Death's Child: Pirate Academy, #2

By Holly Hook

Nar may have passed her Test of Bravery, but the danger is just starting.

After completing the first half of her pirate training at Islanda Nylar, Nar should be relieved that a dangerous enemy is dead and another is subdued. But of course it's not that simple, for another, even more dangerous foe lives. And Nar's deathly magic just might be the key to the most powerful and dangerous treasure in the world. Whoever gains it will have control over the land and seas.

So much for slipping away and controlling her own destiny.

Kale's not helping with that decision, either. His mixed signals to Nar are beyond frustrating, and she may not escape without leaving everything and everyone she cares about. If she stays, Nar may have to learn about her own past, which she'd rather leave undiscovered...

Can Nar stop the enslavement of the world, and sacrifice everything she holds dear to do it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Holly Hook
• Release date: Jun 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201156640

Holly Hook

Holly Hook is the author of the five-book Destroyers Series, which is the prequel to the Deathwind Trilogy. She began writing at a very young age and published her first book for Kindle, Tempest, in September of 2011. Since then, Tempest (#1 Destroyers Series) has seen thousands of downloads and four sequels. The Deathwind Trilogy is a spin-off of the Destroyers Series, with three books planned.The author is currently working on the Timeless Trilogy, another YA fantasy series with a hint of science fiction, and has written a few short stories. She grew up with a fascination with natural disasters and weather, especially storms. She enjoys writing stories with a strong female lead and exploring concepts that have never been done before. Reading teen fiction and young adult books is another one of her biggest interests. She lives in Michigan with her two cats and an assortment of other pets.If you would like to subscribe to her mailing list for a free book, be sure to check out her blog at www.hollyannehook.wordpress.com and hit the big "subscribe" button or just go to the sign up page here: http://wordpress.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8696a40cb388cfc9f1421d292&id=2e2b7ac94dOther Titles By Holly Hook Include:Tempest (#1 Destroyers Series)Inferno (#2 Destroyers Series)Outbreak (#3 Destroyers Series)Frostbite (#4 Destroyers Series)Ancient (#5 Destroyers Series)The Destroyers Omnibus (All Five Books in One Bundle)Torn (#2 Deathwind Trilogy) Available Now2:20 (#1 Timeless Trilogy) Coming Soon in April of 201511:39 (#2 Timeless Trilogy) Coming Soon in April of 2015After These Messages (A Young Adult Comedy)Walls (A Teen Paranormal Short Story)Going Home (A Science Fiction Short Story)The Youngest Prince (A Short Story in the anthology Out of the Green)

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Something was eating at Kale, and I was about to learn what it was.

It was clear in the way he slowly crossed the deck of his ship to talk to me. I stopped there, bored from my own pacing, and tensed as he approached. It wasn’t as if I could miss him. Kale’s noble blue tunic, black hat, and shining black boots stood out in the pirate world, and if he wasn’t the son of the pirate king, his kind would have thrown him overboard a long time ago.

Are your gloves on? Kale walked up beside me and looked over the railing at the calm, gray ocean below.

Are your gloves on? That wasn’t ominous at all. Whatever Kale was about to say would make my deathly magic flare, and he had to be sure I didn’t accidentally kill someone.

Yes, Father, I said, injecting as much sarcasm into my voice as I could. I checked my black gloves, which stopped the skin on skin contact that I needed to kill someone with my magic. I know that it’s foggy, but I didn’t realize that your eyesight was that bad.

The fog seemed to thicken all around Kale’s ship, the Soshana, as it creaked its way through the gray, dead water. The sails and the blue flags hung limp above us, and Kale’s crew milled around, tense. It was the most excitement I’d seen since boarding Kale’s ship a few weeks ago, and by far the most I’d had after killing Yeaman Vulgan.

The thing was, things were slow in the pirate world lately, and that suited me fine. Because I still didn’t want this life.

Look around you, Kale said. Everyone’s eyesight is bad right now. I wish we had your sister on board. She might see through this fog and watch for any ships coming out of the port.

Maybe, I said, hating that I hadn’t seen Beezi in three weeks. Now I was in the second half of my recruit training, and Kale was my official trainer. We would alternate time at sea with time on Islanda Nylar.

And in less than six months, we would complete our training.

I wanted out before I wound up a permanent fixture on a crew.

