Page 122 of Traitor Witch

But the leviathan ignores him, instead it coils itself so that it's back is directly level with my window with its head staring at me over the top.

Almost like he's asking me to...ride him?

I push open the already fixed window and shake my head. "I can't swim." I don't know why I feel comfortable confessing that to the sea serpent, but I do.

He lets out a disbelieving cough, eyes widening. I've never seen a leviathan look surprised before, and it's a weird expression to see on such a lethal beast.

The shock is enough for Cas to seize control once more. The leviathan's turquoise eyes turn honey brown once more,the golden glow engulfing the beast until he disappears entirely falling back into the sea with a splash.

"Get back on board!" Val yells. "We're too close to land for your beast to keep fucking around like that."

Cas's answering reply is inaudible, but I'm pretty sure it contains several expletives.

I flop back onto the bed with a groan. My afterglow shattered as I catch sight of the huge, moss-covered cliffs no longer obscured by the leviathan.

"Witch! We're here. Get your ass moving!" Val's voice echoes around the room and I flip him off even though he can't see me. "Looks like there's a welcoming committee waiting for you."

That last part is unexpected, but I shrug it off.

I suppose it's time to get this over with.

One way or another, things are about to get interesting.

Chapter Thirty-Two

NILSA

When I climb through the hatch onto the deck, the first thing I notice is that all my pirates are there waiting. The second is that there's a small group of black and white-robed figures on brooms by the shoreline.

A welcoming party. Well, at least I'm prepared if they turn out to be unfriendly.

I'm armed to the teeth. I've stolen a few more of Valorean's cannon balls and transformed them into knives which sit snugly in the sheaths on my thighs and forearms.

Opal is curled around my shoulders, claws out as she waits for the inevitable confrontation to come.

The men don't notice that.

No. Their eyes are glued to the black minidress and matching hooded cloak I'm wearing.

"That's not a Solar robe." Val's frown is as accusingas I knew it would be.

I take a deep breath, glance at Nos, and draw myself up to my full height.

"Because I'm not a Solar witch." I refuse to look away as I say it. "I'd apologise for the deception, but you're enough of an asshole that I don't really care about your hurt feelings."

"Dark witch," Val spits. "Should have fucking guessed."

"Lunar," I correct. "Nilsa av Coveton, Shadow of the Moon, at your service."

Elsie is beaming at me like she thinks this reveal is a good thing. Cas—still dripping with water from his earlier shift—and Kier look surprised, but not angry.

They, at least, were semi-prepared for the revelation.

Rysen's face is blank. Maybe he's still processing. His non-expression makes me feel guilty, so much so that I turn to the member of the crew whose emotions are always easier for me to face.

Val is furious.

"I've been ferrying a fucking assassin around for weeks?" He runs an agitated hand through his white hair. "Great. Just fucking perfect."