Page 78 of Liar Witch

If this man wasn’t responsible for a handful of holes in my hull, I’d probably feel bad about what I’m about to do.

“She’s been complaining for ages about how much she hates her bed.” I give him a shrug. “Apparently Lunar witches prefer sleeping in hammocks—it’s closer to the Moon or some bullshit.”

Klaus frowns. “If it upsets her, why haven’t you gotten rid of it?”

“Because he’s trying to land you in the shit,” Cas pipes up, unhelpfully choosing that moment to climb the steps up to the quarterdeck. “Nice try, Val.”

“If you really want to make Nilsa’s day, just beat the crap out of the Captain,” Nos adds, grinning. “But save it until after dinner. We have a lot to discuss.”

“We’ll eat once we’re off the rocks,” I grumble. “It’s not like it will go cold.”

Nos just grins and turns to Klaus. “So, when are you taking over?”

“Taking over?” He looks completely unfazed by the nonsensical question, as he would be if his sister is also a Seer.

“You’re the only person on board who can cook worth a damn. Nilsa transforms food with her magic, but I’ve been waiting years for the stuff I’ve seen you make.”

Klaus smiles, looking a little dumbstruck. “None of you can cook?”

“Kier tries,” Cas admits, his tone conveying exactly how successful Kier’s attempts have been.

That we survived decades on his cooking is a tribute to the strength of immortal stomachs.

If this siren can actually cook, it might go a long way toward helping me forgive the stern shot he took at me the last time we crossed cannons.

“Lead the way then, I guess.” Klaus rubs at the back of his neck absently. The motion diverts my eyes toward the lines of tattoos which surround his wrist and throat.

I swear those are different from the last time I saw him.

I shrug off the strange notion and go back to focusing on the rocks. They’re nothing compared to my marks.

It’s not like siren tattoos can protect you from a vampire bite.

Not that I’m saying Ilikethe witch’s marks on my chest, but they’re definitely better than having my family tree inked into my skin.

The twins pull Klaus away, down toward the galley, leaving me alone. Except I know I’m not. I can feel the chill on the air that shouldn’t be there at this time of day.

“You can show your face, you know.”

Kier’s glamour disappears like a cloak falling away. His frown is set into his face as he watches Klaus’s retreating back. Frost shimmers over his black hair, his dark eyes inscrutable.

“You don’t trust him either?”

The fae shakes his head once. Then the glamour comes back over him and the chill moves away.

Klaus will be under close supervision until we’re certain about him.

Nilsa

I close the door to my cabin and lock it, shutting out the male laughter echoing down the hall. It seems Klaus and the others are getting on, but I’m too tired to join them right now. After all the events of the last two days, I’m exhausted, magically and mentally.

Opal is already curled up on my pillow and I resist the urge to join her, instead heading straight for the bathroom.

She’s right about sand. It getseverywhere.

I stand under the spray and let it rinse away the troubles as I carefully consider my next move.

The pirates will be going to Ignira to pick up the next shipment of scales for the Eagle. That will be my in.