Page 88 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

“It’s not true.” Sasha’s eyes clouded with tears, and she reached for a nearby pole for support.

“I have more information about your mother,” I added quickly, securing my chance to get the eye. I hoped my suspicion was right. If I was wrong, I’d be at the top of Sasha’s most wanted list. I would also confirm Caiyan’s reasons for keeping me on base.

“Was it the bad man who killed her?” Sasha wiped a single tear from her cheek. “I saw him briefly, but I’ll never forget his face.”

Uh, boy. At least she hadn’t met Captain Crunch. Mortas resembled his father. I’d have to tell her my suspicions so she wouldn’t gouge his eyes out at first sight.

“I can tell you what I know, but you’ll have to trust me with the King’s eye.” I gave her a minute to think it over. “We can find the King’s key together.”

She sheathed the knife in her belt, reached into her pocket, and pulled out a velvet pouch. She spilled the contents into her hand. A pink diamond shimmered like a star even in the dim light of the hold.

We stared down at the King’s eye.

Deckboards creaked behind me. Sasha’s head jerked up. I whirled around and came face to face with Mortas.

Yo, ho, hell!I was so damn close.

Twenty-Nine

“Mortas,” I groaned. Could his timing be any worse? “I thought you were on theLark?”

“Could this be the famous Sasha everyone is searching for?” His eyes, laser-focused on the stone she held, disregarded me.

Sasha closed her hand over the relic. “Who is he?”

“Give me the eye.” Mortas stepped toward her from the shadows of the hold.

Sasha’s face contorted in surprise before her eyes turned cold. Obvious recognition crossed her face. “Bastard!” Sasha’s free hand dropped to the knife in her belt. “You killed my mother.”

Mortas looked stunned. Was I wrong? Had I put the wrong piece in the puzzle? I stood frozen, waiting for a miracle.

“It wasn’t me,” Mortas finally said.

“Liar!” Sasha was beyond mad, she was seething. The knife now pointed at Mortas. I was a smidge in the way, unsure if I should step aside and let the two of them go at it.

Mortas held up his hands. “Your mother stole something from my father, and I’m here to get it back. Along with the eye, of course.”

His grandfather’s piece of the map. Now in the hands of Charles Vane.

They stared at each other. Sasha with murder in her eyes. Mortas with pretentious regard.

“If you kill him, you’ll die too,” I warned.

Mortas rolled his eyes. As if a young girl would be his demise. “Your mother loved my father. She would want you to join me in my quest for the King’s key. Give me the stone.”

Sasha’s mouth tightened and her eyes narrowed. Before she could respond, footsteps echoed outside of the hold.

Ned and Logan burst through the open door. “Here ye are, Captain Crunch,” Logan said. “The cap’n needs ye on deck.”

Ned spotted me. His lips twisted into a suspicious pucker. “What are ye doin’ in ’ere, healer?”

“I…” I glanced over at Sasha, but she was gone. The bilge hatch clicked closed. Damn. My inner voice snapped her fingers and mouthedCurses, foiled again. I reminded her we were not in a classic cartoon and returned my gaze to the men. “Captain Crunch needed me to check his privates. He’s got the itch.”

Both men looked at Mortas, then their eyes dropped to crotch level.

“I think we’re all done here.” I brushed my palms together and held them out in front of me. “I must wash.”

The two men gave me a wide berth as I sashayed out the door.

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