[Phantom Islanders 02.0] Storm Revealed

by Ednah Walters

  Scar Face grinned. “The wench has me intrigued, Blackwell. I’m challenging you for her.”

  “The lass does not want to be claimed,” Ryun said, a broad grin on his face. This was all a game to him. “They say she sleeps with one eye open. She plans to be a shieldmaiden, and she’s not afraid to use her dagger to stay single.”

  Yep. He was definitely having a ball, the crazy pirate.

  “I like a challenge,” Scar Face declared. “Some women are worth facing the blade, even a silver.”

  “Take it outside, lads,” a woman bellowed from behind me, and I glanced over my shoulder expecting to see an imposing woman. Instead, she was a few inches shorter than I and voluptuous. The light from outside came from behind her and made it impossible to see her face. But the way the men scrambled to their feet and rushed for the door said when she spoke, they listened. “And you, lass, come with me.”

  Ryun was already walking toward the back door.

  “I have to go with Ryun in case they gang up on him,” I said.

  “They won’t. My brother may be pigheaded and reckless, but he is honorable. Besides, he and Ryun fight over everything. Come to my office.”

  “Your brother?” I asked.

  The hulking man was about to exit the door and glanced back, the light falling on the rest of his face. It was smooth and unmarked, his eyebrows thick, but it wasn’t the stark difference between the two sides of his face that had me gasping. It was the coiled tattoo around his neck.

  “Decabel,” the woman said, but I’d already guessed. He was the only captain I hadn’t met. She led the way upstairs. “That you’ve caught his attention is impressive. He’s been keeping women at arm’s length for half a century now because one crushed his heart. Twice.” She shook her head. “One day our paths will cross, and I will relieve her of the empty bubble she calls a brain. I hate vain women.”

  She sounded pissed, but when she stopped at the top of the stairs, she was smiling. I could see her face properly for the first time. She did bear a striking resemblance to her brother. While the same features made Deck’s unscarred side of his face beautiful, they gave her an androgynous look. Unlike his long hair, hers was cropped short. Her eyes, a shade lighter than her brother’s, were locked on my dagger.

  “And it’s not often a lass threatens his crew with a simple dagger and claims it’s the most lethal weapon to our kind.”

  I flushed. “You knew?”

  “Yes, and probably Deck too, but the others didn’t and that’s all that matters. It takes guts to bullshit a room of hardened swordsmen and shieldmaidens and look like you mean it. I had to learn that the hard way.” She pushed open the door and stepped aside for me to enter.

  Her office was spacious with ledgers on shelves, and swords and daggers on the walls. She threw the window open and beckoned me closer. When I joined her, Ryun was handing over his hat to one of the men while Deck shrugged off his coat. The crowd was already surrounding them. From the looks of things, the serving wenches were taking bets. I wondered if they were betting on Ryun or on Deck. Even minus his coat, Deck was huge with broad shoulders.

  He looked up at us and winked. The scar definitely added something to his face. Heart crushed twice. Poor guy. I wondered about his story.

  He wasn’t the only one interested in us. Two men in the periphery of the crowd were also staring at the window. I didn’t know why they stood out. When one realized I’d noticed him, he pulled his hat low. Was he one of Deck’s crew?

  “Were all the men in the tavern Captain Deck’s crew?”

  “Just some. The rest are from the anchored ships. The man who grabbed you wasn’t one of us or he would have known better than to touch any woman with one of our captains.”

  Someone knocked on the door, and Gemma moved away from the window. One of the serving girls came inside with a bottle and two tumblers, set them on the table, and left.

  “Come on, lass,” Gemma said. “Put your feet up while they entertain the crew. This ale is sweeter than the rum,” she added, pouring. “Most new lasses from Tuh’ren prefer it.”

  “How did you know I was a Tuh’ren?” I moved away from the window, removed my hat, shook my hair, and unbuttoned the ugly coat.

  “Violet-eyes, fiery temper.” She studied me as I took the seat across from hers. “You are Storm’s lass. Lexi. I’ve heard enough about you even though I haven’t been inland since you arrived.”

  “And you are Gemma, the lady who runs the port with an iron hand. Storm told me about you.”

  She chuckled. “He gives me too much credit. I butt a few heads and maintain some semblance of order. He is one of the few who calls me Gemma. Everyone else knows I go by Black Widow, on account of my many dead mates. Thanks to Tully. Or they impaled themselves on the swords of Tully’s men rather than come home to me,” she added and laughed at her own joke.

  I grinned, warming to her. She was like most islanders I’d met. No filter, but charming. “Their loss.”

