“Home…” Francis turned ashen. “If theKraken’s not here…”
Shit. She hadn’t considered that. They could already be in trouble.
“We gotta go,” Smee said, eyes wide. No doubt, he worried for his sisters.
“We can’t.” Hook hung his head.
“Captain?”
“We have to meet with the witch first.”
Sage reared back. “But Coconut Cove. The ship, the crew, our families—”
“May be completely fine,” Hook said, his voice eerily calm. “We came to see the witch, and we’re not leaving without direction from her.” He sucked in a breath. “Tink, Smee, we go to the witch now.” His voice rang with command and confidence once more. His back straightened, the uncertainty from moments ago vanished in an instant. “The rest of you, pack and wait for us by the blue shack near the forest path. We’ll meet you there as soon as we’re done.”
“Aye, sir.” Sage’s reply lacked her usual spark.
The heaviness in the room weighed on Tink, making her wish she could slide through the floorboards and escape. This wassonot how she expected today to go, but they had to know. It was better they knew, right?
Hesitantly, she glanced to Hook, who gave her a nod. Were her thoughts so obvious? She flushed and looked away.
“Let’s go.” Hook gestured to the door.
Off to see the witch.The witch. Oh, Merrin’s teeth. She’d never told him about the witch’s offer. There hadn’t been time. And now…
The stiffness of Hook’s shoulders and hard set of his jaw were as unwelcoming as a turbulent sea. Not to mention the storm going on behind his eyes. He didn’t need another burden, not when she wouldn’t be taking the witch’s offer anyway.
Chapter 20
Hook
Every person they passed was an enemy.
Look each one over. Don’t rely on their clothes. Don’t make eye contact. If they look at you, make them want to look away. Keep watch at your back. Look far ahead as well as close. Keep your hand on the dagger at your side.
Those were the rules he traveled by as they made their way to the witch’s shop. Dark clouds shadowed their steps.Bloody curse.It picked the worst times to send a storm his way. They couldn’t afford to wait it out either. The rain better bloody well hold off until they made it back to Coconut Cove.
Blackbeard was here—or at least his crew was. Right under the Gamoreans’ nose. Whatever information they may have on that crocodile’s hideout would have to wait.
The witch’s shop was just as stifling and uncomfortable as the day before. No, somehow it was worse. A slight burned scent mixed in with the hideous perfume emanating from the very walls.
“Ah, just as expected.” The man behind the counter, the same as before, gave a too-bright grin. His face was painted again in the same shades of gold and green. With a dramatic flourish, he gestured to the curtains at his back. “Right this way.”
Hook glanced back at his companions. Tink was rigid, her gaze flitting this way and that. She’d been on edge since her unexpected announcement. If Blackbeard or his men had laid a hand on her… He couldn’t think about that now. That bloody bastard already had much to answer for. He’d made every one of their lives a misery in one way or another. No wonder she’d gone so pale when theKrakenarrived after their meeting with Titania.
With a shake, he turned and followed the shopkeep through the crimson curtains. The narrow hall beyond was almost pitch black. The place made it too easy for an ambush. His hand slipped from the pommel of his dagger, reaching back for the woman behind him. He nearly sighed when her hand slipped into his and gave it a squeeze. Tink twisted to glance up a flight of stairs ascending into the gloom as they strode down the hall toward the back of the shop.
Light bled in around them as the shopkeep pushed back another set of heavy curtains, revealing a small room. The witch sat alone behind a round table in the center, which sported bottles, bowls, and vials like those in the storefront. A grin lifted her lips, barely visible below the garish mask of green and gold she wore to cover her face. Dark hair streaked with silver spilled out around it, cascading over her shoulders and a dress of shimmering emerald.
“Captain Hook, is it?” She tilted her head. Hands decked in gold and jewels tapped on the tabletop. She wore a fortune—if it were real gold. The way it shimmered in the light spilling from the candles in the chandelier above said it was. He would know. “Please, have a seat.”
The witch’s gaze passed right over Smee—rarer than jewels that was—and settled on Tink. Her grin widened. Tink straightened at his side, her grip tightening in his. Reluctantly, he let her go as they took vacant seats across from the witch, each one different in style. Her shopkeep dragged the unused fourth, a gaudy mess of green velvet, to the heavy curtains caging them in. Curtains even draped from the ceiling above, cloaking wood and stone. So much garish fabric. What a waste.
“You brought payment?” the witch asked.
Hook tossed a bag of coins onto the table. It landed with a heavy thump. “That should be to your satisfaction.”
“Mmmm.” She pried open the strings holding the bag closed and let coins slip through her fingers. “Depends on what you have to ask of me.”
