LORELEI

 Baltessa

Early Rainrise

T

he sea breeze in Cerulia was a stark difference to the bitter wind of Incendia.

When Lorelei stood on one of the many balconies of the palace in the Cerulian capital, the warm wind played with strands of her long dark hair. Even during frostfall, the breeze was kissed by the sun. But in Incendia, the wind always seemed to hold a bite, the skies a never-ending dull gray. Living in Cerulia was like living in a whole new world—a world she'd only seen through her mother's stories.

Now, she was living them.

Back then, she'd thought she was just one stalk of wheat in and endless sea of crops. Because of her mother's omissions, Lorelei hadn't known the vital importance of the blood in her veins. Since this came to light, Lorelei was typically flanked by guards who watched her every move throughout the palace grounds. She knew it was for her protection, but that didn't make her feel any less caged. She was a bird that needed to spread her wings, and when her guards weren't looking, she would take flight.

Today, she'd escaped to the Coin District, navigating through the bustling crowds perusing the rows of market stalls. The navy-colored cloak she wore masked her identity, the hood she'd pulled up over her hair casting the top half of her face in shadow. She'd stopped by many stalls already, emptying her pockets of gold, her satchel growing with the trinkets she'd found. No one questioned if she was the Storm. No guards ushered her back to the palace. She felt like she was back in Port Barlow again, just a harbor-girl of no importance, except to her mother and her old friend, Luis.

She wondered what they would both think now, their Lorelei brought back from the dead, living in the city she never thought she'd see. But now her mother was gone, lost to her because of Dominic Rove who still sailed free on the seas, and the trapped fire god, Magnus, whose whispers had brought the pirate to do his bidding.

She also didn't know if she'd ever see Luis again, the butcher's boy she used to race down the slippery docks of Port Barlow with when they were children. Their last conversation involved him leaving for the Incendian capital to train for the navy, despite how much Lorelei had to say about it. Though she'd been angry with him and they often argued over his view of Cerulia and pirates, she still missed his too loud laugh and the scent of embers he brought with him from his father's smoke house.

Lorelei let herself get lost among the market stalls, pretending that she was just that ordinary girl her mother and Luis knew, even though she was anything but ordinary. The magic swimming through her veins promised that much. The power of the Storm she'd used while fighting Magnus in Limbo didn't fade like she thought it would when she returned.

Thinking about the magic made her skin buzz. It was an unwanted presence, resting under her skin, waiting for its moment to unleash. But Lorelei kept it bottled tightly, terrified of what might happen, who she might hurt if she didn't. The prickling sensation started in her core, sprouting through her chest and trickling down her arms like raindrops.

Control it, she told herself. Losing it in the middle of the Coin District on a market day wasn't an option. Think about anything else besides magic.

A face she hadn't seen in many moons flashed in her mind. The more days that blurred past, the more she found herself longing to see the captain of the Iron Jewel again. Facing the trials of Crossbones had ignited a connection between them, one that Lorelei was still trying to figure out. She remembered when the Trials ended and she was lying in the bed in Kane's quarters, broken and tired from returning from the dead. He rarely left her side, and with each day that had passed at sea, his gunmetal gaze softened to inky pools that watched her with what she hoped was something more than comradery. Had their time apart squashed the blooming possibility of them?

A glint of light to Lorelei's right caught her gaze. The sun reflected off the trinkets lining the merchant's table, glittering with each step she took toward it. Wind chimes of tubed silver and golden-dipped bones and shells hung from the frame of the stall, their tinkering songs drifting on the wind. She reached out and gave one of the tubes a tap, listening as it started a new tune.

"You like the wind chimes," said the woman working the stall. She stood shorter than Lorelei, her white hair twisted into a knot on the top of her head. Rings with different colored gems lined her fingers. She tapped one on her chin as she watched Lorelei curiously.

"They're beautiful," Lorelei answered. She pulled at the hood over her hair, making sure her face was still cast in shadow.

The merchant pointed out the larger, more detailed wind chimes to her left. "Which one would you like? I can package it up real nicely for you. The wind chimes make an excellent gift for a sister or mother."

"Oh..." Lorelei's voice trailed off. Her mother's lifeless body on the floor of their little cabin flickered in her mind. The blood that pooled around her mother grew in size each time Lorelei thought of it. Soon, red might be the only thing she saw. Her cheeks pricked as she felt the color leave her face. Her stomach turned over on itself, but she couldn't fall apart here. Not now. "I—I'm not buying for my mother today."

"Ah." The merchant nodded her head. "Are you searching for yourself today then, or is there someone else in mind?"

"It's for someone else, but I'm not sure he'd like the wind chimes as much as I do."

"For your lover then?" The woman waggled her thin eyebrows at Lorelei, giving her a quick wink and knowing smile.

"A dear friend," Lorelei corrected, glad that her blushing face was hidden. She glanced down at the table, eyes trailing over the array of sculpted goblets, jewelry, and pocket-watches, until her gaze finally stopped on a silver compass at the end of the table.

