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“I don’t—” If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. In a split second, a sizable ship appeared, perfectly tied to the posts. I remained silent, almost questioning my sanity.

We watched as a pair split off to unwind the thick ropes securing the ship to the dock. They executed with precision, a rehearsed operation. The other two worked to haul their cargo up the ramp to board the ship.

“Unauthorized docking,” he muttered.

I grimaced. “That’s your takeaway? That they probably don’t hold proper permits?”

“Unauthorized means untrackable.”

“I think invisible ships do try to avoid that,” I snarked.

He gleaned a look at me over his shoulder before returning to the action. Once all men had boarded, they reeled in the plank. Then, just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished again. I went to stand, to see if I could find any evidence of a ship still actually there, or if magic had teleported it. He gripped my arm like the strike of an asp, preventing me from rising.

“It’s shielding magic. They’re still there. If they see that someone’s watching, they might have scouts monitor the perimeter next time. Don’t give us away, we have an advantage.”

While I didn’t appreciate the reprimand, having this stranger boss me around, he did have a point. “You’re not in charge of me,” I still decided to say.

His gaze connected with mine, barely visible under the shadow of his hood, but enough that a small reflection off the water brightened his eyes. They mimicked the sea before us, stern, something to be respected, but not unforgiving. They creased at the sides, and I knew he was smiling beneath his mask.

“Apologies, though by the looks of it, you agree with me.”

Tearing my gaze away in defiance, I cast my eyes toward the ocean ahead. “I decided for myself that I’d rather stay hidden. Not because you told me to.”

His warm chuckle contrasted the cool breeze. “Glad to know we’re on the same page. Does this make us allies now?”

I grimaced under my mask. “I don’t know anything about you.”

“Oh, on the contrary.”

I cast a questioning stare in his direction, scanning his person from head to toe then traveling back up again.

“You know a great deal about me, I think. You know that I’m well trained.”

A laugh shucked out of my throat. “Maybe not as well as you think.”

He pressed on, ignoring my jab. “You know that I’m as concerned as you are about what’s happening in this town. And you know your secret is safe with me.”

“Do I know that? The only reason you haven’t turned me in could very well be because you, in fact, don’t know who I am. Who’s to say if I gave you the opportunity, you wouldn’t use it against me?”

“I could say the same.” A moment of contemplation hovered between us. A stalemate. “But, I think we’re alike. At least, in this matter, anyway. I think we should be allies.”

“And why do you think I’d need your help?” I couldn’t help the bite in my words. I was tired of being underestimated and used as a pawn in other people’s games.

“Judging from what we’ve seen tonight, four men were sent under the cover of nightfall to retrieve whatever it is they have, with an unknown number of companions on that ship to sail it. Seems to me you’re mighty capable, but you on your own wouldn’t be enough.”

Simmering heat settled over my skin, but before I could protest, he added, “And I wouldn’t be enough on my own, either. I don’t trust many people when it comes to this, but you…”

I studied his eyes, curious what the end of that sentence would be.

Instead, he changed the topic. “I have something for you. A peace offering.”

“Oh?”

He twisted, working something off his belt. When he turned back around, the sight made my chest bubble with relief. “My dagger!” I snatched it from him and held it tight against my chest, embracing it like a long-lost friend. That comforting weight in my hands mended a fissure in my heart, one that bled with loss and helplessness. This set meant more to me than I’d realized, and losing it felt like losing a piece of myself. Of who I was working to become.

“I trust you won’t stab me with it, or send it flying for my skull like last time.” The words hinted at jest, but I detected a hint of concern. Smart.

He was still a stranger. Some lurker in the night that I’d stumbled across in dicey circumstances. I didn’t know who he was, where he came from, or what brought him to this point. If I were being honest with myself, I would admit that even though I’d come out on top both times we’d tussled, I knew he was skilled. Skilled enough that had he truly wanted to put me down, he would have.