Where Oceans Burn (The Where Oceans Burn Duology Book 1) by Casey L. Bond

Author:Casey L. Bond [Bond, Casey L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-10-08T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

twenty-two

The Salt sat back down with me as she summoned The Shark with her shell-horn. When he saw the bowl of shells situated between us, he frowned. She gave him a grateful smile. “Does the threat stand?”

The Shark scrubbed his face. “Yes, as do numerable others now that word has spread that she’s here.”

“How do you suggest we handle the situation?”

He glanced out the window as if the answer floated just outside it. “Maybe someone you trust should watch over her. It would serve a dual purpose: to protect her as you would prefer, and protect the people from her, which I think is necessary.”

Apparently, someone had threatened my life. Probably several people. It wasn’t surprising, given the animosity I’d endured from Wade and the villagers he’d marched me through.

The Salt’s lips pursed sourly as she turned to me. “I’m sure you’ll understand our predicament. I can tell that you still consider us your enemy and know that many in Kehlani consider you theirs. I will tell them about your shell in hopes that it will settle tempers and allow Talay time to smooth the rough seas between you and us.”

I wasn’t sure even the god of the ocean was strong enough to do that. A sea of bad blood churned between us. My arrows had pierced their friends and they had killed mine. They’d killed my peers. It seemed all we knew was how to aim and fire at one another. Perhaps all we would ever be was one another’s targets. And if that was the case, it didn’t matter if I was flying in the sky or treading upon the land. It didn’t matter if I was floating in the sea.

“I suppose you’ll tell me that you no longer see me as a monster just because a blue shell washed up onto your shore,” I replied, watching The Shark’s dark brows slant downward.

But it was The Salt who answered. “I’m no fool, Elira. I know the damage you’ve caused us. And I can imagine the damage we’ve caused you, given that despite your injuries, you almost died trying to flee from us.” She softened her tone and leaned in. “I know you must be frightened, even if you don’t want us to know or see it. Your wings are broken. The sky is as unreachable for you right now as it is for us. The sea is a barrier to you in its own right. But I can tell you that Talay wants to give you a chance. Perhaps living among us on this stretch of land, getting to see us as people with families and dreams and love, will make it harder for you to raise your bow if you decide to return to Empyrean and our paths cross again afterward.”

Of course I would return home and raise my bow again and again until they allowed us to collect the vital resources we needed.

While The Salt toyed with the blue shell in her hand, all I could think was that the Seer didn’t govern, and likely had no say in my fate.

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