Page 119 of A Flash of Golden Fire

Domingo fought a smile but still appeared guarded.

“Are you a witch, in truth, Rooster? Are you a godless thing?” Domingo asked carefully in hushed tones.

I shrugged. “I don’t think so. Not sure I believe in God or the devil, to be honest.”

He didn’t tumble in shock, so at least he’d probably realized that.

“I’m surprisedyoudo,” I admitted.

“What? Believe in God?”

“Well, yes.”

“Because I’m a whore?” Domingo said, enunciating the word with a certain relish.

“Were a whore. You ain’t one now.”

Domingo shrugged, but he didn’t look particularly happy.

“Then what am I, Rooster? If I’m not a dirty whore, I don’t know what I am.”

My heart ached for the look in his sad eyes, and I hastened to reassure him. I needed all the friends I could get.

“Oh, Domingo. You’re a part of theArrow’screw. You’re a friend of mine,andof Captain Martin’s. And Guthrie’s assistant. You’ve made a name for yourself aboard this ship, and your reputation doesn’t have anything to do with that life.”

Domingo nodded, blinking back emotion. “I miss some things. For one thing, there were significantly fewer possibilities of winding up at the bottom of the sea.”

I shook a finger at him. “Fewer. Not none.”

He smiled this time. “No, Rooster, my dear. Not none.”

“The way I see things, you’re better off aboard this ship, with your friends.”

“Areyou my friend?Truly?”

“Domingo, of course I am,” I said, taking a step toward him. He didn’t flinch, but he still looked wary. “If you can handle being friends with a witch or whatever the fuck I am.”

“Well, I suppose I’ll have to be. I’m sort of stuck here, at least for the moment.”

“Aye, that’s true,” I said.

“You’ve been nothing but kind to me, Rooster. And you fuck like an angel. I’m not used to being treated so gently as part of a monetary transaction. I’ve wanted to tell you that for a long time.”

I was truly touched, both at his compliment, but also at the thought of what the reality of his life had been.

“Thank you, Domingo. You’re very easy to like, you know. And I shall always remember that night as being very special.”

“Thank you.”

“Friends again?” I said, holding out my hand.

“Friends again,” Domingo agreed, standing and enfolding my fingers with his own. “What you said about Captain Martin wanting to…” He waggled his eyebrows and gestured in the direction of the captain’s chambers.

“I was trying to get a rise out of you. But I won’t say another go with the both of us isn’t a thought he’s had.”

Domingo grinned. “Hmm.”

“Or thatIhave had…”

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