Page 10

The wind whipped the sails into a frenzy, canvas snapping like whips through the rising storm.

I shoved the hair out of my face and glanced up at the thick gray clouds stealing over the ship.

Moments ago, sunlight had blazed overhead, now thunder cracked in the distance as the crew scrambled to prepare for rough weather.

Gavin leaned against the rail, facing the sea. He stood as still as a statue, almost pensive, wearing sturdy boots, fitted trousers, and a thin leather vest over his black tunic. His dark hair curled around his nape, blowing in the brisk air.

Last night, he’d teased me into admitting I found him handsome. A man like Gavin didn’t need more praise. But there simply was no denying it. He was the most captivating man in any room… and devastating among ruins.

The first time Gavin and I met, I put myself to shame by staring openly, and losing focus nearly cost me a treasure.

I’d spent the day crawling through barely lit tunnels and digging through shale. I was dusty, overheated, but victorious after finding a jewel lodged in a block of sandstone.

Treasure in hand, I climbed onto a boulder overlooking the shared hunting camp outside a massive ruin. I was working my dagger beneath the jewel, trying to pry it loose, when a newcomer strolled into camp with enough swagger to make it seem like he owned the place.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, and unfairly handsome. The kind that could use a jagged scar or broken nose to even the playing field. Not that it would’ve helped. It would’ve probably made him more appealing. I’d always been a sucker for rough-around-the-edges charm.

He stopped below my perch to chat with the camp cook, and our eyes locked.

He held my stare like a challenge, assessing me as if he could read me with a single look.

Startled by the directness of his gaze, my hand slipped.

The jewel popped free from the sandstone, tumbled to the ground, and rolled to a stop near the newcomer’s boots.

My lips parted in shock as his foot slid forward, casually covering the gem. When the cook wandered off, the man bent to retrieve it. His mouth hitched into a grin as he tucked the treasure into his jacket pocket and turned on his heel.

“Hey! That’s mine,” I shouted, grabbing my pack and launching off the boulder.

He didn’t slow, boots crunching the gravel. “It’s fair game. I found it lying in the dirt.”

“You’re a thief.”

“And I’m really good at it.” He faced me, hands planted on his hips. “But seeing as I’m a fair man, how about I give you a chance to steal it back?” He gave his pocket a quick pat.

“Right now? While you’re watching?”

“Yes. Pick my pocket, and it’s yours.”

The man was baiting me, and judging by the devilish glint in his eyes, he was enjoying it.

I gave him a dry look. “I can’t use the element of surprise, now can I? ”

He shook his head, then snapped his fingers with an idea. “You could pretend to faint at my feet, and when I go to my knees to check on you, strike then. The damsel in distress ploy is cliche, but it seems to work on gullible men.”

I bit my lip. “If only you were gullible.”

“If only.”

I heaved a sigh. I needed that jewel. It had taken me three days to find, and I wasn’t leaving this ruin without it. I certainly wasn’t turning it over to a smug thief. His pockets were probably full of jewels stolen from unwary hunters, but he couldn't have mine.

“Fine. I’ll play your game.” I moved closer, and when I rested my hand on his elbow for balance, he cocked a suspicious eyebrow. Slowly, I reached for my boot. “Pretend to be a gentleman for just a second. I know that must be difficult for you, but I've got a rock in my boot.”

His head dipped, and the smooth timbre of his voice sent a shiver down my back. “Oh no, not the classic ‘rock in the boot’ trick. I’ll never see it coming.”

I rolled my eyes, then my ankle, falling into him with a practiced yelp.

The man caught me around the waist with a soft laugh, proving he’d expected the move, and I was fooling no one.

But his grip was steady, and my pulse jumped when I should have been annoyed by his ridiculous game.

I clung to his jacket, teetering at an odd angle while I kept up the ruse in plain sight, and slipped my hand into his pocket while he watched.

“Drop it,” he said, capturing my wrist.

I huffed a breath as I released the treasure back into the lining of his pocket. He let me go, patting his jacket a second time to make sure the jewel was still there .

“Nice try, even if it was predictable.”

“What did you expect? I didn’t have many options with you watching my every move.” I dusted off my hands and collected my gear, slinging my pack over my shoulder.

“Wait. Where are you going?”

“Home.”

“But what about the treasure?”

“You mean this treasure?” I opened my palm to reveal the jewel.

He frowned and dipped his hand into his pocket, removing the piece of sea glass I’d left behind as a decoy. It had been one of my favorites—pale blue and worn into a crescent moon shape. Pretty rare, and I was sorry to see it go. But I shrugged, satisfied I’d won and closed my fist over the jewel.