I searched for Moka and Jes, the only two other recruits now training on Kale’s ship. They had taken up spots on the forecastle, watching for any signs of merchants who crossed in front of our ambush point, which was between two large, jagged rocks off the coast of Islanda Phirgar.

Gloves on tight? Kale asked again.

Enough about the gloves, okay? I wished he’d get to the point.

At least I didn’t make you wear silk gloves, Kale reminded me. How many people have you killed by mistake since I gave them to you?

None, I admitted. I could even get away with using swords and pistols without transferring my magic to them. It was such a simple solution that Moka couldn’t believe we hadn’t thought of it on our own. You think we’ll get a ship today? Lord Beckass had been one thing—I had a personal grudge against my former owner—but this was another.

Maybe, Nar. Gloves save lives, Kale said with a smile, leaning on the railing. "Just be glad you haven’t had to take them off yet. And don’t if we do get a ship."

With our luck lately, we’ll get a barge full of soldiers, I said. Islanda Phirgar was named for the god of battles, and it held training grounds for guards and mercenaries. For that reason, all the merchants and nobles had been using this port for trade since word of Lord Beckass’s demise had spread. The nobles themselves didn’t fall to pirates often, and now every merchant on the seas was terrified.

We can check every ship before we attack, he said. And there’s something I want to talk to you about.

I want to talk. Those were the four most terrifying words in the world. I swallowed, knowing full well what the topic could be. Kale had chosen me for his ship to protect me from going to his father, and despite that, we hadn’t shared another kiss since.

He was more distant from me since my battle with Vulgan, which he hadn’t even witnessed.

The incident had changed something between us. Kale just seemed off and more scared for me since then, especially after we set sail.

Kale worked his features as I studied his face, and I saw the conflict in them. We were near a port. It would make sense for him to talk about the forbidden topic now. He didn’t want to say what he was going to utter next, and I almost held up a gloved hand to get him to stop, but he—

Captain.

Bork, Kale’s first mate, strode out of the fog and up to him, interrupting our conversation. His graying beard hung with moisture.

I wanted to deck him. For one thing, he was the pirate king’s plant on the ship, and Shoskan’s good friend. I was sure he reported to the pirate king every time Kale’s boots squeaked and every time Kale sneezed.

Kale always narrowed his eyes whenever the older pirate approached. He had this way of hiking his shoulders ever so slightly and whirling on his feet, standing at military attention. Kale might be the captain of this ship, but I sensed it was in name only.

Bork held the real power here.

Yes, Bork?

I moved my hand to my right glove, sinking my finger under it, hoping that Bork would see my gesture and take one step back. He stood too close to Kale for anyone’s comfort, and his own narrowed eyes spoke of impatience.

This plan of yours is failing, he said. Your father is displeased with your progress and training of these recruits. They are supposed to be plundering and fighting, not pacing around the ship like bored noble passengers.

I swallowed, knowing that Kale was doing his best to keep us from having to do a lot of fighting. There haven’t been any ships, I blurted. One should pass our location when they leave the port at Fullar. Fullar was Islanda Phirgar’s largest port, and it was hidden behind a bunch of jagged rocks that formed a bottleneck and discouraged pirates from going onshore to plunder. The place was a natural fort.

Bork looked at me and scowled. He had always been on the side of the crew, who I believed thought Kale was too noble to be a pirate. But he didn’t dare berate me for talking out of turn. We have trained these recruits for three weeks, Captain. To pace around the deck.

"I am aware of the passage of time. We have five more months to make pirates of them. We will plunder a ship today. After the loss of Lord Beckass’s vessel, all others have used extra caution." Kale advanced on Bork, using his height advantage.

Bork sneaked a glance at me before looking back at Kale. I shuddered. While I was glad Lord Beckass and Yeaman Vulgan were dead, I still shuddered to think that I had animated all those skeletons to finish off the savage captain.

Fair point, Bork said. But we simply could have gone west, to where other merchants diverted to go around the far side of Islanda Neblar.

That would have taken two weeks, Kale said.

The rocks here can tear apart the ship!

Mutters rose from the deck. I hadn’t noticed the rest of the crew drawing close behind Bork as he spoke. And that included Moka and Jes, my friends from Islanda Nylar.

Moka shook her head at me. Try nothing stupid, it meant.

