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A loud crack boomed as the main mast plunged into the sea, taking more of the ship down. My vessel was sinking into the deep blue sea with most of my crew because of Lowe’s jealousy, because of Rotty’s weakness, and because I forced her to leave.

“I betrayed you and failed her anyway.” His back arched in agony, the poison working through him, though I had heard it could take a long time. It was the cruelest death—slow, excruciating agony. “Please, my friend. Promise me you won’t tell her. I don’t want her to hate me. To know what I did. What a fool I was.”

“Gods dammit, Rotty!” I barked. Anger, sadness, and grief battled inside as I watched everything I loved vanish in front of me.

Because of Katrina.

The moment I had her disembark this ship, for the well-being of my crew and herself, I felt like she cursed me.

I still couldn’t find my favorite jacket.

“Captain!” My name was called from the dinghies below. They needed to get the fuck away from here fast, otherwise they’d get pulled down with the ship.

“Go,” Rotty ordered me.

“I’m not leaving you to die like this.”

“Kill me,” he pleaded, convulsing violently, more blood tricking out of his mouth.

“What?”

“There is no way to save me. I am already a dead man.” He put my hands back on the dagger, his hand shaking, blood leaking from his lips. “Please. I need you to do it. I will continue to drown over and over as the poison slowly consumes me.” He was right. I could do nothing to save him. The toxin was already in his blood. And if I didn’t do anything, his end would be drawn out and utterly excruciating. Cruel. Horrific.

Liquid burned the back of my lids; my throat closed at the weight of his request.

“You ask a lot of me, friend.” I bared my teeth.

“I know.” Sorrow consumed his eyes, pleading for me to follow through on this final act. To see the friend, not the man who deceived me. “I don’t deserve it, but I know you will do it anyway.”

I would never allow him to wither and die a slow and painful death. I had to honor his years of service and dedication. Give him peace.

My world was turning black and ugly around me. I knew Rotty would tip me over, but I couldn’t, wouldn’t, let him suffer.

Nodding, I tugged the blade from his chest, my throat bobbing. I held it over him with quaking arms. A noise worked out of my throat, water almost blinding me, but his eyes stayed locked on mine. Willing me to do it.

“Please, watch over my girl,” he whispered to me hoarsely, his body convulsing. “It has been an adventure, my friend.” Dipping his head, he silently told me to go ahead.

I swung the blade down, going straight through his heart, burrowing it deep, slicing it in half. His spine arched, a small cry escaping him. I felt his heart take its final beat before he slumped back on the deck.

Rotty slipped away into peace while I sunk into hell.

Standing up, I yanked the dagger out, staring down at the only person I had trusted, and even he had betrayed me. Heaving in and out, anger and blackness clawed up over me like sludge.

Little did I know that night was the beginning of my end.

A long road leading me back to Katrina Roth.

My curse.

My blessing.

My mate.

Chapter 20

Katrina

As a very young child, I once fell into the wintery arctic sea. The cold was like a thousand razor blades slicing into my skin before everything went numb.