Hiya Readers,
Sorry we dipped out for a few weeks there. But we're back, alive, and posting.
(To be fair, we haven't stopped writing book 6, we just both thought the other was posting the chapters.)
Whoops!
So, yeah...
We've got a couple of updates coming at ya, including a prepost before Thanksgiving.
Thank you for always putting up with us.
Lots of Love!
-Dark-
This was extraordinary.
The sheer will, intent, and focus Faustina had was-
It was near unimaginable.
At her age.
And with no formal or even informal training whatsoever.
All she required from him was direction.
A push of confidence.
A little over two days ago she'd nearly wiped herself out healing Harry, yet here she was, helping those rescued from the healers camp.
Gifted.
She was truly gifted.
He watches as she works on a teenage boy-
The pure determination on her face.
"I will not rest, I will not hide
heal thou now, and heal with pride
anything less I will not abide"
His lip twitches.
He'd nearly lost his composure when he heard her invocation. In all his years, he'd never heard a novice so demanding in their weaving.
He never would have guessed.
It was quite endearing, and perhaps was the reason her casting was so effective.
She didn't give herself room to wonder if it would work, she knew it would.
Magic just had to do what she told it to do.
If only more people had that kind of understanding.
Magic itself was not good or evil, it was the intent behind it that created it.
Faustina wished to protect and mend, and so her abilities brought her intentions to life.
Much like Gil's ability to infuse his will into the objects he crafted.
Huh.
Once again, he finds himself pondering the connection between the way these kids grew up and their grip on magic now that it was introduced.
Not that he would ever investigate the phenomenon for more than his own curiosity.
Information like that, if proven to indeed correlate-
"There." Faustina smiles as she helps up the last of the healer before she turns to him with a soft smile, "thank you. I really appreciate your guidance. I can feel the exhaustion, but you were right, of course. I poured everything I had into my Prince-This was a lot more manageable."
"Desperation can lead us to dangerous situations as casters. As that was your first solo, and indeed, realized casting, you managed to find some restraint."
If she hadn't, they wouldn't be having this conversation.
It was risky, putting one's entirety into a spell.
Faustina somehow managed best case scenario.
She could have just as easily lost all connection to magic.
Or worse, lost herself.
"Now you are finding your finesse."
"Something that would have taken me forever to recognize if it wasn't for your instruction. I didn't realize how delicate weaving was, but your direction was quite enlightening."
"It pleases me to receive such high praise," he grins as he rests a hand on her shoulder, "but my dear girl, you only required guidance. The rest was entirely you."
Her smile brightens as she bows her head, "you humble me." Her face darkens to a deep shade of red when her stomach growls, "but I do believe I should go eat. I still have much to do before T returns."
He resists the urge to argue, despite his desire to do so.
As much as he hated it, he could understand her stance.
When one shared their body with another-
It was wise to utilize the time allotted.
"Indeed," he nods as he offers her his arm, smiling when she takes him up on the invitation.
Faustina sighs as she leans against the edge of the cave and watches the waves.
She knew she should be working but-
There was too much to think about for her to do so safely-
And if she were being wholly honest with herself, she had grown more weary by the hour, but-
All the information T and Harry gathered left her quite a bit to think about.
To their knowledge, they'd found all the camps-
But they hadn't.
Couldn't have.
There would be no denying the energy of a Yu in a camp. Something they'd yet to run into.
So, where weren't they looking?
They were missing something.
Something concerning.
Most of the adults seemed to already be part of Shan Yu's growing army. Those that weren't were either in hiding or banning together to fight back, according to the rumors T gathered.
Was that what had become of Gaston and the Hunters?
Captain Hook and the pirates?
There were so many unaccounted for.
And what about the witches?
Where was Ursula?
Not that she wasn't grateful, but, why hadn't the ship been attacked?
Where was Gothel?
Narcissa?
Mim?
Where were the bogeyman that Auradon quaked in fear of?
Her stomach turns as a pit settles in her gut.
Her thoughts kept leading her down a dark rabbit hole that seemed to get worse with every bend.
They needed to find them.
The Yu's and the witches.
But-
They needed to save the Isle Born's before Yu could form a counter-attack-
Assuming he hadn't already.
She lets out another heavy sigh-
And then there was their Captain and their own people to worry about.
She frowns.
They needed to start a second round of strikes soon as well, she didn't even want to know how low the food stores were.
At least T had been able to put Deez at ease.
That the three of them, at least in her opinion, were on the same page.
If it came down to it-
If there was no other choice-
Deez would end this.
She hated the thought but-
Their Star Gazer was already so lost. Torn between present and past with every malfunction in the barrier. She didn't need the weight of their future to rip her apart as well.
And-
She lets out a heavy sigh, they hadn't had time to fulfill their promise to Mal. Something she knew was hanging over T. Not that he had the ability to act on it, currently.