When Lorelei had first met Kane, his father's compass was his anchor. He'd always pull the rusted gold thing out and search its face, as if the wobbling arrow would give him the answers he searched for. When he lost the thing to the depths of a mermaid lagoon on Crossbones, he was torn apart, but Lorelei was there to pick up the pieces. Maybe a new compass would help make him whole again.

Lorelei grabbed the silver compass, letting the chain dangle between her fingers. It didn't look like Kane's old compass, but perhaps he would still like it. Lorelei gave the merchant some gold pieces and thanked her, then carefully slipped the silver compass into her satchel. Stepping away from the stall, she merged back into the crowd and fell into step with the current of people. She should go back to the palace before her guards noticed she was missing—if they hadn't realized already. Just a little bit longer. One more moment of freedom for the day before she was locked back up in her cage.

The glint of gold helmets peeked through the crowd, stifling her hopes before they could reach too far. It seemed the guards knew exactly where she'd be. She quickly turned on her heel and retreated in the opposite direction, weaving through the mass of people, keeping her gaze down as her hood masked her identity.

Her heart raced up her throat, her nerves making her magic bubble even further. Fingers twitching, she gripped the strap of her satchel, as if holding on might settle the storm inside of her.

Side-stepping those in her way proved more difficult as she neared the middle of the Coin District where the crowd became a standstill. On an elevated stage, a small band played a familiar shanty. Children ran across the stones at their feet, playing and dancing together, while the rest of the crowd stood, bodies swaying and bouncing to the tune, some singing along as they held their flask in the air.

Lorelei took a shaky breath and continued forward, but more slowly, mumbling apologies and excusing herself as she brushed through. She dared a glance over her shoulder, damning herself when she did. The guards were closer and she was sure the one in the front noticed her as he pointed in her direction.

She wouldn't let them drag her back to the palace this time. She'd return on her own terms.

Suddenly, she slammed into a wall, stopping her in her tracks. No, not a wall. Lorelei's eyes were cast at the ground, so the first thing she saw was a pair of black boots. Her gaze slowly trailed upward, taking in black pants with an ornate skull belt, and a loose half-tucked white shirt. The edge of a familiar jagged scar peeked through the unbuttoned collar. A little further and she recognized the angled jaw, tied-back obsidian hair, and the gunmetal eyes that she often saw in her dreams.

Kane. He's back.

The storm inside of her settled.

They stood frozen for a moment, watching each other, their toes nearly touching. Lorelei didn't hesitate a moment longer and threw her arms around his neck, pulling him to her. The scent of the sea engulfed her. He stiffened for a moment in her embrace, as if surprised, then she felt him shift, his arms wrapping tightly around her waist. She could've sworn she heard him sigh.

"You're here!" she said, leaning back to look up at his face. "I can't believe it!" Faint black stubble grew along his jawline and chin from his days at sea. A new look for him, but one that she liked. She found herself wanting to reach out and trace her finger along his jaw—no. Stop it, Lorelei. You're only friends. She retreated from his embrace and straightened the hood on her head.

Kane's arms fell back at his side. His eyes narrowed at her curiously. "Why are you...hiding?" He looked past her and must've noticed the palace guards coming toward them. "On the run from someone again, I take it?"

"I just needed a bit of fresh air," Lorelei answered, shrugging her shoulders. "The guards follow me like protective little ducklings, but the life-sucking kind."

Kane chuckled, a deep rumble that warmed her cheeks. "Do you ever stay out of trouble?"

"Do you want me to answer that honestly?"

Another small smile from Kane. She must've been blessed by the Sea Sisters today.

The clomps of the guards' boots drew near. Kane held up his hand and the guards came to a stop behind Lorelei. She didn't turn around, but she didn't have to as Kane addressed them.

"I'll walk back with her," Kane told them.

"Captain Blackwater," the guard closest to her said. "We are under strict orders to protect Miss Storm."

"And she will be under my protection as I walk with her," Kane answered. "Do you think me inadequate?"

"Oh. N-no, sir. My apologies. You're free to do as you wish. We will keep our distance."

Kane nodded, then looked down at Lorelei. He reached toward her and she thought he might touch her face, but instead he flicked away her hood. Great, she thought. Now he'll be able to see my blush.

"There you are," he said, his eyes making her heart do wild things as he looked at her under the light of the sun. Maybe the blooming possibility of them hadn't been squashed in the moons apart.

"Here I am," she replied, a smile curving at her lips.

"Shall we, then?"

Kane reached out his arm to her and she took it, holding onto the crook of his elbow as he led her through the crowd. Had it really been that long since she'd hugged him goodbye on the docks? Now that he was here, it felt like it was just yesterday. He was as familiar to her as the wind.

They walked in silence for a moment before she spoke. "You weren't due back until late rainrise. What's brought you home sooner?" She hadn't meant to say home. The word sounded intimate somehow.

