Her face heated up even more.
Stepping away from Kalder, she turned toward her brother, who was as fair-haired as she was dark. “Paden… may I introduce you to Mr. Kalder Dupree?”
A tic started in Paden’s jaw as he crossed his arms over his chestand took up that stance he had anytime a male came near. “I thought you and he werejustfriends.”
“We are.”
The annoyed scowl he cast toward her hand that was still tucked inside Kalder’s accused her of lying.
Offended that he’d dare such, she arched a brow. “Don’t you even now, me boyo. Won’t be having none of those lectures from the likes ofyoursorry hide, given what you’ve gone and put your poor Letty through. And how you left her when you pulled out your sails last. You’re a fine one to think to be lecturing me on me behavior, Patrick Michel Alister Jack!”
This time Paden’s cheeks turned rosy, at the mention of his pregnant fiancée who waited for their return in Williamsburg. Aye, poor Lettice was in a pickle because of his thoughtlessness. He had no right to be sanctimonious when all she’d done was have long conversations with Kalder.
In the most public of rooms and spaces.
Filled with witnesses!
Truth to that. Never once were the two of them alone. Though to be honest, there was a part of her what wouldn’t mind a bit more than friendship, and that part terrified her. Because she’d seen the darker side of Mr. Dupree’s nature whenever he let down his guard. And still, even though she knew what he was capable of—knew the darkness what lived deep inside him—she found him more compelling than any man she’d ever met.
He’s not a man, Cam. You know this.
Kalder was another beastie altogether. A dangerous water kelpie. The kind that could easily lure her in…
Forevermore.
Trying not to think about that, Cameron lowered her gaze, then froze as she realized something.
With a gasp, she took Kalder’s hand in hers and pulled his dirty sleeve back a bit so that she could get a better look at his forearm.
“Hey!” Paden snapped indignantly at the way she pawed at Kalder.
She ignored him completely as she saw the most miraculous thing of all.
Kalder’s mark was gone.
“Where’s your Deadman’s Cross Ribbon?”
Bart and Will came forward to look at his arm with her. Then they turned in unison to stare at Thorn, waiting for an explanation of its absence.
He shrugged. “When he traded his soul for you and your brother, Miss Jack, he redeemed himself.” Thorn jerked his chin at Kalder’s wrist. “Means you can die again, Dupree. For real, now. Beware and take care. One resurrection after your redemption is all I can manage. There’s no hope for you after this.”
Shock hovered in his eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Just did.”
“That how you freed him?”
Thorn ignored answering Devyl’s pointed question straight out, but then that was normal. The bugger never liked to answer much of anything. “You’ll never know, mate. The devil’s son works in mysterious ways.”
Sancha Dolorosa sucked her breath in sharply at his take on the common phrase. “That’s blasphemy!”
He passed a droll stare at the ship’s pilot. Tall and thin, she worea long, curly black wig that set off her dark patrician features to perfection. “Really? You’re going to chastisemeforthat?”
Before they could comment on whether or not he had a right to it, something struck the hull of the ship. Hard and with a vigor that sent the ship careening. Mara turned pale from the pain of the blow against her hull, as she staggered and Captain Bane caught her to his side.
“My lady?”
“There’s a lusca in the water.” Her breathing turned ragged as waves rushed over the decks from where the sea monster was attacking them, and hammering more blows against her.
