Devilish Game (Shadow Guild: The Rebel 4)

“Come!” Stavros gestured us forward with a wide sweep of his hands, his accent heavy. “My boat is in the next bay over. I brought it around just a few minutes ago.”

“Thank you.” I smiled gratefully, and the four of us followed them down the rocky path that led toward the sea.

As we neared, the waves sounded louder, and the scent of the sea grew stronger. I wanted nothing more than to dive into the crystal-clear water, and vowed I’d come back some day.

Finally, we reached the boat that was pulled up on the rocky beach. It was about thirty feet long and had a sloping deck and a tiny cabin near the back. The wood was painted blue and white, and the engine looked ancient.

Were we going to be able to get it off the shore? I’d never seen such a big boat pulled up on the shore like this.

Stavros led us down to the beach. Before I could climb on, Aurelia pressed the basket into my hands. “Food, for the journey.”

It was only a few hours, but I wasn’t going to turn down food. I smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”

I climbed onto the deck, joining Mac and Eve at the benches in the front. They were built alongside the hull, curving against the railing.

On the shore, Seraphia hugged her aunt goodbye. “Thank you, Aunt. I appreciate this.”

“Come home, Seraphia. The land misses you.” The woman clutched her arms.

The land?

Mac and I shared a confused glance. That was an odd thing to say.

Darkness flickered across Seraphia’s face, but she just nodded and turned, joining us on the deck.

Stavros took up his position at the back and waved his hand in a swirling gesture. Magic flared, and the boat drifted easily back from the beach, floating calmly on the small waves. The engine hadn’t even turned on yet.

I waved at Aurelia, who stared at us as Stavros turned the boat to face the horizon. The four of us sat back and watched Cyprus disappear over the horizon. With the breeze and the sunshine, it really did feel like a holiday.

“Let’s see what Aunt packed.” Seraphia leaned over the basket and opened it, withdrawing various cold salads and a selection of chilled meats and cheeses, along with crusty bread and bottles of sparkling water.

She passed it all around, and we helped ourselves, filling the little plates that Aurelia had included.

“I could get used to this,” Mac said.

I grinned and ate, trying to ignore my worry over the people that we were going to save. It would be better to ruminate over plans to save them instead of dwelling on my fear.

We traveled for two hours before the sun began to set. It gleamed brilliant orange on the horizon, the colors bleeding to pinks, reds, and yellows before the sun dipped below the sea.

The air immediately grew cooler, and I wrapped my arms around myself, looking toward the stars. They came out quickly, the night cloudless and bright. Fortunately, the moon was just a sliver.

“We’re nearly there,” Stavros said. “I can see the shore.”

“That’s my cue.” Eve stood and uncorked a little vial she wore around her neck. As she raised it to her lips, her wings flared behind her, glittering and bright.

She swigged back the potion, a shudder running through her. A moment later, she was gone. I felt her absence more than heard it and, a moment later, her voice whispered out of the comms charm I now wore around my neck.

“Headed to shore,” she said.

“We’ll await your directions,” I confirmed.

Stavros idled the boat off the coast as we waited for Eve to tell us the quietest way to approach. It was only five minutes before she spoke again. “I can sense activity in the city near the temple, also to the south, where there is a human settlement. There’s definitely something strange along that coast, as well. Best to avoid it. I think you should approach from the north. Go up the hill, and you’ll find the entrance to the city in front of you.”

“Is there anyone around there we should look out for?” I asked.

“Just some goats. No shepherd that I can see.”

“Thanks. See what