Chapter Nineteen: Following Deep

The pirate ship came out great with sails red as blood and cursed wood so foul that screams were heard at night.

Tark and the kids didn't like it, but Hekin and I were very proud of the result of hard work. If the humans wanted something better, they could make it themselves.

Tark and Chichi were able to find maps of the islands, and off we went into the big blue deep.

The first sea creature we encountered on the first day broke the damn ship into pieces. Its huge maw bit it in half and took the girls with it. Hekin and I were able to grab Tark and the boys before they could drown in a sea of cursed wood. We drifted for a few hours in the cold darkness. They were lucky Hekin was able to keep them warm, but one canister of water was all they had to drink. I was able to catch fish and feed them, but I couldn't make fresh water. The island we reached had no trees or soil to grow anything. The rocks beneath us bled blue blood. Hekin was convinced we were on another sea creature. Since it didn't move, I figured it was just dead.

Tark cursed us with every breath as the sun beat his face when he looked at the sky. The children huddled in our cool shadows. The cold nights brought little relief.

Tark and the kids were dying of thirst.

I didn't want to care, but their hopeless stares spoke to my soul.

Hekin seemed the most affected. Since the attack, Sketta, Chichi, and Mil had vanished. Tark and the boys had called for them, but there was no answer.

Hekin didn't want to move or eat or sleep. He just sat on the highest rock and stayed there. I tried to get him off his ass, but he wouldn't budge.

Once I heard the kids crying for help, I knew we had to do something. I hadn't teleported anyone before, and it was a big gamble. I tried to recall the power of my endless ancestors. Shadow spirits flocked to me from the skies. They warned of a dangerous creature roaming near us.

Yeah, that would've helped two weeks ago!

Nevertheless, they joined me to discover the world, as all curious spirits do. I was reluctant when light spirits arrived with my call. They were willing to help if I didn't kill Tark or the children. Well, I couldn't refuse that generous offer!

"Sure! I'll get them to a safe place and keep other demons away!" I nodded. I wanted to choke the little smart bastards.

The conjured portal glowed blue and yellow as its beams surrounded us. I wanted to close my eyes and see Alaris again, her lively and beautiful spirit gracing a kiss upon my cheek.

The portal vibrated violet before dropping us on another island. A banquet of fruits and sweet drinks were waiting on a wooden table. I had a feeling someone set them there on purpose. Any food set anywhere has a purpose. Tark was too hungry to question anything. He grabbed the nectarines and crunched into them. I held my breath in case they were poisonous. I couldn't save him if it was, so I watched as he deemed them safe and ate with the boys. They cleared the table and filled their bellies.

"Aren't you hungry?" Tark asked us.

Hekin and I glanced at each other.

"This is to fatten you up so we can eat you," I blurted.

Tark's face grew pale. "After all we've been through, I'm just dinner to you?!"

"Come on!" I started. "It was a joke! You have Penny Lee's feather, remember?"

"That is not my idea of a joke!" Tark spat.

"Yeah, your idea of fun is a joke," I sneered.

Rif hit my thigh with his fiery bow as he glared at me.

"Goody Mil isn't here to protect you," I growled.

"I can protect myself," he declared. "Say you're sorry to Unc Tark!"

I rolled my eyes at this shrimp that I could crush between my claws. Little feisty punk. I laughed as I thought he was taking after me.

Rif and Golir stood their ground, but their knees trembled when they noticed my fangs.

"Forgive me, Tark," I offered. "Will that suffice?"

Rif nodded and continued eating the green pear in his mouth. Golir stared at me with daring eyes before he patted Rif's shoulder.

I stepped back when Tark approached, his eyes watering with tears. I knew he could get sentimental, but damn. I could still connect with his emotions, and he craved comfort. I'm not a cuddly human, but I can sympathize. I held Tark tightly as he bawled like a baby. His snot covered my shoulder, and I wiped it off with flower petals. I blinked at the nectar that they held inside. I hadn't seen nectar from my cursed flowers in a very long time, ever since I hated the world and became this.

"Do you feel better, now?" I asked him.

Tark sniffled as he stood back and nodded.

"Don't cry on my shoulder again!" I grumbled. "Here, I think this can help."

The floating drop of nectar shimmered gold as it hovered in his hands.

"What is it?" Tark queried.

"Nectar," I replied with a soft sigh. Alaris might've enjoyed it, too.

"You're not drugging me, are you?" Tark asked with narrowed eyes.

"Of course not," I responded, slightly offended. Then again, I was a demon. It wouldn't be the first time or the last. "It can get you through the toughest vines."

Tark took a sip and nodded. "It's really good. Not too sweet." He gave the rest to the boys.

I wasn't sure what its effects would be. I studied them as we explored the island.

Rif slipped down a rock into a ravine, and Golir panicked. He slid down after him, and Tark didn't want to leave them behind, so he went down, too. Hekin followed after him, which left me pondering the strange way of things.

If I hadn't met Alaris, or Hekin, or Tark, would I still be haunting the forests?

I shook my head as I focused on the situation at hand. We had to get back home after I killed Noforl and his immortal witch, and no ravine was going to stop us!