Hey Descendants Fam,
We decided to post early!
This is the final chapter of Book Three: Cracks in the Mask.
Keep an eye out for the intro chapter of Book Four: Defending the Mask. I'm me, and I like to get things set up before we start posting the story.
Also...
Please remember we love you guys.
No matter what Twisted says at the end.
-Dark-
P.S. A shout out from everyone who's made it this far would be amazing.
She's coming.
Are you staying?
I think ten senses are better than five. I'll be right below the surface, where I usually stay.
He sighs when she slips back, not at the distance, but from how normal that felt.
Her being just below the surface.
It was odd how much it made him feel like his old self. Like a shade of grey balancing between her light and his darkness. It bothered him as much as he was relieved by it.
Huh.
His eyes narrow. Was this how he survived so long? Because she always was at his back, like a second instinct? He shakes his head. That wasn't important right now.
Self- Selves? Eh. Either way, reflection could wait.
He sweeps the room before focusing on the fairy as she glides into the room.
Finally.
He was dying to know what the fuck was she up to. What had her suddenly changing her attitude?
Cause whatever it was, it certainly wasn't fucking good.
When she passes his rafter he slips down, landing quietly on the pads of his feet behind her.
He grins when she doesn't react.
Instead of announcing himself, he falls in step behind her, proud of himself for once again proving he could sneak up on people without them noticing.
He follows silently, waiting for her acknowledgment.
But even he's surprised at how long he manages to remain unseen, trailing after her as she fusses around, kicking the furniture in the dusty room she'd led them to.
How the fuck could she not tell he was here when his family always aware of where he was? His eyes narrow.
Ugh.
How the fuck did they always know?
Before he can clear his throat to end his misery she bends over, grunting as she slides an old TV on a stack of moldy boxes closer to the couch.
She lets out a screech as she backs into him, instantly whipping up and around up to glare into his face.
Ha!
"Sup mom?" He lifts a brow with a shit-eating grin.
"You!" Maleficent presses her hand to her chest before her nose scrunches up in dark amusement, "Oh you little- You."
He snorts, as he moves to center the TV in front of the couch. "So, what we watchin'?"
Maleficent gives him a wicked grin, "You know what kiddo, you want to hang around and find out you're more-" She gestures grandly to her setup, "-than welcome." She snorts as she rubs her hands together before she turns and continues fussing over the room.
He tilts his head to the side before he shrugs and jumps on the couch to perch on the back of it. He eyes her curiously as he takes out his dagger to start absently cleaning his nails.
What the fuck was going on? It wasn't like the Mistress of Evil to offer anyone, let alone him, to anything. His eyes flit from her to his surroundings. What was she planning? And why so fucking chipper? It was unnerving. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so paranoid around her, if ever. His eyes narrow, huh? Had he ever felt paranoid around an OV before?
Never for himself, he finally settles on.
He'd been paranoid around Ursula only because of how the squid treated her daughter.
He tilts his head to the side as he adds Gil and Harry to that OV.
Deez when they were around Hades together.
Mal with this particular OV.
Carlos with Cruella.
Evie with Evil Queen.
The Urchins. Especially the urchins. They were fucked with any of the OVs.
He wasn't sure he personally feared any of them so much as worried about what they would do to his friends.
Or his sister.
Damn it. Hadn't he learned anything about the folly of pride from his time with their father? Pride goeth before the fall or some shit, right? He shakes his head. Dumb ass.
No wonder Uma started calling him Problem Child.
Maleficent snorts when she turns back to him, but doesn't comment.
He was not liking this game.
"Guests have arrived, Mistress." A Goblin announces from the doorway.
Guests? His eyes narrow, but he does his best to maintain his nonchalance.
"Oh Maleficent, I simply loath what you- What is IT doing here!?"
Oh. He snorts. Them. He lets out a breath of relief.
"Oh Crue," Evil Queen smiles faintly before she smooths her face back out, "Obviously our fearless leader is letting the cockroach in on the plan."
His eyes sweep over her with disdain. "Packin' on the pounds there EQ."
Evil Queen lets out an elegant, though thoroughly indignant snort, "Hardly." She turns to show off her silhouette, "Someone took all the food in my hovel and it has been more than inconvenient to resupply."
He snickers. "Must be the loose skin then."
"Loose skin." Jafar claps as he laughs, "Because you were fat until you were forced on a no-food diet."
"Sad man gets it." He grins at the way Jafar's face falls before he turns to Cruella and looks her up and down, "Love what you've done with your look. Fur was so last year." He deadpans.
"It was." Cruella agrees haughtily, "And you wouldn't believe the maintenance required for proper care. I mean really, who has time for that?" She turns to the small stuffed dog on her shoulder, "Not me-" She squeaks the toy, "Certainly not me, right baby?" She cackles maniacally.
Oh, that thing was so going next he scowls.
"Oh pipe down idiots, we've got the beginning of-" Maleficent's voice turns sing-song, "the destruction of Auradon to watch!"
He lifts his brow. "Bout fuckin' time."
What the fuck was she going on about?
What destruction could she possibly be capable of?
"Oh yes!" Cruella claps her hands excitedly.
"Did you guys get the stuff?" Maleficent rubs her hands together as she eyes her fellow OVs.