Kane hesitated, his gaze forward. "Something has come to light, but I don't want to worry you here. Let's talk about that when we're back at the palace with everyone else." He said here, like he would let her worry someplace secluded and not in the middle of the Coin District, which gave her even more reason to worry.

She didn't reply, not quite knowing how to respond to that.

"We docked and went straight to the palace," he continued. "But you weren't there, and no one knew where you'd run off to. You know the guards are for your protection, right?"

Of course she knew that. Their hovering presence didn't make it any less smothering though. "Is there really a need for them to follow me everywhere though? Aren't I safe here in Baltessa?"

"Of course you are. We just can't take our chances."

"I know, I know. The whole fate of the world hanging on my shoulders thing." She sighed deeply, magic tingling at her fingertips again. She wished it would just go away and leave her alone. "Don't remind me."

Kane stopped then, and turned to face her. "Lorelei." It was the first time she'd heard him say her name since he'd left. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed that.

Goddess, she thought. How deep in am I? When did this happen?

She glanced away from him. He lightly grabbed her chin and turned her face to him, tilting her head back to look him in the eyes.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concern knitting his brow. "You seem distracted. Like something is bothering you."

Little sparks traveled up her fingers, her skin buzzing. She curled her hands into fists, digging her fingernails into her palms, trying to bury them before they could erupt.

"You've just taken me by surprise," she lied, plastering a fake smile on her face. She looped her arm through his again and pulled him along. "Now let's get back before we miss too much. I'm sure Flynn's already rattling on."

Kane mumbled something about Flynn never shutting his trap, but she couldn't really hear him over the whirring in her ears. The storm inside of her promising to unleash. It was only a matter of when.

~

Flynn was in the middle of telling a story when they walked into the war room. He stood in a fighting stance, his fingers forming a pistol as he pretended to shoot something in front of him. Familiar faces stood around a large round table in the room that Lorelei had only been in once before when exploring the palace.

"One comora!" Flynn exclaimed, shooting at the air with his finger pistol. "Two comoras! They were everywhere!"

Kane cleared his throat as they took an open spot around the table. Lorelei glanced down at the map of the world covering the face of the table. The Kingdoms of Four were so sprawling that one could live a hundred years and not see its entirety. Little ships and other figurines scattered across the map—playing pieces in a deadly game.

"Comora?" Lorelei asked, pointing her gaze at Flynn. "What's a comora?"

"Well, hello there Little Storm," Arius teased from across the table. A dimple dipped in his cheek. "Glad to see you haven't gotten yourself killed yet."

"Sadly, I can't say the same about you," Lorelei teased right back, making Arius chuckle. The truth was she'd missed all of them. Their absence made the palace a very quiet place.

"Comoras are hungry, beastly creatures," Kane said gruffly, crossing his arms over his chest. She'd forgotten she even asked the question. "They were supposed to be locked up in Limbo, but we encountered a horde of them in Death's Cove. Among other things, but no Dominic Rove."

"Limbo?" Csilla asked from the right side of the table. Nara stood next to her with the twins Serafina and Rosalina close behind. All four of them wore a crimson sash from their belts. "I thought we sealed the realm when Borne pulled Lorelei back through."

Lorelei glanced at Borne on the other side of the table. If it wasn't for him, she wouldn't be standing there with them. His eyes would still be golden, his magic wouldn't be coursing through her veins, amplifying her own. Most importantly, Magnus would've broken free of Limbo and the world would be in ashes.

"Limbo was disturbed," Borne said. "Nothing has returned from there since the Gods and Goddesses created it. When we brought Lorelei back, we must've thinned the layer between the realms."

"If the comoras and these other things you said you saw—"

"Half-souls," Flynn informed her. "Borne, the walking archive, informed us of these. They were dead men brought back to life—rotting, mindless, tricky to kill. Kane was stabbed by one of them."

Lorelei whipped to face Kane, grabbing his arm. "What? Why didn't you tell me before?" Her fingertips prickled and she yanked her hands away from him. It was a good thing he hadn't said anything when she was coming unwound in the market. "Are you okay?"

Kane turned his head to look down at her. "I'm fine," he said. She couldn't tell if he was lying of not. He turned his attention back to the conversation. "Can we please focus? The problem is that we don't know what else is slipping through the realm. If Magnus were to escape..."

"Then there would already be cities in flame," Lorelei answered. "He made that very clear when I faced him in Limbo."

"What else did he say, Lorelei?" Csilla asked, both hands on the table as she leaned forward. "You haven't told us much. What should we expect?"

Magnus promised destruction, vengeance against the Sea Sisters who helped lock him away. He'd revealed how his whispers had recruited Dominic Rove and Rhoda Abado to do his bidding in the mortal realm, and had failed to coerce Kane into his plans. She remembered what he'd said about the captain of the Iron Jewel, her thoughts often lingering on his words in the middle of the night.

Heroes don't commit terrible acts for the price of gold.

"He promised vengeance and destruction," she told them, leaving out the details. "If he were released, we would know."