Page 30 of Blood on the Tide

My plan leaves something to be desired, but there’s no help for it. We’re running out of time. I agree with Maeve that Bronagh won’t turn tail and run simply because we came to Khollu. But he’s arrogant enough that he won’t expect an attack tonight, and after my little indiscretion at the inn, he won’t be at full strength. “Does he have any powers beyond teleportation?”

She curses under her breath. “No. Or at least I don’t think so. That’s the only one I’m aware of.”

That doesn’t really mean anything at all. Since he obviously intended to get close to Maeve and steal her pelt, he was hardly going to share all his secrets with her. Or any of them. It’s fine. He didn’t see me coming before. He’s not going to see me coming this time, either.

Teleportation is a fearsome magic and damn near unstoppable—except for one key factor. The person teleporting has to concentrate on their destination during the teleportation process. It’s only a matter of a fraction of a second, but it’s a weakness that can be exploited. I’ve certainly done it in the past. It’s a trick of timing.

“None of this changes the fact that we can’t even get out there. We might have a chance on the boat in the dark of the moon, but there’s too much light right now. They’ll see us coming.”

“Maeve, we’ve talked about your lack of imagination. We’re two beautiful women. They have no reason to think we’re up to no good.” I stand and slip out of my cloak. Maeve watches in what appears to be horror as I unbutton my shirt nearly to my navel.

“Lizzie.” Her voice is choked. “If you’re trying to seduce me, this is hardly the time or place.”

A surprised laugh slips free. “Seeing a partially naked woman is enough to cause most people to hesitate. They don’t immediately assume attack, which gives us the element of surprise.”

“Imagine that.” She clears her throat. “You’re really not going to listen to reason, are you?”

“Maeve.” I take her shoulders. “I’ll protect you. It will be fine. We’re so close to getting your skin back. Trust me.”

“You are the most infuriating, murderous woman I’ve ever met. This really isn’t how I imagined we’d be spending the night together.” She smiles a little. “Okay. I trust you. Let’s go get the boat.”

If that bastard wouldn’t have interrupted our meal, maybe I would be stripping her right now, pulling back the fabric to reveal her soft, lovely body. Trailing each revealed inch of skin with my mouth. Strategically biting her so that she comes apart so many times she loses track.

I will have her in my bed. Whether it’s simply because she likes the way my bite feels or because she’s running from the sensation of helplessness resulting from her skin being stolen, it doesn’t matter to me. I want her. She wants me. That’s enough.

Maeve wades into the icy water next to me as we shove the boat out. It’s not until the water reaches our chests and we haul ourselves into the boat that my brain decides to whisper about all the ways that this is a terrible idea. Not because of the sailors waiting for us. No, it’s the inky water that hides all manner of sin and monsters. Something could be just inches below the boat and I’d never know.

“Lizzie? Are you okay?”

I belatedly realize that I’ve stopped rowing and pick up my pace. “I’m fine.”

I can’t quite see Maeve’s expression in the darkness, but she nudges me with her shoulder. When she speaks, her tone is the carefully casual one of someone who knows that I’m freaking out and has decided not to comment on it. “This bay is heavily patrolled by the Cwn Annwn. Since it’s one of the main trade routes from south to north, they stop in regularly to ensure that nothing has taken up residence in the water that might endanger the ships or the people.”

It’s obvious she picked up on my nerves. Embarrassment heats my skin. I told her I’d protect her, and here I am, shaking as we row over water we’ve already crossed when arriving on Khollu. “I’m fine.” At least we don’t have to swim.

“I know.”

We continue rowing, making good time to the first ship. Maeve peers up at it. “This isn’t it.”

As we row carefully around that ship and on to the next, the cold starts to seep into my body. I should have fed before we started this process. I curse myself for my hesitance to bite Maeve again before we reached Khollu. I’m not at full strength, but I don’t have to be. We’re not battling a ship full of the Cwn Annwn, each more powerful than the next. These are sailors.

I fully intend to scare the shit out of them until they cower and piss themselves and beg me to become their captain.

At the second ship, we hit pay dirt. Maeve’s soft sound is confirmation enough, but she whispers, “This is it.”

I don’t tell her to stay in the boat while I handle this. I already know she won’t. I just need to keep her close and ensure she’s safe during this process. “Up we go.”

The boat bumps lightly against the ship, and I hold my breath as we wait to see if anyone noticed. We never would have managed to get so close to the Audacity without the lookout catching us, but obviously this captain runs a looser ship. Bad for them, good for us.

Maeve grabs the edge of the ship, steadying us. “Lizzie, if I didn’t know better, I’d say that you were downright chipper at the thought of killing a bunch of people.”

“Not a bunch of people. Just two.” The captain and the quartermaster. I’ll have to convince one of the crew members to become quartermaster after I stake my claim, which is an annoying but necessary step. There’s all the nonsense about a vote, but I’m not going to let that stop me from taking what I want. What I need. A ship. A crew to sail it to my destination. Even better, it’s a trade ship, so no one will blink twice at it sailing about this realm.

“I think you’re trying to be comforting, but there is nothing comforting in planning to murder two people.”

Then there’s no more breath for speaking as we haul ourselves up the side of the ship. The Serpent’s Cry is not quite as large as the Audacity, but it’s obviously built to carry cargo rather than weapons. There are only a handful of cannons... which makes me realize that the Audacity has no cannons at all. I suppose it’s not necessary when nearly every single crew member can function as a cannon themself.

We reach the railing with little problem, and I shift to the side so Maeve can perch next to me. There’s a couple people milling about. The majority of the crew are in their bunks below, sleeping the night away. That won’t do. I need witnesses for what happens next.

---