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Killian
Clenching my jaw, I ground my teeth, bringing my focus back to the wretched minion before me, instead of chasing after Ainsley right then and there. The power she held within her little finger was likely more than any magic caster I’d ever come across in my time as Captain of the Phantom Saber, not that there had been many.
“Looks like you’ll be answering our questions after all, ole chap.” I sneered at Giles. “Best not agitate the lady any further.”
The bastard spat at my feet through the bars. “I’m yer only leverage. That magic-casting wench ain’t gonna kill me.”
Blind rage rippled through me as I ordered, “Rek, unlock the cell.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.” He didn’t hesitate and grabbed the keys from the hook near the entrance.
I turned and punched the bulkhead, causing Giles to flinch. He had no idea what awaited him. As soon as Rek opened the door, I slammed it closed behind me as my first mate stood guard outside. “She may not have to kill you,” I growled and yanked the slimy maggot from the floor. “Whatever ‘leverage’ you believe you have, it has long left you behind. You are not only at the mercy of Lady Lilstrum, but me. Speak ill of her again, and you will earn my wrath as well.” I slammed his body against the concrete, and whispered in his ear, “You may not have to die. However, you may wish you were when she’s done with you.”
Taking a step back, I flicked him on the forehead, and it appeared all fight had left him as he slid down the bulkhead to the deck.
He visibly swallowed. “I…I—”
“Save it for the lady.” I cut him off, walking out of his cell and motioning for Rek to lock it. “I no longer wish to hear another word from you. Although,” I grinned evilly, “Lady Lilstrum just might be back momentarily. Try not to piss yourself. You’re already stinking up the place as it is.”
Rek chuckled and shook his head as he followed me up the stairwell and into my smaller office in the passageway.
Again, I thought of chasing Ainsley down, but hesitated. My head could not be clouded like this if I expected to get through this alive. Gretta was only the beginning. Perhaps even a prequel. What lay in store for us would hit us ten times over from the mess we’d just encountered. And I’d dragged my crew right into it.
“He knows nothing of value,” I said as Rek shut the door behind him.
He grunted and remained silent.
I faced my old friend, hating when he became stoic like this. But it was typical. He let me work things out for myself—as though he already knew my next move. Apparently, that’s what happened when your bond was stronger than blood.
“He nearly pissed himself and didn’t beg for mercy with information.” I leaned over my desk before clasping my hands in front of me and banging them a few times upon the wooden surface. “He’d have offered something up. And now, we have nothing.”
“Nothing except the most powerful magic caster to be heard of this side of the earth in decades.” Rek picked at his teeth with his tongue as he leaned against the frame of the door he’d only just shut.
Rounding my desk, I sat in my seat and leaned forward, motioning for Rek to make himself comfortable. “So, Ainsley. Let’s get everything out in the open, shall we?”
He took a seat in the leather chair opposite my desk, kicking back and crossing his ankle over his knee. “Yeah, Killian. You know I normally wouldn’t question your judgment, but—”
I held up my hand, stopping him right there. “Why are you questioning it now? You’ve seen what she can do. She is quite capable of handling herself, is she not?”
Nodding, he cleared his throat. “Aye, it seems she is when in danger.” Then he made a see-saw motion with his hand. “Somewhat, but it’s not under control. What I take issue with is bringing her problems aboard our ship, our crew. I was serious when I said she could bring the Royal Navy sniffing around. And Gretta? We’ve now been dragged back into that mess again, and looking for bloody Silverthorne, no less.”
Scratching my chin, I considered my friend and first mate. He wasn’t wrong, but I had made a promise and deal that I could not back out on now. I wouldn’t. “As I’ve told you, the benefits far outweigh the risks, and dealing with Gretta? Well, it was inevitable and certain to happen at any given time.”
Rek let out a frustrated sigh. “Did you know Silverthorne was Ainsley’s father, her real father?”
Leaning back in my seat, I linked my hands and rested them behind my head. “No, not until ole Giles mentioned it, but Ainsley was trying to tell me just before Gretta spotted us at Ollies. That’s why she’s seeking him out. Something about a letter or note that was left for her.”
My first mate’s expression softened, and he ran a hand over his bald head. “All right, then. Silverthorne it is. You got any idea where we might find him?”
I pondered for a moment. The rogue who did not want to be found would likely be hidden in plain sight. But, I’d have to get more details from Ainsley before I knew exactly which of my theories were correct, if at all. “I have an idea, but I must have a little chat with Ainsley first.
“She’s dangerous,” I finished, conceding to my first mate’s well-meant advice, and dropped my head into my hands.
“Never mind the fact that she’s Silverthorne’s daughter,” Rek continued. While his tone stayed even, the firmness behind it reflected my own gut.
Sighing, I thought about everything once more. Silverthorne having a daughter was a shock in and of itself. She’d be at the top of every pirate’s hit list to get to the illustrious man. The fact that it was Lady Ainsley, a magic caster, and an impossibly determined lass, made the target that would be on her back that much larger. And this mission that much deadlier.
“Aye, you never think much before jumping into things,” Rek said quietly.
“And what would you have me do now?”
Rek remained silent for a moment, stood from his seat, and put his hand on the door, then pulled it open behind him. “I respect you as my captain and friend, but there’s something I need to say.” He let out a breath and shook his head. “Figure out a way to get her to channel that damnable ability, or you’ll lose me as your first mate.”
I stared hard at the man before me, but when he remained still as a mechanical piece with no life, I knew he meant business.
Standing from my seat and brushing past him, then out of my office, I went in search of Ainsley. Channel her magic? I was no master in the arts of magic and had no idea what I could do to assist her. But Rek was right, whether I liked it or not. Something had to be done to ensure the lady didn’t misstep and kill us instead of whatever enemy had the misfortune of falling upon our newly powerful ship.
