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 have to put some space between us, but I can’t do that with them between me and the door. “Is this a rescue mission, or are you planning to pick up where those bastards left off?” I flick my fingers at the fallen pirates.
“This is a rescue mission, which I suppose makes me one of the good guys. For once.” Their nose, which I am horrified to discover is rather cute, wrinkles in distaste. “How novel.”
I don’t know what I would say to that, because I don’t get a chance. Hurried footsteps approach, revealing someone I actually do recognize. My chest goes tight, and something resembling a sob lurches into my throat. “Nox.”
“We’re getting you out of here.” They stop in the doorway, their expression going pinched. “Is there a reason you’re blocking the exit, Lizzie?” Without waiting for an answer, they shoulder past her. “Ignore her. She’s just mad she didn’t get to kill more people.”
Lizzie. What an unassuming name for such a terrifying woman.
Lizzie nimbly shifts to the side. “Just getting a feel for our little captive.”
I can’t quite read Nox’s expression, but they seem worried. “We need to get moving. The Audacity is almost here to collect us, and it’s important that we don’t linger. It will make people ask questions about what happened to the Drunken Dragon and its crew.”
“So, what you’re saying is that it would be better if there was no ship for people to ask questions about.” Lizzie steps out of the cell and walks to a lantern hanging across the way.
I haven’t had cause to be on many Cŵn Annwn ships, but I’ve been on board the Audacity a few times, and it’s nothing like this cesspool. The Drunken Dragon is only a ship, with no convenient pocket dimension to house the crew. They all sleep in one massive room, swaying on hammocks. And if the smell is anything to go by, there’s no indoor plumbing, either. The ship will go up rather quickly if Lizzie sets something on fire.
“I realize that I brought you here for a specific purpose, but it’s incredibly disconcerting how much you enjoy violence,” says Nox.
Lizzie shrugs, her expression curiously blank. “Dead men tell no tales.”
Nox narrows their eyes. “Is that supposed to be a joke?” They shake their head sharply. “Never mind. Don’t answer that. I should’ve brought Bowen with me.” They hold out a hand to me. “Let’s get you out of here.”
I don’t know what to make of their interaction, but I do know I want to get out of here. Nox is a known entity. That’s good enough for me. I slip my hand into theirs and allow them to lead me past the curiously still Lizzie. Even in this body, my senses are enhanced. I shouldn’t be spending time focused on the stranger, but her breathing is significantly slower than a human’s, and her heartbeat is as well. What is she?
Nox leads me past a massacre. There’s no other way to describe it. But the strangest thing is that there’s no blood spattering the worn wooden planks. It seems like most of the crew just dropped where they stood. The only evidence of violence is the same as that for the men in the brig—blood from their mouth, nose, and eyes.
I know Nox is capable of killing with their elemental magic—they can trap the air in your lungs until you suffocate. Or summon actual water and drown you on dry land, which is obviously something that happened here, judging by the puddles near some of the people’s heads. “So many.”
“This crew has been a problem for a long time. You know that as well as anyone.”
I do. There are ships among the Cŵn Annwn for which the locals know to avoid getting caught alone with members of the crew. To keep the pretty ones tucked away so that they don’t catch the eye of the captains. Technically, the Cŵn Annwn aren’t supposed to conscript locals into their ranks, but some of their captains care less about the rules than about the power they wield. The Council doesn’t care as long as they continue to kill monsters. There’s no one to stop them . . . Or at least there never was before.
This rescue is still a bold move, even for Nox. “It was a risk to come for me. You shouldn’t have done it.”
They shoot me a charming grin. “Come now, Maeve. You know I wasn’t going to leave such a lovely lass to these bastards. Let’s get you out of here and safe.”
Safe. It’s a nice thought. I don’t know if it’s ever been true, though. Maybe my childhood, when the only thing I had to worry about was keeping within the rocky shores of the bay near my home on Viedna. Or waiting for the seasons to change and my favorite kind of fish to come back for hunting. Or living up to the expectations set forth by my mother and grandmother.