Page 29 of Trapped By Vengeance

I purse my lips, considering this. My plot will never come to fruition unless we leave this island. But time isn’t exactly an issue for an estrie, and I find I don’t mind adventuring on this desert island a little longer. Especially with a roguish werwölfe and a capricious littleelfling.

As long as I’m still on this island, I can pretend to be a carefree captive and not the monster that will destroy their little family.

Konrad frowns at Eloise as he pushes away the blanket. “I didn’t want you to explore without me.”

“You seemed perfectly content where you were.” Eloise pushes herself to her feet. “Also, we have company.”

“What?” Konrad crawls to the mouth of the cave.

Eloise nods. “The storm caused a shipwreck. Those pirates are here.”

Chapter Fourteen

The Castaways

Konrad:

The three of us remain hidden in the tree line of the hill over our cave as we peer down at the beach. A gentle breeze that is a far cry from the stormy gale from last night plays with our hair, my coat, and Valda’s coral red skirt.

I do my best to ignore the woman I held last night for purely practical reasons and take in the sight below. The ship I chartered has been torn to shreds on the sharp rocks just beyond shore. It is utterly irreparable and unreturnable.

That is going to take a huge chunk out of the ransom I have no guarantee of earning.

Eloise turns to me and frowns. “Are you thinking of money right now?”

I wince.

Valda glances between us and shrugs one fragile shoulder. “Oh, he always thinks of money, chickpea. Even when in the throes of a romantic embrace.”

“I do not!” I whisper-cry just as Eloise says, “Don’t call me ‘chickpea.’”

“Then give me back my dagger, chickpea.”

Eloise stubbornly shakes her head at her before turning her glare back at me. “There are no moneylenders on this island.”

“There are plenty of pirates, though.” Valda frowns at where the entire crew is swarming the beach like aunts. They appear to be swimming back and forth from the ship, reclaiming whatever is salvageable.

Maybe I can still reclaim my spare outfit—

“Abi, stop it.”

I grit my teeth. “We’re going to have to keep our distance.”

“On this tiny island?” Eloise exaggeratedly looks around.

Valda nods. “That will be difficult. Konrad couldn’t even keep his distance in the cave.”

I knew the Creator would punish me for my actions, deviating from the parameters of justice by involving an innocent. I just didn’t realize the penalty would be so swift. Or so severe.

“They know we came this way,” Eloise whispers.

“They also knowIcame this way. I’m sure they are not looking for another tussle so soon.” Not that I can transform until I’ve had something to drink. Why didn’t I set out something to catch the water in during the storm?

I glance at Valda. Oh, yeah.

“Let’s hope they find a way off before they realize how little food is on this island.” Eloise pets Sir Pigeon.

Turning, I study the docile bird. He isn’t a lot, but we could make a meal—

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