But Kale had come through for me, and I owed him.

Most of all, I didn’t want him to tell me that—

Kale breathed out slowly, and I took my hand from my glove. Of course, I meant to kill no one, but the threat worked well whenever Bork was getting on Kale’s nerves. A reminder of what I could do tempered him a bit.

Bork backed off.

And Kale took the opening to speak. My watery magic will prevent the ship’s destruction. Why have magic if I do not use it to part the water and check for the safest routes? Most cannot do that.

Kale looked at me from the corner of his eye, then turned his attention back to Bork. Yes, something was eating him.

Bork stood there, trying to come up with a response as the muttering stopped. You may have watery magic, he admitted, but we still need fighting and plunder. And the crew needs some earthly pleasures.

Then the muttering started again, and Kale drew his pistol.

I gulped. This was getting bad. We’d need more than the threat of my magic to subdue this.

He didn’t dare fire. The world went quiet, and he knew better than to blow our cover. But it worked, and silence fell again.

This is the only route in and out of Fullar. The fog is preventing many ships from leaving, but someone will come, and that ship will probably be alone. We will plunder weapons or gold. Rarely does someone take this route without either, he explained. Then he slowly put his pistol back on his belt. I promise a ship before nightfall.

The fog could stay for days, a crew member, Yalus, shouted.

And ships cannot delay forever, Kale said. Return to your places and give the signal when you see or hear anything.

The crew, numbering two dozen young men, scattered. Bork stalked back across the deck. Moka and Jes were the last to follow, and they took up their spot at the railing. The world returned to silence and once again, Kale and I stood alone.

Nar. Thanks, Kale whispered, pushing out the words. He’s afraid of you.

He let the words hang in the air as we once again looked over the railing together. The vague shape of a jagged, pointed rock, like the top of a huge castle tower, came into view as the fog shifted, but then closed in again. Moisture clung to the railing.

I checked to make sure no one was listening. Moka was good at knowing when I needed time alone, and Jes was big enough to keep the full crew members away from me. Bork should have understood. And he needs someone to keep him in check.

Kale swallowed, and I knew we were about to dive into the meat of the conversation. I’ve been thinking about how to get you out, Nar. And this port might be it.

My throat went dry. But if you lose me, he might kill you. I’d met Shoskan, and I knew he’d hurt Kale to get his way. He was savage, but differently than Vulgan.

Kale tightened his grasp on the railing. I might be more valuable than you think, Nar. He forced a grin at me.

Pain lived there. It was a mask. Your father is dangerous. That was one reason I hadn’t jumped off the ship yet.

Kale had hidden a body for me.

That was a dedication I’d never had from anyone.

But you don’t want this, Kale said.

Now I gripped the railing. What did I say to that? That was true, but now I had friends here and a way not to kill them during training. And if I left, Kale would suffer dire consequences. It was a miracle the pirate king hadn’t yanked me onto his crew yet.

You’re right. I don’t. Then I saw my excuse. Sure, I could swim through the rocks until I reached the shore of Fullar, but I was still dressed in pirate clothes, and no amount of begging or insisting that I didn’t want this would convince the inhabitants and armed guards that I wasn’t up to no good.

Also, I had Beezi to worry about.

My sister is still back on Nylar, I said.

Kale nodded. She will be far easier to move than you will be.

I’m not leaving without her.

It will be much easier if you escape first, and then she follows. Moving the two of you at the same time will raise eyebrows, Kale said. Then he leaned close. The water here is shallow. I won’t be able to follow you on my ship if you jump off and swim away. I know it’s not easy, but if you shed that bandanna, the soldiers on the island may not see you as a pirate. And you’re a woman. The attitude on Phirgar is not exactly inclusive. They don’t expect female fighters.

I realized what Kale was saying.

I could leave right now.

Jumping off, maybe even with Moka and Jes, might just work, especially if we did it quietly and used the fog for cover. Kale flicked his gaze to the ship’s boat. We couldn’t take it, but the meaning was the same.

Emotion swelled into my chest.

I was back in time, at that critical moment, where Kale and his crew had blocked our way to the ship’s boat. Where he hadn’t been able to let me go without Bork reporting to his father.

And I understood why Kale hadn’t kissed me again.

After Vulgan had revealed his true plans for me, Kale wanted to make it as easy as possible for me to leave.

