“He’ll find me, all right. And he’ll find you, too, if’n you’re out here to be found. I tried to warn you earlier, I did. Now go away.” She shooed a hand at me. “Off with you! Go back to that cabin and lock the door. And don’t you be answering for no one.”
Footsteps sounded down the passageway. The girl’s eyes went wide with fear. “Go, now!” she hissed.
I set my shoulders. “Not without you.”
“Stubborn fool.” She groaned softly. “Hide the light, will you, and step beside me. Maybe with God’s luck, they’ll pass us by.”
I did as she bid, pushing the lantern into the gap before sliding in sideways. The light dimmed behind my skirts, then went out altogether. Displeased with the odd angle, I turned a quarter circle to face forward instead. My shoulders had to be drawn inward to fit, but it was the only way to give my hands equal play. Still as a statue, I coated my palms with power, ready to strike if necessary.
Footsteps drew closer. Weak light nudged at the darkness from the approach of another lantern. “Are you certain she won’t try to back out again?” a man asked, speaking in a low voice. “That girl of yours is as fickle as a guinea hen.”
I swallowed a gasp. Captain Lynch.
A soft chuckle followed. “Did you get a peep at her face? Me lass learned her lesson and won’t be stirring up any more trouble.”
Calhoun. And that damnable cur had admitted to hurting the girl. My temper raged, and another burst of fire raced to my palms. We’ll see who learns their lesson tonight.
“You’d better be right,” the captain said. “I’ve a vixen to tame once you’re gone.”
Another chuckle. “That Miss Rose be a rare prize, and a fair trade for the other one.”
Captain Lynch grunted. “Fortunate for you, I’m a man of my word, or I’d have them both.”
“I’ll be counting me good luck then, while you’re busy counting the gold I left in your pockets.”
“Fair enough, Calhoun. I’ll not interfere. Miss Kilbrid is yours for the taking.”
“What about the gents? Have you plans for them yet?”
Each word turned to ice in my stomach. Saints above! We’d walked straight into a viper’s nest! Another shiver rose up, and I wedged my elbows into the crates to keep from shaking.
“I’ll deal with them later,” Captain Lynch said. “Donal’s got a few ideas, don’t you, man.”
“Aye,” Donal grunted, and I recalled the rat-faced sailor from the deck.
Blast! That made it three to one.
The light grew stronger. Nerves jumped through my skin, and my hands trembled as though stricken with a palsy. Just a few more steps...
The light stopped suddenly. “Where the deuce are they?” the captain snarled. “We should have found them by now.”
“Don’t you be fretting. They’re here, I feel it in me bones.”
“Then find them! I want this business finished before the sun’s up.”
They were so close, my fingers twitched in anticipation. Then another chill brushed my skin. A shiver gathered, ran through me from nape to navel. Not fully braced, I thumped an elbow into a crate.
“Did you hear that?” The captain’s voice dipped low with excitement.
Every muscle tensed at once. I waited, ready to strike at the first thing that came into view.
Feet shuffled, and Donal appeared in front of me, just out of reach. Hell and furies! I glared at him, daring him to come closer.
“I’ve got one here, sir. Awake as the day and staring me straight in the eye.”
“You whore’s brat!” Calhoun growled. “You’ll pay for this treachery, you will.”
The girl whimpered behind me and pushed deeper between the crates.
Donal grinned, revealing yellow teeth. “Yer a pretty one. Too bad ye’ll be going away so soon.” He reached for me.
“Don’t you touch her!” Calhoun hissed.
Too late. I slammed my hand into his chest. His eyes rolled back in his head, and he fell to a heap on the floor. Silence followed, marked only by the panting rasps of my breath.
Captain Lynch stepped behind Donal, staying well out of harm’s way as he nudged the sailor with the toe of his boot. “Is he dead?” he asked, to no one in particular.
Calhoun held the lantern close to Donal’s lifeless face. “Could be. You never know with her kind.”
My kind? What did he know about my kind?
He shook his head. “Poor lad. I warned him, I did, but he weren’t to listen.”
The captain looked at me, his lip curled in a sneer. “Donal was a favorite of mine, Miss Kilbrid.”
“Then perhaps he should’ve left me alone.” My hands remained at shoulder height, palms ready to strike. “You’ve seen what I can do. Come any closer, and you’ll get the same.”
His eyes narrowed. “Brave words coming from a little girl who’s shaking like a frightened rabbit.”
“It’s cold in here,” I said, stating half the truth.
Sky-blue eyes bored into mine. “The worst fear is always the coldest, my dear.”
I ignored the jibe and nodded toward Donal. “Stay where you are, Captain, or you’ll join your friend.” My gaze darted to his side. “You, too, Calhoun.”