Not until they cleared the camps.
She crosses her arms.
And then, on a personal scale, she had a god to keep informed and apprentices to keep stocked and taught.
Find a way to ask Deez to make more rooms and pools to breed fish and rats…
She drops her head.
That was going to be a fun discussion.
She taps her fingers against her arm, necessary but not enjoyable.
Deez was quite the fan of baby animals.
She glances at the gray clouds drizzling down.
As was Gil. It was the reason Shrimpy was horrendous at ratting.
T was definitely the one initiating that particular topic. They were cautious enough of her doings.
They had so much to do, and so little time to do it.
It was endless.
Her lips twitch, but if there were any a group to manage it, it was them.
Mal and the others would have made it easier but-
They could make do.
It wouldn't be easy-
But, when had anything ever been-
She startles with a yelp when a hand settles on her shoulder.
"Sorry," Harry jumps back a step as his hands go behind his back, "sorry, Love. I were callin' out, but ya be seemin' lost in thinkin'."
Heat floods her cheeks, "my apologies, my Prince."
Harry chuckles before he steps against her, wrapping one arm around her waist as he settles beside her to look out over the sea, "ya be allowed ta be unaware here, no need ta be sorry."
She leans into him with a small smile, "still isn't the wisest decision."
Or use of her time.
"Fair 'nough," he nods before he sighs and turns to face her, "ya be ah havin' ah moment?"
Her eyes sweep over his features; it was rare for her pirate to be so serious.
"Of course, my Prince."
"I um," Harry turns his back on the sea and looks around the room, "T were um, T be mentionin' that ya be makin' somethin' that be makin' him high."
Her brow furrows, making T-
Her eyes widen before she quickly schools her features, "oh, yes, that- I'm-" she blinks, "working on a," her eyes narrow, "pain tonic."
She swallows her sigh.
That.
That sounded-
She resists the urge to roll her eyes.
-like something she should have thought about weeks ago.
"Ah pain tonic? That would be ah comin' in handy."
Really?
He'd let her get away with that?
Her eyes narrow.
Was she complaining?
She watches him for a moment, "but, what's actually bothering you?"
Harry's eyes widen before he chuckles nervously as he scratches the back of his head, "I be that easy ta be seein' through?"
Currently?
She was pretty sure T could see there was something wrong.
"I'm learning, my Prince. So, what is it that's really brought you here?"
"I uh, about when ya be wakin' up," Harry sighs as he faces her again, "I can be admittin' that I were bein' outta line when I be shakin' ya," he starts slowly before he frowns, "but, it were only bein' ah cause I were so worried when ya ain'nah wakin' up. I uh-" he squeezes his eyes shut before he pulls her roughly to his chest.
She slowly wraps her arms around him, concerned.
Nor was it like her pirate to be at a loss for words.
"My Prince," she whispers gently, "what's wrong?"
"Ya be riskin' yerself all ta be fixin' me face, not just me eye, me full fuckin' face cause I be a selfish, idiot prick."
"Stop." She states firmly. "Stop that right-"
"No, be ah hearin' me out now." Harry puts a finger to her lips, "remember when I be tellin' ya scars were bein' proof ya be surivin'?"
How could she forget?
He'd been so kind, and thoughtful, and sweet. And just everything she loved about him.
And, her cheeks' flair with another burst of heat.
She'd never forget the way he treated her.
Like she was a person.
Had given her choices.
She bites her lip as fear creeps down her spine-
No!
She slams down the door.
This wasn't-
He wasn't saying he regretted it.
"I be ah meanin' every word o' it. I still be ah meanin' it." He pulls her hand up and presses his lips to the back of her hand, "an' yet, somehow," he shakes his head, "somehow, ya be ah knowin' that scar would'nah been-" he looks away as he trails off.
She swallows her sigh as relief floods her.
Oh.
She frowns when he doesn't meet her gaze.
"My Prince," She breathes as she tips forward to press their foreheads together, "please, look at me?"
"What do ya be ah thinkin' o' me?" Harry winces, "do ya be thinkin' I be hatin' scars an' lyin' to ya? Cause why else ya be riskin' yer life ta be fixin' me?"
She sighs as she takes his chin and further directs him to look at her, refusing to speak until he meets her eyes.
But after a moment she gives up.
She takes a deep breath, "my love," She breathes out tentatively, "please?"
He looks up, gazing at her with overly shining eyes, as if he refused to cry.
She runs her thumb over his cheek, "that thought never once crossed my mind, not for a second." She pauses, "which is strange, because now that you mention it, I'm surprised that's not where I arrived." She frowns as she drops back to her feet and drops her hand to study him curiously.
Why hadn't she made that correlation?
It seemed like something she would do.
