Page 21 of Ivy & Bone

Cyrus squinted, not understanding her meaning. “What the hell are you—” He broke off with a strangled cry as something tugged at his feet, jerking him down until he crumpled to the ground.

Then Prudence was standing above him, grinning wickedly. “Enjoy the ride.”

“What—” Cyrus’s protests were muffled as Prudence’s vines wrapped around him, coiling tightly as if they were serpents. He choked on his breath as one vine in particular squeezed the air from him. The ivy felt like ropes around his ankles and wrists, pinning him to the ground.

“Let’s go then!” Prudence called over her shoulder, setting off down the road.

Cyrus struggled and writhed, but he was thoroughly tied down. Reality crashed into him as he realized he had been played. Prudence had been toying with him. Manipulating him. Like the lying, conniving witch she was.

He was a fool. An utter fool. He deserved this for letting his guard down and falling for such a devious ploy.

The ivy underneath him started to shift and glide as if he were on a leafy sled and Prudence was the horse pulling on the reins.

A string of expletives burst from his mouth, but then the vines covered that, too, cutting off his curses as he careened down the road after Prudence.

SEAFARERS

PRUE

The victory of triumphing over Cyrus’s little temper tantrum was fleeting. Prue couldn’t shake the hauntingly devastated look of her mother from her mind even as they reached the docks.

But her thoughts of parting from Polina quickly fled from her mind when she found the chaos awaiting them. A crowd of people surrounded the Daybreaker, Krenia’s largest ship, but no one was climbing aboard.

After ensuring Cyrus was still safely tied up in her vines, Prue strode forward until she found the captain, a tall, muscular man named Davies.

“What’s going on?” Prue demanded, putting as much authority in her voice as she could muster.

“We were going to set sail, and then this happened.” Davies gestured to the open sea.

Prue followed his gaze to the shimmering gold barrier surrounding the island—and the mass of ghosts waiting on the other side.

“The crew are too afraid to leave,” Davies continued. “And I can’t blame them!”

“I have to board a ship,” Prue said insistently. “If I don’t, the ghosts will only keep multiplying.”

Davies only spread his hands, a helpless look on his face. “I can’t man the ship on my own.”

Prue chewed on her lower lip in deliberation. Then, she straightened and lifted her chin. “I’ll protect the ship.”

Davies raised an eyebrow. “You will?”

“Yes. I will enchant the ship with the same magic.” Prue waved a hand to the barrier. “Everyone on board will be protected.”

When Davies continued to watch her dubiously, Prue gritted her teeth and hissed, “I’m the Maiden of the coven of Krenia. Do you doubt my abilities?”

Davies’ spine straightened, his face smoothing. “Of course not.”

“Then, assemble your crew. Tell them to prepare to set sail.”

Davies nodded quickly. “Of course, my lady.”

Ignoring the weariness settling into her bones, Prue stood next to the still-bound Cyrus as the crew hastened to prepare the ship. Some outright refused, glancing warily at the ghosts hovering by the barrier. But, thankfully, enough crew members agreed to sail in exchange for Prue’s protection.

She had no idea how she would protect the entire ship and its occupants. But she had to try. There were no other options. She had to leave this island.

When at last the captain called for the passengers to board, Prue waved a hand, summoning her vines to urge Cyrus forward. At their approach, Davies raised an eyebrow at Prue’s prisoner, still tied down to the bed of ivy.

In answer to his unspoken question, Prue said, “This is my prisoner. He’s responsible for the ghost attack on the village.”

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