The smell of food woke Reyna from her slumber. Her eyes drifted open, and she focused on the steam that came out of a bowl. A groan left her, and she buried her face beneath her pillow. The dreams left her feeling sick to her stomach, and she doubted she could eat anything.
"Come on, Reyna. You must get up," Filinore said. She grabbed the pillow and tore it from Reyna's grasp. Then, she pulled Reyna into a sitting position. "Eat."
"I'm not hungry," Reyna muttered. Filinore grabbed the bowl and held it out towards her. Reyna didn't take it until it was almost shoved into her chest. "Take it back."
"It will make you feel better," Filinore stated. Reyna reluctantly grabbed the spoon and took a few sips of the soup. A warm feeling ran through her body. It tasted like the last homemade meal that Hylla made for them. Reyna didn't even remember what it was, but it lifted her spirits. It only took a few seconds for her mood to come crashing down as she remembered what happened to her sister.
Reyna lowered the bowl and swallowed painfully. Filinore shushed her and lifted the bowl back up. Reyna took a few more spoonfuls of the soup, and she could already feel herself growing stronger. Between sleep and food, she was already feeling better physically. Mentally, she didn't think that wound would ever heal.
"Did you message Isabella?" Reyna questioned. She glanced up at Filinore. A frown came to Filinore's face. "What happened?"
"We cannot message her. The message just won't appear," Filinore answered. "We can send a message to anyone else just fine."
"Do you think the Mistveil is stopping it?" Reyna questioned. She tried to stand, but Filinore stopped her. The soup was shoved back into her hands. Reyna sighed and forced herself to drink the rest of it.
"There is no way that the Mistveil can know where they are," Filinore said. "I sent one of my magic-users with them. Something else is going on."
"That's even more of a reason why I should be out there looking for Isabella," Reyna muttered. Filinore didn't say a word. "I can't just lay around. I have to avenge Hylla."
"We all want to avenge your sister, but how are you going to find Isabella? We do not ever know where they are headed," Filinore said. "The map only leads us to a location that Arke wanted, but it is not the island. Didn't Arke say she would handle it from there?"
"She did, but if I hurry, I can beat them. I can meet them there," Reyna said. She placed the bowl to the side and tried to stand. Filinore helped her. "I will not just lie around while the Mistveil is out there and possibly hunting the others. They have the rod."
"Reyna, calm down," Filinore said. Reyna glared at her. She then looked away and thought of her dream. The founder of the Mistveil was trying to warn her about something, but her mind was still too clouded by grief and anger to think properly.
"I'm going," Reyna said. Filinore gripped her arm, and it felt like it was supposed to be comforting.
"You are," Filinore confirmed. "After you speak to the crew. They must know what happened. I will prepare some gear for you. Everyone is eating dinner. Gillsworth has been recalled. He will be here later, but the majority of the crew is here."
Reyna nodded and looked down. She spoke, "I'll make the announcement after dinner. I just need a few minutes alone."
"I know. Hill and I will gather supplies for you and your Pegasus," Filinore said. She turned and left the room. Reyna carefully reached into her pocket and pulled out the picture of her and her sister. She placed it on the bed along with her coins and Hylla's knife. The book that she took from the Mistveil was placed next to them along with her leather coat.
Reyna grabbed a fresh change of clothes and moved towards the bathroom. She slowly pulled her clothes off and winced as it felt like fresh pain was running through her body. There was a new scar across her stomach from where Kendall had torn the knife across her gut. A new scar was on her chest as well, and she was sure there was a matching one on her back.
A soft sigh left Reyna, and she forced herself to step into the shower. As she turned on the water, she left it to be freezing cold. Reyna closed her eyes and shivered miserably. She wasn't going to find comfort or peace until the entirety of the Mistveil was destroyed.
Her thoughts went back to her sister, and it didn't take long for her tears to mix in with the water that hit her face. In another minute, Reyna was in a crouched position crying miserably into her hands. It didn't matter what she did. All she could do was cry about what happened to her sister.
Reyna needed to push forward. She needed to stay focused. Instead, all she could do was cry her eyes out and wish that she could go back in time. Reyna wished she could take back all of the yelling and arguments. Reyna's cries became worse and worse until she was on the verge of having another panic attack.
Reyna placed both hands to her chest and tried to breathe. After a few minutes, she was able to calm down enough to where it didn't feel like her heart was going to explode out of her chest. She slowly stood and wiped her eyes.
All she could do was push forward. She had to kill the Mistveil and bring her sister back. Reyna calmed down enough to finish her shower and dress in her clothes. She carefully braided her hair and stared at her dark eyes in the mirror. Her eyes were still red from crying, and she knew it would be a permanent look.
There would not be a day that went by where Reyna didn't grieve for her sister. She already knew that. All she could do was fulfill her vow and bring her sister back. That was what she had to focus on. A shaky breath left Reyna, and she walked towards her room.
