The Band of Shadows (The Djinn Kingdom Book 3) Read online

  “You look amazing,” Atlas said, finally finishing his bite. Nova smiled shyly but admitted if felt nice to be seen as more than a pirate.

  Kale lifted his eyes after everyone had settled back into their conversation, and Nova pretended she didn’t notice.

  “Sir,” Miss Hagen said breathlessly bursting through the door. “They’ve arrived!”

  Kale’s face paled and Nova ignored how quickly his eyes shot to the window. Jenna slowly rose from the table and sauntered to the large bay window overlooking the Tucker’s small garden. “She’s right. Genevieve is here and it looks like she’s brought two young women and a gentleman.”

  “Son,” Tucker said when Kale didn’t move. “Go and greet your guests.”

  “Yes, of course,” Kale said. He seemed lost in his thoughts, but he obeyed and made his way to the entryway.

  Nova followed him from the corner of her eye, feeling torn and frustrated at her jealousy of Genevieve.

  “Well, shall we?” Atlas asked, holding his hand to help Nova from the table.

  Smiling to mask her feelings, Nova batted her eyelashes dramatically and held out her hand. “My, what a gentleman.”

  Atlas bowed, following her teasing tone, and threaded her hand through his arm. “Oh, wait. Your Highness. You, too,” he said when Raine tried to sneak passed. Her cheeks flushed as she laced her hand on his other arm.

  Nova scoffed as he led them through the entry hall. “It seems so strange to behave as if we were never a part of a pirate crew.”

  He nodded. “But maybe for a day we can pretend.”

  “And no more, ‘Your Highnesses,’” Raine said. “No one must know.”

  “You’re right,” said Atlas. “My lips are sealed.”

  “Well, I hope not for too long,” Raine teased.

  They lined up in front of the house, prepared to greet the guests. Atlas stood close to Nova and Raine in the back line, while Kale stood before them all, watching the party unload from a large passenger coach.

  “Kale, oh my, I can’t believe it,” a young woman said politely, opening the carriage door. Kale reached his hand up and helped her to the ground. “I thought you dead for sure.”

  Kale kissed her hand, then briefly hugged her against his chest. His actions seemed stiff and habitual, at least that was what Nova told herself.

  “Genevieve, I’d like to introduce you to the people who helped me get back home safely,” Kale said bringing her forward.

  Nova studied her while trying not to be obvious. Genevieve was small and petite with straight blonde hair pulled back in an intricate bun behind her neck. Her dress was noticeably expensive, made of fine silk with lace ruffles around the low-cut neckline. But it was her air as she walked that made clear to Nova they came from completely opposite backgrounds.

  “Geni, this is Briggs and Raine. They are the ones who finally found us and helped bring us home.”

  Genevieve curtsied and held out her hand. Briggs looked confused for a moment, taking her small hand in his, before finally pecking the top. Nova couldn’t help but stifle a laugh at his awkward manners.

  “You look familiar,” she said to Raine, who stiffened and lowered her gaze to the dusty drive. “Have we met?”

  “I don’t believe so,” Raine said quickly. Kale nudged Geni’s arm, leading her away before she could study Raine’s features any further.

  “And this is Atlas and Nova, both responsible for keeping me alive,” Kale said with a light tone, but his eyes darkened with truth.

  “My, aren’t you handsome,” Genevieve said sweetly, holding her hand out for Atlas as well. Atlas winked and bowed his head as he kissed her hand over the white lace glove she delicately wore. “So, you’re the famous Nova. Captain Tucker wrote much about you in his letters once we learned my dear Kale was alive and trapped in the world of pirates. My, I can’t even imagine what horrors you saw, or what you had to submit yourself to just to stay alive. But don’t worry Nova, I’ll make sure no one questions your virtue. I’m sure any woman would do the same in your situation.”

  “I’m not sure what you mean?” Nova said, her chest tightening. She wasn’t imagining her distaste for Genevieve, she truly didn’t like the woman and a darker side was beating against her insides to make it known.

  “Oh, please don’t take offense, no one will judge you. I can only imagine what those dirty men were like. You were on the ship for so long, but now that you’re off I’d be happy to introduce you to a fine company of gentlemen, and I assure you I won’t let on that you would be any less a wife than if you’d never been on the ship.”

