Page 39 of Vengeance of the Pirate Queen

“Cyara has gone missing without a trace,” Enwen says. “Only thing I know that can do that is a siren.”

“Sirens singmento their deaths. Cyara is a woman,” I say.

“We’re in new waters, aren’t we? Why can’t there be menfolk sirens out this way?”

“Then why would you have need to fear?”

Enwen pulls himself out of Dimella’s grip and stands up straight. “I wouldn’t presume to assume the preferences of menfolk sirens. Besides, what if there’s both out this way?”

“Alosa has a deal with the siren queen,her mother,” I emphasize. “Her ships and crews are safe. You have nothing to fear from sirens.”

“Something took Cyara, and I’ll not be next.”

“You will keep your ears uncovered so you can hear orders,” I tell him. “If you don’t, the brig is finally going to receive its first visitor.”

His eyes light up. “That’s a great idea. Nothing can sing me overboard if I’m locked up. Let’s do that.”

“Dimella,” I say, “kindly go take the helm for a few minutes and send Kearan over.”

“Aye, Captain.” She gives Enwen a disappointed look as she passes him by.

When I check our surroundings, I note that most of the crew has halted their chores and is looking on. “You may eavesdrop, but you do have to keep working,” I say to them in my stoic way.

They immediately jump into action, still casting looks this way whenever they get the chance.

When Kearan arrives, his face is blank.

“Helmsman,” I say, raising my voice, “when you passed this way on a previous voyage, did you ever hear singing coming from the sea?”

“No, Captain.” He answers loud enough for the rest of the crew to hear, too.

“Did you ever see folk swimming in the water?”

“No.”

“Did you see or hear anything at all that would suggest sirens, male or otherwise, were behind your sailors missing?”

“Not a single thing, Captain.”

“There,” I say, turning back to Enwen.

“But—he could be wrong,” Enwen says.

I want to snap at him. I want to throw him in a cell below and be done with it. But I can’t have the crew worried into stupid mistakes. I try to think of what Alosa would do.

Despite how ridiculous the words are, I say, “Are you saying you don’t trust the word of your best friend?”

Kearan tenses beside me, but he says nothing.

Enwen gets defensive. “Of course I trust his word! I’d trust Kearan with my life.”

“Then follow your orders, and don’t chalk this up to sirens again. I need everyone fully alert if we’re to get through this. Lives depend on us. Are you dependable, Enwen?”

“I’d like to think so, Captain.”

“Then fight your mental impulses and be the hero we need everyone to be right now.”

“Aye-aye.”

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