“Yes, but you aren’t, Moira. You’re alive, and you’re right here where you need to be to fix this. All of it.”
A fresh wave of tears roll down my cheeks. “Will it bring him back?” I ask quietly.
She sighs, her eyes sad. “James Hook belongs to the sea. Always has.” She grips my shoulder and pulls me closer until ourforeheads are touching. “If he could be here with you, he would. You know that.”
I do know that. Hook would’ve done anything to keep me out of harm’s way.
“Come on,” she whispers. “Let’s get this done. For Hook. For all the ones we’ve lost.”
I refuse to believe I’ve lost him. My heart can’t go there. Not now. Maybe not ever. But she’s right. I have to finish this.
I sniff and wipe my cheeks again. “I’m ready.”
She gets to her feet, then offers me her hand.
When she pulls me up, I find the entire crew on the deck, all of them watching us with somber faces. Their grief is just as keen as mine, the pain in their eyes like a mirror. My soul hangs in tatters, ripped to shreds by loss, and I feel the same echo in them. Cookson weeps quietly and mops his cheeks with his kerchief.
Shiner follows us solemnly to the rowboat where Starkey lowers it to the sea.
I climb down with numb hands and an even number heart. The boat rocks, but I can’t feel the motion of it. All I can do is stare at the now-distant storm that swirls and rages, feasting on the lifeblood of the only man I’ll ever love.
We makecamp at the mouth of the caves. They form a labyrinth, the crystal structures hiding pitfalls and dead ends as they rise and dip. But the mouth is easy to spot. It gapes into the night,darker than the clear stone around it, as if it eats what little light shines from the moon.
“You need ter eat.” Cookson puts a bowl of stew in my hand.
I’ve lost track of time again and hadn’t realized he was on the beach yet, much less that he’d cooked an entire meal.
“Thank you.” I take it from him, my movement mechanical.
“Everything will be all right.” He gives me a kindly smile as he lies to me.
We both know nothing is all right. But I nod, pretending right along with him.
He pats my shoulder then limps back to the fire. The others give me a wide berth, all except Shiner and Widow. They sit nearby and whisper to each other, giving me concerned looks every so often.
I hold my bowl of hot stew until it’s cold and muddy. My gaze remains on the sea, on the hope that I’ll see Hook splashing to shore. Exhausted, hurt, but still breathing and daring this world to kill him.
“At least drink some water.” Shiner sits beside me and offers me her water skin.
“I’m good.” I let her take my bowl from me.
“No. Drink.” She shoves it into my hand.
I take a sip.
She glares at me.
I take a bigger swallow, then hand it back.
She stows it on her hip and settles beside me, her eyes also on the sea.
We sit for a long while, the lapping ocean waves and occasional subdued conversation from the crew the only sounds. The island is quiet now. No wild things braying for blood. I suppose they must’ve gotten their fill at the full moon a few nights ago. Now, bellies full and madness lessened, they hunker down and rest until it’s time to claw and rip and tear again.
Skylights strides up, his demeanor dampened, face drawn. “How are you holding up?” He drops to his haunches in front of me.
“I’m just waiting for him.” I muster the ghost of a smile.
He glances at Shiner, then back at me. “We’ll enter the cave at moon rise. Best get some rest until then. I’ve already gotten your bedroll situated closer to the fire.” He points. “You’ll be more comfortable there.”
