Page 77 of Escaping Pirates
I started sawing faster.
My hands shook, but I didn’t stop. I wouldn’t. I gritted my teeth and pulled, each tug slicing another layer of rope.
Then—
Snap.
The final strand tore loose.
My hands flew apart. I gasped, nearly dropping the glass.
Steele had returned, holding a long, slim black case that was barely visible from all the lantern light. He opened the case to display the contents to Tyrone and revealed…
Flares.
CHAPTER 28
Tyrone and Harsh had left Steele and retreated to the captain’s quarters, both talking in low, hurried voices.
It was now or never. My only hope was for the darkness to be on my side this time.
I didn’t waste time thinking or planning or anything that a calm, rational person would have done. In several bounds, I sprang across the deck, crossed the gangplank, and just as Harlan had taught me, stepped into Steele’s space, attacking him by throwing the first punch then driving him back with two rapid throat punches. He dropped the case, clutching at his neck, and fell to the deck. I grabbed not just one, but all the flares then ran to the quarterdeck, snatching a lantern along the way.
There was no time to make this pretty.
I smashed the lantern to light all the wicks at once. Instantly, they fizzled and began to burn.
Shouts of alarm came from all the pirates, and both ship captains burst out of Harsh’s cabin at the same time as Gil came up from the brig door, Harlan hot on her heels.
There was no place to prop the flaresup, so I looped my arms into a circle, trying to provide the necessary support so they shot straight into the air. Fuses burned at my arms, but I bit my lip against the pain.
BOOM.
The sky erupted in a thunderous burst of color. One flare shot upward, then another and another, all in rapid succession and each exploding in a riot of red, gold, and blue. They lit up the night, crackling, trailing sparks, and casting wild, pulsating flashes across the sails. The sea illuminated in shimmering reflections, and for a heartbeat, it looked as though the stars themselves had dropped to the water.
Had the right eyes seen?
“It’s the girl!” Tyrone's voice ripped through the chaos like a blade.
I didn’t have the energy to answer. My hair and arms had been singed by the flares exploding, and my hands still bled from cutting through my bonds. I was covered head to toe in tar and blood. I couldn’t do any more.
Tyrone surged forward, hand raised, expression twisted in fury. His bootsteps thudding against the deck, then he lunged. I stumbled back against the helm. I was too slow and too exhausted to resist anymore. His hand closed around my neck like a vice and I choked for air.
“I’ll kill you for that,” he spat. “I’m done with you.”
Before I could react, Harlan’s voice cut in, sharp and defiant.
“Let her go!”
Harlan's shirt was torn, his tangled blond hair was longer than ever, and his wrists were red and raw from being shackled, but he looked ready for a fight to the death. He tackled Gavvet to the ground and wrestled the pirate’s cutlass from him. He scrambled back up to his feet,panting for breath and pointing the weapon at Tyrone and Harsh.
Tyrone threw me to the ground, where I lay massaging my throat. Harlan looked ready to spit fire. “If either of you touch her ever again, make no mistake—Iwillkill you.”
Harsh gave a chuckle. “I’d love to see you try, boy. You’re grossly outnumbered.” He gestured at the double pirate crew, all of whom looked much too eager for the battle.
“This will be a fight to remember, boys!” Tyrone called. “Who’s ready for a spectacle?”
The bloodthirsty cheers turned my stomach.
