Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
I will have her in my bed. Whether it’s simply because she likes the way my bite feels or because she’s running from the sensation of helplessness resulting from her skin being stolen, it doesn’t matter to me. I want her. She wants me. That’s enough.
Maeve wades into the icy water next to me as we shove the boat out. It’s not until the water reaches our chests and we haul ourselves into the boat that my brain decides to whisper about all the ways that this is a terrible idea. Not because of the sailors waiting for us. No, it’s the inky water that hides all manner of sin and monsters. Something could be just inches below the boat and I’d never know.
“Lizzie? Are you okay?”
I belatedly realize that I’ve stopped rowing and pick up my pace. “I’m fine.”
I can’t quite see Maeve’s expression in the darkness, but she nudges me with her shoulder. When she speaks, her tone is the carefully casual one of someone who knows that I’m freaking out and has decided not to comment on it. “This bay is heavily patrolled by the Cŵn Annwn. Since it’s one of the main trade routes from south to north, they stop in regularly to ensure that nothing has taken up residence in the water that might endanger the ships or the people.”
It’s obvious she picked up on my nerves. Embarrassment heats my skin. I told her I’d protect her, and here I am, shaking as we row over water we’ve already crossed when arriving on Khollu. “I’m fine.” At least we don’t have to swim.
“I know.”
We continue rowing, making good time to the first ship. Maeve peers up at it. “This isn’t it.”
As we row carefully around that ship and on to the next, the cold starts to seep into my body. I should have fed before we started this process. I curse myself for my hesitance to bite Maeve again before we reached Khollu. I’m not at full strength, but I don’t have to be. We’re not battling a ship full of the Cŵn Annwn, each more powerful than the next. These are sailors.
I fully intend to scare the shit out of them until they cower and piss themselves and beg me to become their captain.
At the second ship, we hit pay dirt. Maeve’s soft sound is confirmation enough, but she whispers, “This is it.”
I don’t tell her to stay in the boat while I handle this. I already know she won’t. I just need to keep her close and ensure she’s safe during this process. “Up we go.”
The boat bumps lightly against the ship, and I hold my breath as we wait to see if anyone noticed. We never would have managed to get so close to the Audacity without the lookout catching us, but obviously this captain runs a looser ship. Bad for them, good for us.
Maeve grabs the edge of the ship, steadying us. “Lizzie, if I didn’t know better, I’d say that you were downright chipper at the thought of killing a bunch of people.”
“Not a bunch of people. Just two.” The captain and the quartermaster. I’ll have to convince one of the crew members to become quartermaster after I stake my claim, which is an annoying but necessary step. There’s all the nonsense about a vote, but I’m not going to let that stop me from taking what I want. What I need. A ship. A crew to sail it to my destination. Even better, it’s a trade ship, so no one will blink twice at it sailing about this realm.
“I think you’re trying to be comforting, but there is nothing comforting in planning to murder two people.”
Then there’s no more breath for speaking as we haul ourselves up the side of the ship. The Serpent’s Cry is not quite as large as the Audacity, but it’s obviously built to carry cargo rather than weapons. There are only a handful of cannons . . . which makes me realize that the Audacity has no cannons at all. I suppose it’s not necessary when nearly every single crew member can function as a cannon themself.
We reach the railing with little problem, and I shift to the side so Maeve can perch next to me. There’s a couple people milling about. The majority of the crew are in their bunks below, sleeping the night away. That won’t do. I need witnesses for what happens next.
Love or fear. Mother’s lessons really do come in handy for a hostile takeover. I need to scare the shit out of these people so they won’t dare stab me the moment I turn around. “Maeve, I need you to listen carefully and do exactly as I say.”
She listens as I detail my plan, her eyes getting wider and wider. “It will never work.”