Jafar nods, "I was able to abscond it." He grins as he walks over to the kitchenette, pulls something from his bag, and pops it in the microwave.
His eyes narrow. What the fuck? Was it a weapon of some kind? No that couldn't be it. Metal exploded in those things… Unless they were desperate enough to try to charge something magical with electricity.
"Excellent." Maleficent grins.
He startles at the first pop before jumping to his feet, both daggers in hand as he glares at Jafar. "What the fuck is that!" He glares stepping back as more pops follow. Noting the way Cruella and Evil Queen step away from him as he takes the defensive.
Good.
A satisfied smirk slowly lights up Jafar's face, "Popping corn makes you this jumpy huh?" He snickers.
Maleficent rolls her eyes before he dodges her attempt to whack him on the back of his head, "Put those away." She snaps, "Today is a day to celebrate my return to rule-"
"Our return." Evil Queen corrects her with a titter.
"Yes," Maleficent waves the correction away, "Of course, our return. Our return to rule. Our day of revenge." She turns to Cruella, "And you? You get your part of this?"
"Of course Darling," Cruella rolls her wrist before she turns to pull a bottle of liquor from her purse.
His eyes narrow. How the fuck did she get that? He was pretty sure he'd stolen her whole stash for the Pirates. The rapid sound of popping pulls his attention.
"-luckily" Curella huffs, "I have a few loyal Ogres down at the spa."
Ah. That explained-
He blinks, suddenly drooling at the salty, oily scent permeating his nose. He looks around in confusion before he registers the ding of the microwave.
Were they cooking something? He knew celebrations usually had food.
His eyes narrow. What did they know that he-
Damn it!
He lowers his blades as he watches Jafar curiously as he pours out faintly yellow balls of something puffy into a bowl.
Distracting puffs, that smelled delicious.
"And I procured, at great pains no less, some simple cheeses and fruits. I felt it was my obligation to bring a little class to this soiree."
He glares. Who the fuck had given the bitch food?
Fucking workarounds.
"Excellent!" Maleficent claps before she turns the TV, "You're going to love this." She smirks wickedly as she looks up at him.
"That's nice." He nods absently, his eyes quickly slipping back to Jafar.
"Little fly, I see I have piqued your interest in my wares." The man gestures to the bowl in his hand.
"Kinda." He admits with a slow nod, preoccupied with the bowl.
"I suppose you would miss the giant spider on the kid's back." Maleficent rolls her eyes as she slams a remote across the palm of her hand before she points it at the TV.
Cruella lets out a maniacal laugh as she looks him over. "You really have a thing for pests Darling."
"How could you allow your, whatever that is you're associating with, to have such poor taste ." Evil Queen titters as she eyes his dagger carefully retreating slightly.
Maleficent rolls her eyes, "Like I have any control over his likes."
He puts one of his daggers away as he walks over and jumps onto the back of the sofa behind Jafar.
"Now, shall we negotiate the price of a handful?" Jafar fans the scent towards him.
He lifts a brow, as he points the dagger at the man threateningly. "Bowl now."
Jafar glares as he pulls away, "No, this is not how haggling works."
"Sad Man, this is haggling. I could just stab you and take it, but I don't want blood ruining it." That or you know, having the old washed up man's death on his conscience.
"Spider! Put the damn blades away!" Maleficent snaps over her shoulder before she groans in frustration and thrusts the remote into Cruella's hands.
"Yes, listen to your mommy dearest child." Cruella chuckles as she settles by him, unconcerned as she turns to fiddle with the remote, "My Carlos would never dare to act in such a manner. So rude."
He glares as his mouth opens to retort before he's interrupted.
"Oh please, your Carlos jumped into that car." Maleficent snickers before she walks over with five glasses. "Jafar, go make more damn popcorn." She says haughtily as she pulls the bowl away, and turns up to him, "Dagger away, or none for you." She chirps as she pops a piece in her mouth.
He shifts, feeling torn before he sighs and slides the dagger into his hoodie pocket.
"See, how hard was that?" She holds the bowl closer.
"Bite me." He grumbles as he plucks the bowl from her grasp. He takes one and pops it in his mouth "Fuck." He groans as it melts on his tongue and pulls the bowl closer to him protectively. He takes a handful and shoves so much into his mouth his cheeks puff like a greedy rat. He was totally stealing the rest of this from Jafar.
"So, all joking aside of course, why would you claim this-" Evil Queen turns her nose up as she gestures to him over her shoulder, "Spider as your child?"
Maleficent chuckles, "Oh, reasons." She moves to plop on the couch in front of him.
But before she sits she knocks his hood back and he finds himself staring into her mold green eyes.
"Suph?" He asks around another mouthful of popcorn.
"Just as I thought. What a pretty shade of green." She clicks her tongue as she looks him over with narrowed eyes, "Just the way a certain creepy priest likes them, though I thought Frollo preferred his green-eyed gypsies to be girls."
He spits the half-chewed popcorn out all over a disgusted Evil Queen as he chokes and sputters.
What?
How?
When?
What the fuck?
When!?
"AAAAHHHH!" Evil Queen screams as she immediately tries brushing it off.
Maleficent levels a satisfied smile at him, "But we'll just keep that our little secret, for now." She lightly pats his cheek, though each pat grows a little sharper, "Won't we."
