“We have Cameron and her brother.”
Those words barely registered. “What? How?”
Thorn tightened his grip on Devyl’s arm. “We’ve found them, but we need the blood of a Deruvian or Myrcian to unlock the gate that holds them. It’s why we’re here.” He glanced around the field. “Where’s Mara?”
Devyl choked on the answer, then forced himself to speak past the agony that seized him. “Vine killed her.”
Thorn’s eyes widened. Because he knew what Devyl did. Deruvians didn’t always come back from their graves.
“You gave me your word, Leucious. Can I hold you to it?”
Thorn nodded glumly. “What of Cameron?”
Devyl handed him the sword. “Her medallion’s inside. I will take her place and let them out, but you have to finish this.”
Before Thorn could take him up on it, Kalder came forward. “Nay, let me go, Captain. My life for Miss Jack and her brother.”
“Kal—”
“No argument, Bane.” Kalder glanced around at the Deadmen. “I’m the most expendable here. But you and the Lady Ship … the crew needs you both.”
“We’re pirates,” Sancha said as she wiped at the blood on her cheek. “We vote.”
William grimaced. “I vote we lose no one.”
Thorn scoffed at his suggestion. “It doesn’t work that way. One of you has to go. There’s no other way for it.”
Kalder nodded. “Matter’s settled, then. We need our ship and our captain. We don’t need a mermaid.”
It still sat ill with Devyl. And for once, he was coming around to the way the Vanir saw things. He didn’t like the thought of sacrificing the one to save the many. “I’ll find a way to get you back.”
“God, I hope so, Bane.” Kalder winked at him. “’Cause one way or another, I plan to return for Miss Jack. Please tell her I said that.”
Devyl held his tongue as he watched Michael and Gabriel take Kalder. He didn’t have the heart to warn the merman of the truth.
Either way, he was dead.
Most likely, they both were.
His heart heavy, he locked gazes with Thorn. “Well?”
Thorn grimaced at the question. “Well, what?”
“We have to get Mara back.”
“I can’t do anything. You know that. She’s beyond my reach.”
When Devyl started forward, Valynda stopped him from grabbing Thorn and ripping out his throat. “It’s not final, Captain.” She turned to Nibo. “You can help her, can you not?”
Eyes wide, he exchanged a nervous grimace with his twin companions. “Is not so easy, ma petite ange.”
“But not impossible. Especially for you, Papa.” She reached up and caressed his cheek. “You can do this for me, can’t you?”
Nibo practically melted at her touch. “Oui. I will try.”
“Nay, love. You will succeed.”
* * *
