Page 122 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

What… Are they shooting at us?Briony gripped the side of the bed tighter, her knuckles white.If they’re trying to bring the ship down already, how will we get close enough to negotiate anything?

SPLASH! SPLASH!

Two shots this time, both misses. But one of them sounded further away, almost as if—

“Nay! They can’ do that!” Briony sprang out of the room, ignoring the pain in her chest. If she wasn’t mistaken, one of those shots hadn’t come from theSão Nicolau; it had come from the commodore’s ship!

When she came out into the open air, her eyes instantly latched onto theSão Nicolaua few hundred yards away. The fog had vanished, and brilliant beams of sunlight pierced through the mostly overcast skies.

The men around Briony were moving quickly yet methodically, as if they’d done this far too many times. The commodore stood at the helm, barking orders and keeping the wheel steady.

More cannonballs flew toward them, just as their ship returned the favor with some shots of its own. The air rang with the grisly sounds of explosions and screams.

Briony raced up to the helm with reckless abandon and grabbed the commodore’s arm. “Comodoro, stop this! There are innocent people on that ship!”

Cardoso’s dark eyes turned to her, his gaze radiating with anger. “Senhorita, you have no place here! Get out of the way!” He shook her off him, and she fell to the floor in a heap.

Briony pulled herself up onto her elbows and reached a hand toward him. “But, Comodoro, you have—”

The commodore kicked her away, his foot connecting with her stomach. “Shut up before I throw you over the side!” And with that, he turned his attention from her and continued shouting to his subordinates.

Briony groaned, feeling tears prick at her eyes. Again she pulled herself up, though this time, she brought her body all the way into a standing position. She leaned against the railing, trying to think of what to do. Her eyes traveled upward to the crow’s nest, now abandoned by its lookout, and then further toward the heavens.

Maybe I can do something about this on my own.

*

Santiago trudged forward behind Costa, feeling like his heart remained onshore even as his feet stepped onto theSão Nicolau. No longer did the planks creak in a warm welcome, eager to carry him once more. Instead, the gently rolling ship seemed more foreign than ever before, as if all sense of belonging had departed from it.

I have to get back to Briony!

Santiago didn’t know a lot about gun wounds, but he prayed the captain had been telling the truth, and Briony would survive.

He hoped Mistress Stubbins and Mr. Burgess had been able to find her. Santiago had seen them racing up the hill before Costa had shoved him behind the closest house to hide until they passed.

So wrapped up in his thoughts was he that he didn’t even notice when he and Costa arrived at his room. Neither did he notice who was already inside.

“Brother! I’m so glad you’re all right!” Lucia barreled into him, nearly knocking Santiago from his feet. Her petite arms wrapped around his frame and held him there as tightly as she could.

Santiago smiled down at his sister, his eyes moist at the sight of her.

“See, dearest? I told you I’d get him out for you,” said a smooth, dangerous voice.

Santiago held back a growl as he felt the tender moment crumble.I should know better than to let my guard down; as long as Costa is here, Lucia is far from safe.

Lucia pulled back from her brother with a large grin and turned her affectionate gaze to the captain. “Aye, I should never have doubted you, Andreas. You have a way of always coming through, even when it seems impossible.” She skipped over and interlocked fingers with the man before leaning toward him.

“Did you tell him yet, love?” The question was meant to be a whisper, but Lucia was much too loud for Santiago not to catch it.

Santiago gritted his teeth at their familiarity with each other.Lucia, this man won’t hesitate to kill you if you become more of a hindrance than a help.

“I did share it with him, but he didn’t seem nearly as excited as I thought he would,” Costa said with a raised eyebrow in Santiago’s direction.

Santiago glared in return but quickly hid his true feelings once Lucia turned to face him. Her expression was full of confusion and hurt, and seeing it pricked at Santiago’s soul.

He looked away, unable to bear the betrayal in his sister’s eyes. “It just seemed a little hasty to me. I mean, you barely know each oth—”

“We’ve known each other for years! Aye, he’s been away on business with you during most of that time, but you’ve always spoken so well of him. I thought you’d be happy for me…” Lucia’s face turned red as tears threatened to spill down her cheeks.