Page 11 of The Deep End of Death (Twilight Lake #4)

The Fae on the furthest beam sat, tied, in a puddle of his own blood. Though he had made a sickly sound, the stranger didn’t lift his head.

“Untie me,” Shay commanded. “I can help him.”

Rainn shrugged. “There isn’t a knife over here.”

“Chew through the ropes,” Shay argued.

Rainn wrinkled his nose. “They smell foul.”

“I don’t care!”

Rainn rolled his eyes, giving a put-upon sigh before his body melted back to a grey, smooth-furred seal.

He lopped forward on his belly, pulling himself toward Shay with his flippers.

Rainn nudged the Nymph and flashed a set of sharp teeth that I wouldn’t want to be on the wrong side of as he tried to find the right angle to wear away at the rope.

Seals didn’t have the flat back teeth that most Fae used for grinding the vegetation we ate, but Rainn sawed his head back and forward, using a sharp canine tooth as a knife—slashing it across the same section over and over.

Shay didn’t complain when Rainn’s teeth scored his arm by accident. He simply pushed the ropes away from his belly and patted the seal on his head.

Shay stood up, adjusting his stance to the rocking of the ship as he made his way over to the prisoner. Rainn moved toward Tor and began to work on his ropes.

Shay crouched down, checking the patient over.

“He’s just asleep.” He said, “Though he’s rather bruised.

” Shay pressed a hand to the stranger’s forehead and muttered something under his breath.

The scent of his magic filled the confined space, and my cheeks warmed against my will.

Nymphs often used their sexual energy to ‘charge’ their magic, like lightning building in the sky.

I didn’t want to think about how or when Shay had the opportunity to top up his magic.

A moment passed, and Shay stepped back from the stranger. Though the red-headed male hadn’t woken up, I was confident that Shay had healed him.

“I wonder why the pirates have him,” I muttered, voicing my thoughts.

Shay shrugged. “He’s a land-fae. Some kind of Sídhe, but I don’t know which.”

“Most pirates are Wild Fae,” I pointed out. “Captain Hallow is a Redcap.”

Shay cocked his head to the side, glancing at the blood on the floor. “This one is valuable then.” He commented lightly. “A Redcap couldn’t ignore this much blood unless they were otherwise motivated.”

“Maybe he can’t smell it,” Cormac suggested helpfully. “It stinks of fish in here.”

Shay gave him a look. “Trust me. He can smell it.”

“Redcaps are long-lived.” Tor cut in, standing up once he was untied. “Perhaps he knows what happened to Darragh Eoin, the Siren Queen’s eldest. The redcap might have been around at the time. He might even know who killed Darragh.”

“I’m sure he will be all too happy to answer our questions.” Cormac rolled his eyes. “Maybe Shay can ask him. The devil that he is.”

Shay brushed the stranger’s blood on his trousers. “Feck off, Illfinn.”

Cormac’s lips pulled into a smug grin.

Seal-Rainn lopped towards me and began to work on my bindings. He paused, blinking up at me with his round black eyes. I gave him a smile that I knew didn’t reach my eyes.

“I’m okay,” I assured him. “Promise.” Was I able to lie?

Rainn finished cutting my ropes, curling up in a ball, and closing his eyes, pretending to sleep.

“You’re kidding me!” Cormac snapped. “Rainn Shallows, untie me this instant!”

The seal cracked an eye and yawned, showing every one of his teeth.

Cormac growled.

Shay cocked his head, listening to a sound I couldn’t hear. “Someone’s coming!”

Tor reached over, grabbing the gag from the floor and stuffing it back in Cormac’s mouth—much to the Mer-King’s chagrin.

I grabbed the broken ropes and plonked them on my stomach, arranging them to look untouched. The others quickly did the same.

A moment later, the door at the top of the stairs opened, revealing a long shadow, followed by the thumping sound of booted feet.

We froze as we tracked the unwanted guest with our eyes. Captain Hallow made his way down the steps as if he’d been summoned by his name.

The captain’s too-tight face was curiously blank as he stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned in a circle as if deciding which prisoner to take.

He finally settled on me.

My stomach sank.

“Gilded Fae.” He crooned. “Would you like to join me for dinner?”

“Can Shay come with me?” I asked through gritted teeth.

“Shay?” Hallow cocked a brow.

“The devil.” My lip twitched.