He can't help the low growl as he yanks the hood back over his head.
How the fuck had she figured so much out? His stomach drops.
How much did she know? Was this Senior's doing? He wouldn't put it past the god. Fuck know's he would've gotten a kick out of her reaction. Or had he just not given her enough credit? "Like fuck we will." He finally snaps.
"Oh?" Maleficent tilts her head, nearly poking the food-covered Evil Queen in the eye with her horns, "What would you prefer I do with my knowledge then? Share it with everyone?"
His eyes narrow, "Fuckin' try me and lose a tongue."
Maleficent snorts, "You're the one that said no to my offer." She points out with a taunting smile as Jafar walks back over with a fresh bowl of popping corn.
His eye twitches. "Oh, suck my dick. You know what I meant." He snaps, ignoring the curious looks of the other three OV's.
Fucking wonderful. He quells a shudder. What the fuck was he going to do if that shit got out? He quells a shudder.
Fuck him for playing so damn much. Seriously, how the fuck did she figure it out though? What had he done to give himself away?
A cackle is his only answer before she turns around and snatches the remote from Cruella, "For fucks sake, we're going to miss it!" She slams the remote in her palm.
Cruella chuckles as she takes the glasses and pours a dark liquid into them, "Worthless technology, no wonder it never improves."
He snorts, rolling his eyes before he hops off the back of the couch and stands in front of her, shoving the bowl of popcorn at her. "Mine." He snaps before he walks over to the tv.
He looks around the room for a moment before his eyes land on an outlet.
Idiots.
He turns, glaring when he catches her pop a piece in her mouth gleefully. He lets out an annoyed sigh before he walks over and snatches the bowl back and climbs over her to resume his seat on the back of the couch. Satisfied when she lets out an 'oomph' of pain when his knee slams into her on the way.
Good. Stupid cunt. He grins at her glare as he settles back on his perch.
Maleficent pouts up at him, glaring before she turns back to the TV. "Finally!" She grins as it flairs on.
The four OVs scoot to the edge of the couch, intent on the TV as they share their pillaged snacks.
What the fuck were they waiting for? He glares at the TV as he shoves another fistful of the salty puffs in his mouth.
He tilts his head at the people lined up outside a fucking church like they were excited to be there. A snarl pulls at his lips despite himself.
The fuckery was this?
He looks down at the OVs with a frown. Why the fuck were they celebrating this of all things? What were they waiting for? Literally sitting on the edge of their seats.
His eyes narrow as he turns his attention back to the tv and frowns and why did this Fireside Chat look so different from the others?
"We're live at Prince Benjamin's official ceremony where he will soon be sworn in as the Heir Apparent of these the United Kingdoms of Auradon. So far the guests, Royal and Common alike, are still getting situated inside the chapel in anticipation of this momentous occasion. I gotta say, after all the rumors and speculation that's surrounded Prince Benjamin's first decree, many are showing unwavering support of this step in Prince Benjamin's journey from young Prince to future ruling King. But now, the moment you're all actually waiting for, let's hear from the red carpet where all the fashion action is."
"Thank you."A beautiful woman smiles brightly, "I'm Snow White, bringing you up to date with the latest who's who here at one of the biggest events of the year. And just as important, who are they wearing."
Evil Queen growls as she takes a fistful of pretzels and throws them at the TV. "That little Harlot, the audacity of her. Plastering her face all over Auradon like the desperate whore she is."
"I don't know," He pops another handful in his mouth, "Looks pretty damn hot ta me."
"Ah!" Evil Queen gasps, "Please, any idiot with a coin to their name can look gorgeous in Auradon. And she's definitely had work done."
He snickers, "Not enough coin to make you look like that."
"Little Spider, for the right price anyone can look like that in Auradon."
"They have makeup and magic." Evil Queen rolls her eyes before she gasps again and smooths her face out.
"It would definitely take a fuck ton of that to make those wrinkles out." He lifts his brow at her.
"Shut up! Look, there's the wand!" Maleficent sighs, "Oh how I want that wand. One bippity of that beauty could tear this fucking barrier down and free us important people." She taps her lip thoughtfully, "Except that ridiculous god." She snickers
"Oh?" He frowns, "And how exactly is Cruella getting off? You givin' her a lift?"
"I said important people." Maleficent chuckles.
Cruella makes a noise of indignant protest.
"Fair." He snorts.
"Oh my- Is that?" Jafar narrows his eyes before he scoots closer to the TV, "That's-"
"MAL!" Maleficent cackles. "With the prince!" She pumps her fist in victory, "I knew my kiddo wouldn't let me down. Look at her, spelling her first prince! That's my little mini-me of evil."
"Did you- did you hear? Her dress! Her dress. My Evilette!" Evil Queen flutters her hands before she presses them to her chest, "She made a dress! She's sure to land an impressed royal husband with that fine work! I can almost see all the mirrors in the mother-in-law suite now."
He looks between them before he leans forward and plucks Maleficent's drink from her hand and downs it. "Anything in the world and you want mirrors? Way to aim low there, EQ."
"SHHHH!" Maleficent flaps her sleeves in his face, "Shut the fuck up."
