“Lock him below. I’ll deal with him later.”
Before I could react,The Valiantwas rocked by another explosion. The deck lurched beneath my feet, sending me stumbling backward. When I climbed to my feet, Eric and Vex had already slipped out of the door.
“The ship’s going down!” someone shouted.
Chaos erupted as pirates abandoned their fights to grab whatever valuables they could. My surviving aeronauts tried desperately to reach our sloops, only to be cut down as they fled.
I fought my way through the melee, determined to find Eric. Through the smoke, I spotted him near the boarding planks. “Eric!” I shouted, raising my sword.
He turned, drawing his own blade. “Don’t be a fool, Max.”
“I’m done with you making me a fool,” I growled, attacking with all the fury of my betrayal.
Our swords met with a clash. He parried easily, his expression almost sad.
“I did love you,” he said as our blades locked. “I really did.”
“Your love is poison,” I spat, breaking the lock and slashing at his chest.
He dodged, but not quickly enough—my blade caught his arm, drawing blood.
Before he could retaliate, another explosion rocked the ship. The mainmast began to topple with a deafening crack.
“Look out!” someone shouted.
I dove aside as the massive timber crashed down. When I looked up, Eric was gone, lost in the smoke.
The ship was dying around us. Fire spread across the deck. Most of my crew lay dead or wounded, the survivors fighting a losing battle.
I struggled to my feet. If I could save even a few of my people…
The deck lurched again. I lost my balance, sliding toward a massive hole torn in the planking. My fingers clawed desperately for purchase, finding none.
I fell, crashing onto the deck below. Pain exploded through my body. I lay stunned, unable to move as the ship continued to break apart.
Then I saw it—the mizzenmast, swaying dangerously above me. I tried to crawl away, but my body refused to respond.
The mast gave way with a thunderous crack, plummeting toward me. I rolled desperately, but not fast enough.
White-hot agony exploded through my left leg as the massive timber pinned me to the deck. My scream echoed through the burning ship. Through a haze of pain, I saw a figure approaching—Eric, silhouetted against the flames. He knelt beside me, his face impassive as he surveyed my trapped leg.
“Help me,” I gasped, reaching for him. “Please.”
For a moment, something like regret flickered in his eyes. Then it was gone, replaced by cold resolve.
“I’m sorry it came to this, Max,” he said, rising to his feet. “Truly.”
“Eric, don’t—”
The sound of another ship approaching cut me off—the distinctive engines of a Sunada sentinel vessel. Eric’s head snapped up.
“Perfect timing,” he murmured.
Through the shattered windows, I glimpsed theWindcutterpulling away, retreating into the crimson mist. Captain Vex had gotten what she came for—our cargo, our weapons, and whatever payment Eric had promised her.
A cold smile played at Eric’s lips as he straightened his uniform, transforming back into the respectable naval officer.
He turned away, leaving me pinned and bleeding as he strode toward the approaching rescue.
