Page 12 of Tik-Tok

A red cloth slipped in front of her face, as crimson as Tik-Tok’s irises. She ripped the fabric out of his hands, threw it on the ground, then stomped on it for good measure. Taking her sleeve to her cheeks, she wiped away the wetness instead.

“Was that really necessary, my star?” Tik-Tok asked as if she had offended him by throwing his gods-forsaken cloth on the ground.Good.

“Leave me alone.” North kept staring ahead, avoiding his face as she tightened her grip on her luggage. She wondered how Ozma and Jack had been able to tolerate him when they were trying to save Oz.

“You can have some time alone once we’re on my ship, but not until then.”

They were still in the Emerald City, only a short distance past the palace walls. Traveling to the sea was no easy feat. How would they even cross the sand barriers surrounding the Land of Oz? But if Tik-Tok could turn whomever he wished to stone inside the palace, then she supposed the rogue could get them across. However, it would still take days to reach the sea. Days anddays…

Hope filled her chest.

Days.

It would take days.

Her father would come for her regardless of who told him not to, who told him to wait. Then there was her grandfather—Crow could easily fly and spot them from above, then send word to the others. Someone would reach them before they got to the sea.

“Come out,” Tik-Tok cooed.

Who was he talking to? Orwhat? North inhaled slowly, peering around as the sunlight dimmed.

Above them, an elf wearing a deep green tunic hovered in a large tree. He leapt from the branch, landing directly in front of them. Light brown eyes met hers and blue hair brushed his shoulders.

North took a deep swallow, glancing back in the direction leading to the palace.

“Ah”—Tik-Tok tilted his head—“you thought your loved ones would catch up and rescue you, didn’t you? They won’t today.”

North clenched her jaw. “I hate you.”

He grinned, baring all his teeth, appearing like a wild fae beast. “Hmm. I don’t hate you, though.” He snapped his gloved fingers at the elf, and the other male pressed a hand to each of their shoulders, digging his fingers in.

“I’m Respen,” the elf said. “Just remain relaxed.”

Before North could wiggle from the elf’s grasp, her head spun, her feet touching nothing. A strong gust of wind smacked her face and the whole world was a blur. Her scream stayed silent, way down in the pit of her stomach, trying to claw its way out. She closed her eyes until the spinning stopped and her body no longer felt like it was swaying.

North gasped, her heart pounding wildly. They were no longer in the Emerald City, but on a hard surface, slightly rocking. A ship. Below her boots was a long and wide deck, and curving pristine rails lined the edge of the ship. Tall poles that met at a sharp point held triangular sails and netted ropes—all a dark charcoal shade.

“I’m going to join Dax and Cyrx.” Respen said, releasing their shoulders. She watched as he walked to the opposite side of the ship, his blue hair swaying, where he joined another elf and goblin. The elf was tall and slender with dark brown skin, long blond hair, and blue eyes. Deep scars ran across the goblin’s orange flesh, his muscles bulging against his tunic, and large teeth poked out of his mouth.

North frowned as she met Tik-Tok’s smirk. “You could have at least given me a heads up.”

“And risk you trying to run?” He shrugged. “I don’t think so.”

“I agreed to come, didn’t I?” she bit back, her silver tendrils blowing around her face.

“You did, but that doesn’t mean you won’t try to flee. Or murder me. I wouldn’t try either of those things, for the record, because I have an alternate plan if it happens.”

North stumbled a few steps to the rail as the ship rocked, and glanced at the last light of day catching the silver swells of the sea, just before night touched down on the water. Except for a few orb-lit areas of the ship, the stars, and the moon, they were surrounded by darkness. She felt Tik-Tok sidle up beside her, closer than she would have liked.

“We’re here,” she finally said when he remained silent, “so what is it you want me to do? Because I don’t have any magic.”

He turned to face her, studying her, his eyes roaming her features, his nostrils slightly flared. She stared at him, growing annoyed at whatever it was he was doing. But for the first time, she took in his face. She knew his hair color, his eye color. But this close, those red eyes were like blood, his long, flowing hair the darkest of blacks. Gold studs lined his pointed ears. There wasn’t a single blemish or scar she could see. His face was wickedly beautiful. And she hated that too.

“I smell it. The magic deep, deep down inside you. It’s there, waiting to burst free. It will come soon, and I’ll be waiting.” His gaze shifted away from her. “Rizmaela, show our guest to her quarters downstairs.” He focused back on North. “I’ll meet you there shortly.” With that, he shoved from the rail and sauntered to the front of the ship where Respen stood with the two other crew members.

Tik-Tok smelledhermagic? He was mistaken.

A dwarf with matted copper hair, murky brown eyes, and a bulbous nose hobbled to her. She wore a worn tunic, loose trousers, and scuffed boots, her stocky height coming to about North’s shoulder.This must be Rizmaela.

---