Only the ones you trust can betray you.
It was a lesson Kalder had learned before he’d been weaned from the teat of the whore who’d whelped him.
“Aye, aye, Captain.” Kalder’s gaze went to Cameron and his stomach tightened as he realized that he had a lot more to lose now.
This time, he cared.
“I’ll be on me guard.”
Thorn’s tic picked up its pace in his cheek. “What did they say when they freed you?”
Muerig shrugged. “Nothing. They just let me go.”
Holding out his hand, Thorn helped him to his feet. He kept his expression guarded.
“Take him below, Mr. Dupree. See him settled.” Bane stepped toward Thorn. “And welcome to the Deadmen.”
Kalder didn’t miss the icy undertone in those words. Not that he blamed him. Bane knew nothing of his brother. Or his loyalty. But he’d learn…
Thorn watched as Kalder led his brother away and the Deadmen returned to normal. Or at least as normal as this crew of miscreants could manage.
Though to be honest, there were now members of the crew who weren’t technically Deadmen anymore.
Kalder, of course.
And Devyl and his sister Elyzabel—an ancient magickal Deruvian like Mara. Elyzabel was a slender woman with long brown hair and amber eyes, and was a balm for her brother Devyl’s most cruel nature. Because of her brother’s care and sacrifice, Elyzabel had never given in to the darker side of their people. As with Mara, she was a creature of pure light and, thanks to her brother, she would forever remain so.
Yet Thorn saw in all their gazes the same suspicion about Muerig that he held.“You don’t trust him either.”
Devyl shook his head. “Something about him’s not right. I can feel it with every instinct inside me.”
“Aye,” Elyzabel agreed. “Gaddy would never release him without nefarious cause. Kindness is as alien to her as trust is to you.”
When she started after them, Devyl gently took her arm to keep his sister by his side. “You’re to stay clear of them, at all times.”
She chided at her brother. “Duey—”
“I mean it, Elf!” His tone was brittle and sharp. “I lost you once. Don’t make me set fire to them for looking askance at you. Especially not Kalder. I’ll gut him as sure as I’m standing here to protect you.”
Her expression softened. “Fine, but only because you asked me so kindly.” Her sarcasm was quite impressive. She glanced past hisshoulder to Mara. “However, my dearest brother, I would caution you to remember that I now have a secret weapon.”
Devyl arched his brow. “And that is?”
She jerked her chin toward his wife. “The one thing you’ll never say nay to.” And with that she cast him a most impertinent smile and sashayed off to join Belle.
Thorn laughed.
As did Mara, before she smiled up at her husband. “Have I said how much I love your sister, Du? She’s as precious as the day is long.”
He let out an exasperated breath as he passed a droll stare to Thorn. “I curse the day the two of them ganged up against me. I haven’t had a moment of peace since.”
Thorn snorted at his dire tone. But he knew the truth. Devyl loved every minute of having those women near him. “I hear the lie in your words, and I call you on it.”
Thunder clapped overhead, punctuating his pronouncement.
“Storm’s a-coming,” Blake Landry called out from the crow’s nest.
“Thank you, Captain Obvious, for your astute observations!” Will snorted as he drew near them. “So glad he’s on watch for us. Whatever would we do with a more competent pair of eyes on the horizon, I ask you?”
