The Mermaids Madness

Lannadae’s tails wrapped around the railing for balance.“They’ve seen Morveren’s ship, so they know something’s wrong. They might listen to me now.”
    “Or they might kill you.”
    “They’ll have to catch me first.” She disappeared into the next wave before Danielle could stop her.
    “She’s right.” Varisto reached down to help Danielle to her feet. “We can’t fight that ghost ship and the undine at the same time.”
    “Where have you been?” Danielle asked.
    “In my cabin, trying not to throw up.” Varisto grimaced. “Have I mentioned how much I despise the sea?”
    The cannons thundered, and several of the figures on Morveren’s ship cried out as the Phillipa ’s guns raked her deck. Morveren’s ship was too old to have guns of its own, but the winds’ fury increased in response. Water sprayed down so hard it felt like hail.
    Danielle and Varisto made their way back toward the helm, where Snow’s magic appeared to be deflecting the worst of the air spirits. Captain Hephyra had retreated to the wheel as well, adding her strength to Beatrice’s.
    “We need to board her,” Talia shouted. “Before she passes us and escapes.”
    “How?” Varisto pointed to the ship. “Even if the wind doesn’t divert your grapples, they’ll likely just rip right through that wreck.”
    Beatrice and Hephyra yanked the wheel, bringing the bow into line with Morveren’s ship. Beatrice gave them a tight-lipped smile. “You might want to hold on to something.”
    Danielle held the ladder up to the poop deck and watched as Morveren’s ship grew closer. She could make out the individual undine standing about the deck, but where had Morveren herself gone? The rigging had long since rotted away, but swaths of seaweed and the broken remains of masts and the upper deck provided plenty of cover.
    One crewman fired his crossbow, but the air spirits swept the bolt away. Talia covered her head and started toward the port rail, her body bent into the wind. Morveren’s ship didn’t even bother to turn away. Either Morveren couldn’t see what was about to happen, or else she didn’t care. Danielle tightened her grip on the ladder.
    The Phillipa rammed Morveren’s ship at an angle, striking the middle of her starboard side. The impact flung Snow to the deck. Danielle dropped to her hands and knees and crawled toward her.
    The ship shook a second time as the Phillipa turned to starboard, aligning with the other ship. The impact had cracked much of Morveren’s hull, but she showed no sign of sinking or taking on water.
    Danielle made her way toward Snow, who was clutching her head.
    “I’m all right,” Snow said, shoving Danielle away. “Go, but be careful. All of those souls, trapped and angry and lost . . . I don’t know what it will do to her.”
    “Aside from making her stronger?” Danielle asked.
    “Well, yes.” Snow pushed her hair back from her face. She had lost her hat during the collision. “I’ll do what I can to help from here.”
    Varisto stomped past, running toward the rail. Both ships were pressed together, but the rounded shape of the hulls left a significant gap between the two decks. Now the other ship tried to pull away, but Hephyra and Beatrice kept the Phillipa tight beside her.
    Danielle unfastened her cloak and hurried after Varisto. Talia had already crossed onto the other ship. Danielle could see her fighting two of Morveren’s undine.
    “I hate sailing,” Varisto muttered. He placed one foot on the rail and leaped, crashing to the deck and drawing his weapon. Bellowing, he launched himself at the nearest undine.
    Another crewman followed, only to be knocked back by a sudden gust of wind. His screams were cut off as he dropped between the ships.
    Danielle looked down at the gap. Already Morveren was pulling away, and it looked as though fewer than ten people had made the jump.
    “Here!” Talia kicked her second opponent in the knee and tossed her aside, then used a knife to cut a length of seaweed from the wreck. She grabbed one end and tossed it toward Danielle.
    Though wet and slippery, the plant felt strong enough. Danielle coiled it around her wrist twice, prayed, and jumped.
    Talia pulled, yanking Danielle forward as she flew. The wind slammed her down. Even with Talia’s help, she wasn’t going to make it. She braced herself as her body struck the side of the ship hard enough to crack the old wood. At least, she hoped that sound had come from the