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“Ven.”
Captain Ven. It sounded boring. “At least the stories got your name right.”
“Come sit here on my lap.”
He patted his lap, his tone mild. The invitation was friendly, poised as a request, but the way the men held their breaths confirmed it was nothing but. There would be consequences if she denied him what he wanted.
“Sure.”
She gingerly sat on his knees at first until he drew her closer, but didn’t get handsy like his crew. He leaned forward, lightly bumping his head to hers.
“What stories have you heard?”
Not a single thing. If he was famous in Ostrov Krov, it was either passing fame or not deemed important. She stifled a chuckle at the desire to tell him that, then contemplated. An idea sparked.
“I heard you recently became a trader. That you traded with other islands and abandoned the pirate life. That Fae and vampires were part of the trade, too.”
A hand clasped her waist, tightening. Something in the simple movement told her to stop talking.
“Do you know what I think of traders?”
“What?”
“Piece of scum. Cowards who would rather deal with the devil than take what they truly want. They pretend to be businessmen, yet they still travel the seas with our flags and still sink ships when they can. Shameless.” His hand squeezed. “Every single one of them deserves to be sunk. Then the real pirates can take the prize.”
“Areyougoing to sink them?”
“Maybe.” There was a surprised but very genuine laugh. “I haven’t thought that far out yet, but it is something to consider, Madam….”
“Nic,” she said. “So, it’s a false story, then? What about the Fae and vampires?”
His laughter faded.
“Fae are monsters. Vampires are worse. There is no world where I will show them mercy; by the way…Nic?”
“Hmm?”
“Do let me know who passed that story on to you. I don’t like it spreading around.”
“Of course. I can’t remember now, but I will try to.”
“Good.”
The coldness disappeared, a switch so fast that had his hand already grazing her neck, exposing it to his lips. She inwardly shuddered, then steeled her spine. She could do this. She needed to. Get chummy, get him to drop his guard, and weasel the truth out when he was vulnerable.
He didn’t like vampires. But he didn’t trade with them. Why go the extra mile to attempt to kill her king? Unless it wasn’t them and there were others with the symbol….
“Captain, your fingers feel so good….”
Cheers rose from outside, getting louder by the second. It got to the point that conversation inside was no longer possible, irking some of the crew members. The tune she had heard in the dark area restarted, resonating throughout the district. It felt magnetic, like the crowd singing it was welcoming something divine.
“Admirers, Captain,” Pan said. “Do you want me to tell them to leave?”
He drew out his sword, signaling how he would do so. Before Ven could respond, the door was slammed open, heightening the tune as a couple of figures spilled in. They wore mismatched clothing, held the gait of a united group, but were very familiar. Nicola froze as she recognized the people she had come to know and care about, all disguised with wigs, a change in posture or demeanor, or wide hats over their heads.
“Isaiah the Great is here! The great pirate has returned to the Sky!” Wheeler bellowed out in a different booming voice.
Isaiah was the only one undisguised, hat and artifice in place as he sauntered straight to Ven’s table.