  “Thank you. You’ll need a nickname around here, Lexi.” She studied my face. “What happened in the tavern will spread fast, so I know most swordsmen will come up with other names, but I like Silver. It has a nice morbid ring to it.” She pushed a tumbler toward me. “Try it. Like I said, the ale is not as potent as rum.”

  I took a sip and coughed when it tickled my throat. She chuckled.

  “Take another sip to chase the first.”

  The second one wasn’t bad. I drank more. “When did Deck arrive here? Storm went to Hy’Brasil to find him.”

  “The Poseidon docked about an hour ago. Deck and his crew made it to Hy’Brasil, but Tullius’s guards discovered them, and Deck’s ship took some heavy damages during their escape. His ship is in a sorry state, but he refuses to have it repaired here at the port. He only trusts one person to fix the hull, and that’s the island’s carpenter. A gifted man.”

  The guy who’d looked up my skirt?

  “Deck is going to need help hauling his ship through the gate. Storm and Levi can do that when they return.” She poured more ale into my glass, and I thanked her. It was so good I even forgot I was drinking an alcoholic beverage.

  “They’ll be home in about two hours,” I said.

  Gemma studied me and smiled. “Then what are you doing in my port, Silver? What’s the plan?”

  I frowned. “Plan?”

  “In the last century, I’ve seen captured Tuh’rens attempt to stowaway on ships leaving my port, and they always end up back here. You don’t look like a runner. So what are you doing here when Storm is on his way home?”

  I grinned. “I’ve been plotting my escape since Storm brought me to the island, but not anymore. I’m here because I’m curious about your port. I want to see it. Once I do, I’m going back through the maze.”

  Gemma chuckled. “I’m happy you are not thinking of leaving. No captain on these islands would risk taking a lass back once she crosses the Veil. The Undine Court would act fast.” She stood and glanced out the window. Sounds of cheering reached me, but I was feeling too relaxed to get up.

  “Who is winning?” I asked.

  “Neither. Fools. They keep looking up here to see if you are watching them. I think I’ll visit the village tonight. The look on Deck’s face when he realizes who you are is going to be worth leaving Nettie in charge of the tavern.” She came back to the table, a tiny smile on her lips. “If you ever decide that inland life is not for you, come work for me. I could use a lass who is quick on her feet and carries a silver blade.”

  I laughed and hiccupped. “A fake silver blade.”

  “Like I said. What they don’t know doesn’t matter.”

  “Thanks for the offer, but I’m going to become a shieldmaiden.”

  “It’s rare for Kai to take Tuh’rens, but after today, she’d be a fool not to.” Bumps came from downstairs, and Gemma jumped to her feet. “Someone is messing around in my tavern. I’ll be right back. I need to knock heads.”

  I stoo
d on wobbly legs and carried my tumbler to the window. Ryun and Deck were still at it. They weren’t using their swords anymore. I winced when Deck rattled Ryun’s teeth with an uppercut. Ryun recovered, feinted a left blow, rotated his body, and released a sidekick, catching Deck on his side.

  A prickly feeling of being watched had me turning my head. My eyes connected with two men standing at the edge of the crowd—one short and a taller one. I recognized the tall one. He’d worn a hat at the beginning of the fight. Despite being dressed like the rest of the sailors, his hair was nicely trimmed and his chin barely had stubble. He looked too clean compared to the other swordsmen. I couldn’t see the entire face of the shorter one because of his hat. He smiled, and a shiver shot up my spine. His teeth were too perfect.

  Shortie glanced to the right, and I followed his gaze. Two more men were to the right of the crowd. Like the first two, they were too clean. They were also looking up, not at the fight. A fight would be the perfect distraction if someone wanted to creep up to the office of the woman who ran the town and rob her blind. Unless they were interested in me.

  I stepped away from the window and hid behind the curtain. No, there was no reason for anyone to be after me. I was done with the drink. It was making me imagine things. I peered outside again, but the men were gone. I checked the boardwalk, but didn’t see them. The small boats sailors used to come ashore were still tied along the piers, and none was leaving the port.

  Gemma returned. “Those fools are not yet done. And after the fight, they’ll want to toast each other. If you plan on seeing my town, you’ll have to settle for me. What are you looking at?”

  “I thought I saw people casing your office. A bunch of them.”

  She chuckled. “Anyone foolish enough to attempt to rob me will get what’s coming to them. Unfortunately, I get a few once a week. Most of them are new around here and don’t know that no one gets away with it. Come on.”

  I started to follow her, but she shook her head.

