Vengeance of the Pirate Queen(6)

Alosa says, “If you’re sure …” She pauses, as though thinking something over. “Do you know what I hate the most?”

“Men who don’t do what they’re told?”

“Yes, but after that?”

I shake my head once.

“Delegating.”

“Delegating,” I deadpan.

“I like being in charge, but I also like seeing things done myself. But now? I don’t have time to do everything, so I have to delegate.”

“Isn’t that the purpose of having lackeys?”

“Is that how you think of yourself?”

“Hardly. Lackeys are replaceable.”

“You certainly are not.”

“What do you not want to delegate?” I ask, getting us back on track.

She rises, as though she can’t stand sitting a second longer. Her boots clip on the floor as she begins to pace. They look new, not a scuff on them, but that could just be because Alosa takes excellent care of her things. “I have a situation.”

“Tell me.”

“You know how I like to keep eyes on the land king?”

“Of course.” He’s been wanting to dismantle the pirate monarchy since he took his throne.

“I had six girls undercover on one of his excavating vessels.”

“Why? I thought you only bothered to have someone in his court?”

“This voyage was different. Ladell sent out a larger crew than usual. There was lots of fighting power aboard the ship, too. Harpoons, enough muskets and pistols to outfit an entire army, cannons that could be transported onto land. He anticipated finding something dangerous. I wanted to know what it was.”

“And?”

“They’ve been gone over three months. I’ve heard no word for the last two. The ship seems to have vanished into thin air.”

“You need someone to find it.”

“I do.” She looks at me pointedly.

At first, I assume she’s joking. Alosa is prone to sarcasm (something I’ve picked up from her). I’m not who you send to save people. I’m the complete opposite of that—an assassin among pirates. But Alosa keeps staring at me, and I realize she genuinely means to ask me to do this.

“Why me? Why not send Niridia?”

“Niridia is already on a mission for me.”

I raise a brow.

Alosa growls one word. “Draxen.”

Alosa loves Riden Allemos more than anything else in the world. Unfortunately, he has the most despicable human being for a brother.

“That was fast,” I say. She’d only just gotten the man tied to the firing dummy to admit who sent him.

“I dispatched her before this little temper tantrum of Draxen’s today. I’ve always known he contests my rule and wishes to set himself up as the king of pirates.”

“Boy doesn’t know when to quit.”

“Indeed not.”

“Why not send me after Draxen and Niridia after the missing girls?”

Alosa sighs wistfully. “I’m not allowed to kill Draxen. For some unfathomable reason, Riden still has a fondness for him. Since I care about Riden, I’m forced to allow that scum of a man to walk the world. Hence, I sent Niridia.”

“Mandsy?” I ask.

“Is with Niridia. I thought he might be a two-woman job.”

“Wise,” I say.

“Thank you.”

Silence fills the room.

“Sorinda, you’re the only other person I can trust with something this important. I know it’s outside your usual duties, but would you please consider it? For me?”

I cannot believe she even has to ask. I would do anything for Alosa. She found me when I was at my darkest. She gave me a purpose. Gave me a family again. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for her.

“I’ll do it.”

She must hear me clearly, but she doesn’t relax yet. In fact, she looks even more on edge now.

“What is it?” I ask.

“You will be sailing into uncharted waters.”

“I gathered that. I’m not afraid.”

“I know you’re not. But for that kind of voyage, you’ll need a seasoned helmsman….”

She lets her words trail off, allowing me to come to my own conclusions.

And, oh, do I. I know exactly who she means.

My blood heats, the desire to kill seems to prod at my very skin, and I can’t help the frown that takes over my face.

“I know, I know,” Alosa says, holding her hands up defensively. “I really do know how much you hate him, but he’s the best I’ve got. I can’t give those girls anything less than that. If there’s any hope of finding them at all, Kearan will manage it.”

“He stares at me.”

“You’re lovely,” she says, as though it’s meant to be some sort of compliment.

“He tries to speak to me.”

“You’re a fine conversationalist.”

“He wants me, Alosa.”

She taps her foot on the ground twice, but she doesn’t back down from my stare. “Yeah, probably.”

“Definitely,” I stress. “He cleaned himself up. He stopped drinking. He started exercising. He changed, Alosa.”