Otto might have forgiven her so easily, but I’m not sure I can. He’d only been a boy when he got that scar. His cheeks were rounder then, eyes wider. And I couldn’t protect him. But I will now.
“I suppose you’ll have to talk to Tavi, yeah?” Bear calls after me, ripping me from my thoughts.
I grip the door frame. “That’s where I’m headed next.”
He throws a grin over his shoulder towards me, and I can’t do anything but smile in return.
The sound of the crew grows louder as I head out on the deck. Elio is still stationed outside my room. He straightens as I approach. “How did he take the news?”
I sigh, leaning my shoulder against the wall as I look over the crew’s preparations. “Let’s just say he’s a better man than me.”
Elio drops his gaze to the ground, scuffing the front of his boot. “He’s always had a soft spot for strays.”
“Do you think Tavi will let me speakwith her?” I murmur.
There is a good chance she won’t talk to me for a few days. She’s the one who warned me after all. And like the stubborn ass that I am, I didn't listen. Tavi’s fierce when it comes to Otto—always has been. She circles him like a hawk, ready to tear out the throat of anyone who so much as looks sideways at the boy. And there’s no chance she’ll stand for him sharing space with Odi if Otto were to decide he doesn’t want her on this ship.
Elio’s hazel gaze finds me. “I can always say something if you like?”
I huff a laugh, though there is no joy in it. “Thanks, but taking the easy route was never my strength.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
It’s the right thing to do. I owe it to her. She loves Otto, me, and Elio. And I fear the moment Odelia becomes a threat, Tavi won’t hesitate to put her down to protect us. For better or worse, I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Odi makes it out alive, and then we can go our separate ways.
“Since I’ll likely be thrown overboard, I suppose I should plan to check the inktopus system.”
Elio grins and dips his head as he fishes in his trouser pocket. “Already did. Tossed the little guy a treat too. Those tentacles are quite grabby! I’d planned to tell you, but with everything going on, I thought it best to wait.” He hands a small letter to me.
The parchment crackles softly as I unfurl it, scanning the words on the surface.
The Sea Bane is hugging the coastline south. Sails low. Scaring off fishermen. I’d like to slap them all with a frozen fish. Killian.
With an eye roll, I leave Elio at the door, and search for Tavi. It only takes a few seconds to see her up on the foremast deck, staring out to sea. She doesn't flinch when I approach and lean my arms on the railing beside her. We stay in silence for a while, just being in each other’s company.
She talks first. “I told you there was something off about her.”
Her words bite, like those silver fish in the temple with their sharp teeth. I drag a hand through my hair as the wind dances around us. “You were right, and I should have listened. I’m sorry, Tav.”
Her emerald eyes flash, sharp as broken glass. “Captain Ivor’s daughter.By the stars, Rune . . . of all the people to bring aboard, of all the people you decide to . . . you chose her.”
“I know.” The words taste like chalk in my mouth. “And you’re not going to like this, but I’m going after the last key . . . with Odelia.”
Tavi exhales, closing her eyes briefly like she’s given up on the fight already. “Rune.”
“I have to, Tav.” I begin to pace. “We’re so close. We’ve lost too much. I can’t turn back now. Once we find the treasure I’ll drop her off at the nearest island . . . I promise.” I’m sure Odelia would demand nothing less.
“And what of Bear?” she asks pointedly. “How does he feel?”
I pass her twice before I answer. “I think he accepted her long before anyone else, and if he didn’t—his kindness overshadows any negative thoughts he might have about her.”
For a long moment she just stares at me, the only sound around us is the rigging above swaying in the wind.
“You know I’ll have to put her down if she so much as breathes wrong,” she mutters, lips pursed and eyes piercing like daggers.
There is no doubt in my mind that she’s telling the truth. And that’s what worries me. Because even though Odi betrayed me, I’d be a liar if I said she hadn’t curled into a space beside my heart. There’s no future with her now, but that doesn’t mean I want to see her dead.
“I know, but we’re not Vipers. We don’t kill for sport.”