He shakes his head before he leans down and grabs Cruella's glass next. Were they actually expecting the core to give up the freedom of Auradon? Dumb. He grins as he dodges Cruella's attempt to get her glass back and downs it.
"Oh, I see her plan. Look where she gets to stand during the ceremony." Maleficent taps her steepled fingers to her lips, "Smart. But then again, she had to get something from me."
Jafar chuckles as he rubs his hands together greedily. "My Jay is robbing those idiots blind right now, I just know it."
"Oh to get a puppy souvenir." Cruella sighs as she pets the stuffed dog on her shoulder.
At that he reaches down to grab her 'baby' "You're right, it does feel pretty fuckin' good."
"Hey! I demand you take your filthy hands off the baby right now!" Cruella screeches.
"Will you two shut up, or the moment the barrier falls I'll shut you up permanently."
He snorts, "You mean if the barrier falls. With the way you four have treated your kids, what makes you think they wouldn't just take it for themselves and rule that shit hole, exactly? The only one of you that's probably safe is Sad Man. And that's only cause he's been afraid Jay'd beat his ass for the last several years."
"Jay and I have a mutual respect for trade and commerce." Jafar corrects with a hand to his chest.
He lifts a brow, "Is that what you tell yourself?"
"SHH! I can't hear!" Maleficent snaps before she pops Jafar in the back of the head, "Shut up!" She scoots to the very edge of the couch.
He smirks as he picks up the forgotten remote, but his eyes narrow at the missing buttons. Huh. His thumb hovers over one of the few remaining ones before he hits it.
"Come on girl, grab the damn thing before they shut it back up." Maleficent grumbles before she reaches back and snatches the remote away from him, "Knock it the fuck off."
"What'evs." He shrugs before he starts tossing the stuffed toy from one hand to the other. The look on Cruella's face was priceless as her eyes followed it.
"Oh my Universe, we fucking get it!" Maleficent presses her fingers to her temples, "He swears to be ah good fucking Heir. And will do good. And be good and blah blah blah blah good blah!"
"Patience, Mom." He snorts. "Wait for it. She's good for it."
"Well of course she is, so long as she doesn't blow it." Maleficent starts drumming her fingers against her lips, "This is just- Ugh, this is taking forever, just grab the damn thing!"
"Mal doesn't fuck up jack shit when she wants it." He snorts. "Question is, does she want you?"
"Pfft." Maleficent waves him off, "Just you wait, she'll get me that wand."
"Oh, I have no doubt she'll get the wand." He grins as he pops another mouthful of popcorn in his mouth.
"And free me."
"Us." Evil Queen corrects with a snap.
"Seriously Queenie?" He snorts, "E clearly didn't get her wit from you if you think the mistress here is actually-"
"Quiet!" Maleficent jumps to her feet, "They're finishing the ceremony! It's now or never! C'mon kiddo, don't let me down."
"Fairy Godmother seems to be putting it away." Jafar quips.
"Ten, nine, eight, seven-" He growls, eyes widen as a hand shoots out from the edge of the screen and grabs the wand.
He drops the bowl of popcorn as he pulls out his daggers.
No fucking way! Mal wasn't that much of a fucking cunt. There was no way she'd do something this stupid.
"Hah!" Maleficent cheers gleefully, "I knew she wouldn't-"
A loud peal of a deep bell drowns out all sound before they stagger as the ground trembles and shakes violently under their feet.
"Wha-" Jafar stands up and looks around in alarm.
He grips onto his daggers unsure what was going to happen next. What the fuck?
"The barrier!" Evil Queen grins as she holds up a hand as if she were feeling the tension in the air, "The barrier is down! Or weakened! We're free!"
"At last." Maleficent cackles as she throws her hand out, "Dragon eye!" She demands, her eyes flashing acid green before the staff in the corner flies to her hand. She closes her eyes and smiles before she turns to him, "And now, about all those pesky, little annoyances you caused." She slowly levels the end of the staff at him.
His mouth goes dry as he holds up his daggers pointlessly. His heart slams against his chest as blood rushes to his ears.
The sudden burst of adrenaline floods his senses as he rushes at her before he can fully process the situation.
Like fuck he was going out like a bitch! Not again. Never again. He wasn't going to let himself be captured and tortured by her.
"Noooo! No-no-no-no-noooo!" Jafar screams, his voice high with panic before black and red smoke surrounds him.
When it clears, he's gone.
"Wonder where he's off to in such a hurry." Maleficent snorts as she arcs her staff, sending him tumbling to the corner. "But I should follow suit. Places to be you know." She winks at him before she dips with her staff, letting out another rolling cackle before she vanishes in a swirl of black and green smoke.
"Maleficent!" Evil Queen shakes her fist at the air before the ground shakes under their feet again, knocking the two OVs down to his level.
Fuck! He growls as he carefully inches up the wall.
"Is this supposed to happen Queenie?" Cruella whines as she pushes herself up to all fours.
"Nothing like the barrier has ever been done before, how should I know?" Evil Queen rolls her eyes, bracing herself as the ground shakes again. "But this doesn't seem like a good thing."
"No fucking kidding!" He spits out as he holds on to the corners of the wall to keep himself standing.
Shit. He scowls. This was not fucking good. Was this rumbling happening all over? His eyes widen. What did this do to water?
