I’m preparing to move the airships as we speak. Once we’re beyond the Shythe reach, past the barrier, I’ll do as you ask.” He looked at me. “I’ll call it off. Then we shall be on our way. But…” He paused, glancing out the window once more. “If the Shythe choose to try and pursue us, I’ll make no promises for their safety. They’ll be destroyed.”
I gulped down my racing heart, forcing my voice past the aching lump in my throat as I stared at the burning city. “How soon can we leave?”
I sank onto my cot. Soon I’d be on my way to the Narcolym haven where Drevan would try to harness my power And then he’d probably kill me. My chest ached as I thought about never seeing my mother again. She’d never know what happened to me. And I’d never see Jace, Lana, or Nick, either. Tears welled in my eyes, but I blinked them back. I wouldn’t allow Drevan to think I was weak.
I still didn’t understand how my power was the key to the curse. And I was sure he wasn’t going to let me know just yet. He was smarter than to monologue like the bad guy and give away all his secrets right before a daring rescue.
Except, for me, there wasn’t going to be a daring rescue. I’d been careless, feeling sorry for myself over Reese, and allowed myself to be taken. I didn’t want to believe I was the one they wanted, that all these things could be true. I wasn’t ready to give up, but I didn’t see any other way to save my family and friends. My only option was to leave in order to protect them.
Right now, they were down there waging a war. I knew Jace was trying to fight his way up here, but that wouldn’t happen. They outnumbered us by many. Not only that, the Narcos had an army of Feyan, with super powers that would obliterate the Shythe soon. I paced my cell, wishing the airship would take off so the fighting would hurry up and end.
I sat back down on the cot and buried my face in my hands. I was terrified. Before I allowed the first tears to fall, I heard a click. My head shot up, and I rushed toward the door, anxious to hear that I needed to buckle up or strap in. Whatever they did on airships when it was time to go. But I was shocked to see it wasn’t Drevan or one of his Narco minions.
Reese stood in the doorway. “Dez, listen close—”
His words broke off as I slapped him across his face. “Why did they send you? Huh? To torture me more?” My hand stung, and I pumped it a couple times before pushing him away. I turned my back to him and marched toward my cot. “You can go to hell, Reese. Get out.”
“Dez!” he whisper-shouted.
“What!” I faced him.
“Shut up.” He rubbed his face, then stormed over to me and placed his grappler into my hand. “They didn’t send me, and you don’t have much time.” He went back to the door and peeked out. “It’s clear. Most of the guards are fighting, but we only have a short window before Drevan raises the barrier spell again. He’s about to move the airships out. So you have to get off the ship now.” He looked into my eyes—his wide and worried. “I’m sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen.”