Page 349 of Kingdoms of Night

I wanted her all for myself, and I was resolved in the fact that I would indeed kill to have her.

“Captain.” The voice came from the other side of the door to my private quarters.

I turned and looked toward the door, rolling up the map and tucking it into one of the desk’s drawers.

“Come in, Bastian.”

Bastian turned the doorknob and entered. He was a tall fellow who had to slightly bend to enter the room. Bald and built like a tree, the ship’s quartermaster had fierce eyes like a wolf. His features and temperament served him well as the ship’s enforcer. He’d snapped many a neck with his bare hands, and ripped one unfortunate sailer in two during one mid-sea battle. He’d even harpooned a dragon-born once.

It was a sight to behold.

But, on the ship, he was a just and fair leader to the pirates in stations beneath him.

I couldn’t deny that Bastian might be the most valuable man on my ship…aside from myself.

I sat in the chair and leaned back, kicking my feet up to rest on the desk. The boots landed with a thud on the wooden surface.

“What do you have for me?”

Bastian stood before me, and met my inquisitive gaze. “Blackthorn just anchored a few yards offshore.”

I leaned forward, jaw tightening. “What’s he here for?”

Bastian shrugged. “My guess is he’s here to start trouble. As usual. Trevain believes Blackthorn has been following us since we left Harlow.”

“And, he didn’t come to me with this information?”

“He thought it best to be sure before bothering you with what could have been a false alarm.”

Standing, I clasped my hands behind me and began pacing the room. I gave it some thought. If the ship’s sailing master suspected we were being followed, then it was probably true.

“I don’t care about false alarms. Next time, he’d better tell me. I don’t care if he has a nightmare, a vision, or just a gut feeling that we’re being followed.”

“I’ll speak to him, Captain.”

The question as to why Blackthorn would be following us was obvious. He too wanted the treasure I sought.

But, the other pirate would never wrench it from my hands. Dead or alive. I’d curse that surly bastard if he dared try.

I wasn’t worried, just annoyed. Dealing with other pirates wasn’t my favorite pastime. They were all greedy and entitled, and would steal whatever they had the opportunity to get their hands on. We usually stayed away from one another. But, bloody Captain Blackthorn seemed to have it out for me.

Probably had something to do with him being my quartermaster ages ago, and that I’d marooned him on the Isle of Ash in the dark fae realm for his subordinance.

It was a rivalry that would last until Blackthorn’s death.

Poor mortal sod.

“I’ll deal with Blackthorn,” I said, pausing to shoot a glance at the quartermaster. “You tell the others to prepare for a fight. I don’t want anyone getting lazy and complacent. Expect the best and prepare for the worst.”

“Oh, never that, Captain. We’re always ready.”

“Good man,” I said, with a nod.

“But, rumor has it that Blackthorn has been bragging in port that he has himself some sort of new magical talismans. He’s preparing for something.”

My eyes narrowed, and I rocked back on my heels, nodding. A bitter smirk came to my lips.

“Isn’t it obvious what he’s preparing for?”

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