Iron Seas 03 - Riveted

led to the stone abbey. Annika had always liked the look of Heimaey when flying in. Unlike every other settlement in Iceland, there was no need for high fences to keep the wild dogs away from the livestock. It made the town appear more inviting, open.
    David glanced at the quarterdeck. “The lookout needs to put eyes on that island.”
    Elena stood near the helm. With a wave, Annika flagged her down. Her friend came forward with the spyglass and studied the island.
    “I don’t see anything,” she said.
    “I don’t either,” David said. “No smoke from the chimneys. No one walking in the streets. And look at that field.”
    Elena’s mouth parted. She sent a horrified glance at David, then Annika. “I’ll call for the captain.”
    She set off at a brisk pace, her lips tight with worry. Annika looked at the island again. To her eyes, the field was nothing but a blanket of white.
    “What are you seeing?”
    “Dead sheep covered by snow.” David’s voice was grim. “I’m afraid the people might be, too.”
    No tracks marred the pristine surface of the snow. It lay untouched, with only the shape of the lumps to tell them what lay beneath—and had for a few days, at least. One snowfall likely hadn’t covered the sheep so well. Sleds stood abandoned with their runners buried. Drifts piled up against the cottage doors.
    Except for one door, which stood open. In the street, another lump lay beneath the snow.
    Annika stood with David on the foredeck, looking over the desolate scene. Dread filled her chest, making it impossible to speak. Vashon ordered Phatéon to circle the island, searching for any indication of life. Almost every crew member not on duty had come up to see, but despite the numbers crowded along the rails, the only sound came from the huffing engines. Finally, Vashon ordered the engines to a stop. The sails came up, slowing them until Phatéon hovered over the main street.
    The captain joined them on the foredeck. “Anything?”
    “There’s no heat,” David said. “If there were any fires burning, I’d be able to see some indication of it. But everything is stone cold.”
    “Perhaps everyone has left the island, Captain,” Elena suggested.
    Annika hoped so, too.
    “Perhaps. We’ll go and see.” Vashon strapped on her pistols. “Fridasdottor, Pickart, you’re with me.”
    Annika glanced at Elena. They were both joining her. “Yes, ma’am.”
    “I’ll accompany you, as well,” David said.
    “I’m sorry, Mr. Kentewess, but you can’t. Dr. Kentewess?”Though Vashon’s voice softened slightly, there was no give in it. “You will join us, too.”
    But she hadn’t been off of the airship in years. Eyes widening, Annika looked to the doctor. Her face pale as milk beneath her mink hat, Lucia nodded and stepped forward. David opened his mouth; his aunt quelled him with a glance. His jaw clenched, but he nodded.
    “Mr. James, you have the deck,” Vashon told the first mate. “No man steps foot on this island. Cover us from above.”
    They followed her onto the cargo lift where Lucia stood, trembling as the clacking chains broke the unnatural silence. The woman’s anxiety increased as they descended, her breath coming in quick bursts. Annika took her hand, held her gaze. She couldn’t promise that Lucia would be all right.
    Only this. “If you need me, I’ll be here for you.”
    Lucia nodded, her fingers tightening on Annika’s.
    They stepped off the platform into knee-deep snow. Vashon waded to the buried form in the street. There was no need to say what needed to be done. Annika let go of Lucia’s hand and began scooping away snow, with Elena working on the other side. Light and powdery, it brushed away easily until they hit a crystalized layer below, and the brushing became scraping. Slowly, the snow revealed a pair of unlaced boots, legs frozen a pale blue, a white linen nightgown.
    “Damn it.” Vashon’s breath huffed out. “Uncover all of her.”
    They did, working over her head first, carefully brushing her face clear. Her dark hair had been loosely braided, and her expression was peaceful—as if she’d passed in her sleep instead of lying in a street.
    Lucia examined her, and as the seconds passed, her breathing slowed and her hands steadied. By the time she looked up, frowning, her earlier anxiety had all but gone. “I don’t see any injuries.”
    “How long has she been here?”
    “Frozen as she is, Captain, it’s impossible to be certain. I don’t