The harpoon released with a groan of protest from rusted metal, rope uncoiling behind it in a violent hiss as it cut through the night air.
Ariana held her breath.
For one horrible second, the trajectory looked wrong, arcing too low, destined to vanish uselessly into the dark water short of its target. Then the wind shifted, the harpoon caught an updraft off the waves, and it slammed directly into the hull of the closest pursuing boat with a splintering c***k that carried clear across the water.
"Direct hit," Mira breathed, disbelief coloring her voice.
The struck boat lurched violently, water already pouring in through the new gash near its bow, occupants scrambling as their vessel began listing hard to one side. Whatever chase they'd been managing collapsed instantly into a desperate
