“Probably plotting my demise.” I muttered.
Not that I could blame her. In her place, I’d be doing the same—calculating odds, weighing every possible escape.
Garen smirked, but unease lingered in his eyes. The crew didn’t trust her. Hell, I didn’t trust her. A glowing mark, a restless artifact, and a woman pulled from the depths with secrets she clearly wasn’t eager to share.
Not exactly the kind of guest we welcomed aboard. Sailors claimed bringing a woman onto a ship was bad luck—which was an odd belief, considering a few of my best crew were women.
When I told them she’d be staying in my quarters, their reactions ranged from disdain to outright disbelief. Kael muttered something about taking in strays.
“You think she’s just going to sit quietly in your quarters, Captain?” His tone was dry, amusement laced with doubt.
“Well, we can’t very well keep her in the hold—can we?” I barked, cutting off further protest.
Tension hung thick in the air, but none of them dared challenge me outright. When I added that she’d be coming with us to the Forgotten Trench, their unease turned into thinly veiled outrage. But again—they knew better than to argue.
“You will play nice,” I added darkly. “Your lives depend on it.”
With that, I left them simmering and made my way to my quarters, boots creaking against the floorboards in the narrow corridor—each step measured.
When I stepped inside, she was already awake, seated stiffly at the desk, her new legs awkwardly tucked beneath her. At my entrance, her head snapped up, eyes narrowing—ready to fight.
Good.
People were easier to read when they were busy holding their guard up.
“Enjoying the accommodations?” I leaned against the doorframe, feigning nonchalance.
Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Hardly.”
I’d expected resistance, but something in her tone—more exhaustion than defiance—made me hesitate for the briefest moment. Her voice was cool as damp air seeping through cracks.
“Pity.”
She scoffed, but her fingers twitched against the desk’s edge. The quartz shard sat in front of her, its glow reflected in her eyes—eyes like shifting tides. Silver flickered in their depths, catching the shard’s light and refracting it—seeing through every mask I wore.
The ache in my veins dulled—just for a breath. Long enough to notice. Long enough to miss it when it came roaring back.
“Explain it,” I said, nodding toward the artifact.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she snapped—though her gaze betrayed her, flicking to the shard before darting back to me.
I stepped closer, shrinking the space until she had to tilt her head to meet my eyes. “Don’t lie to me.”
She crossed her arms, defiant. “You don’t scare me.”
A slow smile ghosted across my lips. “I can wait.”
Her brows knit. “For what?”
“For the truth.” My voice stayed steady—almost gentle.
The flicker in her eyes told me she didn’t know whether to be angry or afraid. I didn’t mind which. Both worked.
I reached out and tapped the artifact lightly. It pulsed in response—bright and alive.
“That mark on your forehead? And this—” I tapped the quartz again. “—doesn’t glow like that for anyone else.” I paused, letting the silence stretch. “It radiates a power I’ve never known. And so do you.”
My voice dropped. “So, either you start talking, or I start making my own conclusions.”