A dark look crossed the Redcap’s face. “I’m afraid the invitation is for you alone. But if you aren’t hungry…” He let the offer dangle.

I said nothing.

Captain. Hallow sighed. “If you join me for dinner in the captain’s quarters, I’ll bring food to your companions.” He offered, his nose wrinkled as if the offer tasted sour.

I knew how hungry Rainn was.

My mouth was dry, and my lips cracked. Undine needed to drink a lot of water, even when they walked on land—I could only imagine that the Princelings were the same.

There were so many risks, but Captain Hallow hadn’t done anything to hurt me before. Not yet .

I wasn’t certain if I could protect myself, not without my ability to call the water or swim away.

“Well…” Captain Hallow flicked his hand expectantly.

“There’s a rope around my stomach.” I pointed out dryly.

“ Sídhe .” Hallow scoffed. “So careful not to lie. A bargain made with the gods for the little good it did you all. I can see the cuts in the rope.”

I pushed the heavy bindings away from my body, thankful to be rid of the smell.

“Redcaps don’t have the same qualms about lies, gilded one.” Hallow crossed his arms over his chest.

“A warning?” Tormalugh’s gentle voice pierced the darkness.

Hallow waved a hand dismissively. “I’ll bring her back. I have a few questions, that is all. Perhaps she’ll want to stay in the captain’s quarters. I have a rather comfortable bed.”

My nose wrinkled in distaste. Hallow pretended not to notice.

“You don’t have to do this.” Rainn protested, pushing off his bindings.

“Not another step, pretty boy,” Hallow warned. “That goes for all of you.”

“It’s just questions,” I assured Rainn, meeting his sky-blue eyes.

He saw it in my expression.

The determination to find a way to escape.

“Who’s your other prisoner?” I asked as we walked to the captain’s quarters across the deck. Every pirate made a curious effort not to meet my eyes. “The redhead?” I added when Hallow didn’t answer.

Hallow scoffed at my question. “A bargaining chip.” He said cryptically.

As I pondered his words, the Redcap opened the door to the Captain’s quarters.

The decor remained the same as my previous visit, with floor-to-ceiling windows and shiny wooden paneling.

The captain must have been sure I would join him because the large table had been moved to the center of the room.

The candles were lit, and every place setting was immaculate.

Though several chairs lined the table, no other fae could be seen.

I brushed my hand against the side of my tunic, careful not to draw attention to the Kraken’s eye in my pocket. My fingertips tingled with inert magic. I clenched my fist and bit back the urge to cradle the stone.

“Are we dining alone?” I tried to keep my voice level, but it wavered.

Hallow glanced at me before pulling out a chair. “Sit.” He commanded. “I wasn’t lying when I said I had questions.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, keeping my head high as I sat down.

Hallow took the seat at the head of the table. He reached for the jug and poured himself a glass of wine.

He did not offer me any.

I could smell the food under the silver platters, the steam leaking into the air. The scent of herbs and spices I didn’t recognize. My mouth watered, but I said nothing. The captain held his wineglass to his nose as if whispering a secret to the red liquid.

I was at the end of my thread.

Water-Fae needed water, and I had been on land without my scales and gills for too long. Every breath was like urchin spikes in my throat. My temper was shorn close to the bone. Nuada’s pearl choked me. The stone in my pocket screeched like a wailing newly born—but only I could hear it.

I wanted to scream.

My magic fluttered like a cut rope in the wind. Inert.

I shouldn’t have left the others.

I was too open. Too vulnerable.

Captain Hallow put down his glass. “How did you escape last time?” He asked, his head cocked to the side, his face a mask of benign curiosity.

“You didn’t lock the door.” I pointed out. It wasn’t a lie. He hadn’t.

He considered my words, and his jaw ticked. I didn’t know if he was angry at me or his crew.

Captain Hallow had the eyes of a shark.

A single droplet of blood fell down the side of his temple from under the lip of his cap. A slip of control. He wiped it with a filthy finger and sucked the digit as he pondered my answer.

“These are my waters.” Captain Hallow’s nostrils flared. “What are you and your friends doing on my waters?”

“Going to Everfall,” I replied.

His eyes narrowed. “And your companions? What manner of Fae are they? They are not Sídhe.”

“Do you own the entirety of the Dark Sea?” I glanced at the windows behind his head. “Or just above the surface?”

