“I’d much rather she be among my crew than yours.” His Deadmen—and, more to the point, Mara—could handle the beast and put her down if needs be.
Santiago’s sailors were nothing more than a walking banquet for the hag. They were all lucky that, given Rafe’s mother’s extreme powers and knowledge about such things, the pirate captain had known and wasn’t taken aback by the fact that Devyl wasn’t quite human. That Rafe had recognized the fact that Mona was highly dangerous when they’d found her, and his mother’s spell had protected them all. Anyone else would have been killed instantly and their crew sacrificed.
In fact, Santiago was among the tiny few who knew Bane and his men were not of this world, but belonged to another species entirely.
Rafe clapped him on the arm. “No offense, my friend. But I feel better with her in your custody myself.”
Devyl snorted at his misplaced humor. “Before we go, I should warn you that Barnet has moved into our waters and is hard pressing for information as to your whereabouts. He’s determined to collect the bounty on your hide.”
“Wonderful,” Rafael said drily. “Appreciate the heads-up. I’ll be sure to warn St. Noir and Bonny about it when next I see them, as well.”
Devyl almost smiled at the mention of the female pirate. Anne Bonny was a unique piece of work. “Give Rackham my best.”
A strange look came over Rafael’s face. “You know Anne isn’t with Jack anymore, right?”
That news stunned him. Jack Rackham, Anne Bonny, and Mary Reade were so tight that he’d assumed the three had magically melded into a single life form. “Since when?”
Rafael let out a nervous laugh. “Since she conceived Jean-Luc St. Noir’s child and Rackham found out about it. The three of them have been at each other’s throats ever since.”
Wow. That was indeed impressive news. Devyl shook his head. Pirate drama. They could get into more shyte than anyone he’d ever known. “What of Reade?”
“She and Anne have both taken up with St. Noir’s crew for the time being. While Mary was fond of Rackham, her loyalty will always be to Bonny.”
“Well then, give them all three my congratulations.”
Rafael appeared bemused. “All three?”
“Aye. Jean-Luc and Anne for the baby. Jack for escaping the hell known as matrimony and fatherhood.”
Rafe laughed. “Ah.” Then he sobered as the demon was hauled past him and taken topside. The look in Mona’s eyes promised Devyl a merry time to be sure.
Little did she know, such challenges only fired his resolve. And they never boded well for his enemies.
Thorn had the scars to prove it.
Looking forward to the challenge, Devyl said his good-byes to Rafael, then returned to his own ship with Thorn in tow.
By the time he was on deck again, William and Bart already had Mona in custody.
“What do you want us to do with this?” William gestured at their newest “guest.”
Devyl pondered his options. In truth, he still wanted to set fire to her and scatter her ashes.
The glimmer in Thorn’s eyes said he concurred.
But for now …
“Put her under Belle’s guard and have Miss Jack moved to my quarters.”
William’s jaw went slack as Bart’s eyebrows shot northward.
“Pardon?” William’s voice cracked on the question.
“Have you lost your hearing, man? Those be your orders. See about them and be quick on your way.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.” They hurried away while a slow smile curled Mona’s lips.
Devyl was tempted to blast her. Yet somehow he managed restraint. Though it was one of the rare times in his life that he’d ever done so.
