Hidden Island Chapter 17, part 2 of 3

Hidden Island
Chapter 17, part 2 of 3

"Fuck you!" Lace snapped, her hand whipping back to the sheath of her knife. She found it empty.

The green musclebound cretin giving her the worst wedgie of her life dropped her blade to the deck. "You don't get to rearrange the whole ship for no fucking reason!"

"You'll feel like an idiot in a few minutes." She nodded to Quinn, who let Lace go. Lace rocked back to the soles of her feet unexpectedly but didn't fall. Instead, she knelt and picked up her cane knife.

Jack hooked her thumbs into her belt and waited, stone-faced. The deck was quiet. Lace glanced up to the stern castle. The Captain was standing there, watching. The new swab from earlier was next to her. Something about all this didn't feel right. What the hell was a new swab doing on the command deck?

"What the hell is the point of all this, anyway?" Lace yelled at Jack. "The whole ship's cocked up now, and my riggers are having to work double! This is your fucking fault!"

"Even if that were true, I wouldn't care." Jack still hadn't moved.

"It is true! Look around! You think a ship is supposed to look like this!?" Lace barked.

Jack shook her head in exasperation. "You don't catch on quick, do you?" She turned and looked up at Will. He met her gaze, and the corner of his mouth twitched. She sighed and turned back to Lace.

"You got played."

"What?" Lace asked.

Jack made a small gesture toward the deck. "You played, set up, and tricked. You're mad at the wrong person."

Lace was building up her anger again. "You're the new Navigator! Who the hell else should I be mad at?"

"No." Jack cut her off. "He's the new navigator." She jerked her thumb towards the stern castle, towards Will.

Lace's gaze climbed to Will, leaning against the railing next to the captain, just watching. He gave her a small cheeky wave. Her eyes narrowed, and she could hear her blood pounding in her ears.

"You motherfucker," she snarled. He gave her a slight shrug.

She took a deep breath and brought her attention back to Jack. "Thanks."

"Apologize," Quinn said firmly.

"Like hell. I was tricked. I still don't know who the fuck she is." Lace sneered.

"She is the expedition leader," came the Captain's voice behind her. Lace turned and looked up at the Stern castle. Captain Vex was looking down on the situation, not looking happy. "You just picked a fight with the woman who hired us."

"Fuck," Lace muttered. "I'm, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I thought you were..."

"All hands on deck," the Captain said flatly.

"All hands on deck!" Missus North bellowed. Her bosun's whistle pierced the ocean tranquility, and the ship began to bustle like a kicked anthill.

Bella traced the buzzing stone phallus across her sensitive nipples and held her breath for a moment as the shiver ran through her. Her blouse was pushed up beneath her arms, and her other hand was lightly stroking her bare mons, just teasing and petting and warming up.

She felt slightly queasy from the constant rolling of the ship, but the captain's cabin was the most stable place she could be. The rolling was gentle, but it could have been a lot worse. She tried not to let the slightly sick feeling break her concentration.

A simple arcane sigil was drawn on her sternum in white. A pentagram inside a binding circle. It is one of the world's most well-known symbols of magical binding. It had become somewhat ubiquitous as a symbol of witchcraft in general. There was some truth to that, but not for the reasons most people thought. As a tool, it was easy, reliable, and versatile. It appeared in many disciplines, including some of the worst, which didn't help public opinion. It was hard to explain to ignorant zealots that just because a killer used a hammer, it didn't mean all blacksmiths were in league with killers. Because of that, it was a symbol she had only ever used in private rituals.

Her fingers traced along her labia, enjoying the flush and feeling of her nerves waking up. Her hands switched places. She dragged Rocky downward and lifted and squeezed her left breast with the hand that she'd been stroking herself with. The low hum of the toy sent shivers through her. Her thighs clenched, and her breath quickened.

Jack's crying face rose unbidden into her mind. Her fingers stopped for a moment. Her lips pursed in momentary frustration, and she pushed the invading thought away. Instead, she focused on the lighthouse the night before. That was amazing—the four of them in the cool night air, the rush of danger, the intensity, and the joy of helping Janie discover new passions.