"But, it genuinely never occurred to me- My only thought was…" She pauses as she looks away, "was that you were in pain, and I could do something about it."
Harry bites his lip, "that were bein' the only reason? Just ya be wantin' ta end me pain?"
She nods as she fidgets with her sleeve, "though magic is nothing but intention incarnate, and all I wanted to do was erase your pain so…"
"Aye, that be what I be worryin' for." He sighs, "Yensid be ah explainin' some o' it, like he were sayin' the level o' healin' ya be doin', an' the fact I ain'nah havin' no trace o' ah scar, were bein' the reason ya be faintin'. That the fixin' ya did be takin' ah lot outta ya."
She winces at the reprimand. "I know, and for that I'm sorry. I should never have experimented on you-"
"That ain'nah bein' what I be sayin'," Harry groans in frustration, "ya be, Yensid be sayin' ya be meanin' ta heal with no scar."
"I-" she sighs, defeated.
T had accused her of it too.
That she'd only healed Harry out of vanity.
She'd lost that argument as well.
"I do be wantin' ta say thank you," he continues, "I still be ah holdin' me stance, but, this one," he runs a hand over his face, tracing where the injury once had been, "only reason I be gettin' hit were bein' cause I did'nah be holdin' it together. I nearly be gettin' 'em killed cause I be ah losin' it."
"No one's perfect," she frowns, "we're not trained soldiers. We're all going to have moments like that. The best we can do is learn from them, and hope we can do better at controlling ourselves in the future."
"Aye, Love, that be bein' good advice." He traces the curve of her jaw with one finger, "an' if I be takin' ah hit again, I ain'nah gonna be ah sayin' don'nah, but, I do be wantin' ta hear ya say ya won'nah be puttin' in so much it be vanishin' an' takin' all yer energy with it."
"I promise I'll be more careful in the future," she offers, "Yensid has been very insightful and patient in this. I don't want to scare any of you, but this is a skill I wish to hone and would really appreciate your support in it-" she sighs, "though I understand if-"
Harry chuckles before she's pulled tight to his chest, "love, I ain'nah ever gonna be tellin' ya not ta be learnin' somethin' that ya be wantin' ta learn. Don'nah mean I can'nah be askin' for promises ta be careful like."
She hugs him tightly before she leans back to look at him with a smile, "I promise to be more careful, my Prince."
"Thank you," he kisses her forehead, "I, I be wantin' ta tell ya no. But, I know that ain'nah bein' the thing ta be doing." He grins as he rubs the back of his head, "an sides' ya be makin' it pretty clear that ain'nah bein' an option for me no hows."
"I'm happy to hear you understand."
"I be wisin' up ta fights worth fightin', an' things best left alone like." He chuckles as he holds her prisoner to his chest.
She chuckles as she nuzzles against him, happily drinking in the moment, "smart pirate."
"We be ah rare breed."
"But the best," She looks up at him with a smile, "thank you."
They stand there watching as the gray sky takes on a scattering of colors with the sun beginning to set behind the barrier.
"Uma were ah wantin' ta check an' see if ya be havin' any ideas ta add." Harry finally says, breaking the peacefulness of the sound of waves.
Her eyes widen, "right, I'd forgotten-" She shakes her head.
"Ya be havin' more time ta think," his grip on her tightens, as if he were afraid moving would make time speed up, "we be havin' 'til sundown."
She smiles as she pulls his arm closer.
"First, T just needs to get in two hours before we start."
Beam turns towards Faustina, question on his lips, before he frowns and shakes his head.
Yeah, sometimes it was just best not to know.
Especially if T needed two hours to make it safe for them to carry out two missions at the same time.
"Right," Uma leans forward, "since T and Harry reported the largest building storing food in this camp," she points to the map, "this is the one we'll hit first. We'll have a team on Isle Born rescue, a team on food retrieval, and Gil an' D will be doing their thing with the armory."
"And any other buildings we can reasonably take out." Deez adds.
She nods, "then we'll make the tradeoff here," she points to one of Deez's hidey holes, "and make sure everything's legit, before we make for the second camp." She looks up, "any questions? Comments? Concerns."
"We believe the second camp we're striking tonight is of witches." Faustina pipes up, "so its defenses might fall in a different line."
"But they only seem ta be Isle Born witches, from what T an' I could see."
Faustina glances at him, "but there has to be something stopping them from trying to get out with their magic."
"Good point, so we'll have to take it nice and slow," she turns to Faustina, "maybe even let T lead a smaller team in at first to get a better idea of what's going on?"
Faustina nods before she takes a deep breath, "also," she drops her eyes, "if any of you run across Mimi," she lets out a long-suffering sigh, "it would be a great personal favor to me if you would drug her." She asks as she lays a cloth bundle on the table. "T made a promise, and we've yet to be able to keep it."
