Page 73 of This Wicked Curse

Clearing my throat, I pull the hat a bit lower, thankful that Sebastian’s clothes conceal just about everything feminine about me. My pants are soaked from the knee down, and my bare feet patter against the wood planks. I manage to make it to the other side without anyone being the wiser, but I only get one step into the companionway before I realize why everything is here. The door’s blocked. I’m trapped down here... Various things have been shoved down the stairs, stacked like a house of cards. I move one thing on the bottom and all of it will topple down into me.

I grit my teeth, trying to steady my heartbeat. There has to be another way out. There’s got to be. If I don’t get to that deck, I’m not getting off this ship alive. At some point, Sebastian will give in to his crew’s demands to see me float. He’ll have to or risk them turning on him. I thought he might eventually believe me, but after tonight, I don’t think he ever will...

Searching around the room, I spot the porthole. I’m just below deck. It can’t be that far. Ropes hang off every inch of the side. I could climb. And it looks big enough for me to fit through...

Trying to stay inconspicuous, I move toward it, grabbing an empty wooden crate from one of the tables. Setting it down, I glance at the men a few feet to my right, playing cards. Only one seems to glance my way, but I keep my face turned and he seems to lose interest, likely assuming I just want to look outside but am too short to see.

They’ll be the first to reach me once they figure out what I plan to do. I’ll have to be quick. Quietly, I undo the latch, making as little noise as possible, but in a room filled with chatter, I doubt they’d hear much, anyway.

I hold my breath, then move. I rip the circular window open, gripping the ledge to pull myself up. My feet lash out, trying to find something to push on until they meet the wooden wall. It’s harder barefoot, but I manage to get a hold and pull myself through, twisting at the waist as I slide into the pouring rain.

Shouts carry through the air from inside and the wind rips my hat off my head, sending it twirling through the breeze and into the ocean. I scramble, gripping the thick ropes along the outside of the ship. Rain and sea spray pelt my face, but I squint and yank, and climb until I’m just outside the window.

A meaty hand reaches through, latching onto my ankle, but I kick with everything I have, connecting with what feels like a face. Their grip releases and I climb.

I can’t help but curse. None of this wouldn’t be happening if I hadn’t accepted Sebastian’s damn deal. I should’ve just stuck to my fate… I might be dead, but it’s better than being in some hot and cold tornado that is Sebastian Hook. The man can’t make up his mind to save his life. Or mine.

His betrayal fuels me as I slowly and methodically make my way toward the railing. The ship rocks, but I cling to the ropes with a ferocity born of desperation. As long as I don’t look down, I’ll be just fine. I’ll make it.

Finally, I manage to haul myself over the railing, gasping for breath as I sit safely against the inside of it. The storm rages around me, and I can’t afford to rest for long. My fingers burn from the ropes, and I hold them up to take in the angry red welts on my palms.

The wind howls in my ears and a shiver runs down my spine. It’s so cold... My teeth chatter and my heart pounds as I struggle for breath, saltwater stinging my eyes. I close them tight, trying to steady my racing pulse.

“Well, aren’t you fucking crafty…” I know that voice all too well...

Sebastian… the infamous Dark One. And he’s just caught me trying to escape.

I am so screwed.

28

Scarlet

Mygazelocksonhis from where he sits, a few feet in front of me. His back is leaned against one of the exterior walls of his quarters. Blood seeps through shaky fingers pressed, coming from a wound on his stomach, and his body trembles as he struggles for breath.

His crew just left him here...

I tear my eyes away, searching the deck for any sign of life, but there’s no one. My throat tightens, but I swallow hard. Flicking my wrists, my hands swarm with light as I mutter a spell. I know what he’s capable of and, wounded or not, by escaping, I stepped against him. Even if it was Zephyr who let me out. Right now, it’s just the two of us, dangerously close to the edge of the deck, and all it would take is one flick of his shadows to send me flying over the rail.

I straighten my shoulders, gearing up to run if I have to, but his chuckle saps it away, draining my focus. The light fades instantly, and his vibrant green eyes slice through the night, staring up at me, now on my feet.

“Relax, princess. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m in no shape to stop you from... Well, whatever you’re planning to do.” His voice is weak, void of his irrationally confident tone.

I glance at his wound. Sebastian’s hand covers it and keeps me from seeing the extent of the damage. There’s a pool of crimson around him, washing over the edge of the ship. It’s too much to lose, even for someone like him.

With the companionway blocked, there’s no way to get him to Zephyr, not like this. Everything he needs is trapped inside the ship and he knows that. It’s likely why he’s resting here instead of trying to find a way in.

Looking out at the sea, my magic searches the water. There are creatures out there, at least one big enough to take me off this ship. I can feel it. Yet, when I meet his gaze, my heart yearns to go to him, to drop to my knees and try to stop the bleeding. I might be angry with him, but I don’t wish him dead.

“Why are you still out here? Why aren’t you below deck with the rest of the men?” I ask hesitantly, taking a step forward.

“Too many were going over, so I sent them below until the storm passed. There’s nothing much we could do up here, anyway. I’d intended to join them, but a wave came and this happened.” He nods his head toward his stomach. “I can’t focus enough to shadow walk and even then, there’s nothing Zephyr could do. If I manage to get down there, he’d be too focused on trying to save his dying best friend instead of saving who he can.”

I can’t leave him like this. I don’t think I could leave anyone like this... I know I should think of myself first, but the thought of just abandoning him is unbearable.

“Maybe my father and I really are alike, after all—both taken down by poison.” Pain laces Sebastian’s words, as he shifts uncomfortably. “Smee will get what she’s always wanted, this ship, and you’ll hopefully find somewhere, away from me and all of this.” He throws up a hand. “It’ll be okay, Scarlet. Just go. Go before I’m gone and the crew finds you. I won’t be here to stop them from tossing you over.”

I inch closer, squinting through the darkness to see. With a flick of my wrist, my hand begins to glow, casting light on the dark blue coral chunk protruding from his flesh. He’s right. It is poisonous.

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