Page 81 of A Flash of Golden Fire

The captain and I exchanged a glance. He appeared as surprised as I at Squid’s talents.

“Take the goat back down, Squid,” Captain Martin said. “And thank you for taking charge of her.”

“Aye, Captain,” Squid said. “You’re welcome. I’ll make sure she doesn’t get loose again.”

He tugged on the rope, and Lilith followed him obediently.

“White. Come with me,” the captain ordered.

Four words I had never been more thrilled to hear.

Chapter Twelve

Important Ship’s Business

Captain Martin led me to his rooms, where Boone was sitting once again, keeping an eye on things.

“Boone.”

“Captain.”

“Why don’t you go find Guthrie and see if he needs any help in the kitchens?”

“Aye, Captain,” Boone said, giving me a glance and then rolling his eyes. “I’ll make myself scarce so’s you can have your fun.”

“That’s not what—” Captain Martin started to say, but Boone only smiled and waved.

“Huh,” I said, gazing after him. “What do you suppose he thinks we’re going to do?” I asked innocently as if I didn’t have a very good idea.

“Whatever he thinks, I can promise you it’s nothing compared to what I’ve got planned for you, little witch.”

My heart fluttered at the endearment. I liked the way he used the frightening word as a soft little name for me, when my powers were so mysterious and perplexing and terrifying.

I followed him into his rooms. As soon as I had shut the door behind me, he told me to take off all my clothes.

“My goodness. That’s not very romantic, Captain,” I said, shaking my head with disappointment.

His eyebrows stretched up so high I thought they might climb over his head. “We’re on a pirate ship, Rooster, not a gondola on the Rio dei Greci.”

I didn’t know what that was, but I made sure to look affronted. “Excuse me. Aprivateer vessel, surely.”

Captain Martin smiled. “Surely.”

I took off my jacket and placed it on the chair at Captain Martin’s desk.

“Would be nice to get a sweet kiss or a flower first,” I muttered.

Captain Martin barked a laugh. “Honestly, you are the maddest fellow. Where the fuck am I supposed to get a flower out in the middle of the ocean?”

I quirked my lip at him. “And I thought you were a man of vision.”

Dinesh leered at me as I disrobed. “Oh, I’m envisioning quite a lot right now. And what I’m imagining doesn’t involve flowers or pretty words at all.”

“Well, fuck me,” I said, feeling my body ignite at those words.

“Don’t worry. Thatisa part of the vision.”

There was a rapid knock at the door.

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