Page 72 of Rebel in the Deep

“No.” They shrug. “Swept through that one.” They nod at the Cwn Annwn ship. “But left us alone.”

That, at least, is a good sign. I don’t know what metric the Wild Hunt might use to define “rot,” but at least they’re confining it to the Cwn Annwn and not all of Threshold.

Walking aboard the crimson-sailed ship makes my skin break out in goose bumps. I almost tell Bastian to stay on the docks, but he won’t listen and I’m not keen to face whatever I’ll find alone. “Hello?”

There’s a sound belowdecks, and it takes me several long beats to realize it’s the sound of someone weeping. I glance at Bastian. “Stay behind me.”

“Let’s go.”

It’s not an agreement, but it’s the best I’m going to get under our current circumstances. I head to the hatch and carefully raise it. Down below, there’s no pocket dimension to speak of, just a rank and filthy room with gently swinging hammocks. I inhale carefully and wince at the coppery scent that lingers. Blood.

We follow the sound of weeping to find a trio of people huddled in the corner. One is barely more than a child, clothed in the same robes Orchid and the people of Drash favor, their head bowed and their thin body shaking. The other two are older, but not by much. From the wideness of their eyes, they’re in danger of going into shock.

I crouch down, trusting Bastian to watch my back without a second thought. “You’re safe.”

“They came,” whispers the one on the right, a woman with deep purple skin and too-large eyes. “They took them all, but I think they killed the captain and the quartermaster.” She shudders. “Good. They deserved it.”

I want nothing more than to find a proper ship and sail after the Hunt to call Siobhan home to us, but…I can’t. If this trio, obviously traumatized by more than just the Hunt, are any indication, we’re going to have a significant number of refugees to either see settled or guide back to their home realms. I can’t just drop that task into someone else’s hands.

Siobhan wouldn’t want me to.

“Fuck,” I breathe.

Bastian finally gathers himself enough to speak, directing his question to the man who looks slightly steadier than the other two. “We need to search for anyone else aboard. Can you show me the way?”

The man reluctantly nods. I busy myself herding the woman and child up onto the deck. By the time we reach the dock, the rest of our party has arrived. Bowen takes in the situation with a single glance. “Maeve, start with the Cwn Annwn ships on the far side of the docks. Lizzie, let Maeve lead.” He ignores the vampire’s hiss. “Evelyn and I will start on the other side. We’ll bring all the survivors here. Once they’re gathered and safe, we’ll come up with a plan for what to do next.”

The sheer enormity of the task sets me back on my heels. It’s not just docked ships that will be affected. If the path of the Hunt is any indication, they’ll hit every ship with crimson sails. There will be some crews left more intact than others, but the latter are in active danger. Most of the ships are too large to be sailed by a handful of even the most knowledgeable people, and I doubt any of the survivors will fall into that category.

“Fuck,” I say again.

Bastian leads another dozen people down to the dock. He speaks softly, reassuringly. “We’ll get you sorted shortly. Please just sit here and rest in the meantime.” He crosses to take me by my arm and speaks in a low voice. “I questioned them briefly. Every single one of them is a conscript who didn’t want to die. Half of them want to return home. The others just want a new start.”

I close my eyes and try tothink. Being captain of a single ship was one thing. What we’re looking at is a widespread catastrophe. “We need to move, and fast. But we have a scattered network, no central communication, and—”

“Nox.” This time, it’s Bastian who takes my shoulders. His expression is absolutely haggard with grief. “We can make it work. The Cwn Annwn ships have the ability to contact theCouncil, so we just need to find that room and set up someone to gather information and locations. You and I can both get word out to our respective contacts. It will take time, but we’ll make it work. Even if Siobhan is…gone.” He sucks in a pained breath. “But we have to deal with Lyari first. If we sail off, we’re going to leave this space wide open for some aspiring noble to undo the potential for so much change.”

It’s both amazing and horrific to understand exactly what’s needed—and the sacrifice demanded. “You have to do it, Bastian,” I say softly. “You’re the only one who can.”

He flinches. “What? No. I can’t. They won’t follow me. I’m only a second son and—”

“You won’t be alone.” The pieces snap together, faster and faster. “Lizzie has participated in more court politics than most of the current nobles combined. She can stay and guide you. Or at least watch your back. Maeve was one of our best informants for a reason. She will help.” The reality of the situation spins out, faster and faster, pieces clicking into place in my head. “Once we have the locations of the ships most in danger, Bowen and Evelyn can take one of the ships left here and a crew of volunteers on rescue missions. I’ll head back to theAudacity. From there, we’ll coordinate and condense, gathering up folks left stranded. Once we’ve managed that,thenwe can work on getting everyone home.”

He looks at me, the shattered heart I can see in his dark eyes a perfect mirror to mine. “But…Siobhan.”

“I know,” I whisper. “But she’s not in active danger. The people at the mercy of the sea are. We have to do this, and we have to do it now, Bastian. Otherwise, she sacrificed herself for nothing.”

He pulls me into his arms and holds me tight—as tightly as I hold him. “We’re going to get her back, Nox. I swear it. No matter how long it takes.”

“But first—”

“But first we’ll ensure her sacrifice is honored.” He releases me slowly and presses a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Let’s get to work.”

Chapter35

One Year Later

Bastian

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