“Aye, evil rats disappear.”
Alden gripped the railing.“I’ll grant you, the rats vanished, but the battle nearly sunk us to the depths.A cursed object returns a curse.Trust God, not that ancient Ring.”
Trust, even of God, felt like sand in his grip, his prayers but hollow words cast into a silent heaven.God’s voice he’d so often heard before, was now a distant memory.
Frowning, Caleb slipped the Ring on his finger.Was it merely the lantern light or did the crimson jewel glow again?
Alden gave an exasperated huff.“Why not merely pray, ask God to protect the ship with angels?”
Exactly what Caleb had done on that fateful night two years ago.Nay, he needed more assurance than a prayer that God no longer honored.
Bending his head, he touched the Ring and whispered.“Protect this ship.Guard her from every thief and foe.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth, than the eerie scrape of a thousand knives striking glass shattered the night.Lanterns exploded, along the dock, on lamp posts, in building windows, and through every alley of town.The two lanterns hanging amidships burst, raining shards of glass upon the deck.
And sudden darkness swallowed all.
A startled squeal rose from the crew.Curses from merchants and sailors filled the night air that seemed to recoil, heavy and still.
Beside him, Alden drew a steady breath.“Alas, you have your answer.”
Chapter 19: Birds of a Feather
Caleb brushed aside the thick foliage and entered that fateful clearing.’Twas unclear why he ventured to this evil place again and alone at midnight.But after the strange shattering of every lantern in town, he needed to get away.Away from the thievery and suspicion aboard his ship, away from the opinions and persuasions of his crew, even of his good friend.
He needed to pray, to reconnect with a God who had more than proven His love and faithfulness to Caleb.At least in the past.
But the Ring.After the lanterns burst, he’d slipped it back into his pocket, shouted orders to the crew for the night, and left the ship.He’d spent hours walking through town, suffering the angry looks and fearful hysteria of its citizens.He’d traipsed through fields of sugarcane, marched along the shore…and somehow found himself once again at the one spot on Earth he loathed the most.The one spot he wished could be erased from time itself.
Shadows, slithering and undulating, rose from the devastation around him.Whispers, dark, malevolent, and accusing, drowned him in a flood of guilt and shame.He could use the Ring to silence them.Did it not have power over demons?Yet, he deserved their scorn, their hatred and condemnation.Passing through a mist of charred black fingers pointed in his direction, he made his way to the beach.The moon poured silver over a restless sea, each wave folding against the sand with a hiss.So beautiful and yet so deadly.Much like this place.
And the woman who had betrayed him.
He glanced at the spot where he’d kissed Desi, and the heaviness weighing on his soul instantly lifted.The lady was light and love and goodness.She enchanted him like no other.And that kiss!
But could he trust her?Could he trust himself?
Planting his boots firmly in the sand, he drew in a deep breath of salty air, longing to set sail again, out upon God’s majestic sea where things were clearer, simpler.He’d come here to wrestle with his thoughts in silence, to plead for strength from a God who seemed far away.
He bowed his head.“Father God.Help me find my way back to You.”
’Twas a simple prayer.One he should have said long ago, and one that now brought a sudden peace and perhaps…dare he hope…an answer that sang in the sweep of each gentle wave.
“Caleb.”The familiar voice spun him around.
And all peace and hope splintered in the vision before him.
Geneviève.
Moonlight shimmered in the pearls woven through her brown hair.Her gown was blue velvet, the lace of her neckline rising and falling beneath each nervous breath.Silver earrings dangled from her ears, their gems matching those that fell upon the crests of her bosoms.Her smile was faint, hopeful.Her eyes, dark and tentative.
“I thought I might find you here.”Her voice, breathy, French, and achingly familiar slid through the night.
He pivoted to face the sea again.“What do you want, Geneviève?”
She released a sorrowful sigh, the swish of her skirts sounding as she moved to stand beside him.“When my father told me you were back, I had to see you.”
The sweet tone of her accent dove into his heart, rousing feelings he’d long since locked away.“We have naught to discuss.”
