Island Shifters: Book 03 - An Oath of the Children by Valerie Zambito

was intoxicating. “They think to intimidate us with that display.”
    “No matter, my friend. In the end, we will get what we want from the Massans,” she answered confidently.
    “We must gain their trust first.”
    Samara looked at him as if he said the sky was blue. “But, of course. A child knows that first rule of Ascendency.”
    Color crept into his cheeks. “I meant to say that the Shiprunners can be reckless at times. They are not always known for their subtlety. With the scent so heavy in the air, they will have to be reminded of their duty to prevent them from being overwhelmed with personal desire.”
    “Are you not the leader of the Shiprunners, Chandal? See that it is done.”
    Again, she managed to put him in his place. He was a Second, he reminded himself, just as she. In an attempt to cover his feelings of inferiority, he lifted the rangefinder to his eye again. “Shall we…? Wait! The Massans in the water are approaching.”
    “If your implantation worked the last time you were here, they will be coming with an invitation to come ashore.”
    “It worked,” he replied with certainty. “That mayor of theirs was very susceptible.” He watched the water people come closer and it looked as though they were walking on top of the water. “Shall we take them?” he asked, unable to hide the excitement that tinged his voice. He had never had the blood. No living person on Ellvin had ever had the blood, but the stories of its lure had been passed down for generations.
    The Shiprunners on board thought their mission here to bring back wormwood plants. They did not know what the Seconds knew. That the Premier’s foremost goal was to kidnap Massans so the Vypir could steal their blood.
    The Premier promised Chandal and the other Seconds a new life—a life sustained by magical blood. Invigorating beyond anything you have ever dreamed of, the Premier assured him. Now, with the Massans approaching and the addicting aroma growing stronger, he now understood that what the Premier promised was possible.
    He heard the eager murmurs behind him, but there was nothing any of them could do to satiate their hunger. Only the Vypir could extract the magic in the blood.
    He looked at Samara still apparently considering his question. He knew what she was thinking. It would be risk to take so many at one time. Discretion was paramount to their success if they wanted to keep the supply lines of wormwood and blood operating for a very long time. But, she finally nodded. “Aye. We cannot allow this unexpected opportunity to slip through our fingers. Ready the longboat to bring the Massans on board and have twelve Shiprunners ready to control them.”
    Chandal called out the orders. Immediately, his men hastened to their tasks and a narrow wooden boat was lowered to the sea below.
    Samara held out a hand in greeting to the magic users in the water. “Greetings, Massans!”
    “Greetings!” replied one of the men and then looked at the boat being lowered. “Do not bother with that. We will not be boarding. Prince Kellan has granted permission for six Ellvinians to come to shore. The rest will remain at sea until further notice!”
    Samara locked her eyes on the man. “Thank you for coming out to personally relay the message of your Prince!”
    The man nodded respectfully.
    “Your water skills are incredible!” she gushed, and even from the distance that separated them, she could see him warming to her compliment. “Please come aboard so we can discuss without shouting to one another!”
    “I really must refuse.”
    “What is your name?”
    “Pauli.”
    “Pauli, you wish to come aboard, don’t you?”
    He tilted his head. “Why, yes…yes, I do wish to come aboard.”
    “It is your deepest desire to talk with me, Pauli.”
    The man nodded woodenly. “Yes, I would like to talk with you.”
    A female magic user drifted closer to the man. “Pauli! No.” She looked up at Samara. “Forgive us, but it is impossible.