Page 54 of The Curse Breaker

“‘If it is treasure you seek, you must sail this week.’ Kiss the ring, say those words, and I will come here and handle the traitors. Can you do as I ask? If you can, your family’s lives will be spared.”

I hesitated. Who was she? Was she going to hurt us? Was this a dream or real?

The woman grabbed my arm again, and I felt her pull her sword out of her sheath. I feared she would strike me down. “I asked you a question. Answer your queen!” Her voice was powerful.

“I can,” I said, wishing this dream would be over. “Where do I find this ring? I’ve never seen it before.”

“It will find you. When it does, steal it from her.” The tip of the sword came dangerously close to slashing my cheek. “Or else!”

“I will! But please, tell me your name,” I said, shivering.

“Lady Adrienne,” she said as she started to fade away along with the dream. “Don’t forget, Evelyn. Don’t forget!”

“No!” I sat up fast in bed, shivering and gasping for air. It took me a moment to realize where I was: home, safe. For now. I clutched my pounding heart and felt my neck. I could almost believe a knife was being held to it this very moment. Who was Lady Adrienne? How did she know Captain Kimble and me? Was the dream real? If so, where was this ring she spoke of?

Outside, the rain softly pattered on the roof, and I tried in vain to calm down and go back to sleep. That’s when I heard voices. I crept to my window, praying those creaky floorboards wouldn’t give me away. If Mama knew I was eavesdropping, she would have my hide. I walked on my toes, trying to be as light as air. I looked down and saw two figures standing in shadow.

“Are you certain it was her?” I heard a voice ask.

“I believe so. Said she owned the Williamses farm, but I asked around. They haven’t sold.”

Papa. I leaned closer. Who was he talking to? The voice was masculine and vaguely familiar.

“She wears other’s lives and names like a coat, using them till she finds a new one she likes better. Beware.”

“What would she want with my wife or daughter?” Papa asked.

“I will see to it she doesn’t harm the girl. I give you my word.”

Papa laughed. “And I should trust you, pirate?”

I sat up fast and hit my head on the windowsill. Was that Captain Kimble? Papa knew him? How?

“Have I deceived you before? We’ve known each other a long time now. My work has always been true, no?”

“Yes,” Papa agreed somewhat reluctantly. “Your woodworking in particular is outstanding, but…”

“Keep your daughter away from her and the island. I will do the rest,” Kimble said.

“She will not leave the house. I will see to it,” Papa said, and then Kimble was gone.

I lay back down in bed, frightened. Papa knew about the island and Kimble? How? I should have stopped my plan to seek treasure right there, but I couldn’t, even with Lady Adrienne’s warning stuck in my head. Was it real or fantasy? I wasn’t certain. All I knew was I had to save my friends from the Cough. Stealing the treasure was the only way.

Nineteen

Benny

Present Day

Benny wasn’t sure what one wore to tour a private school, but she was pretty sure it wasn’t shorts and flip-flops. The dress she’d worn to the vineyard was too fancy, so she went to her mom’s room (Evelyn’s guest room, Evelyn’s guest room) and borrowed a black romper. Dressing fast, she was halfway down the stairs when her mom walked in with Harris, the two covered in mud. “What happened?” Benny asked, alarmed and on alert with Harris there.

“It started raining when we were playing, and we ran off the course and fell in the mud!” Her mom was laughing.

Harris had mud on his elbows and pants. He was chuckling too. “This is what we get for trying to play pickleball in this weather at North Shore Country Club.”

Benny froze. North Shore Country Club?

Harris stared at her, smiling with his teeth. “I hear you and Ryan were there this morning too. Is he meeting up with you to go…wherever it is you’re headed now?”