Beam lifts a brow, "Mim's brat's brat?"
Faustina nods.
"Done." Beam crosses her arms, "can we keep 'er that way too?"
"Until she's secure on the ship?" Deez lightly drums her fingers over the table, "I vote that."
Gil frowns, "really?" He looks between the three skeptically.
"One o' the times T be findin' her, she be ah kickin' 'im in the balls," Harry flinches.
Gil, James, and Beam all grimace.
"Aye, an the second time we be ah findin' her she be runnin' off after Evil Queen be done with me." Harry continues as he flexes his fingers, "it just be bein' for the best ta be takin' her down, so she can be ah not gettin' inta trouble."
"Oh," Gil shakes his head.
"Well, can't face the dragon again if we ain't havin' her, whatever Mimi is to her," she rolls her eyes, "an' since it's you askin' an all. If anyone sees her, knock her ass out before uncaging her."
"Thank you."
She looks around the table, "everyone good?"
At their nods she stands, "okay then, Faustina, T, Harry, Beam, James, you're up first."
The four of them nod before they rise, "be seein' ya soon." Harry salutes before they exit.
What the fuck.
Uma's heart stills as her eyes sweep over the silent camp.
How?
She frowns at the soldiers littering the ground.
There hadn't been a single scream.
Hell, there hadn't even been any movement-
The silence was unsettling, putting her on edge as her blood races with-
No.
She wasn't afraid-
This-
This was just freakishly eerie.
So what if she were surrounded by-
She grimaces as she studies one of the motionless bodies.
-bodies.
Crumpled as if they'd fallen mid-step.
Were they-
T couldn't have-
Not this quickly.
Quietly.
Cleanly.
She bites her lip.
T…
The Spider grinning as he cleared a path through soldiers, the metal glinting in the scarce light as his daggers snag through the air, leaving nothing but haunting cries and shrieks of agony in their wake as blood gathered into a macabre pool.
That wasn't what happened, but it was there in her head all the same.
Poseidon, were they standing in the middle of another mas-
"Nope," Beam shakes his head, "sorry, I can't." He frowns as he walks over and stoops to hold his hand up to a fallen man's face, before he let's out a sigh of relief. He turns to stand and looks to them sheepishly. "Jus' checkin', ya know?"
She nods as she lets go of a breath she hadn't been aware of holding in.
But, why was she relieved?
"T ain'nah wantin' ta kill useless, just them that be tryin' ta kill us."
She looks around with a frown, and if everyone was sleeping-
What was T doing?
"This explains Faustina's new batch of sleep drink," Deez frowns as she falls into step beside her, "and why it was so much thicker," she adds with a scrunched face.
"T were bein' real interested in where the water be gotten from." Harry shrugs before he claps Gil on the back, "this be answerin' why T be insistin' ya both come ta the cages first."
"Yeah," Gil looks around before he does a double take of Harry, "ya think it got them too?"
"If the soldiers and prisoners share the same source of water, there wouldn't have been a choice." Deez whispers as she tilts her head, "which explains why she didn't tell us the whole plan. They needed to know more before they could act."
"Tch," Beam rolls his eyes, "doubt it. Shadow was probably jus' hedgin' bets sendin' the muscle with us."
James shakes his head, "or was assumin' everyone would be as paranoid as 'im. Ain't like he hasn't shoved that down everyone's throats."
She bites her knuckle to stifle her snort.
If that didn't sound like T, she wasn't sure what did.
"Shh." Deez gestures with one hand to get everyone's attention before she puts a finger to her lips, "not everyone is sleeping."
Everyone falls silent.
One moment.
Two.
"Oh." Deez blinks before she looks up, "I found T."
Harry's the first one to look around-
But isn't the only one to search for the neon green.
"He's taking care of anyone still awake," Deez explains with a shake of her head, "cat and mouse is one of his favorite games."
"Ya don't say," Beam rolls his eyes, "don't miss that fuckin' game." His gaze sweeps over them before he snorts, "but I get why he played it."
"He likes to win." Deez shrugs.
"Who don'nah." Harry snorts. "It be ah mite satisfyin' ta be bestin'."
"Ummm," Deez looks up thoughtfully and grins, "fair."
"This is fun 'n all, but if T catches us out here talkin' think we're all gonna be hearin' it-" James sighs, "an I don't know 'bout ya'll but I be havin' no interest in findin' out what he considers a lecture."
"Good point," she looks back at Deez, "it looks clear enough, why don't you and Gil go with the food team, make one trip and then hit the armory?"
Deez nods before she takes Gil's hand, "this way."
She watches them until they vanish in a shadow before she turns back to the others, "c'mon."
Even with everyone seemingly out cold, they all seemed to agree that it was still better safe than sorry.
Especially if there were any soldiers lingering behind in fear of what was happening.
