I cast out my senses, searching for any trace of her, any hint of her presence. And there, on the edge of my consciousness, I feel her—she is close.
I latch onto it like a drowning man latching onto a rope, and then I'm running, my feet pounding against the sand as I race towards the docks.
The bright moon casts an eerie glow over the water, illuminating the scene before me. And there, pulling away from the docks is a massive ship with blood-red flags hoisted high.
No. No, no, no.
FUCK!
They have her. Those fucking bastards have my girl, and they're taking her away from me.
But I won't let them. I won't let them take her, not now, not ever.
I run faster, my feet flying over the sand like I'm running on air. I can hear Erik behind me, his feet pounding against the sand as he tries to keep up.
But I don't slow down, don't hesitate. I just keep running, my eyes locked on that fucking ship like it's the only thing in the world that matters.
Because it is, Dani is on that ship, and I won't rest or stop until I have her back in my arms where she belongs.
I reach the end of the docks just as the massive Galleon begins to pull away, the water churning beneath its hull. For a heart-stopping moment, I think I'm too late, that I've lost her forever.
But then I spot it—a small rowboat tied to the dock, bobbing gently in the water.
I don't even think. I leap into the boat; my only thought is getting to that ship and tearing it apart plank by fucking plank if I have to. Erik is right behind me, his face set with grim determination.
"Lads!" It's Gideon, clutching his side as he staggers towards us, his shirt dark with blood. "Ye won't catch 'em in that little cockleshell."
I snarl, slamming my fist against the side of the boat hard enough to send splinters flying. He's right, damn him. This pathetic excuse for a vessel will never catch that ship, not in a thousand years.
I turn to Gideon, my eyes blazing. "Then we take your ship," I growl, my voice low and deadly. "Now."
Gideon meets my gaze, his own eyes glinting with fierce approval. "Aye," he agrees, spitting a glob of blood onto the dock. "Let's be on our way, then."
Erik and I scramble out of the dinghy, meeting with Gideon on the shore. The old pirate captain straightens up, his voice booming across the docks.
"Finn! Ye mangy cur, where are ye?"
Finn appears momentarily, his face a mask of confusion and concern. "Cap'n? What's all this, then?"
"We're setting sail," Gideon snaps. "Get the ship ready, and be quick about it."
Finn gapes at him, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Cap'n, have ye lost yer bloody mind? We can't go after the Crimson Brotherhood. It's suicide!"
I take a step forward, ready to tear the insubordinate little shit limb from limb, but Gideon beats me to it. He rounds on Finn, his face thunderous, his eyes flashing.
"They have the girl, ye idiot! Ye'll do as yer Cap'n commands, boy," he snarls. "Or ye'll answer to me. Now move yer arse, before I kick it from here to the Mermaid's Cove."
Finn's eyes widen, "Fuck." he shakes his head as a look of anger crosses his features. He swallows hard, his throat bobbing, and nods. "Aye, Cap'n," a hint of sadness in his tone. "We'll have her ready to sail in two shakes."
"See that ye do," Gideon growls before returning to Erik and me. "Come on, lads. Let's get ye armed and ready. We've got a damsel to save and a sea witch to gut from stem to stern."
I nod, my jaw clenched tight. Every instinct I have is screaming at me to just leap into the fucking water and swim after that ship—to tear it apart with my bare hands until I have Dani safe in my arms again.
She's powerless right now, and if I had to guess, is hurt pretty badly since she's gone silent on me.
But as much as it kills me, I know Gideon's right. We need a ship of our own, need the speed and the firepower and a crew of ruthless sons of bitches at our backs. So I follow him up the gangplank, my heart pounding like a war drum and my blood singing with the promise of the violence to come.
Hold on, baby. Just hold the fuck on. I'm coming for you, and I'm bringing hell with me.