He grimaces as he finds himself flying out of the room, his thoughts suddenly shifting to his family.
Their safety.
But that didn't seem to be where his feet were taking him as the sky swirls and darkens with angry clouds.
The wind picks up so fiercely it knocks his hood down.
Fuckfuckfuckfuck!
He grimaces as green lightning flashes, lighting everything around him in a sickly hue.
The percussive sound of thunder crackles above him as the ground rumbles and trembles angrily beneath him, sending him into a wall of a building.
DIZZY!
Faustina's scream echoes through his ears painfully.
Everyone will be okay. It's fine. Just the ground shaking. It's just the ground.
Nothing bad could happen to the ship… right?
MOVE!
He doesn't question it as he pushes off the wall, just barely making it away as a piece of the building hits the ground where he'd been standing.
His eyes widen as he watches it crumble in a mixture of fear and awe.
FIND DIZZY NOW T!
His feet hit the pavement at the demand, the thought of the Tiny Princess trapped beneath wreckage spurring him on as he knocks, pushes, and leaps his way through the people rushing to get out of the city.
Away from the chaos.
Away from collapsing buildings and rolling concrete.
He pushes through the screaming crowd, his only thought on the Tiny Princess in danger at the Curl up and Dye.
What the fuck!? "Batten the Hatches and secure the mainstay!" Uma shouts out over sharp winds as the rain stings her face. Her hands tighten around the helm as she does her best to keep an even keel.
What the fuck had happened. She growls as she plants her feet on the deck, the helm fighting her as she struggles to hear James over the roar of the waves pounding against her ship. It had been sunny not two minutes ago, and now? Now the air felt charged with the energy crackling over her skin.
And that weird noise...
"HARRY!" She bellows loudly.
"Keep 'er at an angle Cap'n!" James calls over his shoulders. "We gotta cut through!"
She swallows as her knuckles go white around the handles of the helm. "Do you think she'll hold!" She hollers back, wishing her voice sounded stronger. He would know better than the rest of them. He'd helped T patch The Revenge back to sailing condition. A streak of lightning dances across the sky, casting an eerie green glow around them.
"We'll know soon-" A blinding flash of light quickly followed by a crash of thunder cuts him off.
She jumps when a hand clamps over her shoulder.
"I can help redirect a lot of these forces Captain," Yensid lifts his other hand, his fingers curled above his palm like he was trying to wrest something from the air, "but I'll need help to stay steady."
Her eyes widen when she feels something gathering in his palm and she has to force herself to turn to James, "Think you can keep the old man steady."
"Aye Captain." James nods before he connects their lead lines and braces himself, holding on to Yensid's shoulder.
"Cap'n!" Harry sloshes to a stop by her side, his hands already on counter handles of the wheel when she nearly loses her fight against the rapid currents fighting her rudder.
"Thank fuckin' gods!" She groans as the ship drops out from under her, sending bats flying like mad in her stomach.
"Aye," Harry chirps, looking way more excited than she thought anyone in this situation should. He was nearly thrumming with pure delight at navigating through another storm.
If only this was just another storm, but everything from the way the air felt against her skin to the way it tasted on her tongue told her it was different. "What the fuck is happening?"
"Barrier." Yensid holds his other hand out in front of him as the wind whips the lengths of his grey hair into his face, "And the isle is not responding well within." He adds with a furrowed brow as he concentrates on something in the distance.
"Hard starboard!" James shouts.
She and Harry struggle to turn the helm. She lets out a breath of relief when it finally gives. Both spin the wheel as quickly as possible without a word.
"Good, now keep her steady. Nose to the wave."
"Wave!?" Uma blinks before she looks up to find a massive wave building against the side of the barrier, "What the fuck!" Had James gone mad? She grits her teeth even as she turns as instructed.
Sea God's damn it all. If this was how rough the sea was-
She turns, desperately trying to see through the sheets of rain. If this was what they were dealing with, what the fuck was happening on the isle?
Deez, Gil, T. Were they okay?
Her heart jumps to her throat as her jaw clenches.
They had to make it through this, they didn't have a choice.
She needed to know her family was okay.
Needed to not lose Harry to the sea she loved so much.
Fuck. She might not know where T was, but she knew Gil and Deez were at the cove.
At the cove, possibly facing a wave like this. Her heart thuds painfully in her chest. Fuck, she couldn't lose any of them to the sea.
She'd never be able to forgive it.
The sea couldn't take her family. She couldn't let it.
She couldn't!
That didn't stop her knees from quaking, or her fingers from going numb. It didn't stop the sudden lurch in her belly or the pounding of her blood in her ears.
"Hold on tight!" James shouts to the crew. "This is gonna suck!"
Harry grins as he braces his body against the helm to keep the wheel from spinning. "It be like them stories." He laughs, "We be sailin' inta hell Uma."
Great. Now she could see the insanity in her first mate.
Why the fuck was he so giddy to be facing down a wave that threatened to block out the sun?
She swallows hard.
"Uma?" Harry's brow furrows as he watches her.
"Aye?"
He bites his lip before he carefully reaches a hand across the helm to cover her white-knuckled grip, "It jus' be a new adventure for Baby Girl ta be tellin'." He chuckles confidently.
Her eyes widen as the wave swells higher. It didn't even look real. "Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck."