She sighs when they get to the cages.
At least they were giving them water.
"Let's get this done." She directs, her picks already in hand.
As scary and disturbing as it had been to pull this off at the other camps with all the chaos and screaming, it was just as-
Strange wasn't quite right-
Abnormal, though closer, didn't cover it either.
Disquieting?
-to pick the locks in dead silence.
T chuckles with sadistic glee as he dodges another blade, "I swear," He grins as he kicks the man in the face, "ya'll are jus' gettin' sadder an' sadder."
"I'll give ya sad ya stupid runt-" A man growls as he swings his blade only to slice air as he ducks.
"Stand still-" Another grunts as he rolls away with another laugh.
"C'mon, this is jus' embarrassin'," he grins, "what the fuck is this? Amateur hour?
You derive too much enjoyment out of this.
Counterargument-
He dodges a blade.
You don't know what fun is.
Fun? This is fun for you?
Who the fuck-
He leaps off the wall and executes a backflip to change course to escape the crowd pursuing him.
-are you talking to?
He chuckles as he races through a narrow alley.
Of course this is fun, don't be stupid.
She sighs heavily.
Will you please just stop playing with your food and finish it?
He grunts as a blade grazes his arm.
Finish it? We've barely started.
Exactly, we've barely started, and you're wasting energy on lemons. Take the high ground and use the bombs. We've got two more camps tonight.
He huffs as he slashes his dagger across a man's chest.
Why must you ruin everything?
Because the things you enjoy are-
A gun cocks behind him.
Shit.
Shit.
Shit.
He was wondering when they were going to remember-
He spins to meet a familiar face.
Fucking shit.
"Oh," he snorts. "It's jus' a chick."
"Hiya little boy," familiar blue eyes flash dangerously at him, "ya be pickin' the wrong place ta be fuckin' with."
He grins, "I see that."
T? Remember when she said- LEFT!
He instantly dives to the left and rolls away with a grin.
Are you- This too T? Seriously? She will kill us, idiot.
I know.
His grin widens, that's why she makes it more fun.
I hate you.
"Play time's over ya stupid kid, time ta be join' the winnin' side." Harriet snaps as she reloads her rifle.
He laughs mirthfully, "already there, fuckwad."
"Hardly, Yu's already be havin' ah handle on the Isle an' ah plan ta be settin' us free," she looks back over her shoulder at the men behind her who seemed torn, "what the fuck? Be gettin' up here an' do yer damn jobs."
"Oh yeah-" he snorts before he pulls out his own weapon, "courage at its finest."
"I be fuckin' surrounded by damn codfish!" Harriet rages as she puts the rifle to her shoulder once more.
He glances at the soldiers in amusement before he slides a dart into the blow gun, "smart choice though, don'cha think?" He smirks as the dart hits its mark.
The rest of the platoon scatters at the man's shrill scream of pain.
Well, he watches as the man crumples, someone had seen him in action before, because that had been a sleep dart.
"Oh come on!" He calls out, "don't make me hunt you down."
"Idiot." Harriet rolls her eyes before she fires, spraying dirt into his face when it hits the ground in front of him.
He turns to her curiously, "seriously? You're still here?" He shakes his head before he shoos her, "move along, I hate droppin'-"
T, don't-
"-bitches."
A weary sigh rings in his ears.
No. Really, from the bottom of my soul, I hate you.
I mean, doesn't everyone?
Harriet's lips curve into a wicked smile, "oh really? Well, this bitch be 'bout ta drop you. So, last chance, General Yu be wantin' ya alive," she tosses the rifle aside as she pulls out her sword, "but I be sure he'll accept ya cold too."
The back of his neck prickles.
"Hooks," he snorts, "always so cocky."
Harriet's eye twitches.
T-
I know.
Then what are you doing!
Puttin' on a show?
Harriet narrows her eyes, "Comin' at me, runnin', or surrenderin'?"
A smirk tugs at his lips as he pushes himself up-
"I mean if you're askin'-" He leaps off the ground with his daggers out.
"I hate you," Harriett grimaces as she blocks his blades.
"Who doesn't?" He grins as he kicks her back.
Harriett twists her sword before she steps inside his reach, "Atilla is on the move, came outta whatever hole." She whispers as she wrestles with him, acting as if she were attempting to disarm him of his blades.
"Thanks," He shoves the letter into her pocket, "we got Maddy." He responds before he laughs and sweeps her legs before pinning her to the ground.
"Ya know I gotta bloody ya, aye?"
"I mean, what's a show without-" He grunts as her fist slams into his jaw before he spits out a mouthful of blood.
They both freeze when the ground shakes and the night is suddenly awash in orange.
The others were done.
"I'm shooting my pistol." Harriett warns before she pulls her legs up and kicks him off.
