Page 12 of Shinji Takahashi: Into the Heart of the Storm

“Besides, what?” Lucy prodded.

“Um, besides…he didn’t seem so bad at the end,” Shinji finished. “I mean, he gave Tinker back without a fight. And he said he was sorry.” And, in some strange way, Shinji could sympathize with him. He recognized that wary, suspicious look on Roux’s face when Oliver and Phoebe joined them, that instant distrust of grown-ups. Shinji didn’t condone what Roux had done, but he did sense that the boy, much like himself, had seen the rougher side of people.

“Hmmph.” Lucy sniffed, unappeased. “Well, whether he’s sorry or not, that doesn’t make it right to steal from people. At least we won’t see him ever again.” Scooping Tinker from her shoulder, she placed him carefully in her pocket. “You stay hidden until we get on the boat. I don’t want you grabbed by another lowlife.”

They finally reached the harbor, following Oliver down a long cement embankment that ran alongside the ocean. Dozens of ships floated in the bay, sails and masts pointed at the sky. Shinji, having spent a large part of his life on a boat, recognized most of the vessels. From the smaller, sleeker sailboats to bulkier, twin-hulled catamarans to enormous private yachts, he had glimpsed them all before, in harbors around the world—though he had never been on a ship with

the Society before, exploring the unknown. He was excited to get started, and wondered which of the dozens of ships in the harbor was the one they would be sailing on.

As they neared the end of the piers, a shout suddenly rang out, echoing over the breeze.

“You got some nerve showing up here, Ocean!”

Shinji looked up. A man was striding toward them over the docks. A very large man, with dark hair and eyes, muscles bulging through his shirt as he plowed forward. Lucy gasped, and Phoebe immediately raised her arms in the same karate pose she had assumed before, though the large man ignored her, his gaze riveted on Oliver.

Frowning, the man stomped up to them, towering over Oliver. Shinji couldn’t see Oliver’s expression, but the ex-pirate didn’t appear wary or tense, though that could have just been his nonchalant attitude toward everything. Arms crossed, Oliver stared up at the large man, seemingly unconcerned that one swing from those ham-size fists could send him flying into the water. Phoebe was rigid, arms raised and muscles coiled, ready to launch an attack. Though Shinji doubted she would be able to do much harm to the stranger. He looked like someone could smash a vase over his head and he wouldn’t even feel it.

For a moment, the large man stood there, scowling, fists clenched and nostrils flaring like an angry bull. Squaring his shoulders, he leaned forward, getting right in Oliver’s face, glaring at him like he was about to knock him out. Beside

him, Lucy looked on with wide, fearful eyes, and Shinji held his breath.

The man’s jaw clenched, lips twitching, and then he suddenly broke into a loud guffaw that made Shinji jump. “Darn it, Ocean,” he exclaimed, straightening and stepping back. He was grinning now, and it transformed his face entirely. “Absolutely nothing? Come on.”

“I keep telling you, Mano,” Oliver replied, and from his tone, Shinji could tell he was grinning, too. “You’re not scary. Your face and hands and mouth all sayI’m gonna punch your lights out, but your eyes are laughing. Every time.”

“Nuts,” the large man said, and without warning threw both of his enormous, muscular arms around Oliver with a laugh. “Ah, it’s good to see you, Ocean,” he exclaimed, lifting the smaller man off his feet with no effort at all. “I was wondering when we would go on another adventure together. You, me, the open sea. Just like old times again.”

He squeezed once, then set Oliver back on his feet. “Well, don’t just stand there, my friend,” the big man said, slapping Oliver in the shoulder. “It’s rude to keep everyone waiting. Introduce me.”

“Right.” Oliver took a quick breath, probably to reinflate his lungs, and gave the rest of them a wry smile. “Everyone, this is Mano, an old sailing buddy of mine, the captain of theSeas the Day, and the worst poker player in the world. Mano, this is Shinji and Lucy, the protégés you’ve heard about.”

“Nice to meet you,” Lucy said politely while Shinji raised one arm in a wave.

“Mano means ‘shark,’ ” the big man announced. He seemed proud of that fact. “But don’t worry, I don’t bite.” He winked at Lucy, then turned to Shinji with a smile. “I heard all about your expedition to Mexico, Shinji, and your run-in with a rather mystical feathered snake. That is fantastic; I would’ve loved to have seen it myself.” He shook his head in disbelief. “You know, in some cultures, snakes are considered signs of good fortune, which is very nice to have before you go on any kind of sailing adventure. Our last lucky totem washed overboard in a storm, so you can be our good luck for the trip.”

“It washed overboard?” Shinji grinned. “That wasn’t very lucky of it.”

“No,” Mano agreed. “No, it was not.” Leaning over, he rapped three times on one of the wooden posts lining the pier. “Knock on wood, hopefully luck will be with us on this trip.”

“Hello, Mr. Mano!” Phoebe interrupted, stepping in front of Oliver with a smile and extending a hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Phoebe Mystic, as I’m sure Oliver just forgot to mention.”

“Yes, Priya told us you were coming.” Mano didn’t take her hand, as if Phoebe had some terrible disease that he might catch. Taking a long step back, he reached into his pocket and pulled out something small and bright. Shinji

saw it was a penny as he rubbed it between thumb and forefinger. “Unfortunately, I still have concerns. I tried contacting you about this, Ocean,” Mano went on, glancing to Oliver. “You didn’t reply to any of my messages.”

“I would have,” Oliver said, “but I was with Scarlett, and it’s really hard to text when you’re about two seconds away from puking at any given time. Besides, there’s nothing to be concerned about.” He jerked a thumb at the still-smiling Phoebe. “We flew together onRhett. If there was any sort of bad luck, we would be at the bottom of the ocean right now.”

“Scarlett makes her own luck,” Mano replied with a wave of his large hand. “It’s the only reason that she can keep flying that rust-covered contraption.” He stuck the penny back in his pocket and crossed his arms. “I’m sorry, but a Mystic on board a ship is a recipe for disaster. I can’t condone bringing her along.”

Neither Mano nor Oliver seemed concerned that Phoebe was standing right there, listening to them talk about her, but Phoebe didn’t seem to care, either. Or, at least, she was doing a really good job of hiding it. Shinji wondered if this sort of thing happened to her often.

Lucy suddenly stepped forward. “Not that I believe any of this,” she said, frowning at Mano and Oliver. “But what about Shinji? You said his Coatl tattoo was good luck. Having a guardian with us has to count for something, right?”

“Hey.” Shinji raised both hands and took a step back. “Don’t bring me into this,” he told Lucy. “Do I look like a

lucky rabbit’s foot? It’s not like I can wave a hand and make it stop raining or anything like that.”

“But you are a guardian,” Lucy insisted. “At the very least, you have a little magic. A little magic is better than none, even if you can’t control it yet.”

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