It could have been minutes or hours as Erinna focused. It was written by someone else, in a code she didn’t understand, but her father’s annotations were clear.
“They’re index numbers for specific titles on the shelves.” She scribbled the information beside her father’s handwriting. The entire page was a mess of letters, numbers, and codes. He used the same shorthand when planning an aberrant escape.
“I don’t know the system, but whatever he wanted.” She glanced at Kane. “Or whatever you wanted will be found where these numbers correspond.” She slid the paper to the center of the table.
“Is this everything you need?” Kane asked the mage.
“This is more than enough.” Afton took the paper and began to cross-reference it with a book that was larger than Erinna’s head.
The shipwright turned to the pirate. His gaze pinned her in place, heavy with an intensity she couldn’t decipher. She cleared her throat. “We have business to finish.”
“Tomorrow. We need food and rest.” As if summoned, Erinna’s stomach growled like a feral animal.
“I’ll take my food here,” said Afton.
Kane rolled his eyes. “Do whatever you like, I’m not your servant.”
The two of them left and allowed the door to close behind them, muffling whatever snide remark Afton made.
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
Erinna’s eyes snapped open. The faint light of dawn filtered in from the window, but her mind was already racing. For the first time since being cursed, she didn’t wake in the feeling of fear or dread. She woke up with certainty. Today’s attempt would work. It had to.
Kane might just be the key to embedding the witchstone in the mast.
She frowned. If Kane was truly the answer to her problem, she may never hear the end of it. Erinna could already imagine it. His smugness would be insufferable. But if it meant success. If it fulfilled their bargain…
She threw off the blankets and hurriedly prepared for what she knew would be the final trial.
Kane was already up and waiting near the old archway. She couldn’t help the faintest smile. He grinned in return. They were both trying to contain some level of anticipation. Erinna had to admit, he was handsome when he wasn’t smirking or glaring. She shook the thought from her head.
“Lead the way.” He gestured in the direction of the dock with a small bow and mock deference. Erinna rolled her eyes, but not even his antics could dampen her mood.
If this worked, she’d have accomplished a huge feat of craftsmanship, but more importantly, she’d be closer to understanding the secrets her father was so desperate to bury.
She stared at her hand, remembering the deal she made with him on that fateful night. “How does this work anyway?”
Kane arched a brow. “What? You and me?”
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop a small laugh from slipping out. “No, the deals. Don’t magical pacts take a toll on your Talent?” Magical contracts were not unheard of but were certainly rare and highly discouraged on Tarth. Arcanum was a fickle thing to work with outside of one’s Talent. Even trickier to mend to clauses. A poorly made pact could cause significant damage to both parties if not done correctly.
Kane looked to the sky in thought, clearly wanting to select his words carefully to avoid the deluge of follow-up questions. “Pact-making is something innate to my gifts.” The words were slow. Curated.
Creeping realization started to take hold. She knew of beings that could make these kinds of deals. Creatures from the north that were mentioned in whispered conversations or in tales to make children behave.
“So, not…human?”
Kane took in a lazy breath. “Still up for debate. Some would call me half.”
Erinna stopped midstride. They were halfway between the camp and the docks with nothing but the ocean breeze and trees to bear witness.
A few pieces of the puzzle clicked into place. She turned to face him. “Are you going to tell me, or are we going to continue with this guessing game?”
He smirked and held her gaze. “I think you already know.”
Erinna pulled in her bottom lip, securing a retort birthed from annoyance. She would have to think more carefully when bantering with a half-demon.
