Lightning split the cloudless sky. The air buzzed with the current. The ocean crackled. Two ships maneuvered for position.
Cousin stood the crow. She watched the Hunter progress through a series of movements building his power. Lightning jumped from his hands in larger and stronger bursts. She didn’t watch the light show, it was his face that held Cousin’s attention. She knew him.
Lightning streaked toward Haven. Cousin drew a charm on the air, and the bolt was drawn into an orb. The orb came to her hand, small and docile. A second bolt came to join the first, harmless in the orb.
The Hunter released the power he had built. Cousin saw him use a spell to see her, saw the recognition on his face. A current of power feathered over Cousin’s skin. The Hunter tried to detect her power signature. He failed.
Cousin waited. She wanted to talk to this Hunter. The familiarity was strong. The need pulsated within her, though she couldn’t say what she expected to learn.
The Al’Ri ship fired cannons. Balls of red energy flew with unnatural speed. Twenty feet from Haven they winked out. There then gone.
The Hunter continued to probe for Cousin’s power. He continued to fail.
Kraken came up to the crow. He used his spyglass to see the Al’Ri ship.
“I know him,” Cousin said. “The Hunter.”
Kraken nodded. “The wards are working well.”
“He isn’t really trying.”
Another volley of energy orbs flew, and winked out.
“I want to talk to him,” Cousin said.
“Why?” Kraken looked side long at her. A shiver ran through him.
“He is with Protector. If I can talk to him, maybe, I can learn more about what Protector wants of me.”
“Confirm,” Kraken said.
Cousin nodded. “Confirm.”
“Gabb! Have the flags signal parley.” Kraken turned to Cousin as Gabb’s ‘Aye’ shot up to them. “I’ll go with you.”
Cousin shook her head. “No. Please. I don’t trust myself to catch everything he may do. Also, it would give away the charms. Our enemies could begin to find ways to circumvent them.”
“Circumvent?” Kraken smiled. “Circumvent? Really?”
Cousin frowned and closed her eyes. “On your word, Captain.”
Kraken leaned in close and whispered. “Go, but come back to me.”
“No buts?”
“I’ll tear down the world if you don’t”
Cousin jump from the crow and slid down the rope. On deck, she went to a long boat. She watched the flags signal back and forth, an argument of terms. Monk’s signals were shorter and more agitated until he threw the flags down, and stomped on them. His hand gestures made Cousin smile.
“Who’s going with you?” Kor asked.
“No one.”
“Don’t like it. The prick won’t leave his ship.”
“So, I’ll go to him,” Cousin said. She turned to Kor. “All the better to sink ‘em there, Grandfather.”
“Don’t think it works that way, missy.” Kor walked away grumbling about twist kid’s stories.
Gabb did a double take when he passed Kor. “What did you do to Kor?”
“I need you to propel the boat.”
“My powers are at your disposal. Just one thing. I get to come.”
“No.”
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