“Tricksy.” He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, letting me know my subject change had not gone unnoticed. “And the devil? How did you find the company of a fallen star? What is the devil’s name?”

“Shay Mac Eoin?”

Captain Hallow hissed.

I sucked my lips between my teeth, wondering if I should poke him further. It felt rather fun to annoy him.

“ Eoin .” The captain spat. “A word that alludes to the grace of the gods. A mocking name for a disgusting creature.”

“You don’t like Nymphs?” I quirked a brow.

“I don’t know what a Nymph is, but that thing is a demon.” The captain gripped his glass and drained the contents. “His parts will undoubtedly bring me more coin than I can spend.”

“And me?” My chin.

“Your parts will too.” He smiled salaciously.

Bile rose in my throat.

Captain Hallow poured himself another glass of wine. “The Night King will want the devil brought in person so he might slay the creature himself. By royal decree, those of demon blood must be brought to his castle.”

“And the others?”

The captain shrugged. “The Hags of Goren will pay for their meat. They like exotic things.”

Hags were wild Fae that often ate Sídhe and stitched their skin or organs into clothing. I had never met one, but they featured heavily in scary stories about the surface.

“What can you tell me of your friends?” The captain sat back, a self-satisfied smirk on his lips when he saw his threat had landed.

“My friends?” I echoed.

The captain glanced up as the door to his quarters opened, revealing a gaggle of unfamiliar faces. “Friends!” He crooned in greeting. “You’re just in time for food. Our guest was telling me of her adventures.” Harrow lifted his cup in a solo toast.

I shot him a look, which the slimy captain ignored.

Land-fae, males of all creeds, poured in, though I did not recognize their features. Some had the same crimson head coverings Captain Hallow wore, but others had elongated tusks or cloven hooves.

No introductions were made as the chairs quickly filled. My stomach let out an audible gurgle, but I had no idea if it was nerves or hunger. Nuada’s magic sat heavy in my stomach, making me feel sick.

The silver platters were quickly revealed and served. Stale bread and meat cooked until dry. I was too hungry to care. I nibbled what I was served, eating only from shared dishes in case of poison.

The wine was poured, and the conversation flowed—tits, money and blood. It was not the most scintillating conversation, but the Troid Sídhe in Cruinn had been the same. More brawn than brains.

I was ready to leave when one of the pirates gripped my bicep, holding up my arm like a piece of meat.

“What type of gilded Fae did you say she was?” Grabby hollered. “She don’t got no wings!”

“Not sure,” The captain replied coyly. “The water shows her true form. Pearls and shimmering scales, she’ll fetch us some coin.”

Grabby shook my arm. “Show us, girl.”

My jaw clenched. I tried to pull my arm back, but his grip was too strong. My skin burned under his callused fingers as I tried to pull free. “Get. Off .”

Grabby and the captain ignored me.

“The water shows her truth, you say?” Grabby slanted a look my way. His eyes rested on the curve of my tunic.

I tried to stand, but Grabby kicked my knee, and I buckled. His hand around my arm was the only reason I kept my feet.

I glared at the captain incredulously but didn’t like the glint in Hallow’s eye.

“No water at this table.” The captain said benignly, sipping his wine.

Grabby snatched the wine jug from the table. The other pirates jeered. I jerked my arm, but his grip remained steadfast as Grabby dumped a flagon of wine over my head.

The platinum locks around my face turned red, dripping wine onto my tunic. Nuada’s magic burned under my skin, holding my own magic hostage as it held back my transformation.

The captain stood up; his chair squawked and fell over.

Tears stung my eyes, but I wasn’t sad. I was angry. I reached up and touched my face, but it wasn’t wine or tears on my fingertips—it was the shimmering black of Nuada’s pearl.

My jaw creaked as I mashed my teeth together. White hot rage stole my vision for a moment.

Punish them for their impudence. Strip their skin from their bones and feed them to the water

Grabby seemed oblivious to the danger he was in. “No pearls!” He threw his head back, revealing a mouth full of blackened teeth as he laughed.

The captain reached out. “Samson, step back—”

“Maybe they’re hidden under her shirt.” Grabby’s laugh was high-pitched despite his craggy appearance.

His dirty hand snapped out, grabbing my tunic.

The pirate went pale.

I knew what he saw.

Shay’s mark on my chest.

The ringing in my ears grew louder until I couldn’t hear anything else.

My fingers itched.

The stone in my pocket burned.

Everything went black.