Thorne turned to him with an icy stare. “Mr. Theodosia, I’m disappointed by the indecency of your suggestion.”
Vivienne nearly laughed at Cirrus’ barely contained rage. His fists clenched like he was debating whether to throw a punch.
“Nothing happened,” she cut in, offended at their assumptions and Cirrus’ sudden ownership claim over her. “Owen?—”
Lewis let out a dramatic gasp. “First name basis, huh?”
“SHUT UP, LEWIS!” she and Cirrus barked in unison.
Vivienne moved to return the jacket, but Thorne shook his head. “Keep it until morning. None of us will dry off before sunrise.”
She met his gaze, her gratitude genuine. “Thank you.”
Thorne dipped his chin in acknowledgment. Cirrus and Lewis glowered as the commander strode into the rain, but Vivienne was too tired to care. She collapsed onto her bedroll, wrapped in the warmth of the commander’s jacket, and let sleep take her.
23
The morning mist clung to the air, dampening everything it touched as birds and insects picked up their chorus where the rain had silenced them. Vivienne sat up, momentarily forgetting she still wore the commander's jacket. Across camp, Owen and Captain Garrett were already at work while Cirrus and Lewis remained asleep. She crossed the clearing, the jacket slung over her arm.
"Morning, Vivienne," the captain greeted with a grin. "What can we do ya for?"
"I'm returning this," she said, glancing at Owen. "The commander was kind enough to lend it to me."
Thorne dipped his chin slightly, a hint of a smile ghosting his lips.
"That’s our commander," Captain Garrett said, slapping Owen’s back hard enough to make him sway. "Always looking out for everyone."
Florence came jogging toward them, her tight curls bouncing. "Captain, commander," there’s smoke west of us. Campfires, several miles out."
Garrett’s expression darkened. "When did you first see it?"
"Jackie spotted it last night, but the rain made it hard to confirm," Florence said, her accent rolling. "This morning, it's obvious."
Vivienne frowned. "How could anything burn in a monsoon?"
Thorne’s fist hit the makeshift table. "The bastard has everburn," he growled.
The captain turned to Florence, who gave a grim nod.
Vivienne’s stomach tightened. Enyo and the Thanatos werehere. She’d known they were heading for Verdance, but hearing the confirmation still sent a chill down her spine.
Garrett adjusted his hat. "We’ll need to rethink the exploratory group. Ms. Solandis, Miss Banner, if you’ll excuse us."
Florence dipped her chin and strode toward the breakfast area, Vivienne hurried to keep up.
"Florence," Vivienne called out. "What’s everburn?"
The gunner paused, stepping close. "Keep your voice down, Banner. No need to work the crew into a panic."
Vivienne nodded, whispering. "What is it?"
Florence shifted the tobacco in her cheek. "It’s a rare blend, known to only a few chemists. It burns in any condition, doesn’t need wood, and won’t go out unless you have cinderbind or wait for it to incinerate everything except stone, bone, metal, or water."
A shudder ran through Vivienne as she recalled the nightmare of her parents’ ship burning despite the rain.Did the Nereid carry everburn?"Why would anyone travel with something so dangerous?"
Florence shrugged, spitting onto the ground. "Useful in wet or cold places. But you only need a drop." She tugged on a chain around her neck, revealing two tiny bottles—one filled with a swirling bronze-red liquid, the other with shimmering silver powder. "This is all I’m willing to carry, and I always keep the antidote right next to it."
Vivienne instinctively stepped back.She walks around with a bomb around her neck?