Someone was shouting, and a shrill whistle sounded from outside. Her brows clenched further.

The distractions were starting to make her angry.

Rocky found her entrance and teased. She bit her lip. The pentagram began to glow very faintly.

Janie. She was on the docks with a gun to her head, watching them drift away.

The light of the pentagram faded. Bella's brows furrowed. She focused on something else—Mary's divination ritual. Will was taking her to the table in front of a peeking audience. Tonya whispered in her ear and bit her neck.

The ship lurched a bit, sending her a brief wave of discomfort. She took a breath and waited for it to pass.

Rocky slid into her slowly. She rolled her hips and breathed deeply. The light of the pentagram returned. She focused on the sensations. The wet warmth and the vibrations seemed to soothe and gather tension simultaneously. Her fingers rolled her nipple and squeezed just enough to make her toes start to curl.

Blood all over the floor. Cerise helps Caine move an unconscious man into the only space—her alcove. Chance yelled at her, thinking that the reason Will had shown up had been to see her. I was running through the streets.

"No," she muttered to herself. She refocused, thinking of the things that always got her in the right headspace: the contortionists in the circus when she was coming of age, their long, lythe forms bending impossibly; watching the dancers at Mary's; Jack's beckoning lips; Jack. "Damnit," she swore.

The door opened suddenly. Bella pulled a blanket over herself, startled. "The captain wants everyone on deck," Will's voice said.

"Alright, I'll be right there," Bella sighed. Rocky thumped into the blankets next to her, and the buzzing died.

"She's going to tell the crew what we're doing. Part of that is going to be about you and me. I just wanted to warn you," Will said, leaning in the doorway.

"Fine," she said, throwing off her blanket. Will shut the door.

She lay there in the dark, frustrated. Her morning rituals were important. It had been nearly ten years since anything had interrupted her focus enough to keep her from getting through them.

She felt like an apprentice again. Too much had happened. She needed to clear her head.

There were a few quick minutes of scrambling as all the crew below the decks secured what they were doing and came up into the sun. Lord Morant and his manservant, Mister Lynch, were the last to climb the stairs. Bella joined Will from the Captain's cabin. Danica came down from the stern castle, leaving only the helmspersons behind the Captain as she addressed the crew.

"I had planned on doing this tonight," the Captain boomed. She cut quite a figure. The buttons of her frock coat and the hilts of her pistols gleamed. Will was struck again by how commanding her presence could be.

"The last few days have been challenging, and ye have limited information to work with.

You know, that is usually different from the way I run things. It's time to set the record straight," Captain Vex said.

She pointed to Will. "This is Mister Sterling, our Navigator. With him is Miss Fortuna, his Navigator's Mate. Miss Fortuna is a witch." Another murmur ran through the crew. "A fortune witch. She's our lucky charm," Vex said, smiling down at Bella. Bella blushed, not used to being under so much scrutiny.

"The two of them were hand-picked, same as the rest of ye were." Captain Vex continued. "I only take on the best crew. It's not just the crew that's good at their job, but the good crew, period. I don't hire folk I don't respect. Maybe I misjudged you, so now's your chance to speak up. If you have a problem sailing with a witch, speak up, and I'll see you off at the next port." No one said a thing.

Bella turned and looked around, taking in the crew for the first time. Only a few were paying attention to her, and she was ignored while they listened to their captain.

"They're here because this expedition we've been hired for will require us to go through the Drifts," Captain Vex continued. A shocked ripple spread through the crew. She cut it off before it could build.

"Mister North!" she boomed again. "How often have ye been around the Devil's Horn with me?"

"Four each way, Captain," North said, tapping his pierced ears.

"How many crew have we lost on those trips?" Vex asked.

"Five total, Captain. Two overboard, one from sick, two taken by the Horn's madness," Mister North counted.

"Ever hear of anyone else with a record to match mine?" Vex asked.

"Only two, Captain and I suspect one was lying," North said with a wry grin.

