Captain Solyen looks at Enver like he’s waiting for the punchline. When he doesn’t get one, he scans all of us, then a smile spreads across his face. He throws his head back in a laugh—a boisterous, raspy, and slightly annoying laugh. I bet if you listen to him cackle for too long, you’ll develop a headache.
Thane sighs while Rynthea huffs, irritated.
“We aren’t joking,” Rynthea grumbles. “We need a ride to The Shallowstoday.”
“And we’ll pay you.” Thane steps forward with a pouch, holding it by the strings. Captain Solyen’s smile fades as he sticks out his hand and accepts the loaded pouch. Tucking his flask beneath his armpit, he opens the pouch and dumps some of the coins into his palm. When he sees all the gold, his eyes grow wide.
“This is a lot of coin you’ve got here.” Solyen looks at us beneath his bushy brows.
“Will it be enough to get us there?” Thane asks.
“Oh—more thanenough,” he assures him, dumping the coins back into the pouch. “But it feels wrong taking money from dead people.”
His words make my stomach twist into a thick knot.
“We’ll take our chances,” Thane tells him.
“You lot are lucky I’ve got some time on my hands. Next shipment won’t be out for another week.” Solyen gives each of us a thorough assessment before putting his focus on Enver. “Are they friends of yours?”
“Not all of them,” Enver answers. “Just her.” He points at me with a smile. I return a half smile but don’t miss the way Thane shifts closer to me.
“Well, before you board my sweetEmellie, you ought to know that I won’t sail you all the way to The Shallows. I’ll make a stop and drop a boat for you to row the rest of the way. Unlike you lot, I care about my precious life. Strange things happen the closer you get to that vile island, and I want no part of it.”
“Fine.” Rynthea shifts on her hooves as she folds her arms.
“‘Fine,’ she says.” Solyen chortles to himself. “All right. Get your asses on the ship, since you’re so ready to die.”
I tuck my thumb under one of the straps of my rucksack and start following everyone to the mouth of the ship—that is until Enver calls my name. He’s leaning next to a damp post near the end of the dock. Thane pauses as he eyes me.
“I’ll be right there,” I assure him.
He nods, giving Enver a bored once-over before turning around again and walking up the gangway.
“Are you absolutely sure about this, Zaira?” Enver asks as I approach him.
“Enver, I don’t have a choice.”
“Youalwayshave a choice.”
“Oh yeah, you’re right,” I reply sarcastically. “The better choice here is to let my sister die because I’m a coward.”
“Analla wouldn’t want you to do this, Zaira, and you know it.”
I sigh, shifting my attention to the turquoise waters.
“She would tell you to let it go. To let her handle the consequences,” he presses on.
“And she’d also know that I wouldn’t listen.” I glare at him this time. “Idohave a choice, Enver, and I’ve made mine. I’m going.”
“How do you know that crew will actually protect you? How do you know they won’t leave you hanging as soon as trouble arises?” Enver takes my hand and wraps it in both of his. “You don’t know these people, Zaira. You’re going to get yourself killed.”
“I know them enough.”
His eyebrows knit together as he scans me. “I spoke to a visionary last night so I could know more about everyone in your group.”
My heart slows in rhythm. “Youwhat? Why would you do that?”
“He’s a former member of The Divine, Zaira? I can safely assume he’s on the run and that they’ve been searching for him.”