He grins as he jumps to his feet and wipes the blood from his lips, "runnin' already?"
Harriett stands up, laughing loudly before she pulls the ornate silver pistol from under her jacket, "you wish."
T- What are you doing?
He snorts, "o' course you'd have a pretty gun."
I think she deserves a promotion-Don't you?
T? T! T! No. Whatever your thinking-Don't!
It was as if everything had slowed down.
Harriett slowly pulls the gun up to aim, her entire demeanor shouting she knew how good of a shot she was.
He grins as he lunges with both blades gripped tightly.
This was going to be so dope-
How!?
The pistol booms.
He could even see the spark when the hammer struck.
The smoke between them swirls as a bullet flies towards him.
It was strange being able to see so much. Notice all the small details.
He even catches a glint from the bullet.
And then pain slices through his arm, so sharply he almost stumbles.
"She shot 'im!" One of the cowardly men shouts.
Perfect.
He drops one of his daggers to draw the one from the glass scabbard.
"The Spider's been shot!"
"Idiots!" Harriett screams as she pulls ammo from her belt, "get 'im! He's wounded you fuckin' useless clams."
He lets out a bark of laughter before he takes the ground running. His blade slicing through one of the men's chests.
This time, there was no denying the agony laced scream.
"Don't let him escape!" Harriett orders as she chases after him.
T, this isn't funny! She's going to kill us- At our behest, you halfwit! Do you have any idea how stupid that is? Or are you really that much of an imbecile!?
He ducks as another shot cracks in the air before Harriet lets out a scream of rage before she throws her pistol.
Yeah, yeah. He rolls his eyes. I get it.
Killjoy.
"What the fuck are you doing!" Harriet yanks a rifle from a frozen solider's hands, "if you don't know how ta work yer weapon, then go get dead already."
T! What the hell are you thinking? Get-
"Ballsy, I like it," he grins as he puts up his daggers, "later Hook." He taps two fingers to his forehead before he jumps back, slamming a smoke bomb to the ground.
"Don'nah breath it!" Harriett yells as she pulls fabric over her mouth and nose, her eyes narrowing as she watches him disappear into the hissing smoke.
He can't help himself as mischievous laughter bubbles over his lips and echoes through the colorful haze.
He bites off a grunt and immediately drops back to his feet.
Idiot, did you forget you got us shot?
"Fuckin' codfish, face me!" He hears Harriett scream, "fight me!"
No! I just didn't know being shot was gonna hurt so much.
It's a damned-
"Aim at the smoke!"
Fuck!Fuck!Fuck!
Shit-
Damn it T!
What?
RUN!
He blinks.
Oh, yeah.
I fucking hate you!
He snorts before he leaps up, only to bite back a yelp when he puts weight on his arm.
Shit.
Great, She scoffs sarcastically, think you can manage to get to Deez before we lose too much blood? Or are you going to get us shot again?
Jesus woman! You're just never happy! He huffs as his feet hit the ground, and he disappears into the shadows.
The waiting after a camp was probably the hardest part of this whole ordeal.
The not knowing.
Deez pulls her knees up to her chest as her eyes follow Harry and Uma's silent pacing.
James and Beam were standing off to the side, talking with Kat and her team. Though the conversation seemed normal, she could feel the tension.
They all had the same question, and sadly this time she had no answers-
Had T been a part of the shootout that happened right after everyone pulled out?
Father, she could only pray that it had all, somehow, been a part of T's plan.
"Pssst," She furrows her brow at the low whisper.
T?
"Stop lookin' around," T sighs somewhere around them, "don't freak'em out. It was jus' a graze, but I'm bleedin' an it needs to stay on the DL, so swallow your concern, got it?"
She hated when he asked her for that.
To lie. Blatantly.
Because Uma had been looking to her more and more often when it came to sniffing out injuries.
But, she understood.
If Mimi had been captured, she'd be in the next camp.
And T always kept his word.
She nods once, keeping the motion slow, before she tilts her head.
"Tell'em ya gotta pee or somethin' an' meet me in the back." T continues.
Oh yeah, because personal space while on the Isle was a luxury they all had.
But, she might as well try.
With a sigh, she stands, only to stop when a hand wraps around her wrist.
That was actually exactly how far she thought she'd get.
Gil meets her gaze, "T?" He mouths silently.
She nods once before she puts a finger to her lips, "please?" she begs silently.
Gil rolls his eyes before he lets go of her hand and holds it up.
Five minutes, and then he was telling.
She nods before she squeezes his hand and silently leaves, hoping that would be all the time T needed.
She crawls through a hole in the back wall before sliding into the next room.
"Yo," T waves with a grin, "surprised Gil let'cha go."
She takes a deep breath, the smell of blood was strong, but not as overwhelming as Harry's injury had been.
