Ahoy!
Thank you to Mel, Jill, and Gemma!
TEN
At this point, I should not be surprised when Isabella does the unexpected, but somehow I still am.
"What are we doing here?" I demand.
Isabella looks back at me as she pushes her way into the herb shop. I follow her and immediately want to sneeze. Inside it is dark and dusty, the air filled with too many overlapping scents to keep a clear head.
Isabella strolls directly to the counter, where an elderly gentleman is carefully counting out what looks to be dried-up mushrooms.
"Good afternoon," he says, looking over Isabella. "What can I do for you, my dear?"
"Mademoiselle Beauvais, s'il te plaît."
The shopkeeper sets down his mushrooms, frowning. "Un moment," he says, stepping away from the counter. He slips behind a thick curtain, and Isabella and I are left in the shop alone.
"What are we doing here?" I ask her.
She glances at me. "Procuring the most valuable asset we can," she says cryptically.
The curtains part, and a large woman, with skin the color of night steps out. "I am Beauvais," she says, her accent heavy. "What is it you seek?"
She's draped in colorful beads and bright fabrics. Around her neck seems to be some sort of charm, and I have to stop from crossing myself at the sight of it. I've heard tales of the magic workers on the islands, though I have never come in contact with one myself.
Isabella doesn't even bat an eye.
"I seek the true Beauvais," she says, her eyes narrowing slightly. "The one also known as Brandon."
The woman frowns. "Very well," she says and steps behind the curtain. A moment later, a small wisp of a girl is stepping out. She is smaller than even Isabella, with dark hair and fair skin, as if she's never seen the sun.
"Bella," the girl says in surprise. Isabella smiles at her as the girl comes around from the counter to embrace her.
"My dear Mary Alice," she says as they embrace. "How are you?"
The girl doesn't answer, her grey eyes flickering toward me.
"Who is this?" she asks, her voice uneasy.
"Oh, my dear, excuse me," Isabella says gently, keeping an arm around the girl. "This is Captain Edward Masen. I've stolen quite a lot from him."
She says it so flippantly, and I feel my pulse jump in anger. The girl giggles and steps toward me.
"Captain, this is Mary Alice Brandon, also known as Mademoiselle Beauvais," Isabella says as the girl steps closer to me.
"Just Alice, if you like," she says, offering me a small curtsy.
I bow to her in return. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance," I tell her.
Isabella chuckles. "Isn't he just so proper?"
I straighten up and scowl at her, but she's already focused on Alice.
"My dear, I find myself in need of your company."
Alice stares at her. "For what I can do for you?" she asks, her voice cooling.
"Yes," Isabella says. "But I also would enjoy going on this adventure with you."
Alice seems to consider it. "It won't be easy," she says softly. "You will lose many a fine friend."
Isabella nods. "Such is the nature of the world, I'm afraid."
Alice looks at me. "He hasn't decided to trust you yet," she says softly. "How can you be certain of your quest when loyalties are still unbound?"
Isabella turns to look at me and gives me one of those smiles that takes my breath away.
"I hope he never trusts me," she says, winking at Alice. "Things are much more fun when we are all kept on our toes."
Alice lets out a small laugh. "It may be impossible," she says, looking at Isabella. "I can't see a resolution."
Isabella nods. "Nothing is guaranteed in life but this." She leans toward the girl. "Come with me, and I promise you an adventure of a lifetime."
They two share a smile between them, and without answering, the girl turns and slips back behind the curtain. I look to Isabella, utterly lost in all the exchange that has just happened.
"What just took place?"
She glances at me. "What just happened," she says, coming to my side, "is that I've secured the best seer in all the Caribbean for our voyage."
I stare at her. "Seer?"
The word is not unknown to me, though I have never had the need to use it.
"Yes, my dear Captain. A seer with power the likes of which are unmatched."
I shake my head. "That's impossible."
Isabella looks up at me, her body leaning into mine. "As impossible as a female admiral pirate?"
My teeth grind together as she laughs.
"Don't worry, darling. You'll see soon enough. We will need Beauvais many times over before our quest is complete."