“Or otherwise,” Matteo said. “The docks of White Roaring would never be empty—not unless she cleared them.”
Arthie had said this was possible, but that didn’t make Jin feel any better. As he neared, Flick met his eyes. She didn’t look excited to see him; she didn’t look happy. She was shaking her head.
Warning him.
The Ram was here. Jin scanned the ghostly square behind her. But what could they do? Huddle back on board? No, Jin was ready for a fight, as were the vampires clambering on deck behind him.
“What’s our plan?” he asked.
“Fight our way to the Athereum,” Arthie said. “Sidharth’s runner should have spotted us, and his carriages will be on their way for the vampires, but I don’t want your parents here any longer than necessary.”
“No one else is here,” Jin said. “Not a single civilian.”
“No, but she is,” Matteo whispered as the Ram strode into the square and her black-clad men fanned out like bullets.
35ARTHIE
The docks were empty one moment, then flooded with dark figures the next, streaming from the square beyond. In the center, like the eye of a storm, was the Ram, cloaked in black and masked in silver. Even from her distance, Arthie could feel the monarch’s eyes on her.
She stepped onto the slatted wood of the dock and lifted her chin. She was not the same scared little girl setting foot on Ettenia for the first time.
And she was not alone.
Behind her, Matteo exposed his fangs with a growl. Flick was waiting, brass knuckles on her fingers, her expression frantic yet determined. Jin rushed forward and flung his arms around her, burying his face into the crook of her neck. Even Matteo looked shocked by his boldness. He pulled away, eyes dropping to her lips before he settled for brushing a curl from her brow.
“You’re not supposed to be here, love,” he said, “but we’ll get to that later.”
He paused to glance back at his parents, and then at Arthie. She knew what he was asking.
“I’ve got your parents,” she promised.
“They’re yours too, remember,” he said, and he turned to the vampires crowding behind them and pumped his hand into the air, umbrella in his fist. “The floor’s ours!”
The docks rumbled as the vampires thundered after him with shouts and growls, fangs sharp, claws long, coconuts held tight. Their pain and zeal was a veritable, tangible thing in the air. Arthie felt it in her veins. The Ram had to feel it too.
She had to know the vampires wanted her head. Would she flee?
Within moments, vampires and black-clad forces clashed on the cobblestones just beyond the docks. Shots rang out, steel clashed, for the vampires had grabbed what they could within the ship to use as weapons and shields. There were more wooden stakes than Arthie had ever seen in one place, fisted in the hands of the Ram’s army.
Humans and vampires alike ducked for cover where they could, behind stacks of crates and delivery wagons, others stormed to the tops of them before launching into the throng of the battle. Even some of Vane’s crew joined the chaos. A gust of wind rolled through the port and waves rammed against the side of the ship, eager to join them.
Arthie ushered Jin’s parents to stay close. They ambled, both of them green from the voyage.
“Jin,” Sora whispered at the sight of him and Matteo at the front of the battle, tumbling toward their enemies like steam from a fresh pot of tea.
“He’ll be fine; now stay close,” Arthie told them. She drew Calibore from her holster, transforming it into a knife as she scanned the battleground.
The Ram was nowhere to be seen.
“Come with me!” Flick shouted over the din. She looked torn between minding her manners by introducing herself to Jin’s parents and wanting to run. At the wharf, she guided them up a short flight of steps to the cover created by the short partition fishermen used to sell their wares.
Flick spoke as they moved. “I’ve been hiding out here, but youwere right about the tribute. She’s built an entire bunker under the palace.”
Arthie pulled Flick down beside her when footsteps pounded behind them. One of the Ram’s men rounded the partition. Before she could react, he slashed a knife toward Sora, catching her arm. She cried out, but Shaw pulled her out of the way as Arthie knocked the knife to the rot-ridden stones and kicked him to the docks below.
Blood was gushing down Sora’s arm. Arthie smelled it before she saw it, relieved when it wasn’t hunger that lurched through her, but concern.
“I’ll be fine,” Sora hissed. Beyond the wall, the battle continued, louder than the crashing waves, louder than Arthie’s thoughts.