"He's become more open-minded about things." She nods as she lets her fire loose on her arms.
"Huh," T tilts his head before a slow grin pulls at his lips, and he eyes her in amusement, "thanks for the assist."
"Where are you hurt?" She asks as she follows the trail of blood on his arm.
T bites his cheek as he removes his arm from his sleeve with a grimace before he pulls back the fabric and reveals the ugly, jagged tear on his shoulder.
"That's not a cut." Her brow furrows before she looks up at him.
"No." He snaps as he slams a hand over her mouth, "it isn't. I got shot-kinda. It jus' grazed."
She pulls her bag from her back and rifles through it for her medical supplies before she glares up at him again and knocks his hand away, "it needs to be cleaned."
"No shit," he rolls his eyes, "it also needs to stop bleeding so pour then flame."
Her ears ring as she pulls the bottle of alcohol out.
Flame?
As in-
As in burn him?
On purpose?
"What?"
"Jesus-" T takes the alcohol and douses his arm, biting back the grunt. "There." He breathes out. "Now-" He states after a long moment, "now bring the heat up a notch and slam your damn hand on it."
"Burn. You."
"Do you want it to keep bleedin'? Yes. Burn me."
She blinks once.
T was always getting burned, or at least he used to always show up with new burns.
Was that something he did every time he was hurt?
Or was this just the fastest way he knew to stop bleeding?
That needed more thought, but later.
She blinks a second time before she holds her hand up to size the wound.
"One."
T slams the blade of his hand into his mouth.
"Two."
If she could focus, she might be able to burn only where he was bleeding.
"Three-" She squeaks as she summons flames hot enough to sear before she slams her hand over the wound.
For a moment, all she could sense was blood evaporating as her flames scorch T's raw flesh.
T grunts around his palm, eyes slammed shut as he inhales swiftly.
When she doesn't sense any more blood seeping from the 'graze' she pulls her hand back.
She looks around, chanting "goop goop goop" under her breath, her hands flapping in frustration when she can't seem to find the tin.
T thrusts the can at her, "sssshhhhhh!" he hisses.
She thrust her fingers into it, pulling out nearly a quarter of the contents before she carefully soothes it over the burn; grateful that at the very least, she's managed to control her flames.
The burn on T's shoulder was only slightly larger than the wound had been.
"There. Sorry, sorry. That was-" she takes a deep breath, "that was new."
T snorts, "I did kinda jus' thrust it at ya- But, fuck, that's a lot of goop."
"It's a fresh burn." She glares before she pulls out a roll of-
"T."
"S'up?" He asks as he starts to scrape the excess oil back into the tin.
"What-" she looks up from the sticky fabric, "stop it, you need a barrier or the," she thrust the roll in his face, "this is gonna stick to it!"
"Oh, that's Weave. Lame name, by the way," He snorts, "It's medicated spider web."
"Cool, but also," she wasn't afraid of spiders, just that one.
That one, really big one, "you know what, got it. Put the goop back and let's finish before they come looking for us."
"I left plenty."
"Put it back or I scream." She demands before she takes a deep breath.
His eye twitches as he maintains eye contact with her and does so in a silent fuck you.
"I burned you, I get to say how much you need." She glares as she carefully wraps his arm.
"Your fire can't run out, our supplies can." He rolls his eyes, "but fine. Fair."
"Thank you." She ties it off and sighs, "I'm guessing you don't want them to know you're hurt because you're afraid Uma will cancel the rest of tonight."
He taps his nose. "So, go on. I'll be right behind you."
She holds a finger up, "tell me right now that you will do everything you can to ease some of your burden tonight, and that your arm will not slow you down-"
"Promise," he taps two fingers to his forehead.
"AND," she glares at his interruption, "that you will not damage yourself more overcompensating."
"Done, an' done. I ain't tryin' ta get dead D, but I'm used ta fuckin' kickin' ass injured."
She sighs, "glad yer not out ta get dead."
"See, now move your ass before Gil tattles."
She snorts.
"So, I waited. I didn't say anything. Didn't even look at either of you funny." Gil points out.
"You did, you did all of those things, and I am so grateful and love you so much." Deez wraps her arms around one of his.
His eyes narrow as he slowly crosses his arms, pulling her along until she was dangling in front of him.
She was desperate.
His eye twitches.
What the hell had he let them do?
"Treasure," he looks down, "what happened?"
He knew it couldn't be that bad-
Not if Deez had gone along with whatever he needed her for.
And with how much she was avoiding answering him?
He shakes his arm, "ya know, Uma's gonna be awfully upset if she finds out T was injured on the Isle an' someone knew about it. An' I'd hate to be the only one at the receivin' end of our Captain's wrath…"
Deez huffs before she releases his arm and resumes her seat beside him, "is this your way of asking to share the trouble with me, if that is what happened?"
