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“This will work,” I tell him.
“I know. I’m reassuring you, not myself.”
If we can reach theDragon’s Skullquietly and take out everyone on the ship, we can come out on top. The rest of the fleet will not unleash their cannons on the pirate king’s ship. And once I can explain how I can get to the treasure, they won’t care that their king is dead. They will rally to my side. That is the way of the pirate. I just need to kill my father first.
I’ve thought about it many times. Killing my father. When he’d hurt me. When I discovered he’d locked up my mother.When he threatened my crew. Now I try to picture it, my cutlass sliding between his ribs to plant itself in his heart. The gasp that would float on his breath. The sightless look in his eyes.
I have killed hundreds of men. Why does my stomach sicken to think of killing this one? He is just a man. An admittedly powerful one, but still just a man.
But I have never killed my own flesh and blood. Why does it feel different? Should it feel different? Can I do what needs to be done in the end?
I must.
A light aboard theDragon’s Skullhovers at the edge of the ship, raises high into the air, shines on us.
We’ve been spotted.
It’s time for these disguises to do their job.
Tylon’s body is propped up against the front of the rowboat, his face pointing toward the men aboard theDragon’s Skull. Since half the back of his skull is gone, we have to keep him pointed straight ahead. I sit next to him, discreetly keeping his body upright. His glassy eyes are open, but thankfully the ship is too far for anyone to notice he doesn’t blink.
Now there are two lanterns, but no alarm sounds.
We act calm, casual. A few of the girls offer gruff waves. Sorinda shields her eyes from the light and doesn’t have to fake her irritable scowl.
Three lanterns gather together, watching our ship approach.
They lower us a rope ladder. They must have recognized Tylon.
Not a word is spoken on our end or theirs as we hoistourselves up the side of the ship. Through a porthole, I can see almost a hundred men sleeping in their bunks, undisturbed by our approach.
This will work.
I’m the first one over the lip of the ship. I size up the three men on watch. They don’t say a word as they take in my disguise. I must pass the test, because they still don’t attempt to speak. One of them hands his lantern to one of the others and pulls out a parchment and paper. He scribbles onto it while the rest of the girls join me aboard the ship.
When the pirate has finished, he shows me the paper.
Is your captain injured?
They’re still blocking their ears as a precaution. They can’t hear a thing. Their only means of communication is through the written word.
Just as I’d hoped.
I reach forward as if to grab the parchment. Instead I cut off the man’s airway with a punch to the throat, then I reach for my cutlass to finish the job. Sorinda steps up beside me and rakes her rapier across another man’s neck. Mandsy takes out the third.
They drop, dead at our feet, without making a sound, not that anyone could hear if they did.
“Sorinda,” I say. “Find anyone else on watch above deck and dispose of them. Mandsy, lead the crew below and quietly take out the rest of the men on the ship. If you do not wake them, it should be as easy as butchering sheep. And keep your eyes open for the siren queen.”
Enwen shudders from a few feet away. My men do not have their ears covered. I still trust my mother’s promise.
“What about you?” Mandsy asks.
“I’m to face the pirate king.”
“Not alone.” Riden strides through the darkness and plants himself firmly next to me.
“I think this might be something I need to do alone.”
