The Forgotten Island
READY OR NOT, HERE I COME

Authors Note: This concludes the first book in the “Island of the Lost” trilogy. I hope you all have enjoyed it as much as I have. I invite you to continue on our heroine’s journey in the second installment of the series, titled “Island of the Lost”

EPILOGUE:

READY OR NOT, HERE I COME

*One Year Later*

-Malakai-

I burst through the surface of the ocean with unceremonious splashing, gasping for air and tasting salt on my tongue. Eupixa must have miscalculated our landing point, and we had seemingly ended up about a quarter mile from the islands shore. All around me other demons began breaking the surface as well, and I took mental attendance as they popped up. After a few minutes of treading water and counting heads, I began swimming to the beach in long powerful strokes, ignoring my bodies fatigue. As I got closer, I began to make out an encampment. I picked up my pace, excitement now mingling with the exhaustion. I reached the shore first and headed straight for it, but it was all wrong. The camp looked like it hadn’t been inhabited in years. A lopsided boat lay shattered by the bordering copse of trees, foliage growing both around and through it. An old blood-stained carpet, half covered with sand, stood out in the middle of the area and my heart sunk. Almost eighteen months ago I had first visited my mate, Arya, via a dream. During our second dream encounter I had read a book containing her memories of this island. Though I hadn’t been able to finish it, I had read about this camp that she and other survivors had made together. I had hoped they would still be here.

An irritated and sopping wet Eupixa stomped up beside me and began shaking the water off herself. I frowned at her as she showered me in yet more seawater. She reminded me of a sullen feline. “I will be sorely put out if your mate is no longer among the living, Malakai. This trip was not an easy feat, even for me, and too many were lost on the journey.” She said to me with slitted eyes. She never was one to be in situations where she looked less than perfect, and it soured her mood substantially.

“She is alive, sorceress. If she wasn’t, I would have felt it through the bond.” The others that had accompanied us all began to assemble around Eupixa and I; my brother bringing up the rear. As usual he had an amused air, but I knew him well enough to know he chose his position on purpose in order to guard the groups rear as they moved. All in all, there were sixty-five of us, all accounted for despite the rough landing. Melisande had attacked our headquarters a year ago and hunted us relentlessly when we had escaped her initial attack. We had not been able to stay in one place for more than a few days before she found us again. At my behest, most of my people had gone into hiding before Melisande’s spies could root them out and kill them. Three hundred had remained by my side to fight, and we were now all that was left. Eupixa had tried numerous transportation spells to the island throughout the year, all of which failed for various reasons. I knew she felt responsible for every death that occurred up until the spell had worked, allowing us to finally escape Melisande’s clutches. “Eupixa” I said, eyeing the sorceress as she shook out her skirts “Clean up this camp as best you can, we will stay here until we figure out our next move.” She mumbled something about royalty being a pain in her ass but moved to the center of the camp to begin tidying with some simple spells.

A few hours later the camp had been put to rights, groups assigned to each tent, and sentry duties divvied up equally. Finally having a moment to breathe I took stock of our surroundings with a bit more interest. I unfolded my wings and took to the air, staying low and keeping the camp within eyesight. The beach was littered with parcels, boxes, and other knick-knacks as far as I could see, which wasn’t surprising given the islands history. I ached to search out my mate, but not all my people could fly, and I couldn’t leave any behind no matter how much my heart called me elsewhere. I sighed and flew back to the camp as the sun set over the ocean.

I landed with a soft thud, trying not to disturb those who rested. Seeing General Draven still sitting by the large fire in the center of the encampment, I folded in my wings and walked to where he sat. He was an older demon, strands of gray mixed with the deep green hue of his long hair. Although demons were born in all kinds of colors and sizes, it was still rare to see hair that particular shade of emerald; a fact he loathed people bringing up to him. His skin was a paler version of the color, lined with thick blue veins from horn to talon. I sat on an old wooden chest beside him, our silence amicable in the dimming light. With the darkness came screaming from within the forest, eerie and otherworldly. This too my mates’ memories had prepared us for, and none of us were alarmed. Besides, whatever the cause of the screaming was likely something we could easily handle.

“Your Highness” Draven began “If your mate was once here, it was long ago. It would be unwise for us to linger here longer than necessary. This location is not easily defended and will be difficult to secure.” I nodded to him in understanding, he didn’t say anything I didn’t already know. I leaned back to gaze at the night sky, keeping my voice low as I responded “Three days. That should allow adequate rest and supply restock. Then Eupixa can cast a location spell for us to follow to my mate’s current location, wherever that may be.” I only received a grunt in response, but it was enough.

Three days little mate; ready or not, here I come.