Valynda started forward, but Nibo kept her by his side, silently reminding her that Barnet, as a human, wasn’t supposed to interact her. While she had a spell over her that kept most humans from seeing her true straw form, it didn’t work on all of them. Those who were sensitive or special, such as Cameron and her brother Paden, saw through the spell. Therefore, it wasn’t worth the risk for her to mix with humans any more than was necessary, lest they think her a monster.
Nibo had the same problem as a psychopomp. His form was nebulous. To those with a good heart, he appeared as he did to Valynda—beautiful beyond description. Handsome and young. A man in the prime of his vigor.
To those who were corrupt, however, he was a monstrous, hideous beast who was known to send them into screaming fits of madness.
While she’d never glimpsed that side of him, she’d heard others scream in all-out terror when they looked upon him. Xuri had tried to explain it to her, but she couldn’t imagine the demonic horror he described that showed up like some skeletal beast intent to drive all reason from the damned.
It was why her friends had run the night he’d appeared. They hadn’t seen him the way she had. Their hearts were blackened by their conceit and petty jealousies. By their inability to see the beauty of others. They were too caught up in their own pomp and self-importance.
For that, she was sorry, because he was a creature of absolute grace. Every part of him. From his broad, sculpted shoulders to the riot of curls that framed the most perfectly formed face ever made. She could spend eternity in silent worship of his body alone.
If only he hadn’t betrayed her.
Every time she thought of it, it tore her heart out anew. Who could be so cold?
“Captain Bane.” Barnet held his arm out for their captain to take it.
It was obvious Captain Bane would rather not, but after an elbowing from his wife, he did. “Have to say I’m rather surprised by the chance you took, Barnet.”
“Not as much as I am by the fact you didn’t open fire on me. Grateful, too, that you’re still a man of honor.”
For it was well known that Captain Bane never fired the first shot. But he rather made a point to always fire the last one.
And, in the end, he left none standing.
Bane inclined his head to him. “So, to what do I owe this … chance encounter?”
“I came looking for you as a favor for Rafael Santiago.”
That got everyone’s attention, as they owed a debt to the infamous pirate who’d helped them out more than once.
“What about him?”
“St. Noir was killed.”
A ripple went through the Deadmen crew. Jean-Luc Tessier had been a legend among the pirates they knew. Acting and raiding as Captain St. Noir, Jean-Luc had taken more than his share of treasure, but always with a style and sense of fairness that was uniquely his own.
Yet the one thing he was known for was being Rafael’s best friend.
Bane winced. “How?”
Turning sheepish, Barnet swallowed before he answered. “I …” He sighed. “I went after Calico Jack, not knowing that St. Noir had sent Bonny and Read back to him for protection while he took on the Spanish. I stupidly thought the ladies were still with St. Noir and under his protection.”
“Why would you do that?”
Barnet held his hands up. “Thought it fair for a debt I owed the rank bastard, especially since the women were supposed to be off with St. Noir and clear of Calico’s crew.” He let out a long sigh. “It was bad timing that I deeply regret.”
Valynda exchanged a pained grimace with Nibo as she told him just how bad it really was.
For everyone.
“Anne Bonny was pregnant with St. Noir’s child,” she explained in a whisper.
Barnet looked as disgusted as Nibo did. “I wouldneverhave gone after Jack had I known the women were there.”
Bane let out a weary sigh. “I take it that they’re in custody?”
His features even more tortured, Barnet nodded. “Bound for the gallows as soon as their babes are born. The instant St. Noir heard the news, he made plans to go after them, but before he could, his quartermaster betrayed him and his crew to the Spanish. St. Noir stayed behind to delay them from reaching his men and to give them time to escape … bastard dogs slaughtered him where he stood.”
