Something Wicked This Way Comes

Chapter 33

"So what's the plan?" Carter asked.

Rook was standing knee-deep in the cove, drawing a long rope towards them. The rope went deep into the water, probably attached to a trap of some sort. "We will go out into the open water as if it's a routine fishing trip. When the pirates attack, that's where you come in."

"Do you want us to like... kill them?" Toby asked nervously.

"Do what you need to," Rook responded. "But keep their leader alive. If all goes well, we will have questions."

Carter pursed his lips, arms tight against his chest. "What happens after?"

"I'm planning to have my sister bring some of the King's Guard here. They will take care of the remaining pirates as they see fit." Rook explained. Something bobbed in the water ahead of them, attached to the rope. "All you need to do is fight for us."

Carter frowned. "Sure. Seems like that's all I'm good for."

Toby pat his arm sympathetically, then looked at Rook. "We're gonna need the other demigods' help. And also probably some rope. Lots of it."

Rook looked down at the coil of rope in their hands, then at the fish trap attached to the end of it. "I think we'll have plenty of rope."

They waded deeper, picking the trap up by the rope. Rook frowned as they glanced into the trap.

"Well, fuck." They muttered.

"What?" Toby asked.

"Barely anything." Rook said. "Again."

Carter glanced at the water. "Again?"

Rook's jaw was tense as they made their way back to dry ground, water sloshing around their feet. "Like I said, we're barely scraping by."

"Are the pirates driving the fish out or something?" Toby asked.

"No," Rook shook their head. "The shadow beasts have been infecting the wild life. They're killing everything."

Carter and Toby exchanged glances.

"We cannot keep living like this," Rook said, lips pursed. "If something isn't done soon..." they trailed off, expression grim.

"This has to be what we're here for," Toby said suddenly. He looked at Carter. "This has to be why we washed up at this village."

Carter wasn't sure he totally agreed with that. "And you came to that conclusion because...?"

Toby gestured wildly. "Dude! Your sister might be here, in the exact place we ended up, on the island we were sent to to save the world. This has to be connected with the quest."

Carter frowned, suddenly irritated because that made sense. "Why can't..." he sighed, the sound petering into a growl. "Fuck it, never mind." He looked at Rook. "Need help with anything else before we go back?"

Rook glanced back at the cove. "As a matter of fact..."

***

"Hey, kiddo are you okay?" Jim asked.

"Yes." Harley wouldn't look at him, jaw taut with irritation.

Douxie exchanged glances with Jim. "Harley, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," the demigod hissed, still refusing to look at them.

Jim sighed, trying again. "Harley—"

"I said, I'm fine!" Harley shouted, eyes blazing with anger and power. The ground shook, then cracked. The shadows darkened.

Somewhere behind them came a splitting sound, like the clanking of bones. Then a howling roar.