Page 88 of Ship of Shadows
I narrowed my gaze at him. “Why are you doing this? You’re not in charge of repairs.”
He glanced over his shoulder to Kara. “Our carpenter is currently occupied, and she just asked that we take care of this.”
He heaved the plank over the water as crew members worked to shorten the sails, and the ship slowed even further. I supposed he was right. If anyone should do this, it would be me. With the ship slowing down and the calm day at sea, this wouldn’t be a risk for me, not like it might be for other crew members. I hadasked to be included, to pitch in. I rolled up the sleeves of my tunic. I shouldn’t complain about being asked to do just that.
Bartholomew secured the plank in the grooves of the cutout, and I took a deep breath, remembering how this had turned out the last time I’d walked the plank. I shook away my fears. This was clearly a different situation.
I stepped out on the board as it creaked under my feet. “So what am I looking for, exactly?” I asked over my shoulder.
Before Bartholomew could answer, a voice said, “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
I turned to see Bastian standing there, staring at me with anger swirling in his eyes.
I planted my hands on my hips. “Oh, so the captain finally graces us with his presence.”
“Get off the damn plank.”
A stubbornness rose in me. He didn’t even know what I was doing on here. He probably had no idea what was going on with his own ship since he’d spent so long hiding in his cabin, hiding from me.
“I feel like staying out here a little longer, actually.” Crew members began to emerge on the main deck, converging around Bastian, watching the exchange between us.
“Do not make me come after you and drag your ass back onto this ship.” Bastian took a step forward. “You will regret it.”
“That didn’t go so well for you last time.”
“Damnit, love. Just listen to me.”
I raised my chin in the air. “No.”
He let out a groan of frustration. “Then you leave me no choice.”
He stomped toward me. Oh fuck. He had been serious. He was actually coming after me. I backed away toward the edge.
“What are you doing, you idiot?” I asked.
He kept hold of my gaze, stepping up onto the board.
“Bastian, stop!” The plank wobbled under my feet, making my balance unsteady. “You’re going to make us both fall in!”
“Now!” Mia yelled from the crowd right when Bastian reached me and grabbed my arm.
We both froze, staring at everyone in complete confusion.
“Now what?” I asked just as Leoni stepped forward and stuck out her hands, summoning a wave to come over us.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked, heart beating wildly.
The wave dipped down and plucked both of us up, its grasp firm.
“Let us down right now.” Bastian’s voice was deadly.
Mia stepped in front of Leoni. “Not until you two work your shit out. We’re tired of the moods, the tantrums, the avoidance. I don’t care what history you have with her.” She pointed at me, and I flinched. “Get it the fuck together because you have a crew depending on you, and we cannot have our captain falling apart.”
The wave rushed toward a small island that stretched out in the water, a cluster of tall rock formations with small caves on one end, a few scattered palm trees on another. It was about the same size as Bastian’s ship.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Bastian muttered.
“When can we come back?” I shouted.
