Page 84 of Wicked Tides
“Sakari, her name was. Was the little one’s aunt. And where’s Dahlia?”
I shrugged again, stepping over to the bar and pouring myself a mug of water from a wooden pitcher. I took a few sips to wet my dry throat before I spoke again.
“She was hurt. Meridan said she needed the water, but she had to wait till we got to the shallows.”
“Why’d you have to wait.”
I took another sip. “Because those slimy creatures showed up. Whole crew saw ‘em this time. Devoured whatever was left of Collin’s men. Tried to take Dahlia, too. We had to sail inland before Meridan would risk going in the water again.”
He scrubbed his face with another groan and leaned an elbow on the bar beside me.
“Why did I ever think our days of sailing would become simple?”
“When have they ever been simple?” I snorted.
“Go out, hunt, bring back heads. Simple. Now we’re making alliances with sirens, fighting other crews, and being attacked by creatures from the deep.”
“First, what we have with Meridan and Dahlia is hardly an alliance. Second, Collin was a prick. I was bound to kill him out here or in a tavern back home sooner or later. And…” I paused to shake my head with defeat. “The sons are just in the middle of it all. As far as I’m concerned, they’re just something else to kill.”
I glanced at David as he carefully sipped warm broth from a bowl. Across from him, a few of the girls were quietly huddled together, heads down and eyes closed as if in silent prayer.
“How’s he doing?” Gus asked.
“Don’t know. Haven’t spoken to him yet.” I took a couple breaths before continuing. “Agnes took a leap off of Roger’s Point, according to him. Just after I left the harbor. That’s why he joined Collin’s crew. Boy’s as lost as I was at his age. I just didn’t want him to find the path I did. It doesn’t lead anywhere good.”
“Ahh,” Gus huffed. “Woman was having a hard go at it since Jack. Don’t blame yourself.”
“It’s hard not to, Gus. I was trying to make good on promises to myself and I failed at that.”
“What promises?”
“I promised I would protect them.”
“Too much weight on one man’s shoulders will break even the strongest back.” He slapped me on the arm and then turned back to the table. “I’ll talk to him if you like.”
I nodded. “Might be best. Don’t think he likes me much right now.”
“Thelasa says Oscar Keith has a few hunting cabins inland he’d be willing to rent out for us since the inn’s getting a little full. I, uh, I promised the stock of furs to them as payment.”
“Good. They’ll make use of it better than we would. Might be best for me to sleep elsewhere tonight anyways.”
“Hmm. Sensing some restless nights ahead?”
“They’re always restless, Gus,” I smiled tiredly.
“That they are.”
I stood off the bar and set my mug down, rolling my sore shoulders.
“Take care of the girls.”
“Aye. And David. You have my word.”
“Aye, and David. Thank you.” I turned to Thelasa as she walked behind the bar with a few empty cups. “Doors locked tonight, Ma’am.”
She snorted. “We lock our doors every night here, sir. And bolt them. We’ve had our fair share of conflict on our island, believe you me.”
“I’m sure you have,” I smirked.
