67

Your apprehension intensifies. What is this dread weaving its path around your bones? It is completely unfounded. A little bit of wind does not warrant this kind of—

Your thoughts screech to an abrupt halt. It can't be. You are hearing things.

You close your eyes and try to block out the increasingly worried voices of the sailors. For a few seconds, there is nothing.

Then you hear it again. A whisper of a whisper. Words carried on top of the wind's howl. Words carrying power…and deadly intent. You can feel them crawl all over your skin, hair-thin snakes twisting themselves around your flesh. You can't make out what the words are saying—only their purpose.

You turn your head toward the bow of the ship and see black clouds slicing their way across the horizon. The clouds are coming right for you, riding on the back of winds that are now buffeting your boat with their fury.

The sailors are not simply agitated anymore; they are flying around all over the ship, preparing for a storm that has come out of nowhere. The malicious whispers grow louder, loud enough to be heard over the roar of the churning sea.

Your eyes lock with Straasa and Morkai's across the ship. Oh, frell. You knew this was too good to be true.

~*~

Next