Page 49 of Rebel in the Deep

My powerful strokes bring us through the wave break in seconds. There are still the currents to contend with, of course, but I’ve been swimming since I could walk; I know how to navigate tricky currents.

I take an angle almost parallel to the shore until the pressure against my body guides us in the direction I actually want to go. My fur is soaked, my legs churning, and I am finally starting to register the drag of my passengers, but I haven’t come this far to stop now. TheAudacitybobs gently in the distance, less than a mile out. I can do this. Imustdo this.

Between one stroke and the next, the currents suddenly shift again, this time to propel me forward. Magic tickles my nose, and if I had a mouth made for words, I would curse Nox for using their magic when they’re already so drained. Since I don’t, I put all my remaining strength into paddling as quickly as possible.

With Nox’s water magic propelling me, we make it to the ship faster than I could have dreamed. Bastian clings to my neck. “Do you want me to drop the glamour now, or wait until you shift back?” His voice is ragged with strain.

Nox rolls off my back and treads water a short distance away. “Take the glamour off me.”

Bastian hesitates, but I can tell the exact moment he obeys, because a surprised shout goes up from the deck overhead. “It’s the captain!”

Someone unrolls a ladder, and Nox waves. “Thank you, darling! I’ll be up shortly.” They twist to face us, their eyes narrowed. “I can’t see any of you, but get moving. We didn’t come this far to drown now.”

I swim closer to the ladder, treading water as Dia, Evelyn, and Bowen scramble up the side of the ship. Then it’s only me, Bastian, and Nox.

Bastian eases off me, but doesn’t move far. “Change back so you can climb.”

Of course. I must be more tired than I realized, because that’s the obvious next step. I draw my magic into myself, tucking it down deep as my body shifts back into its human form. I go under for a brief moment while I rework how to swim with human arms and legs instead of a hound’s. When I surface again, Nox is directly in front of me, their gray eyes wide.

“Worried about me?” I rasp.

“Every damn day.” They finally manage a smile, though it’s strained around the edges. They glance at Bastian. “We have another flight before us.”

“I know.” We expected Morrigan to be far enough behind us that we could recharge the crew with a slower pace. That’s obviously not happening now. Even if the group following us turned back, it won’t take long for theBone Heartto sail around Three Sisters to our position.

Bastian goes under and surfaces near the ladder. He grabs the closest rung. “We have to get moving.”

“Go.”

For a moment, it looks like he wants to argue, butsomeoneamong the three of us has to go first, so he sighs and hauls himself up the ladder. “Don’t linger.”

“Nox is right behind you.”

Nox shakes their head. “You first, darling.”

Despite everything, I find the capacity to grin. “So you can stare at all my unmentionables while climbing up behind me? I think not.”

Nox rolls their eyes. “I’ve been staring at yourunmentionablessince you came aboard my ship. You’re just giving me fodder for fantasies. It’s charity work, honestly.”

I should be focusing on the imminent danger we’re in, but flirting with Nox is so fun that my exhausted brain doesn’t want to do anything to break this moment. “It doesn’t have to be fantasy.”

Nox opens their mouth, pauses, and starts for the ladder. “Very well.Youcan stare atmyunmentionables while we both climb.”

They’re running. Again. I make an effort to shrug off my disappointment and follow them. The wet fabric of their pants clings to their backside, showing every flex of muscle as they climb. I want to sink my teeth into them in a way that would truly worry me if I could dredge up the energy for it. Each foot I climb drains away the joy I found in the flirting, driving home the dire situation we’re currently in.

No guarantees that the horn will do anything. The only way to find out is to test it, and breaking into the Council’s seat of power is a good way to end up dead. There are no good choices.

Guess it’s time to make a bad one.

Chapter25

Bastian

Seeing Siobhan in her houndform never fails to feel like I’m witnessing a miracle. She’s gorgeous, a massive white hound, long and lean, with crimson ears and eyes. Her strength humbles me. Any other shifter trying to carry five adults through dangerous currents would drown and take the lot with them. Not Siobhan.

Eyal and Poet haul me over the railing and then reach down to do the same to Nox and then Siobhan. Our little group looks terrible, soaked and shaking on the deck. Of us all, Dia appears the least bothered by the harrowing experience. The fact that Bowen and Nox are still on their feet remains shocking. We’re a mess.

Nox gives themself a shake and straightens. They lift their voice. “I’m sorry, friends, but we have to run again. Did the other team get back?”

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