Veils of Storm

29. Den of the Wolf

The boat slid across the water under the cover of darkness, making barely any sound. The harvest moon and the stars lit their way, sending a shimmer of light across the glassy surface. A few yards away, lights rose above the shoreline from the many wooden contraptions suspended against the jagged rocks.

Wolfbane's lair.

It was a graveyard of derelict ships balanced above the coast, converted into makeshift buildings meant to house the scum of the sea. The largest of those buildings, which looked like the hull of a once great ship, flew Wolfbane's flag. The wolf skull with two crossed daggers. Just the sight of it had the hairs on Cage's neck standing on end.

He hated being here, having to do this, but he focused on what truly mattered. Somewhere in that poor excuse for a building was Ferdinand. Cage had finally reached him and he was not leaving that godforsaken place without his brother. Even if it meant putting himself through that particular hell again.

It won't be like last time. You have magic now.

Magic and powerful allies who knew exactly what to expect.

He also had Kat and the thought of anything happening to her sunk his stomach worse than the memories of previous torture. Because he knew that if Wolfbane had even the slightest clue about her existence, he would stop at nothing to capture her.

She'd yelled and kicked and thrown fire at him when he'd denied her access into Wolfbane's lair with him. The only argument that had worked was that if they hurt her, they'd hurt him. That Wolfbane would use her against him. 

She was competent, determined, and fiery, but she was no match for Wolfbane. He wasn't sure he was either. But he'd try. There was no other choice. And as long as Jazz didn't see them dead, there was still hope.

He sucked in a breath, counted to three, and rowed once. On his right, Jazz did the same and the boat shot forward for another slide toward their target. This was the most dangerous part since they were in open water, but they couldn't row faster. The noise and rapid movement would surely draw unwanted eyes, even under the cover of darkness.

Another few seconds of waiting, another row, until they finally reached the shadow of the cliffs and buildings. The moment they did, Trix leaned over the side of the boat and knocked on the wood. One hard knock and then three lighter taps. In a matter of seconds, water rings appeared next to the boat and Alathea's head broke the surface of the sea.

"All is silent," she whispered. "There are a few guards overlooking the gulf, but they appear to be bored and fairly drunk."

"How can they be bored and drunk at the same time?" Trix mumbled, but there was a smile on his face.

"Humans are strange beings," the mermaid said with a shake of her head. "You must be careful and stay in the shadow of the cliffs. The guards are armed."

"I don't like this," Jazz muttered. "The ship is visible from here."

Cage glanced in the distance. Through the darkness, there was maybe the lowest flicker of reddish light visible at the entrance into the gulf.

Trix huffed. "It's not. You only see it because you know it's there. Harrison will be fine. I pity any pirates who would try to take the Marauder anyway. Harrison will turn them into steak."

Jazz didn't seem convinced, but didn't press the subject, turning his attention back to Wolfbane's lair. They'd already settled in its shadow, but they still had a fairly long way to go until they reached the shore.

"How's the shoreline?" Cage asked.

"Filled with jagged rocks," Alathea answered as if it hadn't been something worth mentioning before. "But there is a path among them that could lead you to the side of the main building."