He swallows a groan.
Since when was T okay with Deez tending to one of his injuries? Not once since-
He shoves that thought away, refusing to think about Frollo on top of Faustina and T, like those men had been on those girls.
Nope.
So, what the fuck had happened that he was okay with her seeing-
He takes a deep breath, whatever the fuck he didn't want them to be seeing?
Damn it.
Uma was going to kill him.
"Yes! Yes it is, I'd just like to know what we're going to be keelhauled for, please?"
Deez frowns, "you won't get keelhauled."
He snorts, "I let you go- Covered you even. She ain't stupid. But let's talk 'bout how we're going to handle it."
"Well," she turns to look over where Beam and James were talking, "T was grazed."
"Grazed by a-" He prompts-
His eyes widen with understanding.
"Bullet?" She answers with a grimace, "though it looks like you already connected that. I promise it wasn't bad." She grabs his elbow with both hands, "when he told me, I freaked out too. But, I-" her eye twitches, "as bad as this sounds, I've seen him dealing with worse."
He drags a hand down his face.
No.
Not her too.
Not now.
Not when he hadn't heard T say it in weeks.
"It was like a cut on his shoulder." She draws her finger across the top of her arm frantically, "he didn't even argue when I cleaned it."
"I-" His eye twitches.
Didn't. Even. Argue. When she cleaned it.
"Does he usually object to it getting clean?"
"Doesn't T usually argue about everything?" Her brow furrows, "or is that just with me?"
"Everything." He states.
T.
Had been shot.
But Deez had patched him up, which at least meant it didn't need stitches-
But if it didn't need stitches, why would T even bother with it?
His eyes narrow.
There was something there. He knew it.
Felt it.
But what could Deez do for him with no medical training?
His brow furrows together before he lets out a defeated sigh. "How did you help him?"
When she doesn't answer, he looks down and finds her staring off into the darkness.
What-
He studies the blank expression in confusion. In all the years he'd known Deez, he'd never seen her look so-
Absent.
Blank.
Not even a spark of life.
His jaw tenses as his fist curls around his hammer.
He was going to kill T.
What the fuck had he asked Deez to do for her to wear that look?
"Deez?" He pulls her to his lap, "Treasure?"
"What?" Deez blinks before she looks up at him, "sorry," she shakes her head, "what did you say?"
"What the fuck did T do to you?" He demands sternly.
Deez's eyes widen as she leans back, "he didn't do anything to me. He asked for my help."
His eye twitches.
He knew she wasn't doing this on purpose.
He did.
"Help. With. What."
"I cleaned the graze, cauterized it, put goop on it so it would heal faster, and then used spider web bandages."
He glares.
What about that-
"What's cart-r-rized?"
"I burned it, just the part that was bleeding," Deez explains before she glares off into the night again.
He closes his mouth as he studies her in confusion.
T'd asked her to burn the cut shut. That checked.
What wasn't adding up though was Deez's swing in response to it.
"Did he says something fucked up to get you to do it or something?" He pokes.
That sounded like something T would do too.
"No, he just asked me," Deez explains, though she seemed to be very distracted.
"Treasure," He scowls, his patience officially dried up, "what is wrong?"
"I," she furrows her brow as she looks up, "I think I hear someone singing, but I can't hear it well enough to understand. It's like a whisper."
His eyes narrow.
Something in her words triggers his heart to pound.
Why would Deez hearing someone singing bother him?
Why would-
'I be wakin' up ta singin'.'
That's what Harry said when Faustina fixed his eye.
His eyes narrow.
Not a fan.
She cups her hands behind her ears before she slowly turns her head, "it's so soft, I just, is someone singing in the camp?"
"Alright," James taps his shoulder, "word came in. T says the Isle Born witches are in iron cuffs that are keeping them from using magic."
His eyes sweep over the concentration written clearly on Deez's face.
"It stopped," Deez sighs before she looks up, "must have just been a girl in the camp. Maybe you and Harry can teach her some of the songs you know."
"Maybe," he smiles weakly, unsure how to quell the misfired warning bell ringing in his ears.
"All good then?" James asks as he looks between them.
He reluctantly looks away from Deez, "yeah."
Huh…
Lot to digest in this chapter.
Like seriously, a lot.
Was it too much coming at you at once? Or were you happy with the pace?
Like fuck man-
There's just so much to cover-
Like, how the fuck are T and F still functioning?
And the fuck is happening with that song?
What's going with Harriett?
Shit, I forgot how fucking stupid a curious T could be.
And fuck, poor Uma's hair is going to end up whiter than her fucking mother's by the end of this book.
But, like yo-
This shit's funny bits are fucking lit.
Especially D and Gils.
Oh! I remember something I really wannaknow-
What do you think a T lecture would actually look like?
Much love and shit
-Twisted