She grips onto the handles for everything her family was worth as she holds her breath. Some detached part of her mind appreciated Harry's vice-like grip around her hand.
"Hold her steady!" James bellows, "Don't be losin' control of her now!"
She meets Harry's eyes before they both nod, widening their stances as they brace themselves.
The crashing wave swallows her scream as it breaks over the bow. The spray alone tried to force her back.
Her heart stops as time seems to still.
"HARRY!" She screams as the wave reaches them.
The powerful, deafening surge hits them hard.
She struggles to maintain her grip on the slick wood of the helm as her feet are ripped out from under her.
A punch to her stomach knocks the wind from her lungs, keeping her from screaming out again.
She was used to being in the water, but this?
This was fucking hell.
Violent.
Consuming.
As if the Sea Gods were pissed at them for daring to sail.
She'd never felt blind in the water, but her entire world was nothing but greys, blacks, and random flairs of greens.
Her nose burned from the saltwater forcing its way down her nose, the taste coating her tongue as it stung the back of her raw throat.
She felt out of place. The world was strangely silent compared to how utterly loud the thunder and crash of the wave had been only moments ago.
Why was she still surrounded by water?
Her eyes squeeze shut as she prays. For them. For Deez. For Gil. For T. For the ship to hold.
For them to make it through this.
For her to see her family again.
The family she spent years piecing together. Years she spent holding them together.
For the second time, her life plays out before her eyes.
The first time she cradled Deez in her arms.
Comforting Gil after his brothers got a hold of him.
Holding Harry as he shook and fought her through his withdrawals.
Watching T stroll into the Chip Shop with a shit-eating grin.
The trust in Faustina's eyes when she'd woken up the first time.
NO!
Nonononono!
Her tears mix with the sea dripping from her hair. She felt so betrayed by her refuge.
The sea that once called to her with promises of freedom was now engulfing them, threatening to rip her entire life to shreds.
DEEZ!
GIL!
T!
For the love of any god fucking listening, please let them survive!
Don't take away my family!
She screams in frustration, the sound muted and raw from the ache in her chest.
He looks up, wiping sweat from his forehead before his eyes sweep the cave for Deez.
He smiles as his eyes settle on her, pouting as she glares at the page in front of her. Her nose crinkled in distaste. He wasn't sure if she was writing or working on algebra, but either way the sight made his chest warm.
He couldn't count the number of times his silver-haired beauty had worn that face. It usually meant she was stuck on something.
Her eyes shift back and forth over the book in front of her as she works through the problem.
She was so fascinating.
He loved seeing her mind at work, loved watching her process.
The way she'd absently blow a chunk of errant hair out of her face instead of taking the time to tuck it behind her ear.
How focused she could get. How dedicated she was.
How she pensively tapped the end of her pencil to her lips.
He walks over to her with a silence that would make T proud before he gently lowers himself to the ground next to her.
His eyes scan the page, noting the numbers and letters mixed in a mess of equations.
Algebra then.
He nudges her shoulder and grins when she looks up at him with her baby blues. "Hey Treasure," He nuzzles her hair, "it looks like you could use a break." He chuckles as he pulls her onto his lap. "And as your eraser, I can't have you losing to those thoughts." He kisses her forehead.
A smile brightens her face, "Was I shouting at the page?" She shifts to face him better, wrapping her arms around his neck as she settles, "Cause I was in my head…"
"Just short of." He chuckles again before he leans down to kiss her deeply, his lips moving over hers softly.
The taste of her lips.
The scent of her mixed with paper and hot metal, the cooling sweet smell of peppermint in her hair.
The way she seemed to fit so perfectly in his arms.
A sense of masculine pride floods him as he protects her, even if it was from herself.
His Treasure.
Their Baby Girl.
His best friend.
The girl he could literally set aflame with his passion. His touch.
"Oh, are we distracting each other? I don't mind-" she tosses her closed workbook over her shoulder with a satisfied smile, "But I know how much you want to get the daggers done."
"I can work on them in a bit. I just want to enjoy your company for a while." He tenderly tucks the stubbon strand of hair behind her ear, using the motion as an excuse to brush against her cheek. "Unless you'd rather jump back into math."
Her eyes narrow as she purses her lips, "Funny."
He lets out a belly laugh and nuzzles his cheek against her silky hair.
Her gaze slowly softens and she shakes her head before she huffs, "It's not even the math that's bothering me, well, it's a part of it, but not, you know…" She huffs again.
He pulls away sober at the concern in her tone. "I don't, but I'd like to."
She smiles as she tilts her head to look up at him, "I'm still working on how I get things. Like, trying to write down the steps." She pulls her arms back to make air quotes, "Show the work. But I, I get lost when I try to follow my thoughts."
He frowns. "I get getting lost in thought." He takes her hand, dwarfing it in his as he rubs the back of it softly. "Especially when it comes to things I can't grasp. But I know from experience if you keep workin' on it eventually it'll click. I'm not going to lie," His lips tug into a grin, "Just looking at those problems scare me. So I can't imagine what it's like to actually be facing down that beast." He slowly shakes his head. "You're going to have to show me how to wrangle it once I catch up to you."