“I think it’s rude to always take without giving something back. Keep the sea glass.” I winked. “It’s my gift to you.”

His jaw worked, and he shook his head, tossing the glass into the air with a laugh and catching it single-handedly. “What’s your name?”

I left him standing there and spoke over my shoulder as I walked out of camp. “You like to hunt for rare things. Figure it out.”

And he did, calling me by name when we crossed paths a few months later. I learned his too, and after a few more equally disarming encounters, it wasn’t long before he went from rival to partner.

Another crack of thunder dispelled the memory, and Gavin turned, watching me approach the rail.

“You wanted to talk?” I asked, raising my voice over the wind.

“I see you found my note.” He pushed off the rail; his fingers opening and closing into fists as if he were unsettled.

“Yes, I did. You broke my rule. But I decided to forgive you… Just this once.”

Gavin’s brow creased into an expression I’d never seen from him before.

I’d expected a bold smile, confirming my suspicion that he’d gone back for the hair comb.

Maybe even a teasing shrug as if perishing beneath a marauder’s blade was a small price to pay for getting the upper hand in last night’s awkward confrontation.

What I didn’t expect was the coiled tension in his movements as he came closer. The way his usually playful gaze had transformed into a pained search as it roamed over my body, his eyes clouded with some undetermined emotion.

“Marin, about last night—”

A roll of thunder swallowed the rest of his words. Wind surged across the deck as the dark clouds unleashed heavy rain in lashing sheets.

“We should talk inside!” I shielded my eyes, water soaking my hair and dress in seconds.

The crew scattered for cover as lightning slashed across the sky. The wind roared. I blinked through the downpour at the now-empty deck, a knot of dread in my stomach.

This storm felt wrong. It was too sudden, too violent. A tempest conjured as if by magic.

A haunting sound rose over the chaos, and I froze.

Beneath the waves, a glow pulsed like a beacon, luring me toward its light.

Waves crested the ship’s rail, icy water crashing across the deck.

But all I could hear was the siren song.

The same longing that had urged me to wear the comb now whispered in my ear, coaxing me to dive over the rail.

Come closer. It’s where you belong. All you have to do is jump .

My hand shot to my hair, fingers scrambling for the comb to tear it out and break the spell. But Gavin caught my wrist and dragged me back toward the cabins.

The ship tilted violently.

Another wave smashed over the rail. Water swirled around a net of cargo, the ropes snapping free. Crates careened across the deck, slamming into the barrier and vanishing overboard.

I stumbled over a loose rope and hit the deck hard. Pain burst through my shoulder.

“Gavin—!” I gasped, clawing at the slick planks.

He lunged, pulling me to my feet, only for the next wave to slam us both into the fractured rail.

I slipped, catching nothing but open air as I tumbled over the side. A scream lodged in my throat.

Gavin's hand clamped around mine. My legs dangled in the void, twisting in the slashing rain.

“Marin, hold on!” he shouted, his voice hoarse with panic.

“Don’t let go!”

Rain blurred my vision. The ship bucked again, cresting on a wave.

I looked down. My stomach pitched.

The swirling light had intensified. Magic melded with the salt in the air, coiling around my limbs like tentacles. I could taste it, the acrid tang sliding down my throat, infusing my body with a dark, thrumming energy.

Gavin planted his feet. His grip tightened. Jaw clenched, muscles straining, he tried to haul me up, but his boots slid against the rain-slicked wood.

I dropped a few inches.

Terror clawed up my throat. “No! Please, Gavin—” My voice cracked. “Don’t let me go!”

“I won't!” A sharp denial between gritted teeth.

His eyes locked on mine, determination burning in his gaze. My plea was a battering ram harsher than the waves, desperate. But then, a brutal gust slammed him into the broken rail.

His grip faltered.

My eyes went wide, mouth opening in an airless scream as my fingers slipped through his. I plummeted into the raging sea. The icy water closed over my head, stealing Gavin’s anguished cry.

I kicked, thrashed my arms, the weight of my dress dragging me down. Tight fabric tangled around my legs. My lungs burned from the effort.

Light spun in a vortex around me. I sank deeper. Faster and faster, as if an anchor weighted my ankle.

I needed to breathe. The ache in my chest was a fire only the sea could put out. All I had to do was let it in.

So simple. Just breathe.

My chest convulsed. I inhaled. Colorful lights blinded me as the pressure eased along with my thrashing limbs. I was weightless, still caught in the vortex, dragging me deeper into the depths.

A single thought burned through my last wisp of consciousness.

The comb wasn’t a gift.

It was a curse.