There’s no way in hell I’m telling this man about my deal. The pearls are my cover for having gone into the underwater city. Even my crew doesn’t know the real reason we were there.
And they never will.
King Phelix is nothing if not exceedingly careful. Gods forbid anyone ever traces him back to the murder of his daughter. It would mean trouble, even for him.
As far as my crew knows, we stopped in Aqualis to pick up the pearls for my buyer in Angel’s Landing. She’s discreet and human. The two main qualities I look for in business associates. But now that King Phelix is forcing us to go to the Gates of Hell, I had to call her and tell her to meet us in Lethe instead.
That unpleasant conversation took place yesterday. To say my contact had been less than thrilled with the changes of plans would be an understatement. However, after a reminder of exactlywhoshe was dealing with, she agreed to meet in Lethe instead.
For a higher cut of the money.
Of course.
Thorn rolls the pearl around in his hands for a few more minutes before tossing it back inside the crate. Tension that I didn’t know existed leaves my shoulders as he slams the lid of the crate shut and grabs his FaePhone. He begins tapping on the screen for a few moments, snapping a picture of the manifest, before putting the phone back in his pocket.
“Anything else you need to show me, Erik?”
The Enforcer has already gone over our manifest, finances, and most of the ship. His helicopter is flying above the water, with special floats designed to allow his pilot to land on the water.
Almost done. I’m going to need a stiff drink after this.
“Nope,” I reply instantly. “That’s it. Of course, we will transfer the League their dues once we have completed our transactions on land.”
He nods at me, baring his fangs in my direction. “Good man. We wouldn’t want to have a chat, would we?”
Shivers scuttle down my spine, but I manage to choke out a ‘no’ even as I think of the last Pirate who was caught withholding information.
Captain Longsmith, by all accounts, had been an exceedingly cocky pirate. Seventeen years ago, he had apparently refused to continue working with the League. Two days later, he and his entire crew of thirty men were found drained of blood. Their corpses were discovered piled on the deck of their unmanned boat, floating at sea.
The warning was clear as day. Pay your dues. Or die.
I’m about to lead the Enforcer away from the crates so his chopper can pick him up when, out of the corner of my eye, I catch sight of a sailor wearing baggy clothes peeking out from behind a crate and watching us. My jaw clenches as wisps of purple and ceruleum hair swirl in the sea breeze. Delicate gray hands quickly reach up and tuck them in, but it’s too late.
I’ve seen her.
It takes every bit of composure I have in me to look away from Helena and return my attention to Thorn. His gaze has returned to his phone, but within seconds, he snaps it back to me. At that same moment, Helena stands from her perch and slinks closer to us. The crew seems to have noticed her, but no one says anything other than a few eyes watching her.
I try to catch her eye, to tell her to get out of here, but she doesn’t look at me. She has that infuriating look of amusement about her.
She thinks this is a joke.
Blood boils through my veins, and my nostrils flare. After this, she and I will have a long talk about the importance of doing what you’re told.
If Thorn doesn’t see her, that is.
“Where will you be going after the Gates of Hell?” The Vampire’s voice breaks my concentration, and I swing my gaze back to his. His purple eyes are bright, and the sun is right above us now. His skin is glistening and making it difficult to concentrate.
I speak slowly, ensuring I say precisely the right thing. “We are unsure at this time. We may return to the Northern Court in time for the Winter Solstice. I’ve been hearing rumors about the parties hosted by the new Queen’s Consort.”
“Ah yes, the new Winter Queen. I’ve heard of her pacifist husband.” Thorn laughs as if pacifism is a joke. “She’s not the only one who is part of the rumor mill.” Thorn glances at his FaePhone, clicking around momentarily before pulling something up. “An interesting video was brought to our attention just a few months ago.”
I swallow, shifting on my feet. “Oh?”
Thorn nods as a wolfish grin appears on his face. He holds up his phone, pressing a few buttons before a hologram appears in the air about it.
I grab onto the railing, holding tight as my stomach plummets. I can guess what I’m about to see.
Fuzzy black and white security footage is projected in the air. Instantly, I know this isn’tThe Black Rose. The deck of this ship is wooden and old, nothing like my modern boat. But that’s not what draws my attention.