Reyna studied the set of armor that was on the bed. She carefully put it on and slipped her leather coat over it. After placing her coins and the book in her pocket, she carefully grabbed the picture. Reyna studied her sister's face and almost broke down again. Instead, she took a shaky breath and put it in her pocket.
Reyna grabbed the duffel bag that had been left for her. A look inside showed some changes of clothes, food, medicine, and other supplies. There were two extra cutlasses on the bed. Reyna carefully sheathed them and grabbed Hylla's knife. She strapped it to her leg and let out another shaky breath. A knock on the door caused her to turn.
"Come in," Reyna said after a few moments. Hill walked into the room and studied her. There was a sad look on his face. "I'm coming."
"I can take your bag," Hill said softly. Reyna tossed it towards him, and he caught it. The two left the room, and their walk was mostly silent. It wasn't until they were almost at the cafeteria that Hill looked at her. "How are you holding up, kid?"
"I'm going to kill every member of the Mistveil," Reyna answered. She walked into the cafeteria and instantly felt the somber mood from within. All of the pirates were eating, but there were no lively conversations, yelling, or even arm-wrestling matches. They acted as if they had just left a funeral.
Reyna made it to the front of the room and looked around. She studied all of her pirates. Reyna could name every pirate that she saw. She had spoken to all of them at least a few times. They trusted her and Hylla with their lives. Reyna had to fight for her crew and Hylla.
It didn't take long for the room to turn dead quiet. Every pirate watched her. They all shared grim looks as if they already knew. Reyna wondered if they would accept her as their new fleet captain or would rather have someone like Isabella do it. In the end, it didn't matter to her. Reyna would bring her sister back. She had to.
"I'm not here to make a speech," Reyna said. Her voice was scratchy and raw, and she cleared her throat. "The Mistveil pirates attacked my sister and me. They attacked our ship, and they killed everyone on the ship. I was the only one to survive, thanks to the gods."
"Kendall was a traitor. She poisoned half of our crew and helped slaughter the rest. They killed my sister in front of me," Reyna said. Her voice broke, and she took shaky, deep breaths. The pirates around her broke out in whispers. Reyna slowly looked up. "They killed Hylla. In return, I am going to kill them. I am going to murder each and every one of those fucking pieces of shit."
"You are going to stay here and hold down the fort. The Mistveil may come here, and if they do, you are going to make them pay," Reyna said. "I am going to help Isabella take the demigods to the island. We will fulfill our mission there and then turn our wrath on the Mistveil. After I kill them, I am bringing my sister back," Reyna said. Her next words were under her breath. "Somehow."
"Hill, Filinore, and Gillsworth will be in charge here. Listen to them," Reyna said. She let out another shaky breath. "When I am back, I will be soaked in the blood of the Mistveil. That I promise."
Reyna didn't wait to see their reactions. She just turned and left the cafeteria. It was only a few moments before Hill and Filinore were leading her outside. They made it to Scipio, and Reyna smiled. Her Pegasus looked much better.
"Thank you, buddy, I'm sorry for pushing you so hard," Reyna whispered. She hugged Scipio, and he neighed. "I won't do that again. We'll go your pace this time. I promise."
"Reyna, I know we haven't always seen eye to eye, but try to stay safe. For Gillsworth's sake. He would be broken up without you," Hill said. Reyna smiled slightly. Hill hugged her. Reyna hugged him back for a few moments before pulling away. "Stay safe. Please."
"I will," Reyna promised. Hill reached down at his side and grabbed his holster and gun. He handed them to Reyna. "I can't."
"Six shots. Six Mistveil bastards," Hill said. "If I can't be there to help you, use this. I added a few more bullets to your duffel bag."
"Thank you," Reyna said. Hill nodded and clasped her shoulder. Filinore moved in front of her and gently ran her fingers across Reyna's face and nose. Reyna almost recoiled as she felt something warm on her face, and upon smelling iron, she tensed. Her mind went back to the ship, and she closed her eyes tightly.
"May the gods watch over you," Filinore whispered, and she spoke under her breath. It was in an odd language that Reyna didn't know, but she had heard Filinore speak it multiple times before. "Return to us safely, little one. We cannot lose you and your sister in the same week."
"You won't," Reyna promised. The tow captains let go of her, and Reyna took her duffel bag from Hill. "Thank you two. I will message you when I find Isabella. If the Mistveil tries anything, let me know as soon as possible."
"Understood captain," Hill said. Reyna's eyes moved away, but she forced herself to nod. She turned and tied her duffel bag to her Pegasus. The task ahead seemed impossible, but she had to do it. Reyna would destroy the Mistveil and avenge her sister, but first, she would find the demigods and help them finish their quest.
