Kane,she seethed but pulled the rage to the back of her brain. First, they needed to cross whatever rift that blasted, reckless pirate had created. “Will a gangplank work?”
Afton blinked in surprise. “I…it was hard to see how far it was. But Kane might know.” His voice grew quieter, closer to a grumble as he thought to himself.
Erinna resisted the urge to roll her eyes. How had neither of them thought of that? “What happens next? Once you get into the fort?”
“I would have to scout for the traps and then disarm them before anyone else could come with me.”
Erinna’s stomach soured at the thought. There was no way in all the hells that she was going to sit and wait while Afton disarmed an unknown number of traps. It was time to throw his caution to the wind. “Can you disarm them on the go?”
Afton’s brows knit into a tighter line. “Perhaps. But it would be dangerous to try with a group of people.”
“Then we limit the number of people.”
Afton let out a sigh. “Also, once we get to the library there is one complicated web I need to untangle before we go in. A failsafe that is specifically for instances when there is no Chancellor to claim the place.”
Erinna’s head fell to the table with a hardthunk. She should have known better than to trust the two of them alone. Kane would no sooner light the place on fire and hope for the best while Afton picked at details until he was blue in the face. They were a doomed partnership from the start.
She took in a steadying breath and squared herself. They needed a way to maneuver around whatever obstacles that remained in their path.
“We need a map. A guide,” she said, tapping her finger on the wood. Erinna would need to summon a guide.
Afton physically moved back in his chair and scanned her as if he were looking at a creature and not a human. “Do you know where we can find one?” he asked in disbelief.
Erinna bit the inside of her cheek. “I may be able to find something.”
Afton opened his mouth to speak, but Erinna was already on her feet and at the door.
“Ask Kane about the gangplank. I’ll find you if I manage anything on my end.” With that, she darted back into the normal chaos of the courtyard. She’d allow herself one night—just one—to rest. Then she would return to the cemetery and stay as long as it took to call upon someone who could guide them. It was the only way left for her to be useful, the only card she had left to play.
The warm waterhit the tea leaves—the last of them. Erinna watched the steam rise. This would be her final cup, before she needed more.
She cursed herself for such carelessness. Every night, she felt she was using more and more of the herbal remedy to try to keep the dreams at bay.
“You’re running low.” Inez watched as Erinna prepared for the night, already settled on her mattress. One of Lila’s broken books rested in her hand. From the gap in the spine, Erinna could tell that half of the story was missing. Maybe she could find a real book for Inez to read. She was already stealing one, what was another?
“I’ll see Serg tomorrow and ask for some more.”
A look of mild concern flashed across her face. “Is it still working?”
Erinna nodded. “Yeah, for the most part, but I may need to increase the dose.”
Inez chewed on her bottom lip. There was something more she wanted to say.
“Anything else on your mind?”
Inez closed the book. “I wonder if those are actual dreams.”
Erinna blinked in surprise. Certainly not what she expected. “Do you see me disappear at night?” she quipped with a teasing smile.
“No, it’s just…” Inez trailed off.
“A feeling?” Erinna finished.
Inez nodded in a way that turned Erinna’s stomach. They were dreams. They had to be. She was sure of that, but heeding the warning of a diviner was always best, even if it wasn’t right.
“I’ll get some more tea, and I’ll tell Serg about the issue.” That seemed to settle her friend’s nerves as Erinna gulped down the rest of the sleep remedy. Gods, did she crave just a few hours of peace.
The noises from the courtyard quieted as most settled in for the night. The excitement from earlier still buzzed in most people’s minds. Whispers of the now-open doors made theirway, and most of the crew took that as a sign that they would soon be off the island.
