TALLY
Did Cyrus really expect us to sit back and not follow her?
There’s gunfire outside, like hell was I letting her go alone. Especially after what I just heard. Especially when this fight ismyfight.
Grabbing the kitchen knives was Mabel’s idea, when I started to move she halted me, grabbing a couple and handing them over before going for her own. I was so determined to follow Cyrus, I didn’t even think about walking into a war zone without weapons.
As we clear the ship and spill out onto the dock, things start to go to shit.
Plenty of my people stand around the edges, masked in confusion and fear. Amara stands out front, a few other pirates– including the two who found Hago’s cloak– surround her. All weapons drawn, pointing out at a horde of cloaked figures.
And in the middle of it all– the one shouting with such venom, I’m surprised he hasn't poisoned himself– is Hago. Waving a fucking pistol around.
When he clocks me coming from the ship, he grins wildly.Pure chaos swims in his expression. Then his tirade centres on me. “Here’s the whore, who thinks she can destroy our island by bringing these heathens here.”
Ignoring his tirade, I track the rest of his harem. A dozen cloaked figures stand around him. All hiding under their hoods. But from what I can see, I don’t recognise any of them, none of them are my people. Which is a relief but also makes them an unknown.
Muskets and swords peek between the split in their matching cloaks. Danger radiates off them, but they’ll be no match to the pirates around me.
Amara steps forward, but she’s blocked by Cyrus, who steps forward with her body coiled ready to strike. “Who thefuckdo you think you are?”
Hago sneers at Cyrus. “I guess you’re the other whore. The one helping our so-called leader destroy everything this island is. You scum are worthless trash, destroying our land.”
My anger boils, fierce and hot. No one talks to Cyrus that way.
I storm to stand next to her, running on pure fury. “I’d watch your mouth, Hago. You’re getting awfully close to treason.”
He laughs. Hefuckinglaughs. “Treason? Please. These bottom feeders you invite here, do worse every damn day; yet you turn a blind eye to them. We want our island back. We warned you, now we’re going to take it back.”
Cyrus growls. It’s deep and low, and frankly terrifying. Is it a turn on? Yes, but if I was Hago, I’d be quivering in my boots. “And how, exactly, do you plan on doing that?”
His maniacal grin grates on my nerves, grinding down on my patience.
“By eliminating the contamination and taking over. Eradicating the poison that keeps infecting our land. Until we’re peaceful once more.” His dark, slimy gaze flitsto me. “Your choice, to be executed willingly, or risk taking more than yourself out, by going violently.”
“That’s not going to happen, Hago.” Cyrus takes another step forward, strategically placing herself between him and me.
He laughs once again, this time, lifting the still smoking pistol up towards me. Cyrus is mostly blocking the way, which only makes my heart lurch more; I don’t want her to have to take a bullet for me, if he was smart enough to reload.
Is that musket even loaded?
“Oh, I think it will be, dirtbag. Or you’ll be going down with her.” Hago’s threats are losing more weight as he goes on. The way his fingers shake around the musket, his tone wavering as he notices the growing crowd around us. Not just pirates from the ship, with their own weapons drawn, but also the people of my island.
And not one of them looks particularly happy.
All throwing disgusted looks towards him; faces of fear at the unknowing of what Hago may do. I can only hope I’m seeing the truth, and not seeing what I want to see. That the people of this island still agree with what I’m doing. That allowing boats to dock here– allowing pirates in– increases trade, work and money for the island.
“Look around, Hago. No one is impressed, stand down.” Cyrus calls, capturing the attention of everyone. “Don’t make this worse than it needs to be. You’re outnumbered.”
He falters, his eyes flickering around, his hand on the weapon lowering just slightly. A crazed expression titters over his features as he takes in the crowd, not one on his side.
It is almost more concerning. Because now he’s running out of steam.
He’s becoming unpredictable.
Two of his closest minions shuffle closer, drawing their own weapons, the sparkling sun glinting off thesteel. Muttering quietly enough I can’t hear. Probably something to hype Hago back up. Reminding him of the stakes.
How they don’t realise they are outnumbered at least three to one, I don’t know. Hell, with this crew it didn’t matter iftheyoutnumberedus.They’ll still lose, in a pointless fight.
