Page 21 of Wicked Tides
“Then why haven’t you?”
“Because we are stronger together.”
“Then help me figure out how to get these girls off the waters.”
“We’d have to sail them home, but we don’t know how to sail and every second we stay on this ship puts us in more danger.”
“I know,” I admitted.
If only the girls knew how to man a ship. Talk of the Maruhk had been filling my head for days. I couldn’t shake the interest I had in the idea of sirens and humans coexisting. I wanted to see their home… but I knew that it was more likely I never would. I couldn’t very well ask where they were from or drag them through the water to get them there. All I knew was they were from the north. Further north than I’d ever ventured.
My eyes wandered as I tried desperately to come up with more options and when they did, something grabbed my attention. On that foggy day, it was hard to see great distances, but there was one set of sails that flaunted their presence like no other dared.
I paused, staring over Voel’s shoulder at what I almost thought was an illusion. But the longer I looked, the more I realized it was real. Crimson sails. Voel turned to discover my distraction and bristled.
“Father below,” she muttered. “That’s the Burning Rose.”
I glanced around the deck at the girls as they snacked on the fish. The Burning Rose was a cruel vessel filled with ruthless cutthroats. I wanted them all dead. And if they were headed for us, I had little faith they’d treat the girls with any less cruelty than the men before.
Voel spun to face me, eyes wide with alarm.
“Dahl!” Meridan’s voice called out from below. I stepped over to the railing and peered overboard to see her and Kea in the water. “Red sails! Coming this way fast!”
I glanced at the ship again with disdain and then at Voel, making quick decisions. There was no time to think and plan.
“If you must go, go,” I said.
“What are you doing? You’re not staying here.” When I didn’t respond, her brows knitted angrily. “You cannot stay here for the girls. It cannot be worth it.”
“We need to go!” Kea called out.
“I’m not leaving these girls to cruel men. That is my choice to make.”
“If they find you—”
“They won’t. And if they do, I’d never think of blaming you for running, Voel. You know that.”
“This isBone Heart,” she emphasized. “If he does catch you, your head will be on a spike. Your body will be left for the sharks. No questions.”
“I know.”
I nudged Voel toward the railing and felt my blood starting to rush with excitement. She didn’t understand it, but my anger ran more deeply than I had ever let on. I wanted to see the girls unharmed, but if I could find a window to slit the captain’s throat in the process, I’d relish it. I’d die for that chance. The Burning Rose had taken many sisters and I despised its captain almost as much as I despised the boy who’d planted that hate in me all those years ago.
Voel grumbled and then ran toward the railing, leaping over into the waters below. I saw Meridan staring up at me expectantly from thewaves. I just shook my head at her. We both knew that she and the others stuck out like candle flames in the dark. They were meant for the darkness of the deep. When it was clear to her that I was staying, she ducked under the waves and out of sight.
Looking up, the red sails were getting closer. I glanced back at the girls, who were only just realizing something was amiss. I pointed them toward the stairs leading below deck.
“Get out of sight,” I ordered, knowing they didn’t understand me. But I needed to convey something and my tone seemed to do that just fine.
The oldest girl started to gather everyone up and lead them all below, yanking the fish knife I’d been using from the crate as she went. I took a few moments to watch those red sails before I started to strip out of my clothing. Once I was naked, I ventured below deck behind them and found myself a corner filled with empty crates and broken furniture. I pressed myself against the wall and let my body adapt to the colors and textures of the wood and supplies until I was nearly indistinguishable. From my position, I could see the stairs leading down. The girls had split into pairs and scattered throughout the lower level. It made me nervous to know I couldn’t see all of them, but there was no time to organize a better plan.
On my arm, my bone knife was strapped tightly. While I still had time, I slid it from its leather sheath and held it at my side, hiding it behind my forearm. Gradually, I slowed my breath, bringing my heart rate down so I could listen. Around me, the girls were silent. They knew how to hide. They were smart and brave, which made me more inclined to stay and see them safe. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I had proven to myself time and time again that I could do impossible things. Perhaps I could take out the crewmen one by one somehow and wipe that red stain off the tides for good.
It was a ridiculous idea. A dream.
The eerie sound of a heavy ship cutting through the water got my heart pumping again and I had to force it back into submission. I heard distant voices yelling at each other and shouting demands. They wereclose and they were going to board. They called out for an answer, likely expecting the ship’s crew to call back, but they were sitting in our bellies. What remained of them had been tossed into the water save for their blood, which had soaked into the wood.
When no one answered their calls, I heard the slamming of boards and the stressing of ropes as they began to move onto the ship. More muffled conversation took over the deck. Multiple pairs of boots began tromping above me. I had to stay calm. I had to stay hidden. I was one woman with teeth and a blade, but I knew how to use both. If they found me, at the very least, I could take a few body parts with me into death.
