All Erinna could do was nod. She appreciated his sincerity, and whatever information he could give about her newfound affliction.
Maybe she, herself, should consider a trip to Iprix’s prized library of secrets. It may be her best option for answers. It certainly seemed safer than waltzing into the academy and asking for help.
Bloodline.
The word echoed in her head.
Her father. First, she needed to ensure he was safe. Then they were going to have a very long talk about his secrets—one where she refused to let him brush her off with half-truths and omissions.
They made it to the large iron door that signified their escape from the caverns.
The image of a long-lost royal family had faded over time, and splotches of rust decorated the once-smooth surface. Erinnareached for the lever. She was close enough to smell the salt water from the harbor and hear the lapping of waves against rocky shores.
She gripped Kane’s arm to keep him from opening the door in his haste.
“It’s high tide,” she warned. The only thing that kept them from drowning was an iron door.
Erinna paused to consider her options, feet pacing the short distance from wall to wall. She wondered if it were even possible to wait long enough for the tide to recede. “We can head back and take the path that leads beneath the bakery. We’d have to move above ground but?—”
“Yarrow.” Kane broke her train of thought, his hand resting on the lever.
Erinna’s eyes widened, her gaze darting between his face and the grip he had on the jutting iron rod. Inez, wide-eyed and near trembling, gripped the pirate’s coat.
“You can swim.” He grinned and pulled the lever.
Erinna barely had time to take a breath before water flooded the space and submerged them in cold darkness.
Chapter
Twelve
Erinna’s lungs burned by the time she surfaced. She drew in long ragged breaths, the taste of saltwater and brine at the back of her throat.
Kane is a dead man when I see him next.
The faint sounds of bootsteps and conversation filtered from the docks. The peace was a stark juxtaposition to the earlier chaos from the markets. If it wasn’t for her searing rage toward Kane, she could maybe pretend that things would work out in the end.
But that would be misguided, she reminded herself.
It didn’t take long to notice a strange ship docked in their shipyard. They must have arrived later that morning, when the Yarrows had already left for the day.
It was likely part of Kenneth’s bargain. Erinna glowered. So, she wasn’t simply seeing things a few nights ago. This was the ship she spotted in the distance.
It was a medium-sized vessel, two-masted, and meant for a smaller crew.
An unfamiliar shadow walked its deck, preparing for sail. Kane’s escape team, no doubt.
What the hell did you get us into, Dad?
Inez sat on the dock, with Kane’s coat still wrapped tightly around her shoulders as her teeth chattered from the cold night air. Erinna made a mental note to gather warm clothes for her when she returned home. The flicker of a familiar silhouette caught her attention.
Kane first, everything else later.
He stood near the gangway in hushed conversation with his crew member. She was tall, and the faint glint of gold accessories adorned her hair and wrists. If Erinna were in a better mood, she would consider the woman beautiful. But she was fixated on Kane.
She barreled toward them.
“Yarrow.” Kane raised a brow at her approach.
