Page 49 of Traitor Witch

Something I’m not ready to acknowledge.

But in looking away my eyes find Cas, whose eyes shine turquoise with his beast’s presence. The predatory gleam in them isn’t much better. Behind him, Nos’s eyes have the same intensity, but none of the colour. For once, he’s actually staring right at me and the effect is disconcerting.

Despite being blind, I have the awful feeling that Nos sees me better than anyone on this ship.

Last but not least is Kier. The fae stands in the shadows, his breath misting in a chill only he seems to feel.

Dammit. I’m directly under the scrutiny of all five pirates after the least Solar-like argument of my life.

And I have no clue how to react.

Each of them regards me differently, and somehow Val’s hatred is the easiest to deal with.

A Solar can’t curse them out for staring. A good Solar wouldn’t even notice men were staring at her.

Which leaves tactical relocation as my only option.

Not a retreat. Just a change of battleground.

“I’m going to start on dinner,” I mumble, taking another step down the ladder and letting the hatch fall closed above me.

But I don’t head straight for the galley. Instead, I sit on the steps for several long moments.

Only a few hours until my feet are back on solid ground.

Once dawn rises, I need to be ready to put this ship and its strange crew behind me. I’m going to get away from the damned sea, the creaking, swaying ship, and the drain that comes with putting up with both for so long. I can’t pretend to be a Solar for the rest of my life—it’ll drive me insane.

These pirates are just a means to an end.

Avenging Glenna and Felicity is my only way home. The only way I can regain my coven’s trust.

I slowly make my way to the galley, ignoring the tiny tug in my chest that wants me to go back on deck.

Before I leave, I owe Valorean some revenge.

That thought alone brightens my steps.

Chapter Fourteen

CASIMIR

Valorean’s roar echoes over the docks the second we step off theDeadwood. Nos and Nilsa wear matching grins, the two of them disappearing swiftly into the crowd.

My idiot ass lingers by the gangplank instead of following.

It's only when strangers start pointing in the direction of the ship that I look back and almost choke on laughter.

The sails of theDeadwoodare a bright, luminescent pink. When the captain appears at the top of the gangplank, his hair has turned the same garish shade.

“Witch! Get back here and FIX THIS!” he bellows, startling several passers-by.

I just chuckle, watching his impotent rage.

Val can’t take a single step off his ship without sickening, but right now he looks mad enough to try. His muscles strain beneath his shirt as he searches for Nilsa in the crowd.

“WITCH, I WILL FUCKING END YOU!”

I duck into a passing group of people before Val spots meand hurry to catch up with my twin and mate. The sound of Val’s yelling follows me all the way to dry land where the two troublemakers are bent-double with laughter.