Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Nox sighs and crosses their arms over their chest. “I don’t know whether to thank you or cut your throats and be done with it.”
“I highly suggest you go with the former option considering we just secured you the captaincy.” Lizzie speaks mildly as she examines her nails, which only makes her threat more pronounced. “You’re welcome, by the way.”
Nox is completely unfazed. They turn to the vampire. “I don’t know you.”
“You don’t need to know me. You know her.” Lizzie flicks her fingers at Evelyn. “So let’s stop pussyfooting around and get to the point. Like Evelyn said, we helped you out. In return, they want information. I want a ride until we cross paths with the Crimson Hag. A small price to pay for your new promotion. If you don’t cooperate, I’m sure there’s someone else among the crew we can convince to see things our way.”
I tense, ready to jump in if things escalate, but Nox just laughs. “I can see that you’re going to be a pain in my ass. Great.” They turn to me and Evelyn. “If I tell you this, there’s no going back. You’re either with us, or you don’t leave the ship alive.”
“We’ve already gone too far.” I take Evelyn’s hand and squeeze. She’s still hovering close, as if she’s certain I’m going to slide it right out of my chair. “Tell us.”
“Suit yourself.” They lean on the edge of the desk. “There’s a number of people who don’t agree with the way the laws are set up in Threshold. The Cŵn Annwn are more than capable of transporting people back to the portals that will lead to their home realms. There’s no reason that we don’t do so—except for control. It’s a power grab that ensures the Council won’t be questioned, and that the ranks of their hunters are always filled.”
It’s the conclusion Evelyn and I already came to. She saw the cracks in the system immediately. It took her practically smacking me over the head with them in order for me to see them, too. It still doesn’t explain how this rebellion is happening, and how they’ve gone this long without anyone noticing. “So someone decided to do something about it?”
“So someone decided to do something about it,” Nox agrees. They shrug. “I suspect sympathetic people among the Cŵn Annwn have been allowing trespassers to slip through their fingers for generations. It wasn’t until …” They hesitate and seem to have an internal battle with themself. Finally, they continue. “Our leader is someone uniquely situated to create a proper network. They are able to manage communications, and ensure that we are able to move more effectively toward our goals.”
“What goal is that? Getting people home … or something more?” Again, I’m nearly certain I know what Nox will say before they speak, but I want to hear them say it. There’s a feeling in my chest, a bubble growing that I’m terrified will pop. Evelyn is mostly joking when she calls me a paladin—at least I think she is. But the truth is that the label fits far better than I’ll ever want to admit aloud.
I need a cause to believe in. I don’t know if I’ll ever follow on faith alone again or without question, but maybe my loyalty means more that way. I don’t know. It’s something to think about later.
Again, Nox hesitates. It strikes me that they’ve had to be so careful with their words and how they carry themselves while serving on this crew. It must be strange to be asked to speak plainly. To be able to. “When’s the last time the Cŵn Annwn actually hunted? I don’t mean all of us sailing around on crimson-sailed ships, and I sure as fuck don’t mean those peacocks in the Council. I’m talking about the originals. I’m not certain they exist anymore. The only proof we have is the Council’s say-so.” They shrug, but the move is far too tense. “It’s above my pay grade. All I’ve ever wanted is freedom, and the life we live isn’t free. It just looks that way from the outside.”
At my side, Evelyn shifts a little. “You’re talking in circles. If you really want to be free, we need to remove the Council and hope the originals aren’t around anymore to take interest in the goings-on in Threshold.”
“Yes.” They look at each of us in turn. “It’s not time to make that move. There are too many captains like Hedd out there, too many crews who are happy to misuse the power that comes with flying crimson sails. If we remove the current Council, a new one will pop up in its place. They might not be in a place to make real change for years, or even longer. Making a public move is a huge risk and we’ll get a single shot at it. This won’t be a dramatic, quick battle. If you’re signing on with us, you’re signing on for the drudgery of a long-haul voyage.”