The grim look in his eyes said he wasn’t.
Will sighed. “Is it too late to tell Thorn I quit? I say we summon his buddy Michael, jump overboard, and let our damnations take us. Be quicker, less painful, I’m thinking.”
Nibo snorted at the mention of the archangel who was a friendly enemy to Thorn and the Deadman crew.
Sancha Dolorosa scoffed at the men. “Ah, you big bunch of crybabies! What is it with you? We’ve faced down greater things than this. Besides, we got a mermaid!” She pointed to Kalder.
“Myrcian,” he corrected.
“Ah, don’t get your gills in a wad.” Sancha jerked her chin toward one of the older members of the crew. “And we got Sallie and his soul in a bottle. I say we head for it. Let’s show ’em what we’re made of.”
Devyl nodded. “But first we need to take on supplies and leave behind—”
“Nay!” Mara cut him off, knowing exactly what he was planning. “There will be no leaving behind of your crew, Captain. Especially if that means me or Cameron.”
“Aye to that.” Cameron turned a vicious glare toward Kalder and then to her brother, Paden, who turned sullen at her defiance. The former blond captain had never been able to corral his sister, hence how she’d become a member of this wayward crew.
Nibo chuckled until he caught the glare from Valynda, who had joined them. He started toward her, but Masaka tightened her hand on his waist.
Leave her alone.
He winced at Masaka’s voice in his head. Normally, he’d balk at her orders and disregard them. But something inside told him to pay heed.
So he stood down, even though it was the last thing he wanted.
Much like Bane. The reluctance glowed deep in his eyes before he nodded. “Fine, then. We’ll take on supplies before we see this met.”
“And perish abysmally. Again.” Will sighed heavily. “Poor Will Death. We knew him well. He died in anonymity and none knew of his sacrifice.”
“Will you shut it, Will?” Bart elbowed him in the stomach.
“Easy for you to say. No one ever loved you.”
Bart scoffed. “None ever loved you, either. Not even your mum.”
Will opened his mouth, then snapped it shut. “You’re right. I’d deny it, but for the truth.”
“As I was saying,” Bane said loudly over them. “We have a few days, and we know not what we’re headed into. Make peace and rest. Most of all, prepare.”
“Prepare, he says,” Will mumbled. “For what, we do not know, other than our doom. And demons … lots and lots of demons.”
Bart shoved him forward as he grumbled under his own breath.
Ignoring them, Nibo headed for Valynda, but she was again having none of him.
Masaka cut off his path. “You’re embarrassing yourself,” she whispered. “And you’re embarrassing us!”
Those words set fire to his temper. “I don’t care.”
Masaka’s dark eyes glowed purple. “Think, Nibo. They’ve already killed her. Turned her into that monstrosity to get back at you. What do you think they’ll do next?”
That gave him pause. She was right and he hated her for it. He could never show his emotions. Never show anything.
He knew it.
Weaknesses were always used against him.For what you’ve done, you are damned. He could still hear his brother’s voice in his ear. Right before he’d cut his throat.
The pain of that betrayal was forever etched in his heart. And for what? Because he’d wanted to be loved? Dared seek happiness?