  “Geni,” Kale said briskly. “Nova didn’t need to do anything of the sort to survive. She earned the crew’s respect the same as any man. She fought for it.”

  She patted Kale’s chest. “Of course. Forgive me for my assumption.”

  Nova smirked at Genevieve’s innocent smile, but she saw through the insincerity instantly.

  “Please allow me to introduce my travel companions, all of whom have kept me from losing my mind with worry since Kale was taken. This is Lydia,” she pointed to a slender woman with long black hair that fell well below her shoulders. Lydia curtsied, but her face was as stone as she stared down her nose at the Tucker household. “And Rachelle.” A red-headed woman curtsied, smiling so wide her cheeks puffed up until her brown eyes squinted shut. “And this is Dirk. He insisted on protecting us women on our journey here.” Geni laughed shrilly.

  A broad-shouldered man stepped around the carriage holding a piece of luggage. He smiled at Geni before meeting the line of greeters. Nova froze, her stomach churning. Dirk saw it, too, and his smile turned to a scowl immediately as he studied her face.

  “Hey, I know you,” he said pointing directly at her. “That’s the girl, the one I told you about, the one dressed like a boy. She’s the one who tried to kill me.”

  Chapter 2

  House Guests

  Nova glared at Dirk, feeling her fingers curl into tight fists. Atlas took a protective step in front of her, but Nova knew she didn’t need protecting; the weasel standing in front of her was the one who should take a guard.

  The only person seemingly enjoying themselves was Lydia, who had broken her stoic stance and smiled at the sudden uptick in dramatics.

  “Dirk, you can’t be serious,” Geni said. “You said that girl was a pirate spy sent to kill you.”

  Nova laughed darkly, drawing everyone’s attention toward her. “Is that what he said? Figures for a coward. He left out the part where he and two of his goons tried to kill me in my sleep. And for something I had no idea about, no less.”

  “I would never lay a hand on a woman,” Dirk said, puffing his chest up in arrogance.

  “I can attest to Dirk’s gentility,” Geni said.

  “You all aren’t safe with her. She’s a pirate,” Dirk insisted.

  “All right, enough,” Kale said angrily. Geni flipped her head and watched him incredulously.

  “Kale, if this is truly the girl Dirk’s told us about, then she has incredible weaponry skills,” Geni said quietly, but still loudly enough for everyone to hear.

  “Yes, she does,” Kale retorted. “I’ve seen them.”

  “This young woman saved my son,” Captain Tucker bellowed, “and has since been a guest in my home for a week with no incident. Now, all of you are welcome, but Nova will be staying right here as long as she wants. If you cannot stay here under such conditions, I can have Kale take you in the coach and make sure you are comfortably settled at the inn.”

  “Oh, forgive us, Captain,” Geni said in her sweet voice. “Where are our manners? I’m certain it was all a misunderstanding. Wasn’t it Dirk?”

  Dirk scowled at Nova, but she returned the contempt until he finally broke away and nodded. “I’m certain it was. Forgive my rudeness.”

  “Right then. Please come in and we’ll get you settled in the two remaining guest rooms. Ladies, I hope you won’t mind sharing?”

 
Lydia and Rachelle giggled to one another as they crept passed Nova.

  “Not that Geni will be sleeping with us much,” they said to one another. Their words made Nova want to throw up.

  “Jenna, would it be alright if I stayed with Theo in the garden for a while?” she asked.

  “Of course,” Jenna whispered, handing the baby over. “Nova, are you all right? That was very odd. You don’t really know him, do you?”

  Nova clenched her jaw. “I won’t lie to you, but I also don’t want to ruin this gathering for your family. But trust me, Jenna, that man is not a good person.”

  Jenna’s eyes widened slightly, but she nodded. “You’ll keep an eye on my boy then, won’t you?”

  Nova agreed, understanding Jenna’s tone. Dirk was wretched and a liar, but he had seemed genuinely surprised to see her. He couldn’t have known she’d be here, but now that he was at the house there wasn’t any way of telling what he might do.

  The garden was small, with a stone wall surrounding the flowering bushes and beautiful palm trees.

