Smoke smiled with genuine kindness and put a hand on Dinesh’s arm.
“Of course.I’m so sorry we disturbed you.”
“No, I’m glad you did.It’s been wonderful to meet you,” I said, finding it difficult to look away from her and her partner.“We can meet back here…say, tomorrow?”
I glanced at Captain Martin, who nodded.
“Afternoon?”I suggested.
“Of course,” Smoke said.“We’ll be here.”
Fleur nodded.“Looking forward to it.”
Smoke lifted her hand, and the sound of the men talking and the clinking of tankards returned to normal.
***
Westrolledthestreetsof Port Royal after the bizarre encounter.
The night was moonlit and calm, with the earth fresh from the recent rain.There were others about, men of all different races, similar to the town—former town, that is—of Cayonne on Tortuga.Most of the taverns and whorehouses were filled by now, and the streets were less crowded.
We walked to a park at the edge of the water and were approached by a couple of vagrants, who were satisfied when Dinesh tossed them some coins.They went to spend them, presumably, and we settled on some large rocks where we could watch the ocean, comforted by the sight of theArrowat anchor.I stroked Pearl’s head and rubbed the fur under her braided collar in the way I knew she liked.
I had been mostly silent, trying to come to terms with the fact that I’d come face to face with a powerful, experienced witch, who knew who I was, knew what I was, and wanted to help me.
“I don’t even know what to say about what happened at the Penny Whistle,” Dinesh commented, leaning forward and wiping at his face.
I put a hand on his back.“I’m sorry.”
“What are you sorry for, Rooster?”
I shrugged.“You know.For…all the trying circumstances I’ve put you through.”
He gazed at me.“You mean for saving my hide.At least thrice?”
“Well…of course I saved you.But that had some self-interest in it.”My gaze drifted over him in his formal naval wear.
He stared at me with much solemnity.
“You trust her.”
“I do.”
“You believe that she’s…a witch like you?”
“Not like me.Much more powerful and experienced.”
He nodded, a grave expression on his face.
“But not a threat?”
“No.Not a threat.”
“How can you be sure?”
I opened my mouth to explain in a way that made sense and realized that the task was impossible.
“A feeling,” I said.
