“Let the boys go. Safely. On land. At a port.” He couldn’t save the rest of his family—he’d be damned if his request would be misconstrued again.
“You’d deprive them a bed? Food in their bellies? Coin in their pockets?”
“They had all that.” The memory kicked him like a horse. They’d had Tink’s treehouse—for a while. The food she’d no doubt stored. Coin he’d given them.
Blackbeard laughed. “Begger boys they were. But if ya agree ta sail with me…” He twisted his beard.
The mere thought burned his throat like acid.
He neared. So close. Another foot and Hook might be able to snare him. “Well?”
Hook stared him down, daring him to step closer, to demand his answers. But Blackbeard rocked back on his heels with a huff. A moment later, he’d passed him, headed for the door to his cabin.Fuck.
The door swung open with a clatter. “See fisher boy here ta his cell.”
Hook twisted around, peering as the brothers returned for the quarry.
Blackbeard laughed. “In a few days, maybe he’ll be Captain Hooks.”
Chapter 37
Tink
The merfolk thought fish were perfect for feeding humans. The crew agreed. But no matter how her stomach gnawed at her in that damp cave, Tink couldn’t bring herself to eat them. Certainly not raw and wiggling the way the merfolk preferred.
The queen’s consort, Neres, brought her oysters. Somehow those were even worse.Slimy, goopy balls of...yuck. Though Smee loved them, slurping down one after another like they were the best thing ever.
Kelp wasn’t food, Adella had insisted when Tink asked for some, and the strands she brought did somehow look even more revolting than the fish. It didn’t matter anyway. How could she eat when James was a prisoner—or worse? She hung her head in her hands on the rocky shore.
They’d been there for hours. Probably over a day, Barley figured. They had no fire. The crew worried about suffocating themselves with the smoke.Smart, Tink figured. She wouldn’thave thought of that. Alone, she might have gotten herself killed after the merfolk’s daring rescue.
At least they had the glowing coral, and it was breathtaking. Several of the crew wagered it would be worth a fortune—if the glow held. Davies tried to break off a chunk, only to earn curses and a swipe of sharp claws from the merfolk. Defacing their cavern was not allowed.
Tink had tried to slip through a small crevice at the back, one that undoubtedly let in enough fresh air to keep them alive, but even her lithe form couldn’t squeeze through. What would it matter anyway? Inside or outside, they were stuck.
Most of the crew were feeling better physically, especially thanks to some impressive mermaid medicine. Even her wing hurt less, though it still had a bend to it that needed to be set. Mentally…they were all about as rough as her.
A brunet merman surfaced, one of several who’d joined the others over the hours. “They arrive.”
“Excellent!” Adella clapped her hands together, her claws clicking.
They’d still yet to say who or what they’d lured to their little cave.
Adella twirled around. “We’ll take you to them. Who’s first?” She blinked innocently.
Water. Oh no.
Tink’s lungs burned at the memory of them filling with seawater. Panic closed in around her like the wet darkness that had swallowed her. She stumbled back in a daze, even as those around her moved toward the merfolk appearing in the pool. Her heel caught a rock, sending her stumbling.
Strong arms caught her. For the briefest moment, she deluded herself into believing it was James. He was safe, there with her.
“Got ya.” Smee’s voice jolted her from the daydream.
A hiccup turned into a sob. Her vision blurred. All at once, the tears she’d held back broke free.
“Shh, now.” Smee pulled her closer, tucking her cheek against his chest as his big hands cradled her head. “We’ll get you home.”
Home?She missed her family terribly. That ache would never leave, but the thought of leaving them, leaving James? Impossible. All they’d endured, and here Smee was coddling her like a child again. She sniffed, looking up into his broad face. He forced a smile, but it didn’t meet his eyes. The lovable first mate held deep sorrow just behind his sea-blue eyes. He’d known James all his life, yet he kept it together. Tink pulled back and rubbed at her eyes. Smee let her go.
