Page 6 of The Eternal Sea (The Shifting Fae 3)

“I heard a few men talking at the docks. Rumors of monsters in the sea near the eastern port and not ones we’re used to. You and I both know what a storm can kick up from the depths of the abyss. We don’t need another River Nymph incident.”

“Aye.” My mind replayed the night we ran into the nymphs and they were more treacherous than the sirens. “Your concern is noted.”

I clapped him on the shoulder and walked away, forcing him to take the wheel.

“Some things are not worth the risk,” he barked.

I ignored the grumblings of my old friend.

It’s always worth the risk.

Watching my crew man theRavager, I knew what I gambled more than anyone aboard. It had taken me decades to obtain the coin and the right crew, and now with my connections, the possibilities were endless. A few more years and we’d have enough riches to retire. Though, I knew exactly where I was going, and where most of my crew would be happy to retire in. The Oasis wasn’t just paradise. It was home. On the island, Lily the head of the brothel and the dock captain ran things, but I’d invested enough over the years to take my share and claim what was rightfully mine.

As long as my newly acquired passenger behaved, all would be well.

I’d never been one to seduce a paying customer, but I didn’t trust this human who had innocent eyes, luscious chestnut hair, and gems worth more than my entire boat. I should’ve sent her right back to port, but if she had more of those emeralds, well, me and my crew would never have to risk our lives for the magi again and what I thought would take years, would take one trip. Was it too much to hope that everything I’d been working toward was finally within reach?

Taking out my spyglass, I surveyed the distant storm. The entire sky darkened in the north. We would reach it by nightfall, depending on the winds. Even with my power, some storms were beyond my control.

“Well, if we’re to die,” I said to myself, putting my spyglass away. “Might as well do it in good company.”

I whistled for Declan. When the young man reached me, I put a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll be in my quarters. Have her and dinner brought to me in thirty minutes.”

“Aye, aye, Captain.” His shoulders slumped a bit, and I wondered if the reason for taking her request had more to do with her appearance than the coin she carried.

Before I interrogated our new guest, I had to make sure another traveler was secure. With a whistle, I called Rooster to my side. The macaw landed on the railing next to me. “There’s a woman in the guest cabin, keep an eye on her for me.”

He ruffled his feathers. “Aye. Aye . . . aye, aye.”

With a flap, Rooster flew starboard, and I headed below deck.

I had two goals with this voyage: deliver the magi’s cargo and arrive to the Oasis with our other shipment intact. A favor had been called in and I had no choice but to answer.

The lanterns swung as the ship sailed out to deeper waters. Heading lower to the storage area, I listened for anything out of place. Only a few of my men knew what slept below deck, and I intended to keep it that way.

Taking the bronze key out of my pocket, I slipped it into the iron lock and turned the doorknob. Normally, we didn’t lock this storage room, but these were precarious times. Barrels lined up along the walls, most stocked with ale and dry goods for the cook. To the right, hidden in the darkness of the hull sat a long wooden box that almost reached the length of the wall. The sides latched down with iron locks, and one I had the only key to.

I tapped on the lid and a low groan responded.

“We left port and should reach the Oasis within a week.” Staring at the wooden planks, I waited for a response. When none came, I shook my head and turned.

“See I am not disturbed again . . . or I may get hungry.”

The ancient voice sent a chill up my spine, even I didn’t care for the twisted folk. Though, this one and I had a very long and odd relationship. “I’ll hold my end of the bargain. You stick to yours. My crew is off limits.”

“And the woman?”

I dashed to the box, lowering my voice, and gripping the sides. “Stay in your box or I’ll throw you overboard and you can swim the rest of the way.”

He laughed, and I backed away. If he wanted to, he could get out. The locks were merely a formality, but both of us knew the danger of the crew finding out a twisted resided on board. The corrupted race that was neither dead nor alive and lived in chaos, blood, and destruction. Not even the magi gave the lich king a seat on the council. His lackey, Nostro, would attend meetings, but not have any decision power when it came to national matters.

The ancient laughed, and I left, relocking the door.

Two unwanted guests, and I was wondering which of them would cause me the most trouble.

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