Page 39 of Rebel in the Deep

For a moment, it seems like Eyal might continue arguing with me, but he finally nods. “Those two will keep you safe and watch your back. We’ll do our best to ensure you have a ship to return to.” He eyes the islands in the distance. “Best to circle around Third Sister. No reason to give the bloated rich in Mairi even a glimpse of us if the north is our goal.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I clasp him on the shoulder and then move along. Poet and I have a nearly identical conversation, but she comes around the same way that Eyal did, and sets her sights on putting together the second team to get supplies. There’s a reason they’re my closest confidants on theAudacity. Poet is the voice of the crew themselves, and while occasionally we butt heads, we’re in agreement that the goal is keeping everyone safe.

It’s a testament to Bastian’s exhaustion that I don’t see eitherhim or Siobhan in the hours it takes us to circle widely around the islands. A flicker of guilt inside me says that I should go explain the plan to them before leaving, but after that last conversation, I’ll admit that cowardice is winning. There are too many messy emotions inside me, and they run the risk of distracting me when I need my focus the most.

Or that’s what I tell myself. The truth is significantly uglier. Bastian didn’t have much to say after my proclamation, and Siobhan hustled out of the room rather quickly. I’m afraid that, while they both independently showed interest, their intentions never went beyondinterestand into action. Someday, when this is all over, they’ll resume their relationship, I’ll retreat back to the safe embrace of my crew, and we’ll never see each other again. Better to start that retreat now, before my heart becomes any more entangled.

The crew is looking particularly haggard as we find a spot just past the wave break on the north side of First Sister to throw down anchor. It’s several hundred yards to shore, and even with my magic, it’s going to be a rough ride, but at least theAudacitywill get to rest for a short while.

I glance at Poet as the pair of boats are lowered toward the surface of the water. “If there’s trouble, cut anchor and go. Don’t try to come for us, and certainly don’t wait. We’ll catch up with you when we can.”

Poet’s lips thin, but she finally nods. No one likes giving that order, but it’s the smart one to follow. It makes no sense for them to die trying to save us when we are more than capable of stealing a sloop and following. Assuming we’re alive to do it.

Bowen and Evelyn appear, both their cheeks rosy enoughthat I suspect they were having one last hurrah before heading into even more direct danger. I don’t tease them. I’m too busy weighing exactly how empty my magical reserves are. I’ve recovered from the fog, more or less, but when I get this low, my well refills slower than it usually does. Normally, I find that spending hours in the midst of the elements themselves, swimming or other things, helps, but there hasn’t been time for that.

I prod at my magic, frowning. Is my well shallower than it was before? Surely not. I barely passed out after using the amplification circle. I wasn’t even unconscious for an hour, let alone long enough to require Orchid’s help. Even so, my skin prickles in warning. I’ll have to be careful going forward—or at least attempt to be.

I turn to the four crew members doing the supply run. “Take the ship around the west side of the island, closer to the city. It’s best that you aren’t seen with me.” They nod and climb down into their boat. My magic aches as I pull it forth and use the waves to send them rushing west. They’ll have to start rowing before too long, but the boost is helpful all the same.

Then I turn to Evelyn and Bowen. “We’ll only take Dia if she wants to come,” I say quietly. “This isn’t a kidnapping. We’ll ask our questions, and that’ll be the end of it.”

“That’s good, because I wouldn’t allow you to kidnap her. That woman is like a mother to me, and if she’s managed to avoid joining another crew, there’s a reason for it.”

“It will be nice to see her again.” Evelyn’s pretty face goes a little wistful. “She reminds me of my grandmother.”

The waves are too choppy to safely exit the ship for the boat,so Bowen lowers us one by one into the waiting boat and then follows us down. We have enough magic between the three of us that we’d manage just fine, but this is simpler.

As soon as we’re settled, I send us moving forward. My magic ensures we have no need for oars. “The reef makes the route to shore damn near impassable in places, but we should be okay.”

“As long as we aren’t foolish,” Bowen says mildly. He’s got a fistful of Evelyn’s shirt, his hold actively keeping her from spilling into the sea as she leans over the edge of the boat to peer into the depths.

“I forgot how clear the water is here.” Evelyn is nothing if not an opportunist when it comes to new experiences. She and Bowen spent some time on First Sister before coming aboard my ship and helping me rid the world of Hedd. They don’t talk much about what happened here, but it seemed to change everything when it comes to Bowen’s perception of the Cwn Annwn. After leaving First Sister, he was firmly on the side of the rebellion.

“Careful there.” I don’t reach out and add my hand to Bowen’s to keep her aboard. All my concentration is required to navigate the reef that seemed to rise up out of nowhere. The good news is that this small bay is dangerous enough that not even the most foolhardy local would attempt to swim or fish here. As a result, we have no witnesses to our journey.

Evelyn grins as if she wants to push us, but manages to sit back firmly in her seat once more. I can’t quite tell if Bowen breathes a sigh of relief, but I surely do. She tilts her head back and closes her eyes, her blond hair ruffling in the wind. “Youknow, it would have been so much faster if Bowen just lifted the entire boat and brought us to shore.”

“I’m aware of Bowen’s power, which is why I’d like to keep it saved for a moment when we truly need it. There’s no reason to exhaust him with this sort of thing.” I shoot him a look. “And if we have to make a quick exit, we’re going toneedit.”

Chapter20

Siobhan

I stare at Poet, sure thatI am misunderstanding what the fuck she’s saying to me right now. “Nox…left?”

Unlike her wayward captain, Poet has the grace to look guilty. Her face flushes and she can’t quite meet my gaze. “A bare hour ago.”

I turn without entirely meaning to and stare hard at the coastline. There are plenty of nooks and crannies on most of the islands in Threshold, and I know the best places to approach if I don’t want to be seen. That kind of secrecy isn’t possible on theAudacity; it’s too large. It makes sense for Nox to lay anchor out here and then ride in. Whatdoesn’tmake sense is leaving me behind.

“Unacceptable.”

Poet’s mouth thins. “They took Bowen and Evelyn, and even if they hadn’t, Nox can handle whatever Kanghri can throw at them.”

I’m not convinced. My sister is on the hunt. No matter what experience Nox has with Morrigan, they still don’t fully understand what she’s capable of. They can’t.

I glance over as Bastian walks up. His skin still appears waxy and the deep circles under his eyes haven’t fully faded, but he’s looking significantly better than he did even a few days ago. I quickly bring him up to speed.

Unsurprisingly, he’s just as thrilled as I am by this new development. “They didn’t even tell us that they were going to shore.”

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