Page 49

“Fine, if you all wish to fuck around while a storm rages on outside, be my guest.” Graeson glanced at Terin. “Come see me when the storm passes.”

* * *

The hammock rockedas the ship rode over the waves. Graeson didn’t know how long he had been trying to sleep. To avoid attracting any unwanted attention, the ship had left the pier at dusk, and the sun had set hours ago. By now, the storm had calmed down, and Terin left him a couple of hours ago. Graeson wanted to ensure their trip to the Whispering Springs was not for naught. According to Terin, his gift was as strong as ever. He only needed more sleep, Terin claimed.

Before Terin left, Graeson tried apologizing, but Terin only waved him off.

However, Graeson saw the silent question written across Terin’s face.

If the stress was already getting to Graeson now, what would happen in a few weeks? What would happen if their plan didn’t work?

Graeson didn’t want to find out.

He rolled over to his side, using his arms to bulk up the pillow. The rough rope rubbed against him, his shirt scratching against his skin.

A few yards away, Armen snored, half of his limbs hanging out of the hammock. Graeson had half of the mind to walk over to him and flip him over, but he restrained himself.

Better Armen was asleep than bothering him, he reasoned.

The muffled sound of laughter and simultaneous groans came from the other cabin room where Emmett, Terin, Sylvia, and Moris played cards.

Thunk.

Thunk. Thunk.

He groaned and shifted in the hammock. At one of the nearby tables, Dani stabbed the wooden table with a worn blade. The metal drove into the wood. It struck again and again, slowly driving him insane.

“Dani,” He groaned, rubbing his face.

Another stab.

“What?” she spat.

“You are driving me insane.”

“Then perhaps you shouldn’t have brought me here.”Thunk. “I didn’t want to come, remember?”Thunk.

“No one forced you to be here, Dani.”

“If that’s what makes you sleep at night, Gray”

Thunk.

With a groan, Graeson climbed out of the hammock, slamming his feet on the ground. Armen turned, mumbling something unintelligible, but Graeson ignored him as he marched over to Dani. Reaching the table, he smacked his palms onto the table across from Dani.

Unflinching, Dani sat back in the chair bolted down to the floorboards. She tilted her head to the side as she flipped her braids over her shoulder. “You know as well I do that I had no choice but to follow you.”

“We would have been fine without you,” Graeson countered.

Dani was like a sister to Graeson. She was one of his best friends. Even still, ever since they were children, Dani had been a narcissistic thorn in his side. But Fynn had always balanced her out—or at least, he had taken the brunt of her comments himself. And the man had done it in stride, too. There was something to be said about a man attracted to a woman with sharp teeth.

But Fynn was no longer here.

“Don’t make me laugh, Gray.” Dani stood, knife still in hand, as she glared at him. She waved the blade in the air, pointing to herself and then to the room where the others played cards. “Does anyone besides Terin and I even know the truth about yourabilities?” She stabbed the table again. The handle bounced in place, vibrating.

Gaze narrowed, she leaned over the table, lowering her voice so none of the others could hear. “Do they even know what you are?”

“It is of no consequence,” he bit out, his muscles growing tense. It didn’t matter if they knew the full extent of his abilities or not. Graeson was in control.