Page 110 of Traitor Witch

And yes, I'm not too hungover to appreciate the size of the boner the asshole is packing.

For just a second, I get the feeling that there's something I'm forgetting. Something important. But I don't have the chance to examine it because Val starts talking again.

"Probably pirate-hunters. Fancy showing your appreciation by healing me up?"

The words are a challenge, but I'm saved from answering by Cas's bellow. The tail of the leviathan snaps the mainmast of the other ship in two, letting it collapse into the ocean.

Kier flies over with a barrel, barely looks at me, then returns to the other ship.

Rysen is much the same, leaping between the two with his vampiric strength, tossing crates onto the deck which sink downwards through the wood, probably into the mysterious hold I've heard so much about.

What is going on with them?

"That's it?" I ask.

"What did you expect?" Nos slides off Cas's tail and onto the deck then, with a grin, he presents me with a jewellery box. "We're good at what we do."

Cas doesn't shift back. Instead, he carefully takes a mouthful of the cargo on the deck of the ship and shifts it across. It takes maybe two or three mouthfuls untileverything is aboard and theDeadwoodstarts to move off. Heading for Idos once more.

I flick open the box. My face goes blank as I take in the hairpins inside. They're silver, needle sharp and covered in glittering diamonds.

But the tips are shaped like tiny crescent moons.

Nos knows.

I suspected he might, but seeing it confirmed like this hammers the point home.

Only Valorean and Rysen still believe I'm a Solar.

The mage who hates liars and the vampire who could crush me like a bug.

When they find out—and they will find out, because my acting skills are terrible—it will only be a matter of time until my job is revealed as well.

"Thank you," I whisper, mouth on autopilot.

Should I say something? Should I just confess everything?

My eyes flick past Nos, towards the ship that, without Cas's support, is slowly sinking down into the blackness of the ocean. Taking those who dared to cross my pirates to a watery grave.

Would I meet that same fate?

My stomach seizes.

My breath catches.

I flee towards the safety of the hatch.

But Rysen meets me halfway.

"Forgive us, Lady Solar. They attacked first and sometimes, death is the only way. It's just how things are..."

His nostrils flare. His whole body stiffens.

"Rysen?" I whisper.

"Go." He chokes out.

"What's—?"