“No buts. The witches will double-cross you every time. You have to leave. Now.”
He shoved Hugo toward the window as Hugo fumbled with his boots. “Why are you so worried?”
“Hestera won’t risk letting you go after the hammer. She’ll simply eliminate you now and never have to worry about it.”
Hugo grabbed his coat and hurriedly buttoned it up. He threw his small rucksack over his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
Before Emenor could answer, a pounding sounded at the front door. Emenor’s eyes grew round with fear. “Out the window. I’ll try to delay them.”
Hugo threw open the shutters. The moon was still up, but a sliver of dawn creased the horizon. He tossed his bag out and let Emenor boost him up and over. He landed in the small garden. Dew crisped the grass, and a small rabbit scurried away.
“Don’t get yourself killed,” Emenor hissed. “Make sure you come back so I can thrash you.”
“I will.” Hugo snatched up his bag and gave Emenor a quick nod before darting into the woods.
It was an easy path to the harbor. A thin layer of fog covered the calm sea, draping the ships in ghostly wisps. Hugo slipped onto the decrepit ship that belonged to the crusty sailor Jasper. The deck was deserted, but Hugo wasn’t fooled.
A whisper of motion behind him was his only warning before a cold blade settled on his neck.
“Did anyone follow you here?’
“No. I don’t think so.”
“Then come below before anyone sees us.” Jasper released him and scurried to the hatch, then lifted it and disappeared from sight.
Hugo followed him down the ladder and sat down at the small galley table.
Jasper struck a flint and lit a candle. “I got your note,” the sailor rasped. “What kind of trouble are you in now?”
“I need your help,” Hugo said. “Abigail and I are going to stop the war.”
One bushy eyebrow went up. “The blue witch is working against the witches?”
“No. Well, sort of. We just want to find a way to stop them from going to war.”
“The two of you caused enough trouble bringing that Vertulious back.”
“It wasn’t … I mean … it probably was our fault. We did everything we could to stop it, but Vertulious—”
“Was far too clever,” the sailor finished. “So what’s this plan of yours?”
Hugo quickly explained. At the mention of Thor’s name, the old sailor snorted with laughter. “You think a little sapling like yourself is going to gain the attention of a high and mighty god like Thor?”
Hugo nodded. “Thor is a protector of mankind, like Odin. If we explain why we need it, maybe he’ll help.”
“The gods don’t have time to interfere with the battles of mere mortals. They’ve left this place to fend for itself. If it’s overrun by the witches and threatens them, you know what they’ll do?”
“Yes. They’ll erase it. Don’t you see? We can’t let that happen. Help me. Take me to Thor.”
“Take you … boy, I don’t have access to Asgard.”
“He’s not in Asgard. Madame Malaria says he’s hunting wild boar in Jotunheim.”
“Jotunheim.” Jasper grunted. “You want me to take you to the land of the giants?”
“Yes. Now, please. Witches were at my house this morning looking for me, and I’m supposed to report for deployment and be shipped off.”
“So you’ve got witches after you, and you’re running away from your duties?”
“No, I’m trying to fix things. Will you help me or not?”
“I wish I could, but one boy can’t go up against a god like Thor. It will never work.”
“What if I went with him?” The voice came from the stairs and Abigail stepped into view. “I’m going too.”
“Blue Witch, you can’t get involved in this,” Jasper said in his gravelly voice. “It’s too dangerous. Odin would never approve.”
“So don’t tell him.”
He shook his head.
“I don’t think you understand.” “I do,” she said. “We might not find Thor. We might fail. But we have to try. It’s my fault this is happening. It’s up to me to fix it.”
He eyed her keenly. “What about your coven? This goes against everything. They’ll kick you out for sure.”
Abigail didn’t flinch. “My coven deserves better than someone like Vertulious leading it.”
Jasper studied them both, and then the old sailor sighed. “So it’s treason, is it? All right then. We best heave anchor before anyone shows up looking for you.”
Chapter 9
Abigail clung to the railing, adjusting to the rolling deck as Jasper’s sails snapped in the salty air. For a raggedy ship, it seemed sturdy enough, cutting through the waves as they left Balfour Island behind. She had sailed a few times but only to nearby islands. This was an adventure unlike anything she had ever experienced. Hugo settled into helping Jasper—he had spent last summer sailing on the boat, so he knew it well. Abigail watched enviously as he knotted ropes and pulled in rigging lines like an old pro.
A gust of wind knifed through her, and she shivered, huddling in her heavy cloak.
“Here.” Hugo passed her a pair of thick woolen mittens. He wore a similar pair.
She pulled them on gratefully. “Thanks.”
“You ready for this?”
“Ready to head to the realm of the giants? No, but I’ve been worse places.”
“At least it’s not a den full of spiders,” Hugo joked, recalling their time in the netherworld.
“Right, just bloodthirsty giants.” She lapsed into silence. Big Mama’s eyes haunted her. Vertulious’s charm spell had taken away her control—the fierce creature would hate that. And Starfire—the poor thing was probably terrified.
“Is everything okay?” Hugo asked. “You seem sad.”
Abigail told him about Big Mama. “I just wanted to warn her, but instead I got her and Starfire captured. Vertulious has placed her under a charm spell so she can’t even fight back. I hate myself.” Tears stung her eyes and she wanted to scream with frustration.
Hugo put his hand over hers. “Abigail, you couldn’t have known Vertulious would follow you.”
“He always seems to be a step ahead of me. I think the only reason he changed that shreek into an Omera was to trick me into calling them.”
Hugo squeezed her hand. “We’ll find a way to outsmart him, I promise.”
Abigail turned to watch the rapidly receding outline of Balfour Island. Doubt ate away at her. Was she doing the right thing? Would they even be able to find Thor? What if he just laughed at them?
“He won’t,” Hugo said firmly.
“Won’t what?”
“Laugh at us. That’s what you’re thinking, right? It’s all I think about—that if we do find Thor, which is a big if, he’ll just laugh at us.”
“So what makes you think he won’t?”
“You.”
“Me?” Abigail snorted. “I’m not exactly a reason to help. I’m a witch, remember?”