Page 72 of The Secrets of Jane: Reborn

I release a slow, purposeful sigh as this reality settles over me.

We escaped.

Over ten years since my mother was ripped from this world, I’m actually leaving all that shit behind. What’s next is arguably worse, butdamn,my anchored life in Coalfell felt like change was insurmountable for so incredibly long.

Now, it’s just a memory. A long, leaden memory.

I wish I got to see Kathleen before we left.

A few sets of footsteps precede the door to the room opening, and only one set enters: Tempest.

She struts in confidentially, the door shutting behind her. “Your people are here to collect you, Jane, and take you to your quarters. You were here for safekeeping while matters got settled.”

I stand right away, because out of everyone I’ve met, she really does feel the most like aqueen. It makes me want to behave, which is a first. “This is a beautiful ship,” I comment, not sure what I want to talk about with Tempest, but I also don’t want to leave her. She seems like a treasure trove of information.

“Took many years to carve,” she smoothly answers, removing her leather long coat, the buckles clinking.

“Thank you for helping us,” I add, bending my knees to help with any sway so I don’t embarrass myself in front of her, especially when it moves enough to make the chandelier tip a little to the right.

“The moment that people in Skull’s Row catch wind that Blackwell is seeking you out, let alone Misery hunting you, people will either be out to kill you or turn you in and hope there’s a ransom. You wouldn’t last long enough to drain a pint of ale.” She hangs her coat on a hook in the wall, her white tunic more fitted than the rest.

“Well, true, but that also means I just put you and your crew at risk.”

She smiles as she faces me, a roguish gleam in her eyes. “We’re pirates. They’re used to it. As long as there’s time aboard the ship, and something to raid in the end, they’ll be happy.”

There’s something calming and inviting about her honestly, and I’ve been curious about this world since I was a kid.

“What…” I begin, although the question is honestly random and out of nowhere. “What do you, well, I know it’s random, but, what do you raid? Other pirate ships?”

Her grin widens. “Pirating forusis about money, and ultimately, the treasures of the world. My ship has quarters to allow for passage for those who pay. Over half our income’s from that; otherwise, we target shipments to Belstead all along the south, and those have become more popular for my kind.” She frowns, the enjoyment of that thought clearly leaving her. “It’s almost a shame, as they’re starting to invent new, long-range weaponry. Removes the personal sacrifice of having to fight in close quarters.”

Long-range? That’s such an interesting aspect, and yet it feels so useless to me. Only hunters used bows and arrows, theweapons banned in Skull’s Row, and that’s the only knowledge oflong-rangethat I know of.Prioritize surviving.“Why are you helping us?”

“Your father saved my daughter, once. She would absolutely be dead without him. I owe him by saving his child in return—to an extent. Your condition is much more demanding than his was to save mine. I’ll help as long as I can, although I consider my debt fully paid.”

A daughter? I want to ask more, but when our gazes connect, it’s as if she senses what I want to ask. “Go rest, Jane. You’ll need it. It can be tiring outrunning a god.”

“You have experience?” I ask with heavy sarcasm.

She smiles mischievously. “Of a certain kind.”

Anya leadsme past the mess deck, my stomach growling at the smell of meat and onions. The moment we step through the door toward the private quarters, I reach for the wall to regain balance.

“I’ve already put in word to have whatever they’re serving brought to your room,” Anya comment. “Soren is waiting in there in the meantime.”

I nod, although she doesn’t see that. “Where’s my dad, by the way?”

“He’s with Tempest now, I believe. He was going in after you.”

I hate that I don’t see him at all, like he’s avoiding me intentionally. We managed to survive those creepy ass creatures together, and I'd just like to know how he is. Is his shoulderhealing? It’s just… weird, not to have him check on me. “Where’s Bones?”

“Do you care about him now?” she teases.

“He knows where my friend is,” I quip.

“He got here early, with a delivery. He’s quite safe.” Her tone dips back into tedium.

We pass by a few areas that are a collection of hammocks, and then at the end of the extremely narrow hallway are seven doors, three on either side, and one in the back.