"Miss Webber, how many times have ye and I talked about taking a run at the Drifts?" Belita asked her Master Rigger.

"Too many to count, Captain," Lace said somewhat grimly.

"Did ye mean it, or are ye all talk?" Belita challenged.

"Aye, Captain. I meant it!" Lace said.

"Mister Sterling is the man with the plan to get us through," Belita said, pointing to Will. Some of you have heard the stories about Sterling's magic maps. Are they true?" she asked Will.

"Somewhat," Will shrugged. "It isn't the maps that are the magic part." The crew murmured again, some of them chuckling.

"Take a good look around," Captain Vex said. "This isn't the way the Kestrel's supposed to be.

She's a mess right now. She doesn't look like any ship that's ever tried what we're going to try."

There was a murmur through the crew. "Every other ship who's taken a run at the Drifts has been tossed on the rocks and ground the splinters! The way things have always been done does work for this. We're going to try something new! The Navigator with the magic maps says he can get us through. This won't be the first time your Master Rigger developed a newer, better way of doing things. Do you remember when we won the Dead Man's Regatta? Ye remember when we ran the Bootlegger's Slalom?" The murmur among the crew was getting louder.

"Sterling's coordinates, Webber's sails, me at the helm, and the best damn crew on the five seas doing what they do best. I think we can do this. If we pull it off, we'll all be legends. Very rich legends." The crew's murmur swelled to cheers and laughter.

"So, here's what I need from ye," Belita said, putting her forearms on the railing and leaning down, familiar and friendly now where she'd been commanding and inspiring only a moment before.

"Miss Webber needs to make new rigging ladders—these we picked up in port didn't work. Every rigger, grab yourself a swab. Swabbies, it's time to brush up on your knotwork. Splicing the big ropes is hard, and our riggers can't do it quickly without help. So you'll be the extra muscle they need. We'll lay the lines for a new ladder, starting from the prow down to where you're standing now. We will track them down into position and start splicing and knotting across. We will do it from dawn to dusk until it's done. I expect you to be up on deck twisting rope with your partner if you aren't on duty and in your rack." A ripple of concern began passing through the crew. Vex continued, standing back up again. "That means we'll have tripping hazards all over the deck. So, no deck duties until it's done."

A small cheer ran through the swabs. "Because we're all working double, your duty day will be shortened by an hour, and you'll get a double ration of rum until the new ladders are hung."

That sent a much larger cheer through the whole crew. Will smiled appreciatively. Watching Captain Vex work her crew like a minstrel working a crowd was impressive.

"Missus North, ye have the deck. Mister North, Hunter, Sterling, Webber, with me. The rest of ye, as ye were." The Captain didn't move. The crew moved. Riggers climbed, swabs moved to the large crank just behind the foremast. Danica North started barking orders. The cargo hatch in the middle of the top deck began to open slowly.

Will and Bella climbed the stairs to the stern castle. Lace and North went up the other side, followed by Jack. They all met where the Captain stood, watching the crew work.

"I Dinna appreciate starting a new voyage with a fight," Captain Vex said tersely. "Miss Webber, what happened?"

"I was told that Miss Hunter was our new Navigator. I wanted to talk to her about the mess all these extra boats have made of my rigging," Lace said. She wanted to say more and likely use more colorful words, but she remained restrained.

"Mister North, you posted the new crew manifest and duty roster, didn't ye?" Belita asked.

"Aye, Captain. This morning, just after you came aboard," Mister North answered.

"Miss Webber was on duty then?" Belita asked.

"Aye," Lace and North answered simultaneously.

"Alright. That's a good excuse not to have read it yet. The mix-up is forgivable, but even if Miss.

Hunter had been our Navigator; there was no reason to accost her," Belita said.

"I wasn't going to hurt her; I was just pissed about all the problems," Lace protested.

"I watched the whole thing, Lace. I've been out drinking with you enough times to know when you're looking for a fight, " Belita said with one terse eyebrow raised.

"I said I'm sorry! It never would have happened if Sterling hadn't tricked me!" Lace said, throwing her hands into the air in frustration and starting to pace.

