Page 83 of Crossbones
The large man gives Caspian a once over. “New friend?”
“Anders, this is Fox.”
Anders shoots me a condescending look and tsks under his breath. “Come now, Blackwell, don’t play me for a fool. Everyone knows you’re sailing with a De’Vero prince these days.”
Caspian studies Anders coldly. “Then since introductions aren’t needed, why don’t you have a seat?” He says. His words are casual—his stare is anything but.
Anders’ eyes glitter with shrewd calculation before he nods once and pulls out a chair, sinking his large frame down into it. He leans his forearms on the table and signals for another glass.
“Word on the wind is you boys have been busy,” Anders says.
His glass gets delivered and I slide the rum bottle towards him.
“Busy?” Caspian echoes. “Doing what?”
“This and that,” Anders says vaguely but there’s a glint in his eyes. “None of it very interesting except for one thing.” He looks between me and Caspian but when we don’t take the bait, he chuckles. “There’s a rumor that you know the coordinates to the lost city and are going after the gold.” The silence stretches and Anders leans back in his chair. “Like I said—just a rumor.”
“That’s some rumor,” Caspian says.
“Isn’t it though?” Anders swirls his glass. “Seems to me, if it were true, there’s more than enough gold there to share.” He leans forward again and fixes me with a hard stare. “So, what’ll it take?”
“You’re assuming a lot of things,” I growl.
Anders smiles condescendingly. “Blackwell, I’ve known you for how long now? Four—five years? The Stormbreaker doesn’t get into anything frivolous.” His gaze shifts to Caspian and he gives him a slow once over, his head tilted in interest. “And he certainly doesn’t sail with De’Vero princes.” He looks back at me. “And for those facts alone, I think the rumor is true. I think you do know where the city is, and I want in on the gold.”
Caspian shakes his head and stands. “You know what they say about assumptions.” He looks at me. “Captain.”
I throw back the rest of my rum and stand, stopping at Anders’ shoulder. “Don’t mistake our truce for a partnership.”
Anders doesn’t look at me but sips from his rum, a smug look on his face. “Careful who you keep as an enemy, Blackwell.”
“You’re welcome to follow me into the Stormwrack, Anders.”
He looks up at me and a flicker of fear crosses his face. I sneer down at him in amusement.
“Thought as much.” I head towards the exit with Caspian a few steps ahead. I shove open the door and step out into the street, headed towards the beach.
“He seems nice,” Caspian says, sarcasm dripping from his words. But when he turns to me I see the worry in his eyes. “Why’d you invite him to follow us?”
I smirk. “It’s a well-known story among us pirates. Anders tried to sail the Stormwrack once and the Kraken nearly killed him. They took out two of his ships and stranded him for a month in the Straights.” Caspian whistles low. “Apparently he, and the small group he was with, had to resort to cannibalism to survive. As far as I know, he’s never made an attempt again.”
Caspian gawks at me, eyes wide. “Seriously?”
I look at him grimly. “Did you think I was exaggerating when I said the Stormwrack is dangerous? You underestimate it at your own peril.”
“I knew it was dangerous,” Caspian insists. “Just—not exactly how much, apparently.”
He’s chewing on his bottom lip. My first thought is I want to be doing that with my own mouth, second is a lurch of fear—
“You would have sailed up there if I hadn’t kidnapped you,” I say aloud. At his nod I scoff. “Good thing I stopped you then.”
He meets my gaze and sees the amusement on my face, returning it with a smirk and a huff of a laugh.
“With questionable methods but yeah, you did, didn’t you?” His fingers brush mine as we walk down the road. “I guess we can count that as the first time you saved my life.”
He trails off as we reach the beach and see a large group congregated around the row boat. No—that’s not right—blocking the boat. Harrison and Van appear to be arguing heatedly with several of them.
“What’s the problem, gentlemen?” I ask as we come up beside Harrison.
