Encante by Aiyana Jackson

The scientist in me knew it wasn’t truly sky, couldn’t possibly be, yet there it was, as blue within the earth as it was without, the only hint of strangeness a proclivity towards pinkish orange clouds.
    Before long, we were pressing forward once more, descending now that we had a sure and certain air supply. It seemed the ocean we were now entering was as deep as that which we had just left. I could not say for how long I stood transfixed at that window, watching nothing but the passage of the ever-deepening water around us, which once more reddened as we descended. After a time, I became aware of a delicate melody straining through the air of the ship. It was as I’d heard before, only louder this time, and far clearer.
    “What is that music?” I wondered aloud.
    “The encante are as renowned for their song as they are for riding rantipole,” Harrow replied. “Still, it is strange.”
    I glanced at him questioningly.
    “I’ve never heard them sing so loudly before,” he elaborated.
    I was still watching the waters and enjoying the encante’s sweet song when Pipkin’s radio crackled to life in the doorway behind us.
    “Captain!” he exclaimed.
    “What is it, Pip?” Everett answered irritably.
    “It’s the Lady Drusilla, sir.”
    I whirled at the alarmed tone of his voice. His expression did nothing to ease my concern.

Chapter Twelve
    “D amnation, not now!” Everett bolted from the room and I followed closely, having no idea where Drusilla was and knowing full well I would become hopelessly lost if I tried to make my way to her alone. If he objected to my intrusion he made no mention of it.
    We reached her cabin to find the door open. Horatio Drew stood outside, wringing his hands in distress while Axel squatted beside his father, hugging his own knees. I pulled myself up short as I reached them and offered Drew a sympathetic arm, upon which he leant gratefully.
    “How is she?” I asked.
    “Silent.”
    A glance inside the cabin revealed Teddy, bent double over Drusilla’s bed, her lax form half obscured by heavy blankets. The notion of the outspoken girl holding her tongue in any situation was difficult to grasp.
    “Damn it, Teddy, what ails her?” Everett demanded.
    “I have no notion,” he said as I cautiously entered. “She took a sudden turn not a half hour ago and fell before anyone could catch her. She may have hit her head. She was in the engine room with Hoffrey, as I understand it, demanding the lower decks get fresh air first since he’d seen fit to deprive them of more than the rest of us.” I had to catch myself before I commented on that; now was most certainly not the time. “He brought her straight here and had someone fetch me. She’s not woken and is half frozen to the touch.”
    “What can be done?” I asked.
    “Not a great deal.” Teddy shook his head. “We must let her rest and hope she improves.”
    “Let her damn well rest then,” Everett bellowed. “Out, everyone!” He stalked from the room, Teddy following swiftly. I was about to do the same when a hand shot out from the bed and clamped onto my arm. I looked down to see Drusilla’s wide eyes suddenly open, staring up at me. She tugged on my arm but said not a word. I glanced at Everett, who was watching us both with a calculating eye.
    “You want to stay, boy?” he demanded.
    “It would seem she wishes it,” I ventured.
    “Very well.” He nodded brusquely. “Leave them be.”
    “But—”
    “Axel! I said leave them, damn you.” The door slammed shut on us and I heard the babble of voices retreat. I perched as lightly as I could on the edge of the bed and laid a hand on Drusilla’s forehead. She was indeed frozen, and clammy in a way I’d not thought her skin capable of becoming, for she was so like the encante in complexion.
    “Drusilla,” I murmured softly, expecting no answer.
    “I’m sorry, Simeon,” she whispered. “We’ll pay for that ruse later, I fear, but it couldn’t be helped,