Lili glanced over the ship. “I’ll do you one better than that. I’ll fill these decks top to bottom.” She completed her sweep with a narrow glance at him. “You’re keeping her?”
“TheEntia? Aye. For now.”
He wasn’t ready to let her go. Not yet. This ship was one of the few things Cassia cherished. If, at any point, he couldn’t continue sailing her, he’d return her to his father and the fleet.
Movement in his periphery drew his attention to the skiff sailing their way. Aboard it, Omar Koury, the man he was considering for quartermaster, waved. His bright teeth flashed, made whiter by his black skin.
“What do you really think of him?” he asked Lili.
She sighed. “He’ll do.”
“If there’s any reason?—”
“I’m just triggered by our last spontaneous hire for the position, is all.”
Not a day went by that Augustus didn’t think about Lazaros Bareas. Traitor and turncoat. He’d murdered their friend and Blade, Panos, and nearly killed Oskar, too. All for his king, Orestis Vidalatos.
But then Lazaros helped them by acting the part of “the heir.” This act kept Orestis and Alexandra from looking toward the palace, where Dimitrios was claiming his rightful place. His lie might have been the only reason their entire plan hadn’t fallen apart that night.
Omar, a barrel-chested, middle-aged man, wasn’t just some spontaneous hire, however. He’d known Cassia a long time ago. The encounter had been brief, but a moment that apparently held great significance to Omar.
The man hopped over the railing onto the deck below and glanced around. “She’s as beautiful as I remember.”
Augustus descended the stairs and shook the large man’s hand. Omar would give Felix a run in the size and strength department. “Welcome aboard. You remember Lili?”
“Aye.” Omar’s chin dipped in greeting toward Lili. “Greetings to you, Lieutenant Savali.”
Lili gave him a tight smile. “If you try pulling any stunts aboard this ship, I’ll have your balls on a platter.”
Omar stiffened.
Augustus leaned toward the man. “She means it, unfortunately.”
Omar’s smile stretched until his molars appeared. “I do not doubt a word, Captain.”
“Where did you say you’re from, Mr. Koury?” Augustus asked. “Not from Perean, I’m guessing.”
Omar didn’t have the Perean accent—a dead giveaway—so he must have met Cassia after she left her homeland. After Augustus was born.
“My family and I claim no land as our home—we haven’t for some time. We travel where the wind takes us, and today, that brings me here. To answer the call of a son, whose mother is owed a great debt. Blood bought our freedom once, Captain. Service will repay it.”
Augustus folded his arms. “Sounds serious. I’m curious why she never mentioned you.”
“She is the reason my family lives. Whether that was important to her or not makes no difference.Iknow. My family knows, and they are thrilled to join your crew. If you’ll have us.”
“Family?” Lili asked, blinking rapidly. “You mean to bring them aboard with you?”
“Only a couple dozen or so,” he said with that wide, proud smile. “They are hard-working, I assure you, and can fill just about any opening on the ship.”
Music to Augustus’s ears. The quicker they filled the ship, the better. “Good news,” Augustus said, “it turns out we’ll need them all. Whatever’sleft, we have just under a month to crew her. Do you think you can manage?”
Omar slapped his hands together, eyes wide. “Does that mean I’m hired?”
“Consider this a trial period, for which you’ll be compensated handsomely.”
“I accept.” He belted out a laugh. “This is wonderful news, Captain. You will not regret it.”
Lili rolled her eyes. “He might. In the meantime, I’ll show you around.” She aimed in the direction that would take them below deck, then shot Augustus a pointed look. “Why don’t you check out the captain’s quarters in the meantime?”