My chest constricted. I eyed Moka, who watched over the railing. Jes stood beside her, ear cupped, listening for the parting of the silent water.

I could go right now.

But what would happen to them?

To Kale?

Losing the first recruit with deathly magic in over two hundred years would not bode well. And maybe, just maybe, Bork wanted Kale’s ship.

It’s not that simple, I said.

Kale twisted his features again. Don’t stay because of me, Nar. That’s the last thing I want.

An invisible knife stabbed through my heart, and I caught my breath. Kale.

It won’t work. It can’t work, he hissed.

Stop torturing yourself, I said, keeping my voice low. The air thickened, and my magic flared, filling my body with cold tingles and creeping death.

No.

But wasn’t this what I wanted?

I had wanted to leave the training of Islanda Nylar since before I arrived. And now that I had the chance—

I got too close to someone.

This was my punishment, and it was fitting.

I got you here. It’s my job to get you out. You can hide. You were good at that before you got here. Kale stepped closer, but his eyes danced with pain.

Kale was one of the few people my magic couldn’t kill.

And he was pushing me away.

Moka turned her head to watch us, and even from across the ship, she must know that something was wrong. She lifted an eyebrow.

I could grab them right now.

But Moka and Jes had nothing out there to go to.

And did I?

I have… I started. Kale, I have to think about—

He advanced and lowered his voice to the most imperceptible whisper. Go, Nar. This might be your only good chance. It would make sense that I couldn’t find you. I will send Beezi after you.

My breath caught as my magic raced inside me, with nowhere to go. My gloves held it inside my palms, and even if I kissed Kale here—bad idea on a pirate ship—it would still have nowhere to go. Not that I wanted to hurt him.

Or did I?

Betrayal swarmed into my chest like a cloud of angry bees.

But just as I was about to let him have it, a seagull cackle echoed across the deck.

And my heart raced as we pulled apart.

Kale straightened, masking his torment as he assumed the role of a captain. The cackle from across the deck came two more times, just as he had instructed us all to do if something happened.

We looked at each other.

And then I heard it: the gentle parting of water. The sound stuck out in the dead silence, and I knew we had a ship approaching.

No one spoke.

The signal went quiet, and Moka and Jes reached for their swords, ready to attack. The two moved in a trained manner, and I rushed across the deck to join them and the other fighters. The rest of the crew silently moved, rushing around like hurried ghosts, taking boots off to mask the sound of their feet.

I was almost glad for the distraction. Almost.

The gentle parting turned to sloshing, and the faint form of a large ship, just an outline really, sailed past our location between the jagged rocks. The outline of sails merged with the fog, and the faintest shapes of crew members stood on the edges. Lookouts. The rocks here were dangerous, and this ship must have no one with watery magic.

Kicking my boots off, I rushed over with Kale to the other side of the ship. Already, the Soshana moved as the riggers did their work, and Kale whispered something to Talus, who turned the wheel slowly. At the same time, the water below shifted, pushing us forward as Kale tensed and mentally ordered it to do his bidding.

The other ship was doomed.

I would keep my gloves on.

Nar, Jes said with a nod. Ready?

I nodded and looked at my other friend.

Moka’s stare ordered an explanation out of me later.

Ugh. Why did this have to happen now?

I could have escaped.

Terror rose in my chest. Perhaps I could still dive off the ship during the fighting and swim for it, but Jes and Moka needed my help. They might need my protection.

Afterward, maybe.

They at least deserved an explanation and a chance to jump off with me.

Kale’s ship slowly lurched forward, riding on the magical water current, and Kale remained silent as he put his full focus on our task. The other ship continued, seemingly oblivious, and we slowly turned into the main channel. More rocks grew up on either side, forcing us after the ship and into its wake.

I could no longer see the vessel ahead, but the foaming water we followed told me it was there, rushing away.

The shouts of men rang out.

They had detected us.

Kale drew his pistol again. He chewed the inside of his lip, which was about the only time he wasn’t drop-dead handsome, and he leaned forward as the ship slowly came into view.

And a feeling of dread curled into my stomach like a snake, waiting to strike.

Kale? I asked.

Even with my limited training on the open seas, I knew something was wrong.

The crew wasn’t dropping weight to escape, nor had they unfurled