Page 139 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“He’s probably still at the infirmary. They might not let us in this early.”

“They’ll let me in.” Tharan turned to Sumac. “See if you can track Aelia. Amolie and I will go to see Conrad.”

The three parted ways.

33THARAN

The first raysof dawn’s light streamed in through the infirmary’s stained-glass windows. The staff took one look at the flames burning in Tharan’s eyes and didn’t bother to stop him when he burst through the double doors.

“Conrad?”

A stunned healer pointed to the back. “Last bed on the right.”

A gush of wind followed behind Tharan. Magic sparked in the air, and copper fizzled on his tongue.

The patients slept soundly in their beds as he tore through the great room, but Conrad’s lay empty.

“Where is he?” Tharan growled. Rage built in his chest with each breath he took. His acute hearing caught the faint sound of muffled moans of pleasure. Tharan stalked to the nearest closet, yanking the door open. Inside, Conrad had one of the healers on his lap, her face twisted in a mixture of pain and pleasure. His hand covered her mouth in a desperate attempt to quiet her moans.

“Get out,” Tharan said.

A shit-eating grin crossed Conrad’s long face.

“Tharan! It has been too long.”

“I need the song, Conrad.”

The woman, still sitting on Conrad’s lap, flitted her eyes between the two.

Conrad’s expression darkened, and he ran his hand through his dark hair flippantly.

“It’s mine. I got it fair and square from your paramour. In fact, I’d say I got the short end of the deal. Lost my entire ship.”

Tharan gripped the collar of Conrad’s shirt, lifting him to meet his gaze. The woman on his lap slid off, making a quick exit.

“Calliope has her, and I need it to get her back.”

Conrad’s eyes widened.

“I’m sorry, Tharan, I can’t. I need it.”

“For what? So you can control the seas? You’re already a revered pirate. What else could you need?”

Conrad held up his arm with the bargain snaking its way through his veins like ink.

“I need my magic back. Without the song, I can’t get past her guards to kill her.”

“What did you do?”

“I made a bargain with the serpent queen. She said she’d grant me the ability to breathe underwater if I brought her the Cursed Coin of Coronado, but when I delivered the coin, she cast me out without fulfilling her end of the bargain.”

Tharan released his friend.

“How are you not dead.”

“With a concoction of potions that may kill me before the bargain does.”

Tharan clicked his tongue.

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