Page 17 of A Descent Into Darkness

“Clew Bay.”

“Ireland? You’ve taken us to fucking Ireland? What the hell for? You’ve sailed us all over the known world… and for what?” I didn’t even try to hide my condemnation.

“You better watch your tone with me. I don’t owe you any explanations. You follow orders! End of story,” he barked, but then let out a deep sigh. I could tell the endless days at sea were getting to him as well. “I’m here to meet an old friend,” he finally admitted. “I’m on the cusp, James. If things go as planned, we’ll be off on a great adventure.”

“Isn’t that what we’ve been doing these last thirteen years?”

“Not like this. Nothing like what awaits us. Come, you must prepare yourself. We’re heading inland to Castlebar. I’m leaving Drake behind with the crew to resupply the ship and make the repairs.”

“Drake? But he’s first mate. Those aren’t his responsibilities, Captain.”

“Let me worry about Drake. I need you with me this time.”

The hairs on the back of my neck rose. An impromptu trip inland, just the captain and me—his lowly bo’sun. Would I ever return from this trip? My mind instantly went to Kat. If something happened to me, there would be no one to protect her.

“What about Kat?” The question came out before I could think better of asking it.

“Katherine? She’ll remain in her room as usual. I’ll get one of the crew?—”

“Henry! I’ll get Henry to take charge of her care in my absence,” I blurted out. Even though I doubted any man on the ship would dare to touch the captain’s property. I couldn’t be too careful. After all, the threat to life and limb hadn’t been enough to deter me. She’d been through more than any woman should have to bear. The guilt already ate away at me for not being able to save her from Teach.

“Fine, fine. Just be ready to leave the moment we drop anchor.”

The crew buzzed with excitement,hurriedly preparing the ship to make berth. I took advantage of their distraction and slipped into Kat’s room. She sat at her desk, her back turned to me. Sketching furiously on the pad of paper I’d given her. Charcoal covered the page in a depiction of a starry sky. She was lost in the moment, likely bringing one of her visions to life on the page. She was so peaceful. One of the few times when she didn’t look like she had the world on her shoulders. I knew the news I was about to share would add to that burden. So I waited, memorizing her exactly as she was now, her golden hair in a cascade of chaos, falling around her charcoal smudged face. Her beauty put art to shame.

She paused, and I knew I’d broken the spell. Her emerald eyes turned to me, their light fading as she took me in. “James, is everything alright?” Concern lacing her voice. Apparently, I’d failed at masking my growing concerns. Once we were alone, I lingered with my back against the door. Taking a moment to let her nearness wash over me. Simply being in her presence was intoxicating. If this was the last time I laid my eyes on her, I wanted her image to be burned into my memory for eternity.

“We’ve made it to port,” I answered. “He’s taken us to Ireland. Teach is here to meet with someone, and he’s insisting that I go with him.”

The color drained from her face. “Do you think he knows?” she whispered.

“I can’t say for sure. We’ve been careful, but…” I cleared my throat, unable to put words to that possibility. “I’ve arranged for Henry to take over my duties with you while I’m gone.”

She nodded slowly. “Do you think he’s meeting Ruby?” she deflected. I could see that her mind was racing with all the worst-case scenarios, but she was trying to hide it for my sake.

“Possibly. But I’m more concerned about you. If he knows, you aren’t safe either. I want you to take this.” I pulled a small blade from my belt. I reached for her hand and gently placed the dagger in her palm. The feel of her soft skin in my calloused hands made the fire flare in my chest. “Hide this under your pillow until I get back.”

“And what if you don’t come back? James, I can’t lose you. I cannot do this without you,” she pleaded with me.

“Then there is this.” I pulled a small black vial from my belt. “If I don’t come back, you’ll have a choice. This will offer you a peaceful oblivion if you so desire it.”

“Poison?” she guessed, her eyes going wide as she took in the bottle of black death in my hand. “How did you manage?—”

“I’ve been practicing everything you taught me.”

“You made this yourself?” she whispered, and I nodded solemnly. “I guess you’re a better student than I gave you credit for.” A half-hearted smile tugged at her lips. For a briefmoment, fear was replaced by the look of pride in her eyes at my accomplishment and my heart swelled. What I would give to have her look at me like that everyday, but I wouldn’t chance her suffering on the pleas of a man like me. My prayers to the Divine had always seemed to fall on deaf ears.

“I will leave you with a choice. This, ”I emphasized, shaking the vial in her face, “is a better alternative than what he’ll have planned for you.”

I went to place the vial in her palm next to the blade, but she was trembling so violently that the dagger fell from her hand and landed in her thick skirts. I quickly collected the knife and tucked it safely under her pillow with the vial of poison. I knelt before her, taking her trembling hands in mine. Pressing my lips to her soft skin.

“Everything will be fine, Katherine. You don’t have to worry. We’ll figure something out soon and then we can be together. I’ll take you away from all of this. Just give me a little more time, and we’ll get out from under his thumb.”

She nodded again, a silent tear leaking down her cheek.

“Do you trust me?”

Her emerald-green eyes raised to meet mine, and I was instantly entranced. Bewitched by her gaze alone.

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