Page 81 of Ship of Shadows
The captain of the enemy ship looked down at me. “What in the bloody hell is this? Get out of the way,” he said. “Or you’ll get blasted to pieces.”
I brought up my hands, telling the wave to push me higher, and the man’s eyes widened, like he was just realizing I was using magic.
“She’s an elemental,” he said to his men.
“Yes, the princess of the water court, if you want to get specific,” I said. “You sure you want to kill me and risk bringing down the wrath of the courts upon you?”
Given how ardently they wanted to avoid conflict, I wasn’t at all sure the other courts would avenge my death, but he didn’t need to know that.
“Fucking hell,” he said, scratching his gray bearded jaw. “What are you doing here? Why is a princess of the water court interfering in human business?”
“Because I have a vested interest in the Lost Boys.”
I shot a look behind me to catch the murderous gaze in Bastian’s eyes, while the rest of the crew stood behind him, gaping at me.
“Why are you attacking them?” I asked. “What did they do to you?”
“They took my son,” he growled.
That stopped me. “W-what?”
“They kidnapped him and are keeping him aboard. We’ve heard the rumors. We know their dealings with the shadow court. That anyone they take there is never seen again.” He stepped forward. “I just want my son back.”
I raised my chin. “And if I can get your son? Will you stop this attack?”
He eyed me warily and glanced at the cannons pointed toward his ship. “You have one hour. One hour before I blow their ship, and everyone on it, to pieces.”
Bastian knew what he was doing. He was a skilled captain, and I doubted he or his crew were in danger. But I didn’t want to see any blood spilled, including from the men on this ship.
Leoni and Driscoll waved at me from the distance.
“What are you doing?” Leoni shouted, voice echoing over the water.
“I’ll get your son back,” I said to the captain. “One hour.”
He gave a stiff nod. I turned and thrust out my hands, the tall wave delivering me straight to Bastian’s ship and spitting me out at his feet.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Bastian said.
Mia helped me to my feet. “You shouldn’t have come back,” she whispered.
I shook her off and straightened. “We need to talk,” I said to Bastian.
“You need to get off my ship.” His eyes blazed. “Now.”
I stood my ground. “I’m not leaving until we have a chat. You can throw me off, but I’ll come back again and again and again.”
He raked a hand through his hair. “You are a fucking pain in my ass, you know.”
“Is that a yes?” I asked.
The vein above his temple throbbed as he gestured toward his cabin. “Inside. Now,” he growled and spun on his heel, not waiting for me.
Mia’s face paled as she stared after her brother, his black trench coat flapping behind him. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Princess.”
I took a deep breath and followed him. I hoped so too.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
