Page 18 of Cursebreaker

Another scream rends the air, and my heart skips a beat.

I forgo my cutlass, drawing two pistols as I burst through the doors and onto the main deck, blood drumming in my ears.

Bleary-eyed, I scan my surroundings, fingers hovering near the triggers. There are no signs of an enemy ship on the fog-laden surface of the ocean. No trace of a malevolent Myth ready to shred the Starchaser to pieces.

A gentle breeze brushes across my skin. Everything is still. Calm.

But the unmistakably human scream that comes from belowdecks shatters any illusion of peace.

Jack meets me halfway across the deck, his rifle in hand.

“It’s coming from the brig,” he says as we race to the companionway.

My heart pounds in my throat with every step as Jack follows me into the belly of the ship.

He’s here. Someone left the note—but who? And why?

Gabriel meets us halfway down the companionway, his eyes like saucers, dark hair standing on end.

“Don’t,” he says, his voice gruff. “You shouldn’t see him like this.”

Another scream.

Will.

“Move,” I say through gritted teeth, my grip tightening on the pistols. “That’s an order.”

Gabriel’s jaw clenches. He mutters a string of curses under his breath as he turns, leading me the rest of the way.

My breath catches when we reach the brig, my pistols clattering to the floor as I lose my footing, stumbling backward into Jack’s chest.

“Stars help us,” Jack breathes, and I’m not sure if he grabs my arms to steady me or himself.

In the center of his cell, Will hovers a foot off the ground, his back arched at an unnatural angle. His face twists in agony as he writhes in midair, his bones cracking, eyes wide and glazed with torment, staring vacantly at the wooden ceiling.

“Open it!” I demand, grabbing the iron door of Will’s cell as if I could pry it open with my bare hands.

“You can’t wake him!” Gabriel shakes his head. “I’ve already tried!”

“Open it!” I shout, my voice raw.

“Aster—” Jack reaches for me with a trembling hand, but I shirk his grip.

I draw the third pistol from my back and aim it at Gabriel’s chest. “Now.”

Gabriel frowns as he steps toward me, pressing his sternum to the barrel. Calmly, gently, he says, “No.”

My vision swims as I eye the keys dangling from Gabriel’s belt. He’s here. Someone freed Will of his binds during our battle with the Mythslayer. Someone wanted him to attack me. And Gabriel had the means to release him.

I lurch forward, attempting to reach the keys, but I’m not fast enough. Gabriel catches my wrist, his grip firm.

“You can’t—” he starts.

“Let her in.”

Henry appears at the base of the steps, his hair disheveled, his voice soft with lethal quiet even as he pants for breath.

“You’re a little late to the party.” Titus tsks, and my blood turns to ice as I allow myself to glance at him over Gabriel’s shoulder, leaning casually against the bars, one ankle crossed over the other. “I’d hold my ground if I were you,” he says to Gabriel even though his gaze rests on me, a lopsided smirk tugging at his lips. “She clearly can’t be trusted to know what’s best for her, aye?”