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We needed to have the wounded tended to. And then, figure out what our next move was. Now that Hattie and Silverthorne were with us—if they decided to stay—we’d have more of a chance in accomplishing whatever it was she wanted her daughter to do.
We had to move quickly. I feared what the repercussions would be once Bash discovered his indestructible second in command had taken her last breath.
* * *
“Killian.”Hattie’s voice sounded from around the corner.
We’d moved her into my private quarters so she could lie down and heal. Although the bullet had only grazed her, she’d lost enough blood that she was still quite weak. It needed to heal without infection.
I walked into her new chambers, leaning against the doorframe.
Hattie met my gaze. “She’s angry.”
I studied the woman in front of me and debated how much to give away. How much was mine to tell, and how much Ainsley wanted to say herself.
“No arguments there, of course,” she added. “Where did you go? I saw Jo here.”
“Highvein to pick up Jo. Varium for Evelyn,” I answered, crossing my arms over my chest.
Hattie let out a breath, nodding. “Her magic is stronger.”
“I mean no disrespect. But if you wish to talk about Ainsley, I suggest you do so to her. I’ll not betray her trust, nor will I speak for her,” I said. “I hope you get some rest.”
I exited the room, knowing Ainsley wouldn’t be able to avoid Hattie forever. And as much as it would pain her, she needed to get answers if she would ever find peace.
She was standing at the bow of the ship when I emerged from my quarters. “Penny for your thoughts?” I whispered in her ear.
Her eyes brimmed with tears, as though she were holding them back instead of letting herself go.
I wrapped her in my arms, letting her know I was there in the only way I knew how. “Hattie seems ready to talk to you. If you are.”
“I don't know if I am. When I thought Gretta had taken her too, I…I,” Ainsley stammered, wiping at her face as she pulled away and stared me in the eyes. “I snapped. I would have killed her a thousand times with the rage that I felt. But now, she’s here and going to be all right, and I’m angry with her again.”
“You have more questions than you’ve ever had answers, love. That sounds like the proper range of emotions.”
She smiled. “At least I’m not crazy then.”
“Well, now.” I paused, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I didn’t say that.”
Her smile brightened, and for a moment, she appeared like the woman she had been a few days ago. However, in many ways, she’d never be the same again.
A screeching caw echoing in the distance had me bringing my hands to my ears. “What the devil—”
A mechanical bird landed directly in front of Ainsley and me. It cawed a few more times, bringing others to join us at the bow of the ship.
“What is that thing?” Ainsley said with a tinge of horror in her voice.
The “thing” was something of nightmares, with one eye whirling around and an entire metal body, although, its tail and wings still had a few feathers on it.
“Rookhallow Proper is under attack,” the bird chattered in a deep voice, unfamiliar to me.
Ainsley frowned, looking at me as I shrugged.
“Rookhallow Proper is under attack.”