  “Theo,” Nova said holding out a bright purple flower. “Look at this. Can you smell it?”

  The baby flapped his arms and snatched the flower out of her palm, quickly shoving the petals in his open mouth. His face scrunched in disgust, but soon after attempted another taste of the flower.

  Nova laughed as she set him on a soft patch of grass to let him explore.

  So, you know the truth, a forceful voice seemed to blow on the wind around her.

  The hair on the back of her neck prickled as she looked around the garden for whoever had followed her.

  “Lurlina?” Nova said in a trembling whisper.

  Nova rubbed the dryness coating her eyes from the sudden hot breeze stampeding through the garden. When she opened them, she cried out in surprise. Dressed in vibrant white, Lurlina rested on one hip on the grass, holding Theo in her lap.

  “Precious child,” she said.

  “How…how are you here?”

  “Because you welcomed me here by answering me,” she said nonchalantly. “Though I’m only partially here. My full power rests where you truly belong. With your real family.”

  “Can I please have Theo back?” Nova asked nervously, stepping toward the baby pulling happily at the grass.

  “I’ve never held a human child, you know,” Lurlina said dreamily, stroking his hair.

  “Lurlina, please, just let me hold him.”

  “My dear Nova, you speak as if I would harm him? Why would you think such a thing of me?” she said, feigning offense as she held Theo for Nova to take.

  The baby wrapped his chubby arms around Nova’s neck and yawned before snuggling against her.

  “I don’t understand what you’re doing here, or why you think I’d want to see you. You took my mother prisoner.”

  Lurlina cocked her head. “Is that what you think? I did no such thing. It is simply ancient laws we must live by. Djinn belong at the temple, Nova. If Kamali ever returned for help or power, then she would return for good. That is how it works. She was once taken from us, but she came and was reinstated in our court, and with open arms, I might add. She is no prisoner. You could be with her, too, you know.”

  “How?”

  “I should think it quite obvious. You are Djinn. Come be with your family in the temple.”

  “I’ve contacted you, and you are connected to the temple, so why can’t I be forced to go like my mother was?”

  Lurlina grinned. “Because you are special. You are part of this world, too. But imagine if you came to us. The people of Launi would be blessed by our power.”

  Nova’s head tumbled in confusion. Lurlina had never given her reason to distrust her, but Kamali was clear not to allow her into her life.

  “Lurlina, I’m needed back. I’m going to find my mother,” she said firmly.

  “Dear Nova, I want you to be with your mother. You don’t have to go search for her. I can take you to her right now.”

  “No, I’d rather have her home here with me.”

  Lurlina sighed. “If that is your choice, I’m afraid you will find disappointment. I will leave you now, but remember, dear, if you ever need anything, I’m here to help. The change can be quite challenging to sort through, and I can see you still haven’t welcomed it completely. Until we speak again.”

  Theo’s heavy, open-mouthed breaths were the only thing Nova heard; Lurlina had vanished as if she’d never been in the garden. Nova shuddered at the eeriness of the conversation. It was clear Lurlina knew how to get to Kamali, she didn’t doubt that was true, but there was more to Lurlina. Before Nova took any action in trusting her, she knew she had to understand everything about the woman in white.

  “Nova!” Jenna called from the porch.

  Nova wrapped her hands firmly under Theo’s legs and rushed out of the garden, hiding any of the fears so prevalent in her heart as she rushed back to the house.

  “Ah, there you are. We’re about to have supper. Oh, look at this,” she said, taking her sleeping child. “He looks so peaceful. You’re a miracle worker.”

  Nova smiled. “Enjoy that peaceful face, because you know tomorrow he’ll wake up.”

  Supper passed by with nice chatter and conversation. Rachelle kept Atlas engaged in stories that sent her into girlish giggles nearly the entire time. Raine sat on his other side, eating quietly. Nova sensed her anxiety of being recognized somehow, but no one seemed to pay her any attention except Atlas when he tried to escape Rachelle’s flirtatious nuances.

  Geni rested the glittering diamond on her finger over the top of Kale’s hand, forcing him to eat one-handed the entire meal. As Miss Hegan passed around a mango tart for dessert, Geni suddenly stopped and focused on Nova for the first time since arriving.