Belita leaned back against the railing. "Why'd that happen, Will?" she asked.

"I'd been hearing that she wanted to hang me," Will shrugged. " Mister North's been taking bets on it."

"Aye, that's true," North admitted.

"You were there when it was brought up the first time, Captain," Will said.

"Aye, I was. Miss Webber is a bit intense sometimes, but nothing I thought you couldn't handle. It seemed all in good fun. It probably would have been if you hadn't tricked her into going after Miss Hunter." Belita's arched eyebrow was turned on Will now.

"Well, fun for everyone but me," Will shrugged. "I'll concede the point, though."

"You threw me to the wolves to save your skin, Will," Jack said flatly.

"No, I threw you to the wolves because it was funny, Jack," Will shrugged. North started to laugh but turned it into a cough. Captain Vex's eyes were amused, but she held onto her composure.

"Mister North, Sterling, and Webber are yours for three days. Do whatever extra duties you need to."

"Aye, Captain," North said. Lace glared at Will, who seemed amused.

The Captain was partially done. "Miss Hunter, you aren't part of my crew, but you'd be joining them if you were."

"I'll join them," Jack said. Now, it was Will's turn to be surprised.

Belita nodded slowly. "You heard her, Mister North. Haven't seen anyone volunteer for extra duties like that before," she added.

"Oh, I'm happy to volunteer," Jack smiled. "Will managed to piss off Miss Webber and myself.

Now he's going to be stuck with both of us."

Suddenly, Will wasn't quite as amused.

Janie flinched at the knock at the door.

She had stayed in the lighthouse. She hadn't slept. Thomas had brought her a meal and checked on her last evening. She could tell he was worried about her, but she didn't feel like talking. She had done what she could to keep her mind occupied. She cleaned some. It felt more like moving the mess around. The ground floor was starting to smell musty. Her rain sigil had soaked everything. It felt like a swamp. Bastards Bay was already tropical, hot, and wet in the summertime, but with just enough shade to keep the damp in, the heat turned Will's library into a sticky, sweltering hole stung of wet wood. She didn't know how long she'd been staring into the wood grain at the table without seeing it.

She felt like she had lost everything all at once. She'd finally found a dream worth believing in but only had it for hours before it was stolen. The knock pulled her out of her reverie.

"Who-" she called. Her voice cracked, rough from lack of use. "Who is it?" she tried again.

A muffled man's voice answered. "Caine."

Only four names were on Will's "any time, no questions asked" list. Janie herself was one; Jack and Bella were the others. Caine was the fourth. She'd never met him, but she knew of him by reputation.

She got up and shuffled her way to the door. A wave of her hand clattered all the locks open. She wished the chain hadn't been broken. She pulled the door open enough to look outside.

Caine looked like Will had described—balding, unkept, and with a broken nose. Janie had met retired Centurions. They were all one big scowl of scars with tired eyes that had seen too much, old before their time. Caine looked like one of them.

"Come in," she said.

Caine followed her inside and wrinkled his nose as she shut the door. "What happened to this place?"

"It's a long story," Janie said, offering Caine a chair with a gesture. "Don't use the upholstered one; it's still wet."

Caine slowly crossed the room, his head swaying, eyeing everything. Finally, he sat. Jaine sat across from him. "I'd offer you tea, but the stove isn't lit."

"I don't drink tea," Caine shrugged.

"What do you need?" she asked.

"You're Janie Castilian, right?" Caine asked.

"Yes," Janie said, a bit warily. "Why?"

"I'm going to help you out for a while," Caine said gently. He looked around again. "Seems like you could use it."

"I can't accept that," Janie said.

"Well, I guess I'll just wait until you get used to me then," Caine said.

Janie commonly would have argued, but she didn't have the energy.

"How long have you been in here?" Caine asked.

"Since yesterday," Janie said.

"In the morning. When Will and Bella's ship left," Caine said, sounding like he already knew the answer. "When they took you hostage."

"Yes," Janie said.


To be continued