Chapter 1
Tink
Nothing attracted attention like free booze. The Lazy Mule wasn’t usually this popular, or so the locals said, but the promise of free drinks lured every shopkeeper and down-on-their-luck sailor into the dirty, ramshackle building near the docks. Tropical air, thick with humidity and the promise of rain, filled the bar as tightly as the patrons crammed into every nook and cranny.
Tink pulled her braid over one shoulder, careful not to dislodge the sections covering her pointed ears. She rubbed the loose ends between her fingertips, feigning nervousness as she glanced over her shoulder.
Men and women alike clamored toward the far table where a large, blond man regaled the crowd with tales of his crew’s success. He was attractive, with bulging muscles, towering height, and a chiseled jaw. But if he made one more crude joke about plundering something, Tink was going to toss her drink at him.Stupid pirate. Soon enough he’d stumble and fall, orthe rotting table would finally give way. She grinned. That alone would be worth the cost of the trip.
But the blustering first mate of theJolly Rogerwasn’t her target. No, to get what she needed, only the captain would do. Tink licked her lips as her gaze caught on the equally tall but leaner man with one shining black boot propped on the seat of a nearby chair. He shouted colorful additions to the first mate’s tale and called for another round of drinks for all his “friends.”
The cheap ale Tink sipped turned sour on her tongue before she forced it down. The captain’s arrogance knew no end. He traveled from one pirate-friendly port to the next so he and his crew could rave of their accomplishments. At least it made them easy to track.
Tonight, they bragged about their theft of the Heart of Fire, a stunning ruby set in gold. A smirk pulled at her lips. What would they say when she stole it from them?
Captain Hook, so named for the distinctive metal weapon that replaced one hand, raised a pint in the air. Dark ale splashed over the side. Mugs clinked, rising with cheers from the crowd who joined in the toast.
Finally,finally, the captain glanced her way.
Her heart gave an involuntary leap as sinful lips twitched on a strong face. Or perhaps it was his coal-dark eyes that twisted her up inside. He raised his mug, taking a long swig, but his attention never left her.
Perfect.
One look and she’d hooked Hook. A small laugh burst from her lips that she covered by biting her bottom lip in feigned embarrassment.
Before he lowered his drink, Tink twisted around back to her mug warming on the bar. Warm ale and filthy pirates. Every girl’s dream night.
She snorted.Sure.
Her stomach turned as she rubbed the mug between her palms. This wouldn’t be her life. Not anymore. Not after tonight.
A woman squealed as a drunkard yanked her onto his lap, nearly sending them both tumbling to the ale-soaked floor.How did I ever enjoy these horrid human bars?Tink and her cousin Lily used to slip through the pixie doors—the circles of trees, stones, mushrooms, or whatever the elders of old selected—for a little fun in the human world all the time. They’d drink, dance, flirt with whichever handsome human caught their eye, then sneak back home before the elders were ever the wiser. They’d done everything together for as long as she could remember. The elders frowned on such frivolous exploits. But really, only allowing them out to trade and gather goods not available in their homeland was, well, boring.
Her chest grew tight.Did Lily made it home? Is she okay?The bracelet around her wrist with its broken gem weighed her down. Tink had committed an unforgivable sin by selling her pixie dust to save Lily from that wretched Captain Blackbeard and his crew. A nastier man never drew breath than Blackbeard.Filthy pirate bastard. That sacrifice got her banned from her homeland, Sylvanna Vale, rendering her unable to pass through the magical doorways. Pretending to be human and hiding her wings was a pain.By Durin’s beard, binding them hurts!Without the cloak around her shoulders, someone would notice where she’d lashed them to her back, and that…well, best they didn’t.
“Hey there, lovely lady.” A man brushed against her at the bar, smelling of sweat and sour ale—or something even fouler.
“Hello.”And please go away, she added silently, barely giving the man half a glance. If he had any wits, he’d leave.
“You here with anyone?”
Somehow his breath was worse than his stench. Hanks of greasy hair lay plastered against dirty skin. When was the lasttime he’d bathed? Humans were disgusting in general, but this one was something extra.
Tink glanced back at the pirates and stiffened. The captain was gone.Shit. Where did he—
The intruder slid in front of her. “I’ll put the wind in yer sails if ya raise my mast.”
Tink gaped. He didnotjust say that to her.
A burning flush rose from her chest to the tips of her ears. Her lips thinned. She needed to ditch this slob and quick. If she lost her chance to get the Heart of Fire because of this fool, she’d… Her nails dug into her palm. She didn’t even knowwhatshe’d do, but it would be something horrible.
His filthy hand latched onto her arm. “Come on.” Grime-crusted nails dug into her skin. “I can pay ya.”
With one quick move, Tinkaccidentallyknocked her drink over. Ale splashed across the man, some of it splattering her as well.
“You bitch!” He stumbled back. The man behind him barked in outrage.
Tink slid off her barstool, aiming to flee, but the man grabbed her arm again. She wrenched it back, her other hand sliding under her cloak, searching for her hidden dagger.
