Page 27 of A Captain So Callous and Cruel

“That one,” the woman says, cutting off my thoughts. My eyes snap to where she points, and my heart falls. “That man right there. He’s the one who carried the body, my Captain.”

Kai.

“You’re sure?” Captain Erickson confirms, and the woman shakes her head jubilantly. His eyes narrow at her for only a moment, before he turns to give orders to his men. “I want his feet bound, and his neck collared. See to it that he sinks to the bottom of the ocean after he walks the plank.”

Two men rush forward and attach more metal and chains to Kai’s body. A whimper builds in my chest, but I hold my breath, not allowing it to manifest in fear of the attention it may bring.

“And the rest of the men, Captain?” Bridger asks, ready to follow his lead.

“They can spend the night in the prisoners' quarters. We’ll find suitable punishment for them in the morning.”

“Captain, these men have done no wrong,” Grimy speaks up, and I’m a little surprised by his brazenness. He must be close with Erickson to dare disagree.

A wicked gleam flickers into the captain's eye, his lips turning up in a smile. “No, but they were suspects.”

He doesn’t elaborate, and I fight the shiver that builds at the base of my spine.

“And as for you,” Erickson bellows so that all can hear. Drawing a dagger from its sheath, he walks over to Kai and prods his back with the tip of the weapon. “You will walk the plank. MOVE.”

Our eyes meet before Kai gives me his back, turning to face where the wooden plank protrudes from the side of the ship. He steps onto it, and once again Captain Erickson prods his back with his dagger, until Kai has moved far enough on to the plank to evade it.

“WALK THE PLANK!” a crewmate yells from behind me, starting the ritual.

Before long, every man on deck is yelling in Kai’s direction, and some begin to chant.

“Walk the plank!”

“Walk the fucking plank!”

Kai doesn’t turn back to look at me, but it doesn’t matter. The shift is soon. I can feel the magic itching at my skin, so close to breaking free when my true form can finally come out. He must be feeling the same. He must know his magic is just beneath the surface.

With sure steps, he inches forward to the end of the plank, but he doesn’t allow himself to fall over.

Shifting his head, he looks at Captain Erickson with a menacing glare that would have any ordinary man trembling. But not the captain. No, the captain simply smiles at him with a cruel, cold smirk.

“Walk the plank, sailor,” Erickson mocks.

Turning further, Kai meets my gaze briefly, then turns back to the captain. “Fuck you,” he spits, then he takes the final step and falls feet first into the ocean with a splash.

The sight steals my breath. Cheers erupt from the crew. Squeezing my eyes tight, I beg for the shift to happen. Let the clock strike midnight and allow Kai full use of his magic.

He will break free of the chains, Hali. This is Kai. He’ll be fine.

I jump when a hand connects with my lower back. My eyes fly open and I see the Captain staring at me, his gaze soft. Quickly, he asks, “Was that too much for you?”

His concern is disconcerting, and I cannot find the words to answer. Shaking my head, I force myself to look away. His actions and his words conflict, and it confuses me.

Confusion is the last thing I should be feeling when the shift is moments away.

At least, I hope it’s moments away.

Kai, my brain cries, but the words are shut firmly inside me.

Around us, the men begin to celebrate. Boisterous songs of the sea erupt from all around, the men dancing and demanding the lower crewmates to fetch them drinks and whores.

Swallowing thickly, I take in the commotion before staring out into the sea. My feet guide me to the edge and I look out to where Kai jumped. Seeing no disturbances in the water makes my heart feel as though the chains were shackled around it, and not Kai.

The sea is dark. The moon hidden behind a passing cloud.

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