A black mist slipped through the cracks of the rear windows and flowed across the floor to the table. Encina’s face paled as the fog floated up and formed itself into a hunched figure. The frayed edges of the person still wriggled like mist, and if one were to look closely under the hood, they would see a fathomless nothingness.
And then they would go insane.
Encina turned his face away, but kept the corner of his eyes on his ‘guest.’ “I expected you hours ago.”
A slithery, scratchy voice floated out of the empty hood. “The Master is very displeased.”
The captain scowled at the creature. “Does your master know everything that happened?”
“The Master does not accept excuses.”
“Dealing with Captain Marcus Torvus is no excuse, it’s dealing with the fury of the elements themselves.”
“Your told us you could handle any situation.”
“And I was told I would have no difficulties with capturing this woman,” Encina countered as he sat up. “She had no connections to this realm. Nobody knew she even existed, and yet Torvus knew we had her in the hold. How?”
The shadow swayed and its voice grew harsher. “You are blaming the Master for your failure.”
“I’m pointing out that your organization is talented at placing spies, but not so much at weeding them out yourself. Perhaps you should investigate the matter before bothering me about your failures.”
The frayed edges flowed faster like the rattle of a snake. “You speak too freely, mercenary. The Master will not be amused by your sense of humor.”
“Then perhaps your master shouldn’t send his messenger boy to bother me about old mistakes when I’m trying to make amends.”
The creature cocked its hood to one side. “How?”
He waved his hand at a half dozen cages on a table set against the wall. They were all empty. “I have my own messengers sending a call out to my own spies. They’ll find the woman, and then I’ll completely the job I was given by delivering her to you.”
The creature swayed side to side. “I will inform the Master of your actions, and you will be judged.”
“I’d rather be given another job.”
“You will not be given another job.”
Encina lifted an eyebrow. “Why? Your master doesn’t trust me anymore?” He leaned his elbows on the table and risked facing the creature. “Or is it because he has all the tools he needs?”
The shadowy figure slithered backward. “I will pass along your message, mercenary, but mind yourself. You may not like the reward your curiosity brings.”
The thing dropped back into mist and disappeared behind the glass.
Encina’s eyes flashed with a fiery light. “Damn them, and damn you, pirate. You’ll all pay for making a fool of me.”
Chapter 8
I don’t know how long I was asleep before movement disturbed my slumber. The motion didn’t quite wake me, but I did roll over. My nose bumped into something hard and immovable, and my eyes flew open. Night had settled over the room, but starlight drifted through the windows and allowed me to see what had disturbed my sleep. It was the naked back of a muscular man.
I shot up and let out a bloodcurdling scream. My bedmate stirred and rolled over onto his left side so he could stare at me with one beautiful blue eye. “What’s the ruckus about?”
I grabbed as many of the sheets as I could manage, which wasn’t much considering he was wrapped in them. “What are you doing in my bed?!”
He propped himself up on one arm and grinned at me. “I’m flattered you think of my bed as your own.”
I could feel the heavy blush rise in my cheeks like the temperature in a thermometer. “You’re not supposed to be in here!”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t know you!”
