Page 78 of Ship of Shadows
“Or her bidding,” Driscoll said.
“This is all just conjecture,” Leoni said. “We don’t know that’s what’s happening here. Besides, how could we have missed that they don’t have shadows? Surely we would have noticed something like that.”
I thought back to our journey. “Except it’s been cloudy almost the entire time.”
She drummed her fingers on the table. “You and Bastian had a year-long affair.”
“And we always met in a cave.” His idea. Blood and water.
My thoughts trailed off once again, going in a thousand different directions. “Bastian’s illness.” I pounded my hands on the table, making Driscoll jump in his chair. “Did either of you notice any blue lines on the other crew members?”
“Wait a minute. I did notice that.” Driscoll said. “Thought I was drunk out of my mind.”
“Well, you were,” Leoni said.
“It’s all connected,” I slammed my book shut. “It has to be.”
“So?” Leoni sat back and crossed her arms. “Who cares what secrets the pirate lord harbors? This isn’t even what we’re supposed to be researching. We need to find out more about the shadow court, things we don’t already know.”
“The pirate lord knows the most about the shadow court.”
“Are you kidding me?” Leoni asked.
Driscoll stretched out his hands. “Let’s just calm down.”
“We can’t do this again! Did you hear Bastian the other night? He wants nothing to do with you. The deal is off, he said. And then he stalked away and out of your life forever.”
“Well, after he tackled her to the ground,” Driscoll said. “That was kind of romantic, even if it was just fireworks he was saving her from.”
“That’s it.” I leaned forward. “He’s trying to protect me. He’s always been trying to protect me.” Excitement thrummed in my veins. “He’s keeping these secrets because he doesn’t want me to get hurt. This lord, whoever took his shadow, I think he’s a bigger threat than we realize. And finding out his identity is the key to saving my brothers, all the boys. I’m sure of it.”
Leoni scowled. “If Bastian can’t even get back his own shadow, then what help do you think he’ll be?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “But we have to find out.”
“Spirits below,” Driscoll said. “It sounds like you want to go after the pirates.”
I stood. “We have to.”
“Why?” Leoni asked, exasperation filling her voice.
“Because I love him,” I said. “Because I love him, and I’m not going to run from that. My gut is telling me that Bastian isn’t bad. That there’s an explanation for all of this. And now I’m even more sure of it. He’s been pushing me away to protect me. Before you all interrupted us in those hedges, he was so close to telling me the truth.” I shook my head, thinking about my conversation with Liliath. “I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t pursue this, if I don’t find out the truth once and for all. Our boys, my brothers, my father, they deserve answers too.” I spread my arms wide. “All those trapped people whose shadows have been taken do. The pirate lord is our best chance, I’m sure of it. Somewhere along the way, I think Bastian lost his drive, his purpose. I’m going to find him and remind him of it.”
“Damn, that’s romantic,” Driscoll said. “Okay, you convinced me.” He raised his hand. “I’m in.”
“You’re going to come with me?” I asked. “Back to the ship?”
“I don’t think I’ve proven myself enough yet.” He shrugged a shoulder. “I said I was going to help you save your brothers, and I’m going to see that through.”
We both looked at Leoni, who threw her hands up in the air. “Of course I’m going to come. But you better be right about the pirate lord, or I swear, I will drag you from his ship and back to Apolis and have you chained to your bed.”
“That’s a little kinky,” Driscoll said, and Leoni elbowed him, but I didn’t miss the quirk to her lips.
“Deal,” I said, then started walking toward the entrance to the library.
“Where are you going?” Leoni called.
“To pack,” I yelled over my shoulder. “We have a pirate lord to find.”
