Butnearly as those exact thoughts appeared, lightning flashed in the distance and the wind abruptly picked up. She suddenlyfeared she might not make it back to Shawsea Hall before the Heavens released their wrath upon her. Sheprayedthat her meeting with the Raven wouldn’t take long and she could convince him of herloyalty, as well as her desireto return to Ireland.
Few people were out at this time of night and the ones that were paid her littleheedas she trotted along the thoroughfare and headed for the port.It seemed the most logical place for a pirate to be, after all.
But as she pulled back on the reins near the docks, all was silent, other than the few vessels invarious shapes and sizesthat werebuoying in the harbor. Sheglanced around andwaited for some sort of sign that she was expected, for it had to be nearlymidnight, but when nothing butthe sameeerie silence greeted her, shewondered ifperhapshe had changed his mind.
With a frown, Fallon dismounted. Perhaps she would have better lucksearching for someoneon foot.Tying thegeldingto anearbypost, she squared her shoulders and walked down the wooden planks of the dock. Her bootsseemedloudupon the planks,although itmatchedthe pounding in her chest.
Shereached the endof the wooden planksandglancedaround, butnothing had changed. Disheartened, Fallon turned—just as a set ofheavyfootstepsbegan to walk toward her. She strained her eyes, desperately searching the darknessfor some sign of the stranger, but she couldn’t make out anything but the same sinister shadowsthat were doing their best toplay tricks on her mind.
Fallon was about to call out when acloudabruptly moved overhead, blocking out whatlittlemoonlighthad been her guide.
As the footsteps stopped, theonlysound that met her ears was therippling wateraround her. Terrorbegan to fill her chest.“Hello?”
She hated how weak her voice sounded, but she disliked it even more when she received no response.Surely if it was the Raven, wouldn’t he have said somethingin return?
The minutes ticked by andpanic began to consume her, until at last, a large figure broke free of the mist and shadows and loomed directly before her.
Terrified for her life, she could feel the blood leave her face, but when she prepared to flee, a hand reached out for her.Her throat constricted, paralyzed withherfright.She couldn’tscream,herhorrorcausing theharbortostart spinning.She fell, limp and lifeless to the wooden platform.
Chapter Nine
Atticusrose to his feet the moment Sean walked in the door carryingFallon’s lax body in his arms.Hehad decided the best place for the“bandit”to meet with her was one of the safe houses the Raven used if he needed to lay low in England for atime. While the plan had been to blindfold her for her own safety, knocking her out hadn’t been what Atticus had in mind.
He quickly closed the distance between them.“What the devil did you do to her?” he snapped, his gaze instantly roaming over herpale,delicate face as he searched for any sign of discolorationthat she’d been struck.
“Don’t give me that look,” Sean warned.“You should know that I have never hit a woman in my life.She fainted dead away when I tried to talk to her. I don’t think she heard a thing I saidbeforeshe just… collapsed.”
Atticussighed heavily and cursed under his breath. He hadn’twantedFallonto risk ridingall the way here on her own, but it wasn’t as if Atticus Clare norone of the Raven’s crewcould have chaperoned herin case she was being followed.
He jerked his head in the direction of his bedchamber. “Put her in there.”
Sean did as he instructed, while Atticusawaited his return in thekitchen.Other than someplace he couldcook a few mealsand lay down his head for a brief rest,there wasn’t much else to recommend thishovel. However, it’s remote location at the edge of Hythe had served his purpose on more than one occasion.
After Seanrejoined Atticus, he glanced back into the bedroom. “Do you need me to stay?”
Atticus considered this, but before he answered, he gestured for his first mate to join him outside.It wouldn’t be wise if Fallon woke up and overheard their conversation.“I think it’sfor thebest if she doesn’t know you have any ties to me. That way her loyalty won’t have to be testedfurthershould shebequestionedby the authorities atsome point.”
Sean inclined his head in agreement. “That’s probably wise,” heagreed.
Atticuscrossed his arms and looked out across the River Test. It seemed that no matter where he was, he had to have the scent of the salty air closeat hand. Notonlywas it familiar, but it was also calming, for the water was as much a part of him as hisEnglish heritage.
“What are you going to say when she awakes?” Sean asked quietly.
Atticuslooked upward to where thelightning flashed. He exhaled heavily. “I’m not sure yet,” he said evenly. “But I’m sure it will come to me.”
“Indeed. After all, shetook a great hazard in coming here,” his first mate pointed out.
He turned to face the large man with a narrowed gaze. “I realize that,” he snapped. “And rest assured, once she has met with the Ravenshe will beguardedclosely, formanyreasons.” He emphasized the last, ensuring that his longtime acquaintance knew where things stood.
Sean nodded. “I won’t be far.”With that, he disappeared into the shadows.
Once he was alone, Atticus turned his attention back to theheavens.A storm was definitely brewing. Hejusthoped that it wasn’t a precursor of things to come.
Clenching his jaw, heturned and walked back inside. Fallon would be waking up soon and he had toensure he wasthere when the stormfinallybroke loose.
***
Fallon’s eyes opened slowly.Sheblinked several times to gain her bearings and thentook a moment to inspect her surroundings.She appeared to be in a sparse room withafaint light coming from asingle lanternnear the foot of the bed. A frown instantlycreasedher brows, for the last thing she remembered, shehad beenwalking alongthe Hythe docks.
