Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 93948 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93948 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
My fingers shift, claws shooting past my human skin. “Try to knock me unconscious and you’ll see exactly what I can do.”
“Children, children, let’s not fight.”
I didn’t realize Nox was approaching until they slid between us. They don’t flinch away from my claws or Lizzie’s deep red eyes. They wear a small mocking smile, but their gaze is unrelenting. “Lizzie, this is my ship, and I’ll thank you not to give orders to the people aboard. You’ve stated multiple times that you’re only here for Maeve, which puts you outside the chain of command. Go find something to do.”
Lizzie hesitates long enough that I think she might be spoiling for a fight, but then she shrugs and tucks away every bit of tension in her body. She smiles, flashing sharp canines. “Sure thing, Captain.”
Nox waits for the vampire to walk away before they turn to me. “You’re not coming, Siobhan. We can’t risk you.” They hold my gaze. “In fact, I don’t even want you on deck starting tomorrow morning. We’ll be close enough that we’re bound to run into other ships. Most of them don’t know what you look like, but it’s still too big a risk.”
I take a step toward them—and bounce off an invisible barrier between us. “Nox,” I say quietly. “Are you shielding against me right now?”
“No.” Their smile doesn’t dim. They point to the side, leading me to look to where Bowen stands, his attention on us. Nox shrugs. “Your claws are still out. It’s making my crew nervous.”
Their crew.
Lizzie technically may not be part of it, but it’s clear she is still more a member than I’ll ever be. There’s no reason for that realization to hurt. I chose not to sail with a crew of my own. It leaves me the ability to move swiftly without the need for votes or protests. The lack of a crew means less chance of people dying simply from being in my presence. It means there’s less chance of my identity being tortured out of people. It’s a good thing.
It just doesn’t feel like a good thing right now.
I take a deep breath, and then another, doing my best to calm down enough to retract my claws. Most shifters talk about their other half as a separate personality inside them. That’s not how I work. I am me, whether in human form, beast form, or something else altogether.
“Fine. I asked for your help, so I’ll follow your lead. Even if it means hiding.”
“Good girl.” Their lips quirk when the insinuation in their words makes me blush. “Now, I think we can both agree that you’ve sulked enough. I have a task for you.”
Nox
Several days later, we reach the sandbar right on schedule, catching sight of a trio of ships with crimson sails well before the sun sinks below the horizon. I study their positions. The Bone Heart will be the center one.
“You know what to do, Eyal,” I murmur.
“Take us over to say hello.” Eyal matches my tone, his sure hands easily guiding the ship in that direction.
The deck of the Audacity is mostly barren. It would be odd if there weren’t any crew members around, so we have a few strategically cleaning the deck on the opposite side of the ship from where Evelyn has drawn her circle in preparation for the attack.
Lizzie lounges against the stairway leading to the upper deck. The only indication that her relaxation is a lie is the tension in her shoulders and her breathing coming a little faster than normal. The vampire might be able to decimate a small army with her power, but she’s terrified of the sea.
It really just goes to show that she’s smarter than she looks.
I nod at Eyal and then turn to Poet. “While I’m gone, you’re in charge.”
She shifts. “Don’t look at me like that, Captain. I have no interest in your job.” She jerks her chin toward the sails. “We have the alternatives ready to go. We just need the opportunity to change them out.”
“Good.” I roll my shoulders. “Are the others ready?” Three ships are about what we expected. It’s a testament to Morrigan’s reputation that the other two have anchored far enough away that I can’t identify them on sight. It means they’re close enough to assist in a pitched sea battle, assuming all three are in motion, but they’re too far away to help easily tonight.
With the trios currently getting ready to launch a secondary assault on each ship, they won’t be able to help at all. Our goal isn’t to sink them, only to dismantle their ability to give chase.
As much as I hate the Cŵn Annwn and the horrors they enact, it doesn’t change the fact that the first horror they carry out is in their recruitment. Most of the other crews are filled with people who just want to go home. Some end up embracing their new, bloody life. Most wither away and die before their time. A tragedy either way, and not one I want to contribute to if there’s any other choice.