Mina couldn’t help but be drawn in by the beautiful aquatic features of the sirens. The fleeting sun reflected off their tails and scales as they swam alongside the ship.
A few came up and called out, a loud piercing shriek, but it didn’t damage the boat. If it had been anything like her brother’s gift, it could very well tear them to pieces. These calls were more of a warning to the boat. The closer they came, the more violent the attacks became.
Until Ternan strode to the bow holding a giant gold trident. He raised it, and the sirens in the water jumped high into the air and flicked their tails in a salute before diving deep below the waves. This continued the last mile. When they reached the twin monoliths, the sirens that guarded the gate left them as the ship continued toward it.
“Almost,” Winona called out. “Starboard,” she yelled to the young siren with dreadlocks who currently stood at the helm. “We can’t breach the gate too early, or we’ll miss our chance completely. We won’t have time to turn around. We’ve got one chance tonight. We can’t afford to have to wait till tomorrow.”
Ever came and stood nervously next to Mina. “I’ve only ever passed through one of the smaller gates between our worlds or used the seam ripper. I’ve heard of the Sister Rocks and the rumor it was a gate, but I’ve never imagined actually seeing it or passing through.”
“Why are we not using the seam ripper to open a gate between the planes? It’s too small?”
“Do you see how many sirens are on this ship? The seam ripper would only let two or three max through before it closed, and it’s too dangerous to open in the same spot over and over. You’re bringing an army through, so you need one of the natural gates. Just like Teague would have used.”
Nix looked at the setting sun and the gate and voiced his concern, “We’re not going to make it!”
“Yes, we are!” Ternan bellowed. He ran toward the stern of the ship. He held his hands up in the air, and Winona did the same. Soon every siren on the boat raised their hands in unison, facing the sea behind them.
The ship stilled on the water, and they dropped down suddenly. Mina looked over her shoulder, and a giant wave surged up behind them. A wave that would surely break their boat apart.
“Hold on!” Ternan shouted. He controlled the wave, causing it to break and rush under the ship. It lifted the boat and propelled them toward the Sister Rocks.
Ever and Mina screamed. Nix pushed them against the middle mast and wrapped a rope around their waists, securing them to the large wooden post. Water rushed over the side, and the wave dropped again. People screamed—most in excitement—as they were airborne for a few seconds before slamming back into the water. The sun just touched the horizon.
The gate opened, a spiral of bright colors.
But they were off course, charging straight toward the right monolith.
“Turn! Port, port!” Winona hollered to the first mate on the helm. He spun the wheel, trying to keep the ship from crashing.
Everyone held their breath.
The boat cleared the monolith and sailed toward the open gate.
Another wave came up from behind and spilled over the railings, making the ship rock and reel. Nix lost his grip on the rope. Mina and Ever grabbed his hands as the ship tilted to the side, buffeted by another wave across the deck.
The wave partially swallowed them for a heartbeat, and when it passed, they looked around.
Nix was gone.
Ever fought against the ropes that tied her to the mast and screamed in despair. “Nix!” she howled as they left the Fae plane behind them.
Chapter 27
When they passed through the gate, a relative silence followed.
Ever’s loud wail of sorrow cut through the wind like a sword. “No, no, no!”
Mina’s fingers worked tirelessly at the knot, but she couldn’t get the rope undone. One of the sirens rushed over to untie them. The rope fell to the deck with a thud, and Ever ran to the railing and looked over.
“You stupid nixie!” Her fist pounded the railing. “You always think of others first. For once, why couldn’t you be selfish and save yourself?” She collapsed to her knees, bawling.
Mina gently wrapped her hands around Ever’s shoulders, surprised when she turned, and buried her head in Mina’s shoulder.
“Oh Nix, I’m so sorry for all the names I called you,” Ever confessed. “For putting salt in the Pixy Stix when you kept stealing them. For telling you cartoons were real.”
“What do you mean—they’re not real?” Nix shouted from the other side of the ship.
They turned to see Nix’s head as he peeked over the side rail. He hauled himself up, swung his legs over, and hopped onto the deck. Then he used his hands to flick the water out of his hair.
Ever ran across the deck and threw herself into his arms. “Don’t you ever do anything that stupid and dangerous again, do you hear me?”