He fixes me with a hard stare, his voice deadly serious. "But let's get one thing straight, lass. I'm not doing this for you or some mystical prophecy. I'm doing it for my crew, for the people I've sworn to protect. And if at any point I think you're leading us astray or putting my men in unnecessary danger, I won't hesitate to kill you and your friends."
I nod, understanding the weight of his words. "I wouldn't expect anything less. But I promise you, I will do everything in my power to ensure we succeed, to make sure we all come out of this alive and victorious."
The Captain grunts a noncommittal sound that could mean anything. But I take it as a sign of agreement, a glimmer of hope in the darkness.
Finally, he gives a curt nod as if coming to a decision. "Captain Gideon Sterling, at your service," he says, suggesting that 'service' is a relative term. "Welcome aboard The Seraph—we're among the most respected pirate crews on the high seas."
Danica
5
Ican't help but raise an eyebrow at that. "Respected pirates? Isn't that kind of an oxymoron?"
Gideon shoots me a look that could wither a lesser person."Watch it, lass. We've got a code. We're not mindless savages like some of the other scallywags out there."
I hold up my hands in a placating gesture. "Sorry. I'm just trying to wrap my head around all of this. Sea witches, sea monsters, honorable pirates... it's a lot to take in."
Gideon's expression softens a fraction. "Aye, I suppose it is. But you'd best get used to it, lass. If you're sailing with us, you'll need to learn the lay of the land—or the sea, as it were."
"Other scallywags?" I ask, my curiosity piqued despite the circumstances.
The Captain heaves a long-suffering sigh. "Aye, there's no shortage ofpirate factionsin these waters. You've got the Crimson Brotherhood, a charming bunch who'd sooner bathe in your blood than say hello. And the Serpent Skulls? Sneaky bastards, the lot of them."
I take in this information, my mind whirling. "And where do you and your merry band of misfits fit into this delightful pirate hierarchy?"
Captain Sterling puffs out his chest, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "We're the Silver Tide. We fight for justice and honor, protecting the innocent from the scum of the seas. Pirates with principles, you might say."
What are the odds of landing ontheonepirate ship with a moral compass in a literal sea of scoundrels? It's like the universe finally decided to throw me a bone. Either that or the crown took over once that witch bitch drained me like a cheap-ass battery.
I just need to rest and recharge.
"So, any other colorful characters I should know in this delightful pirate soap opera?"
Gideon chuckles. "Well, there's the Azure Rovers. They're a different breed altogether—Captain Seaborn and I go way back. They're more interested in chasing legends and lost treasures than plundering and pillaging. They're not quite as bloodthirsty as the others, but make no mistake—they're still pirates, through and through."
I lean back on the sofa, my brain whirring like an overclocked computer trying to process this avalanche of new information. It's a lot to take in, but I know that navigating this tangled web of pirate politics will be crucial to our survival. It's like navigating a minefield while blindfolded and juggling chainsaws—one wrong step, and we're all fish food.
The Captain's eyes narrow. He gestures to my crown, a glint of curiosity in his gaze. "Is that the fancy crown ye being talkin' about?"
Struggling with my hair and the headpiece as they have now become a knot of bullshit on top of my head, I explain the crown's functions and stones, watching as his expression shifts from intrigue to calculating.
"That's quite the piece of jewelry. Mind if I take a closer look?" he asks, his tone too casual for my liking.
Typical pirate.
I shake my head, "No can do, Captain. Thisthing is stuck on my head tighter than a barnacle on a whale's backside."
Captain Gideon Sterling is the embodiment of every pirate fantasy—ruggedly handsome and with an air of confidence that borders on cocky. A small scar on his face only adds to his handsome features. But beneath that devil-may-care exterior lies a sharp mind, a loyal heart, and a fierce determination to protect his crew and ship.
"Dani, I'm losing my goddamn mind here. What the hell is going on?"Rhylandgrowls. His frustration and desperation pulses through our bond like a living thing.
"I know, me too."I shoot back, my nerves frayed to the breaking point."I think I've managed to convince Captain Blackbeard wannabe to lend us a hand. Turns out, a little sass and a lot of attitude go a long way with these pirate types."
Rhyland's response is a string of curses,"I don't give a flying fuck about his help. Tell that son of a bitch to release me, or I swear, he's going to be my first meal as soon as I sink my teeth into his scurvy-ridden ass."
I roll my eyes, even thoughRhylandcan't see me."Charming as ever, aren't you, babe? Look, let me handle this. We need the Captain's cooperation if we're going to get out of this mess in one piece."
I return my attention to the Captain, plastering on my most winning smile. "So, about my friends. Any chance you could, you know, let them out of their cages? I promise they're housebroken. Mostly."
