Page 11 of Rebel in the Deep

Even with all that, Morrigan’s reputation is such that even Hedd avoided the waters where she’s known to sail. She’s vicious and inventive and the only Council member who actually has a crew and a ship.

Siobhan shakes her head slowly. “I know what Lizzie is capable of, but Morrigan sails with Ace and Bull now. Even without those two, she’s the scariest person I’ve ever met.”

I know all this. I just smile, projecting the bravado that’s gotten me out of no small number of scraps over the years. “Honestly, Siobhan, I’m hurt. You don’t think I’m scary?”

Siobhan clears her throat. “You’re terrifying in an entirely different way.”

It’s tempting to read into that, but we’re in the process of sailing to save her partner of ten years. I may be nursing something of an infatuation with the fearless leader of the rebellion, but I’m not fool enough to offer her my heart.

I stretch my arms over my head. “Well, she’s not as good as I am. Guess I’ll have to prove that to you.”

I just hope it’s the truth and I’m not about to get every one of my crew killed.

Chapter6

Siobhan

When all is said anddone, Nox’s plan trulyisbrilliant in its simplicity. Lizzie, Maeve, and I conducted a three-person assault on theCrimson Hagthat damn near sank the ship and their formidable crew along with it. With Nox and their elemental magic in the mix, victory should be a sure thing.

But Morrigan isn’t Miles. She isn’t like any of the other captains in the Cwn Annwn. She isn’t likeanyoneelse in Threshold…except me.

My younger sister, whom I haven’t seen since the fire that killed our parents and was supposed to kill me, the better to clear the way for her ascension to power as the last remaining member of our family still standing. If she’d known I was alive, she would have hunted me through the realms until she stood over my dead body, sure that she’d finished the job.

After we save Bastian—if we’re even able to pull it off—Morrigan won’t stop coming after us until every single one of us is torn to pieces.

I know what Nox said about despair, but I can’t stop myself from worrying as each day brings us closer to the rendezvous point.

“Stop moping. It’s unbecoming of a leader.”

I look up as Lizzie drops down next to me. She watches the crew move about with narrowed eyes. “Nox knows what they’re doing. I’m aware that Morrigan is scary, but so are we. So buck the fuck up and put that intimidating persona back in place to inspire courage in the crew who are about to risk their lives for your cause.”

As pep talks go, it’s not particularly good, but after a few days in Lizzie’s presence, I’m inured to her particular…charm. “I’m not moping. I’m plotting.”

“Looks the same from where I’m sitting.” She stretches out her long legs. “It goes without saying that Maeve will not be involved in any efforts to retrieve your little boyfriend a second time.”

I follow her gaze to where the redhead is currently engaged in an animated conversation with the witch, her hands moving rapidly as she speaks. “Does she know that?”

“We’ve spoken about it,” Lizzie says stiffly. “By the time we reach our destination, I expect to be victorious.”

At that, I twist to look at her. She’s glaring at the deck as if it insulted her personally. I don’t know what it says about me that Lizzie in a foul mood amuses me greatly. “Does she know you intend to murder your way through Morrigan’s crew? You know how Maeve feels about murder.”

“Don’t be smug.” She shrugs stiffly. “With stakes as high as they are, she’s willing to waive her determination to save every lost soul who crosses her path.”

Love is so strange. It changes a person, and watching it happen in real time is admittedly odd. I can’t help but think of all the ways I’ve changed since Bastian and I started our relationship. I want to say it’s all been for the best, but now I wonder.

When you’re happy, it’s so easy to make excuses to remainsafe. Even at the cost of others’ lives.

I shake myself and push to my feet. “Nox has the ability to incapacitate the crew by restricting blood flow to their brains. You can turn their own blood against them. It’s a good plan.” There will be crew members who have shields their magic can’t penetrate, though, andthat’swhat I’m worried about.

“Yes, it is.” Lizzie watches me closely. “And it doesn’t require your presence on that ship.”

“Gods, not you, too.” I’ve had to sit through lectures by Nox, Bowen, and now apparently Lizzie about how the head of the rebellion shouldn’t put herself at risk.

As if I haven’t been at risk from the moment I was born. As if that risk hasn’t increased exponentially now that I’m supposed to be dead.

But that’s not something I can say, not without explaining why I take the Cwn Annwn’s perversion of the originals’ vision so personally. A problem to deal with later, one we won’t have to worry about if we don’t successfully save Bastian from being brought before the Council.

The mood on the deck shifts, and I know without looking that Nox has emerged from their cabin. They don’t say anything, but they don’t need to. Their energy draws the crew’s spines straight and makes the people want to please them, to say something to make them laugh, to bring a smile to their sharp mouth.

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