Page 19 of Pirate Witch
ChapterSeven
NILSA
Iland on the very outskirts of the pier just as Klaus hauls himself over the top of the sea wall. Isablis is glowing under the morning sun. The white marble buildings of the city reflect the light, their flat roofs overflowing with the leafy green produce from the gardens. People mill about aimlessly, barely noticing the intruders in their midst as they chatter with the merchants lining the port. None of them seem worried about the fleet that’s anchored in the bay.
If a pirate king’s ships landed at Coveton, I’m certain the general populace would be a bit more wary of wandering out. These people seem completely nonplussed by the presence of pirates on their doorstep. In fact, most of the taverns have signs with special offers for sailors.
I guess pirates have plenty of gold to spend. It wouldn’t make sense for them to refuse their business.
It’s odd to see pirates welcomed with open arms, but I suppose it makes sense. Val said that Cirio’s mate’s nest is based here. The pirate king must have become a staple of the city.
“We should start at the docks,” Klaus says, shaking water out of his hair. “I’m hoping we’ll see someone I recognise. If not, maybe someone will recognise your marks.”
Opal leaps from around my neck with a fed-up sigh.“The tuna twins could have just marked your hand or something,”she grumbles.“I was just getting comfortable.”
Smirking, I lean down and scratch behind her ears. “Go and do some reconnaissance,” I suggest. “We could do with knowing what’s going on here.”
With a casual flick of her tail and another unimpressed look, the silver tabby stalks away into the crowd.
“You’re okay just sending her off like that?” Klaus asks. “She won’t get lost?”
I snort and lead the way through the crowd, heading for the docks. “Opal would be the first to tell you that I’m the one who gets lost in our relationship. She can scent magic. If I call her, she’ll follow my trail straight to me.”
“That’s incredible.”
“She’s not an ordinary cat.” I lengthen my strides, forcing the other people on the seafront to move or be run over. “She’ll find out anything she can about why there are so many ships in the bay. Cirio’s mate’s nest might be here, but that’s no reason for him to bring an entire fleet to visit.”
“I don’t like that either,” Klaus mutters. “Why bring a fleet anywhere unless you’re preparing for war?”
We reach the docks, and the stares begin. A few of the more religious sailors drop into deep bows at the sight of me. I’ve dressed unapologetically, like the Lunar that I am. My flowing black mini dress shows off every sigil of the Goddess’s mark on my spine and my mother’s pendant hangs between my breasts, the bronze crescent bouncing with each step I take. If that isn’t enough of a clue not to fuck with me, perhaps the silver blades sheathed on my hips will get the point across.
Klaus lets me take the lead, glaring at any male who looks at me for too long.
A man with a long swathe of sun-bleached hair, held back by a red bandana, ducks in front of me. I’m forced to stop or risk smashing into him. He’s not an imposing man, and there’s an easy charm about his wide, toothy grin that instantly makes me want to like him. The pistol strapped across his chest and the cutlass on his hip are worn, but well cared for—these weapons have seen plenty of action—and a litany of scars crisscross over his knuckles.
No matter how much charisma oozes from him, this man has seen his share of fights.
“And just who might you be, pretty lass?” he asks, flashing me an easy grin.
“She’s taken, Fitz,” Klaus growls, before I can answer.
“Fitz?” I recognise the name, but it takes me a second to realise why. “Marianne has money on your head.”
His flirty expression doesn’t die, brown eyes sparkling in the sunlight. “Ah, so you’ve been to The Rusty Locket.” He doesn’t seem surprised at all. “Marianne’ll come around. Don’t you worry about me. Now, why don’t you tell me what a siren prince and a Lunar witch were doing in a city like Meliad?”
I’m not oblivious to the crowd drawing around us. Pirates are slowly edging closer, their hands on their weapons—though Fitz has made no move to reach for his. Not that that means much. He’s clearly a shifter just from the easy, stalking way he walks. There’s every chance his other form has teeth that will rip me in two the second he shifts.
“I’m here for Cirio,” I admit, my eyes narrowing. “I have a message for him from theDeadwood.”
Fitz’s smile never dies. “And just what might that be?”
I shrug my dark hair away from my neck and watch as his eyes widen slightly. “I’ll tell my message directly to Cirio.”
The pirates around me actually take a step back. I hear the words “leviathan” and “mate” whispered under their breath.
To his credit, Fitz doesn’t miss a beat. He sweeps the bandana from on top of his head and waves it in a courtly bow. “A pleasure to make your meeting, my lady...”
“Nilsa,” I reply, slowly. “Nilsa av Coveton. Shadow of the Moon.”
