“Everyone will be on their best behavior. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Good. We need Tiger Lily on our side for what’s coming.” A chair scrapes across the floor. “All right, if that’s all you wanted to discuss—”
“Not quite, Captain. Alf pulled me aside earlier. He’s been out and about too much, and now sheknows.”
“Shit. Has she seen Mullins or Teynte yet?”
“I don’t think so. I’ve had them down at the ship re-equipping. Teynte knows to keep a low profile. Mullins as well.”
“All right. That’s something, at least.” The floorboards creak, and I scamper away down the hall to the staircase.
By the time the study doors open, I’m already halfway up the stairs. When I get to the top, I bump into Skylights.
“Hey.” He steadies me. “I was just coming to do another checkup, if that’s all right.”
“I’m all sweaty.” I pull my shirt away from my chest to get some air in there, but that wafts my smell to my nose. “And stinky. Can we do it later?”
“Sure thing.” He backs up so I can pass. “You’re feeling all right, though?”
“Why? Am I sick?”
He glances away. “Your leg’s not bothering you?”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
He drops down a step. “Not sick in a smallpox sense, no.”
“More like a plague sense, then?”
One corner of his mouth twitches. “No.”
“Am I ‘fading’?”
“Who told you that?”
“Is that why you’ve been checking up on me so much? I know there’s something wrong, Skylights. You already told me as much the last time you looked in on me.” I sigh. “Besides, I’ve seen myself in the mirror, and it’s not a pretty sight.”
His demeanor switches back to his warm bedside manner. “You’re going to be all right, Moira. Pan took something from you. You’re not ill, but you aren’t healthy, either. It’s why the mermaid bite got so infected and took such a deep hold.”
My nose prickles as unbidden tears begin to fill my vision. “Can you fix it?”
His eyes soften even more. “No. I’m sorry. I can’t. But I think the captain believes there’s a way.”
“Nessie said there’s something at the Fairy Village—wherever that is—that can help me. Do you think so?”
“That’s what the captain believes, too. I’ve always put my faith in James, and I’m not going to change that now.” He slings his bag over his shoulder. “I know it’s important for you to learn how to defend yourself, but I do hope you’ll try to rest a bit more. It might help.”
“Mmhmm.” I don’t think so. “I’ll let you know if I start feeling gross, okay?”
“All right.” He jogs down the stairs, clearly happy to be away from my questions.
I hurry to my room and close the door. Safe.
Sally sits on my windowsill again.
“There you are!” I go to her. “I was worried after you and Tinker Bell took off. Are you okay?” I bend over and peer at her feathers. “You seem all right. Did you kick her ass?”
The gull laughs.
