He steps forward.
I squeak in alarm, my gaze on his bag.
“It’s all right, miss.” He puts the bag on the table, opens it, and steps back. “Have a look if you like.”
“I think I’m good here.” I pull the blanket tighter around me.
“Moira—that’s your name, right?” He stays put, his hands behind his back.
“Yes.”
“I heard you were bitten by a mermaid?”
I suppose my pirate has been talking about me. “Yeah, though apparently it was just a ‘taste’, or so I was told.”
He nods. “Those can still hurt terribly. Might I have a look at it?”
“I’m good.”
With a sigh he goes over to the dark lantern and takes it down. “I know you aren’t ‘good’, Moira. You were bitten, kept captive by Pan, then had to jump into the sea to—”
“What? You think Peter was keeping me captive?” I’m gawking at him, unable to hide it. “Seriously?”
He presses on the wooden wall to his left, and a panel pops open.
Wait, there’s storage in the walls? Maybe that’s where I’ll find a weapon. I make a mental note of the cupboard as Skylights fills the lantern with some sort of oil.
“So, you weren’t kept prisoner?” he asks as he returns the canister of oil and closes the panel. With the strike of a match, he has the lantern lit again. It casts a warm light over the room, putting more shine on the dark walls and honey-colored floor.
“No. Now I am, though. Just sitting in here waiting for your asshole boss to show up and gut me or do whatever it is he intends to do.” I shiver and pull the blanket even tighter. “Where is he?”
“The captain’s here. He’s the one who asked me to check on you and give you aid.”
I snort a laugh. “Surehe did.”
He raises a brow and leans back against the table, crossing his arms in a casual pose marked with curiosity. “Why would I lie to you?”
“You’re a pirate.”
“Yes.”
“There you go.” I give him a definitive nod.
“I see.” I don’t miss the amused glint in his dark eyes.
“I hope you realize there’s no way in hell I’m going to let you touch me.”
“All right. Fair, I suppose, given your opinion on pirates. May I at least look at your injuries? If I can get a look at the bite, I’ll be able to tell if you have an infection. The fall into the water—it would help if I could palpate—”
“Absolutely not.” I don’t want any of whatever he just said.
He sighs. “I’m not trying to hurt you, Moira. I want to help you, if you’ll let me.”
It’s stupid, but I want to believe him. It’s not like he’s yelling “Avast ye!” and swinging a rapier at me. Still, I can’t just go around putting my trust in people. Especially not here. I’ve learned that the hard way.
I keep my spot against the wall and eye him.
“I take it that’s a no?” He shrugs and turns to his bag. “I’ll leave a seaweed poultice for the bite—doesn’t smell good, but it will work a treat on mermaid saliva. For the pain, I’ve compounded a pill.”
