Here I was thinking Skylights was the standup guy on the crew. He’s a doctor and the quartermaster, respected and smart. But he’s still a pirate—and when he sees something he wants, he takes it. But Shiner isn’t a treasure to be won, she’s a lot more. I think I’m going to enjoy watching her put him through his paces.
I keep going farther toward the back of the ship, then climb down a ladder to a lower deck. The air is close down here, and the smell isn’t exactly pleasant. But I suppose that’s true of any ship.
“Come for a social call, have you?” Anne sits on the floor of the brig, which is nothing more than a metal cage bolted to the floor of the deck.
It reminds me of where Peter kept me in the cave, but if I think about that, I’ll run out of here and never come back. Instead, I slide the plate of food through the grate in the door, then hand her the cup of water.
She takes it, drinks some, then spits it out. “This is water!”
I roll my eyes and sit down, crossing my legs. “I’m not bringing you alcohol. It’ll only dehydrate you faster.”
“I knew you were a bitch the moment I laid eyes on you.” She pulls the plate over to her and sniffs the bread, then takes a ridiculously huge bite, working the piece into her mouth for a while before swallowing and continuing to chew.
“Has Cookson been feeding you?”
She just stares at me.
“Hook told him to let you starve. I hope Cookson doesn’t take that to heart.”
She scoffs. “What sort of captain would your loverboy be if his cook didn’t follow his orders?”
“It’s a good point, but I think Hook was a little blinded by rage when he captured you, what with you trying to slit my throat and all. I figure he’ll cool off … eventually.”
“Then you don’t know him as well as you think you do. ‘Cool off.’” She rolls her eyes. “Hook lives for vengeance. That’s it.”
“Maybe so, but I’m not going to give up on you.”
“Why?” She rips off a piece of cheese, then puts the whole slice in her mouth.
“I don’t know. I guess because women should stick together.”
She scoffs so hard she almost chokes. Once she’s swallowed her cheese and chased it with water, she wipes her mouth with the back of her arm. “That’s a load of bullshit if I’ve ever heard it. Women don’t stick together. We all have to do what’s necessary to survive—man or woman.”
“It can be that way, yeah.” I nod. “Or we can try to be better and help each other.”
“Fat chance.” She kicks the plate out of her cell. “Thanks for the food. Now get the hell out of here before the rats eat you.”
I lean forward, catching her gaze in the low light. “I misjudged someone. I thought she was my enemy, but really, she was just doing what was necessary to survive—as you said. She was cunning and clever, and she might have been the only chance we had at defeating Peter.”
“Tinker Bell,” Anne says quietly. “I heard you done her in and took her power.” She leans closer, eyeing me. “You certainly look better. Wings are nice. Last time I saw you, your face was like a dog turd left to dry in the sun. Chalky shit.”
“You really have a way with words. You know that?”
“I’m even better with a sword. How about you bring me one of those next time instead of food?” She grins.
“Not a chance.” I stand. “But I hope you think about what I said. I know you wanted to avenge Calico Jack, but I promise you he wasn’t worth your time or trouble. Maybe he wasyours, but you deserved better.”
“Girl, if you had any clue about what I deserve, you wouldn’t be down here talking to me. You’d be jumping over the side and swimming for shore. Never you mind about my personal business. Pirates don’t have much of a code except one. If it’s mine, don’t fucking take it. Simple. Because stealing from another pirate is the one sin none of us will forgive.”
“Even if what was stolen was a horrible person who had it coming?”
“Even then.” She gives me a stiff nod.
I sigh. “I’ll be back with more food later.”
“Don’t waste your time.” She scoots back until I can’t see her eyes for the shadows. “I’m going to die down here. Either that or I’ll find a way to kill your captain and take his crew for myself.”
I pause, my spine straightening as fiery anger licks along my soul. “If you did that, I would hunt you down. I wouldn’t stop until you were dead, Anne.” I mean every word.
