The Raven by Jeremy Bishop

Author:Jeremy Bishop [Bishop, Jeremy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Science Fiction, Urban, Zombies
ISBN: 9781611099157
Google: sL3LmAEACAAJ
Amazon: 1611099153
Publisher: 47North
Published: 2013-08-12T23:00:00+00:00

26

With no way to fight against the giant Draugar ferrying us through the ocean, the crew stands down and gathers on the main deck. Only Nate isn’t present, which is probably in his best interest since I’m still pissed about his silence. I know now that he couldn’t have helped, but if he wants to be on this ship, he needs to help out, even if all that means is replying, “I don’t see anything.”

“You’re really okay with this?” I ask Jakob.

He nods. “They’re taking us where we want to go.”

“I thought we wanted a sample?” I ask.

Jakob’s eyes flick to the deck for just a second, but it’s his tell. He’s about to lie to me.

I cross my arms. “As much as I like you, Jakob, the next words out of your mouth better be the truth.”

He meets my eyes with a challenge. I might be his Raven, but he’s not used to being spoken to like that on his ship.

“I’m your first mate,” I remind him. “Secrets are not part of the deal.”

“You’re right,” he says, wandering away from the group. He looks out at the endless ocean. His shoulders sag a touch before he turns around. “I’m afraid I haven’t been totally forthcoming—”

No duh.

“—with any of you.”

That’s actually a surprise.

Willem steps closer. “Father?”

When Jakob’s forehead crisscrosses with angst, Willem adds, “What have you done?”

Jakob steels himself with a deep breath and asks, “Do you remember the man bit by an orca several months ago?”

“When we were still in the hospital?” I ask.

“I tracked him down,” Jakob says.

“Why didn’t you say something?” Willem asks. “Where is he?”

Jakob’s lips twitch. “He’s dead. By my hand. I killed him.”

“He was infected.” It’s not a question. I have no doubt about it. Not only because the man was bit by an orca, which was no doubt infected by Draugar, but because Jakob would never kill a human being, despite his ancestors’ penchant for violence.

“Part of him remained,” Jakob says. “The pain brought him out.”

“You didn’t torture him?” Helena asks, her voice cut with concern.

I turn on her, annoyed, but before I can question her knowledge of Jakob’s character, he says, “It was not my intention.”

I turn back to Jakob, silently demanding an explanation.

“I caught up with him in the mountains. He was heading north, for what purpose, I’m not sure. When I confronted him, he attacked. When my blade in his chest didn’t stop him…I took off his feet.”

“Father…” Helena says, raising her hand to her mouth. For a big Viking warrior, she’s kind of a softy. Then again, she’s religious, and killing whales is quite a bit different than hacking off a man’s feet.

“He was already dead, my dear,” Jakob says. “If you are here with us, you must believe it.”

Helena just lowers her head.

Willem tries to put a comforting hand on her shoulder, but she shrugs away.

“His mind only partially returned,” Jakob says. “And only when the pain was greatest. But he knew everything.”

“He’d been part of the hive mind,” I say.

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