  “So, Nova, tell us, where are you from?”

  Briggs cleared his throat and puckered his lips. Nova smiled, knowing he felt protective of her, and talk of her past was bound to bring up pain for them both.

  “I’m from Mollem,” she said, ignoring the daggers Dirk shot in her direction.

  “Ah, that climate is much like Silva, isn’t it?” Geni asked, taking a miniscule bite of her tart. “Oh, this is quite sour, don’t you think?”

  Kale shrugged and took a big bite of his own.

  “Yes, the climate is much the same,” Nova said, mimicking Kale and enjoying the tart as Geni pushed it away. Miss Hegan’s face fell as she waited against a far wall to remove the plates, but Geni didn’t seem to notice.

  “I’m so curious, you must tell me. How in the world did a lovely girl like you get stuck on a pirate ship? What made you want to leave Mollem?”

  “Come on, we don’t need to talk about this, do we?” Kale said quietly.

  “Oh, stop,” Geni said playfully swatting his arm. “She has to admit it is quite an interesting thought. Mollem is beautiful, and I’m certain she could have had quite a life on that island.”

  “Yes, do tell us,” Lydia said snobbishly. “Perhaps a young man jilted you?”

  Nova paused, feeling the curious eyes on her from the newcomers, and even Jenna seemed interested. “I wasn’t much for suitors at the time,” Nova said, her eyes shifting darkly toward Lydia.

  “How could you not be?” Rachelle giggled. “Young women of status are always on the prowl for a handsome suitor.”

  Nova lifted one eyebrow, trying not laugh as Rachelle briefly stroked a finger over Atlas’s arm as she spoke.

  “I suppose I’m not a woman of status,” Nova replied taking another bite of tart.

  “Oh?” Lydia said, taking sudden interest. “What kind of employment did your father take part in? From the looks of you, I’d guess finance? No, perhaps a man of the court? Both respectable, though not of the highest status.”

  Nova smiled as she thanked Miss Hegan for clearing her plate. “Actually, my father repaired ships in the Mollem shipyards.” She reveled in their snobbish repulsion, and was half-tempted to divulge he was also a f
eared pirate at one time.

  “Quite honest work,” Captain Tucker chimed in, notably uncomfortable with the conversation.

  “Of course,” Geni continued, entwining her fingers in Kale’s greedily. “So, back to the first question, why did you leave?”

  Nova sighed, ignoring Briggs’ look of caution. “I didn’t want to leave Mollem. My father was kidnapped by pirates, so after a while I went to look for him.”

  Geni’s eyes widened for a moment, then she faced Dirk. “Is that what she told you when you met her Dirk?”

  “Stop it, Geni,” Kale said darkly.

  “I’m just asking, Kale. You would do well to get the stories straight so you know who is in your father’s home.”

  “We can do that for ourselves, Genevieve,” Tucker said, trying to keep his voice steady.

  “That be what happened,” Briggs grumbled. “Not that Nova has to prove herself to anyone here.”

  Geni didn’t seem to care and continued to watch Dirk expectantly. Finally, he leaned back in his chair. “I think she told me some kind of tale like that, but if I remember it involved a pirate called Captain Phoenix.” He smiled while wrapping his wet tongue around his fork, finishing off the last of his tart.

  Briggs choked on his tea, lifting his eyes to Nova. “Good memory,” Nova said. “At least you remember that part. I left thinking if I found Captain Phoenix, he might be able to help me find the pirates who took my father. I know now how immature and foolish it was. I paid for my choice,” she finished by scooting her chair from the table. “If you’ll excuse me I’m feeling quite tired.”

  The men, apart from Dirk, all stood as Nova left the room. She had to escape before her insides pulled apart from the building tension. Nova pushed into the room next door, anxious to get relief from the house guests. Taylor rested in the bed, propped up on three pillows. His face was clean-shaven, and his hair had been trimmed. He looked healthier and more peaceful than she’d ever seen the rough pirate.

  “Taylor?” she whispered.

  He cracked his eyes, his mouth full of gold teeth glinting in the lamp light as he smiled. “Ah, Missy. There ye are.”