"It's kind of fun. It's everything you learn in math," Her nose crinkles adorably, "but you have to remember the steps. And the letters are just numbers you don't know yet. So, it's like a puzzle."
"The only kind of puzzle I like is you."
"False," Deez laughs, "You like puzzles."
"Not math ones." He corrects. "And adding letters just looks intimidating." He pokes her forehead, adoring the way she giggles in response.
"I promise I'm making it look a lot harder than it is, look-" She bends back to scoop up her tossed workbook, "Here," she pulls a pencil from behind her ear and writes, "Just tell me what that looks like."
He takes the book as he focuses on the problem.
Five minus B equals three.
"Huh." He quirks his head. "Well I mean, it looks like subtraction."
Obviously. He sighs. That was dumb.
"That's all it is. At least in this math problem."
"So what, do you subtract three from five then? To get the letter B?"
Deez grins, "You do subtract three from five, which is two. So B equals two. The letter was just a trick to make you do the math differently. Letters just want you to figure out what number it is."
He frowns as he studies her. "Oh." That didn't seem too scary. "Like math wasn't already tricky." He sighs.
"But don't worry, it doesn't start doing this until you've got the rest of it down first." Deez smiles as she tosses the book aside again, "I think that's all algebra really is, putting all the rules you've learned to use to solve problems." She huffs, "Which is kind of like life."
He can't help the rumbling chuckle that spills from his lips. "You look so flustered right now. It's adorable." He lifts her hand to kiss the center of her palm. "But, yeah. If that's how math works, it definitely describes life. You won't get very far if you don't learn your lessons." He nuzzles her.
"And I'm trying." Deez sighs as she nuzzles him back, "I really appreciate the lesson you gave me."
His brow furrows. Lesson he-
Oh.
He feels his cheeks flush. He'd been so sensitive that day. Hurt. All because he didn't understand when Deez had been trying to explain her disconnect.
Deez giggles before he feels her hands on his cheeks, "Don't go getting shy on me now."
"I'm not getting shy," He pouts, "I'm embarrassed. I was a real ass that day."
"Wait, what?" Deez blinks up at him, "No, don't say that. You're right. It was, I was being a pain. I shut down because I couldn't think, or explain something, and it hurt you guys."
"You weren't being a pain Deez." He shakes his head. "You were just as frustrated, stressed, and hurt yourself. You just didn't know how to say it, maybe didn't even realize it." He stops when she presses her hands to his lips.
"My point is-" She grins up at him before she pulls her hands back, "I took a lot of what we talked about and, and realized I still had a lot of work to do. Because yeah, I didn't understand how I felt or how to talk about it. So, I've been working more on that. Showing my work, or my steps. It's still hard, but-" She shrugs, "You were right, it is easier to write it down."
He sits up straighter as he looks down at her. Her words making his chest swell, "Really? I helped you out with learnin' stuff?"
She nods, "That and figuring out how my mind works. Again, you were right, it's hard to fix one without figuring out both."
"Is this what you've been working on around the ship? I thought you were writing."
"Mostly," She bites her lip as her eyes drop, "I haven't really written much since I finished up the notebook and pictures, it gave me more time to work on my steps and, slowing down my thoughts so I can understand them, which has helped make math less overwhelming when I have to show the work. Not working to be perfect has slowed me down," She sighs, "Like, a lot, but I try to remind myself that you think I'm like a missing piece of you and it makes me feel better." She chuckles as she pushes her hair out of her face, "And the rest of our family seems to like me the way I am too."
He sweeps his eyes over her, surprised by the admission.
She'd gotten all that from one conversation? Managed to remember it in the heat of one of the few arguments they had?
It made his heart race, made his face ache with the stretch of his grin.
"It's been a few weeks since you finished that journal." He shakes his head, "You're incredible, you know that? You never cease to amaze me with how insightful and like, reflective you are. You've come such a long way from the day's where'd you run, or flare. We're so proud of you. I'm proud of you." He chucks her chin lightly, "Don't forget, you complete me too." He teasingly bops her nose. "After all, what's a pirate without their Treasure. Uma has The Revenge. Harry his gold. And I've got you."
She giggles as she looks up at him, either unaware of the delicate blush or uncaring, "That makes me happier than anything else. Hearing you, or Uma, Harry, and T say you're proud, even when I'm not perfect." She presses a hand to her chest, "It makes something hurt less."
He relaxes against the wall, a sense of contentment settling over him."None of us are perfect Treasure, but that doesn't mean we haven't seen the strides you've made. It warms me to hear we can take away some of the hurt."
It felt amazing, seeing how far they'd gotten with her. That they'd finally managed to get her to start seeing her worth.
He smiles when she wraps her hands around the back of his neck, her fingers playing with his hair before she pulls herself up to kiss him.
But before he can celebrate their victory, a strange sound vibrates in the air.
It kind of reminded him of the sound his hammer made one time T brought them a thick, curved piece of metal.
But this was so much louder.
Deeper.
Concerning.
He looks down when he feels her shiver.
"What's-" He grimaces at her flinch.
"That feels weird." She rubs her hands over her arms as she pulls back, "What was that?"
"What feels weird?" He stands with her in his arms.
"The air?" She frowns as she looks around, "I think?"
He looks around suspiciously before he steps out of the cave, shifting her slight weight to his hip.
