Page 60 of Daughter of the Dark Sea
She keenly navigated through the narrowing, cobbled streets of the port town until they ended up outside a tavern.
“Here?” Bree squinted at the fragmented sign hanging above the bay windows. “That barmaid didn’t like us.”
“Sure she did,” Kora glanced sideways at her. “She took enough of my coins.”
Kora tugged Bree inside The Abandoned Barnacle, who in turn nodded to the guards to remain stationed outside. She quickly waded through the throng of males, who kept a wide berth around Bree, their eyes raking over the jewellery adorning her body, and sat them down at a table right in the centre of the tavern.
“Isn’t this a bit . . . exposing?” Bree glanced around, pulling her thin lavender cloak tighter around her. It was clasped together below her neck with a golden broach in the shape of the empire insignia—the four-pointed elongated star with a circle connecting the points.
“I thought we had fun last time.” Kora forced a smile as a scowling Circe approached them. She was dressed in the same grey and burgundy combination, yet her bountiful hair was unbound, cascading around her face in gossamer honey brown waves. Her tawny eyes fixated on Kora.
“You didn’t bring that lech with you?”
“Samuel sends his regards,” Kora purred, as she slipped Circe two silver bits and a drinks order. When she returned with a stein of ale, and a glass of wine for Bree, Kora grasped her wrist, making Circe startle.
“Has John been here today?” A silver made its way onto the table.
Circe didn’t miss a beat as she stealthily picked it up in one swift movement. “No, he’s not working today. He’s been absent the past couple days.”
“Has he said where he’s gone to?”
Circe shook her head. “He’s sent me a kid to help fill in with cleaning up, can you believe it? I’ve practically got the run of the place now—without the pay.”
She shimmied off, back behind the bar, and Kora glimpsed a two-pronged tail wagging from behind the edge of the counter. At least Conan was still here. He was a good pooch, even if he had an early bedtime like a grumpy old male.
“Care to fill me in?” Bree peered over her glass of dark red wine.
“Just curious about the barkeep, that’s all.”
“Is he the man you’re courting?” Her blue eyes lit up. “Although, I had higher expectations for you.”
Kora snickered as she took a deep gulp from her stein. “God—goodness, no. Nothing like that.” She bit her lip. Nearly revealing her gods-damned faith, to a noble heir. She was slipping. All that chat with Agatha yesterday and she’d relaxed her guard. “Although, I wouldn’t say no to a man with unlimited access to grog.”
Bree let out a musical laugh, capturing the attention of several sailors, who courageously made their way over to speak to Bree. She sat back with amusement, sipping her wine, and Kora’s ears settled into the pandemonium of sound around her.
She absentmindedly drank her ale, pitifully observing the sailors’ attempts to speak to the heiress—or princess—until a conversation behind her sparked her attention.
“He’s vanished. No one’s seen or heard from him for a few days now.”
“He’s in hiding. Don’t worry. Someone’s just spooked him . . . said he’s back next week to resume the search.”
The voices were harsh and fervent. They echoed from the darkened corner of booths, and Kora resisted the urge to turn around to glimpse the male’s faces.
“We’ve been searching for nearly a decade now. How’d we know she’s still alive?”
“She must be. There’s no alternative. What about Finlay? His latest report said he found a possible lead.”
Kora’s heart stopped dead as her world tilted on its axis. The males continued conversing.
“He boarded that ship—Hell’s Flipper, or whatever. The captain’s a mean son of a bitch. Did you know he hunts pirates? What a sick mind. Hunting humans for sport.”
Her breathing hitched.Hell’sSerpent.She clenched her fist, her short nails scraping her skin. Erick’s plan had worked, they thought she was a male. Perhaps her reputation wasn’t as renowned as she believed. And gods-damn wasn’t that a knife to the heart.
Besides, piratesdeservedto be hunted. Did these males not know the atrocities they committed? Did they not see past the bottom of their steins?
“Digs,” the second male hissed. “Keep it down! And that ship docked days ago. You haven’t seen him?”
“Shit, no. Maybe he’s in hiding, too?”
