Page 97 of Vengeance of the Pirate Queen

“Believe it or not, I talked my way out of this one.”

“Impressive. And am I correct in assuming this is the missing crew of theWanderer?”

“Aye.”

“Damn, Captain. Is there anything you can’t do?”

“Don’t be too impressed. That dead arsehole is the one who told me where to find them.”

“Why would he help us?”

I clench my teeth. “Because he wants me to like him. Turns out he can’t complete the ritual unless I’m willing.”

“That’s messed up.”

“You don’t need to tell me. How’s the little one?”

“Sorinda!”

As though I summoned her, Roslyn barrels toward me. She jumps at the last second so I have no choice but to catch her. She presses her cheek against mine and squeezes her little arms around my neck.

“You need to stop leaving,” she says between tears.

“I’m hopeful that was the last time.”

I let my hand slide down the back of her hair, comforting her in the way I’ve seen Wallov do before. It seems to do the trick.

“Dimella, can you see to our new crew members?”

“Aye.”

Still holding Roslyn, I step closer to my first mate and say, “Keep a sharp eye on the two in the rear.”

“You’ve got it.”

“Sorinda?”

At the deep voice, I turn my head toward the direction we just came from. Kearan stands wrapped in furs. He’s got an ax hanging off his belt and a load of wood held in his arms. His hair sticks to his forehead in an unruly mess from the exertion.

We stare at each other.

That single ball of warmth within my chest flares so violently, it’s a wonder that I do not catch flame and go up in smoke.

Kearan drops his load of wood on the ground and takes the remaining steps to reach me. I think I lost my breath sometime right after he dropped the wood.

“Right, now if you’ll all just follow me,” Dimella says with an awkward lilt to her voice, “I’ll introduce you to the rest of the crew and get you all settled.”

They pass us by, and I barely even notice. And wasn’t I holding Roslyn a second ago? How did she manage to shimmy out of my arms without me realizing?

“You’re alive,” Kearan says, his voice lower than I’ve ever heard it before.

“For now.”

“What does that mean?”

“He gave me three days. After that, he’s coming for me.”

Kearan looks over my shoulder. “You found Alosa’s missing girls. We’ll figure out a way off this island before he comes.”

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