Deez startles him when she gasps and throws herself forward, "Look! Look!"
"What am I looking-" He strengthens his grip on her as the ground suddenly quakes beneath them. "What the-"
Her arms tighten around him as he drops to a knee for better support, "There are cracks-"
Cracks?
"Gil!"
Her shrill scream was his only warning before she tackled him, sending them both tumbling back towards the cave.
His mouth dries as a piece of the cliff lands where they'd been only seconds before.
"Shit!" He scrambles to his feet. "We've gotta get out of here." He takes her hand and pulls her to her feet.
They look up when they hear a deep roll of thunder. "Wh-Where? Where should we go?" Her eyes widen as she stares at the sea.
Great question.
"Up!" He didn't have time to come up with a better response.
He turns, easily pulling her to his side.
There was no time to inform her about the angry looking waves or point out the dark swirls in the sky as a nasty looking storm begins to form.
"Now!" He demands as he pulls her towards the cliffside entrance. Away from the water. Away from the crumbling cliffs. Away from the open.
The ground shakes again, more violently this time as it knocks them to the ground.
"Can we climb?" She rolls across the sand to him, reclaiming his hand in a tight grip.
"We have to try, don't have a choice." He shouts over the wind, groaning as he pulls them both back up to their feet.
The roar of the waves crashing into the beach makes his hair stand on end. He'd never seen the sea so frighteningly out of control.
"Move!" He starts to pull her again. "Don't look back." He barks at her as he drags them towards the cliff.
When Deez pushes him out of yet another path of falling debris his mind goes blank.
This wasn't going to work.
How were they supposed to climb if the damn thing kept trying to fall on their heads?
"Shit!" He groans as he rolls back to his feet.
What the fuck- "We have to go back," He pulls her back towards the cave, "I know you can melt anything that falls. I trust you."
"I trust you too." Deez shouts as she squeezes his hand, "We'll protect each other."
"Exactly." He yells over the torrent of rain suddenly stinging his skin.
It was the only thing he could be confident in. The only thing keeping him from completely losing his mind with the sense of dread falling over him.
He frowns when he's halted by his hand just before they make it to the cave, "Deez!" He pleads as he turns to her.
"Gil, what makes the water pull away from the beach?"
He looks down at her, desperate to get them to safety as he tugs her into his arms and makes a mad dash to the cave. "A tide."
"No, I mean like all the way away from it." She points, "It's like the water is being sucked away."
He turns in concern, his jaw-dropping at the rate the tide was pulling out.
He scrambles backward towards safety.
Shit!
He'd never seen the ocean do that.
At least not to that magnitude.
"It means run!"
A wave was going to hit.
And it was going to hit hard.
Terrifyingly, terrifyingly hard.
Deez wraps her arms around him so tightly it hurts.
Fuck.
Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck!
What would Uma do? Harry? T? What the hell would they do in this situation?
He desperately needed to figure it out. And quick.
He couldn't let anything happen to their Baby Girl. To his Treasure, but his mind was blank.
"I-" Deez shakes her head before she presses it to his chest, "Gil-."
He skids into the cave before turning. "Melt the mouth- Melt the mouth- Melt the mouth!"
Deez blinks as he sets her on her feet, "Oh!" She nods as she holds her hand to the rock, "Get back."
Like fuck he was leaving her side right now.
"Just fuckin' do it!" He barks out, his eyes straining to watch the sea, his blood suddenly cold as ice.
He couldn't see anything past the blinding white and green sheets reflecting off the flood of rain.
She squeaks as white flames dance on her hands and the rock turns red as the ground shakes again.
He hears the swell, so loud it was deafening. He grabs her by the waist and pulls her to the back of the cave.
The deafening sound of rushing water coming their way made his stomach twist as the bitter taste of bile coats the back of his throat.
Deez wraps her arms around him, burying her face against his chest.
"Don't let go!" He wraps his arms around her, securing her to his chest before curling around her protectively.
He prays to any god listening that he was wrong.
That there was no way waves could get that big.
Uma was out there! His brother was out there! And fuck only knew where-
He shouts, maybe even screams, but the sound is drowned as water rushes in faster than he thought possible.
And then everything goes black.
Dudes.
Seriously?
That's what you're thinking right now right?
But really, guys, writing is hard.
Cliff hangers though?
Mmmm. So delectably delicious.
I'd normally ask questions but…
I feel like ya'll have some shit to work with on this one.
Let us know during our two-week hiatus!
And feel free to hate us.
Till then, enjoy the hanging-
Oh lolz wait, we still have an entire book before we find out what happens to the Sea Six…
So maybe more like four months?
Haha!
Be sure to be on the lookout for Book four: Defending the Mask.
Where we'll be back in Auradon.
I know, I know, what a rip right?
Ha!
With much love,
-and an annoying amount of gratification at your suffering-
-Twisted
Side Note; Comments, reviews, and the whatnot (including but not limited to flames) might get you the next book quicker.
And just so you guys know…
Book Five: Burden of the Mask is already written. So, yeah, enjoy that knowledge while you're reading Defending the Mask…
Oh, godz… I've never felt so Gleefully delightedly smug while writing one of these. Dark is so disappointed and done with my ass.
Roflmao
Best free high of my life.
No worries guys, I hate me too.