It’s a Caribbean sort of flavor. No glass in the windows, wide wooden shutters, white walls, a white-washed wood floor, and shabby chic furniture scattered around the four-poster bed.
“Where am I?” I ask as he finishes his work and covers me with the blanket again. The white nightdress I’m wearing looks like something from a Victorian ghost story, but I’m not about to complain about the clothes. I’m just happy to have a leg at this point.
“Blackbeard’s Cay.” He rises, his teal robe vibrant even in the moonlight. Long braids are gathered at his back and twisted into a rope.
“Are you Blackbeard then?”
He smiles, and then it turns into a hearty laugh.
I guess he’s not Blackbeard. Good. Maybe it’s just named Blackbeard’s Cay because Blackbeard used to live here. Or maybe it’s like, I don’t know, the way a restaurant names itself after a famous person. Maybe before it was just “Sandy Cay” and no one came to visit, but when Huran renamed it “Blackbeard’s Cay” it became all the rage and—Whoa. Yeah, I probably need to rest some more.
He stops laughing and offers me more water. “Apologies. It’s just no one has ever mistaken me for Ed.”
“Ed?”
“Sorry, I meant Blackbeard.” He smiles again, and I estimate he’s possibly fifty or so from the laugh lines.
I take the proffered water, drinking more this time.
“That’s enough for now.” He smooths my blanket. “I’ll let the others know you’re feeling better.”
“Wait.” I try to reach for his hand, but my arm barely moves.
“Yes?”
“You have to get me back to Peter. Hook kidnapped me, and he’s going to kill me.”
His dark brows draw together. “I don’t think?—”
“Please! I’m supposed to be on the island.” I shake my head. “No. I’m supposed to be grading composition papers, but that’s neither here nor there at this point.”
“I’m sorry, Moira. I think you’re confused.” He squeezes my hand. “I’ll get Ed and James.”
“Wait!” I finally make a grab for him and snag his fingers. “Hook will kill me. Please! Don’t let him kill me.”
“You shouldn’t get worked up like this. Not in your condition. Please, relax. You’re safe here.”
“I’m not safe anywhere if Hook’s nearby.” I glance at the door. “Is he?”
He gently removes my fingers from his and pats the back of my hand. “Get some more rest. I’ll have a talk with James, all right?”
I can see I’m not going to get anywhere with him. He’s looking at me like I’m spouting total nonsense. I may as well go along with him … For now. “Okay. That’d be great.”
He gives me a slightly strained smile, one that tells me he’s not entirely convinced. “Rest. It’s what you need right now. I’ll talk with James and have the cook bring you some foods that will be easy on your stomach.”
“Thank you.” I settle back on my pillow and close my eyes.
Once he’s gone, the door shut behind him, I start looking around. There has to be a way out of this room. A flapping sound draws my gaze back to the window as the seagull returns to its perch. This time it’s not laughing, just eyeing me with curiosity.
If it can come and go through the window, then so can I. I only hope I’m not on a high floor. But Huran is right about one thing—I need to rest. There’s no way I’m making any great escape in this state.
I take Huran’s advice, biding my time in bed as sleep comes and goes.
When a knock comes on the door, I try to say, “come in” but my throat has gone dry again.
The door opens anyway, and a young woman walks in. She’s wearing a black corset and white shirt that barely covers her ample cleavage. A cutlass hangs at her side, her long black hair is swept back in a high ponytail, and I swear she looks like a sexy cosplay pirate.
“You’re awake.” She slides a tray onto the bedside table. “Let’s have a look at the woman who’s got the whole cay in an uproar.” Bending down, she grabs me under my arms and lifts me into a sitting position.
