“But,” he said slowly, “once I picked my teeth up from the ground, and I could breathe again, I eventually learned to walk on my own. Then I learned to attack. The trick is learning when not to.”
Her stomach sank at his words, as she definitely had a feeling that he knew about her bargain. “I just want my body back.”
“We all want to be human, Valynda. Just make sure that in your quest to regain your body, you don’t lose your humanity. Or more to the point, your soul. For that would be the greatest tragedy of all.”
He was right. But it was so hard to remember that when others turned against her. “Have you made any progress on when I might have a body again?”
Thorn shook his head. “Sadly, you’re asking me for powers I lack. To make flesh and blood … that is something reserved for very few.”
“Captain! Ship avast!”
Valynda scowled at the sharp cry that rang out from the crow’s nest.
Bart went running past so that he could grab a spyglass and try to see what they were looking at. “Colors, Mr. Devereaux?”
There was a brief pause as he looked out to see. “An English frigate. Pirate hunters.”
Valynda’s heart sped up as her gaze went to the red Roger flying proudly over their black sails, which would draw such beasts like a magnet.
Worse than a black flag, the field of solid red around theSea Witch’s skull-and-crossed-dagger emblem told those they went against that they gave no quarter. No mercy.
No prey. No pay.
To a pirate hunter, that flag meant bank.
To them, it meant trouble.
Bart passed a sick grimace toward their captain, Devyl Bane. “Strike our colors, Captain?”
Ever true to his warring nature that had once set him against the best and worst the world of man and demons had to offer, Bane shook his head. “Turn us about, Mr. Meers. Let the bitches catch up.”
Her knees weak, Valynda took position as they made ready for battle. This was the part she always dreaded most about being a member of theSea Witch’s crew. Having already survived one sinking, she wasn’t eager to repeat the experience. Something not helped as she saw their resident merman pause beside his wife to help her hike up her skirts and secure them so that she could fight with her legs unfettered by the material. Fret etched itself across Cameron’s face as she cupped Kalder’s cheek. “Careful with you, husband. I’d hate to replace you.”
Laughing, he kissed her. “No fears, me fearse. You take care, as you’re fighting for two. Don’t make me mourn either of you.” And with that, he jumped over the side of the ship, into the waves, so that he could lend a hand from where he was the strongest.
Valynda listened to the rumble of the long nines as the cannons were rolled into place belowdecks. Smoke choked her as the linstocks were made ready to light their wicks.
The air became thick with anticipation. Few spoke anything more than orders to the others. Not that any here could die. Still, battle was a serious matter, whether you were alive or dead.
And everyone here was a warring lot who looked forward to what they were about to do, hence why they’d been picked for the crew. All save her. Growing up the daughter of a cobbler, fighting a battle was something she’d never thought she’d participate in.
But she was glad to have a chance to regain her soul.
And her body.
Which meant doing what she didn’t want to on this day, and probably the morrow. Valynda took up her staff and made ready for what was to come. Completely focused on the horizon, where the enemy ship grew larger by the heartbeat, she let out a scream as someone appeared behind her and drew her against a hard chest.
Cameron stared at her with a gaping expression as Valynda turned to find Nibo grinning at her.
“Devil step on your tail, cat?”
She popped him on the arm. “You scared the bejesus from me! Why would you do that?” Especially right then!
“Thought you heard me when I popped in.”
Drawing a ragged breath, she glared at him. “Didn’t know you were here. I should put a bell on you!”
Completely unabashed, he tsked. “I’m not exactly quiet.” Holding up his bangle-bedecked arms that jingled mightily, he illustrated the point nicely. Still …
