Ahoy!

I'm so sorry it's been so long since my last update! Life has been so busy and I've had to back burner this story. I'm now nearly finished writing the rest of the chapters, so hopefully you'll see chapters coming in more frequently!

Thank you so much to Mel!

TWENTY-TWO

I am taking a calculated risk.

I know this.

Jasper knows this too, though he's managed to keep his tongue on the matter.

I've managed to persuade Aster to keep his peace, at least for now, as I need Isabella still to retrieve my property.

But we have a plan.

No longer will Isabella be able to hold so much over me.

Now I have something over her too.

We meet the crew back on the docks, and thankfully they were able to procure the items needed to continue our journey. Our mast can make do with temporary repairs until we can get into port to have it properly fixed, and since I'm told we are done crossing the sea and will henceforth be sticking to the coastline, I agreed to the patch job.

Though I get a few questions from sailors when we regather to paddle back to Captain Thorne's ship, I'm able to play off Aster as nothing more than a new recruit. Since he does not speak when I say this, no one presses too hard.

It isn't until we are midway back to the ship that I feel any true nerves.

What if Isabella takes less than favorably to Aster's presence?

What if Aster is more bloodthirsty than I credit him for?

Am I prepared to lose all I've been working to get back just to hold something over the piratess?

The answer in my heart is an unequivocal yes.

I'm desperate to level the playing field, even if it means destroying it in the process.

When we make it back to the ship and finally climb aboard the deck, my gaze scans for the piratess.

"Captain! I take it you were successful?"

My attention is pulled to Captain Thorne, who is emerging from her quarters, arms crossed over her chest. She's dressed down, far more than I've seen her before, standing before me in a simple white linen shirt and trousers. I suppose her signature hat and plume and accompanying brocade coat are too conspicuous this close to shore.

"Aye," I tell her, half my attention on Aster.

She turns to him, a scowl moving over her face.

"And who is this?" she demands. Before anyone can speak, the devil herself is emerging from the captain's quarters, accompanied by young Miss Brandon.

"Witch!" Aster screams and lunges, not for Isabella, but for Alice.

Jasper is the fastest to respond, throwing his body in front of Aster and tackling him down to the deck. I'm right behind him, securing a flailing right arm that has somehow produced a blade.

The struggle does not last long, for Aster truly isn't much more than skin and bones, but even for as slight as he is, the fight in his is manic.

When we finally have him pinned, and the commotion begins to die down, Captain Thorne's voice booms out over the crowd.

"What the devil have you dragged upon my ship?" She is fuming with her anger as I look up and meet her gaze.

"Tha' demon owes me a life!" Aster shouts from under where Jasper and I are pinning him down.

"Be silent," I hiss at him, shooting him a glare he can't see. I look back at Captain Thorne. "He was a new recruit. I thought it harmless."

The lie tastes foul in my mouth, but right now it seems the best course of action after my plan has blown up so spectacularly in my face.

"Mr. Davenport, please secure this rascal until he is sobered," Captain Thorne says, shooting Aster a dirty look. Her eyes lift to me. "As for you, Captain. My quarters, now."