  “You don’t need the hat and coat anymore. That’s a beautiful outfit.” She touched the lacing on the bodice. “I recognize Cillia’s stitches. She made most of my clothes.”

  Her dress was gorgeous, too. “Lorelei made it. She was the apprentice of Meda’s mother.”

  “That’s Cillia,” Gemma said. “I hope Storm finds her and brings her home. Poor Morgance and Meda haven’t been the same since she was taken. Let’s go. You want to be back in the hall before Storm returns. Our men might be amazing sailors and swordsmen, but they are a little over the top when it comes to their mates. He won’t like it if he comes home and finds you gone.”

  We headed downstairs, where I could hear the yelling from the back of the tavern. Instead of using the back, we used the front and headed north. Gemma pointed out the other taverns and boarding houses.

  “Islanders love two things, Silver. Women and rum, and the ports provide both. There are about four taverns and boarding houses. There would be more if I hadn’t put my foot down.”

  “How many are yours?”

  “One. Why do you think I was hoping you’d work for me? I need to stay ahead of the competition.” She glanced at me and grinned. “Like I said, the incident inside the tavern will be whispered and embellished, and people will want to meet you. Tell me about the other girls. I could use more fresh faces.”

  I told her about Skylar, Jen, and Andy, but the people we met kept interrupting us. Gemma was well liked and respected. Some wanted to ask about her health, but some, including storeowners, had complaints about theft. She introduced me as Storm’s lass. Unlike the first time with Delia, I didn’t mind.

  Stores sold everything from hammocks, tumblers and plates, and sailor clothes to weapons—pikes, axes, swords, daggers, and bucklers. Some hocked dried and preserved foods, and containers like chests and kegs. The town ended at a boat-building business and a shipyard. A few ships were undergoing repairs, and several boats were on display on the beach. The land the port was built on grew smaller and disappeared altogether beyond the shipyard.

  The walk back was faster. We went down the back street between the stores and homes. We were close to the tavern when I felt a prickly feeling of being watched. I looked around, but didn’t see anyone suspicious. The feeling persisted. Just before we reached Gemma’s place, I glanced over my shoulder, and my eyes met the tall man who’d stared at the window while Ryun and Deck fought. He was looking straight at us. His short partner was missing. I pointed him out to Gemma.

  “Let them try something foolish,” she said. “I’ll be ready.”

  Before she could open the door, it was pushed from inside and Ryun stepped out. He looked terrible. He had a nasty cut along his right cheekbone and a split lip. His left eye was almost swollen shut.

  “Where did you disappear to, you two?” he asked. “I was ready to send out a search party.”

  “Showing our lass here around. You look terrible.” Gemma touched his cheek. “Do you need a healing gel?”

  “No, but Deck might. You should see his face. I tried to focus on the scarred side, but the other side kept getting in the way.”

  She chuckled. “Aren’t you meeting one of your women tonight?”

  “Yes. I’ll be back after I take the lass home and welcome home our heroes. When are you coming inland to visit?”

  “Tonight. Maybe I can convince Silver to work for me whenever Storm is out of town. We could have some fun.”

  Ryun cocked his eyebrows and winced. “Silver? That’s a good one. Don’t try to lure her to this den of debauchery behind Storm’s back, Gemma. He won’t like it.”

  Gemma snorted. “He’d expect nothing less. She’s quick on her feet, and I like her attitude. I’d double my clientele because they’d want to meet her for the blade alone. Then there’re those who would come for that face.” She gripped my chin. “And those eyes.”

  Ryun took my arm. “Come along, Lexi, before she has you dancing topless for her men.”

  “I’ll see you two tonight,” Gemma said. “Ryun, I’ll take care of Mira if her ship docks early.” She waved and disappeared inside.

  We crossed the street and headed to the mansion.

  “Are you and Captain Deck close, Ryun?”

  “Since childhood.”

  “Then why do you fight each other like that?”

  Ryun grinned. “Because the last two years have been tough. Storm helps me exercise my sword arm, and Deck keeps me on my toes.”

  “Do you know all of his crew?”

  He chuckled. “I know everyone on the island, their children, and grandchildren, lass. I’ve had two years to do nothing but memorize them all. Why?”

  “You see those two men by the hammock store? The tall one has a green vest, and the short one is wearing a black coat.”

  He continued to walk without slowing down, but he turned his head. “I see them. Those are not our islanders.” He looked toward the sea. “They must be from one of the other ships. Why?”

  “They were staring at Gemma’s office, and I saw them watching us when we toured the town.”

  He shrugged. “Stupid people always try to rob her. They figure since she is a woman, she must be weak and vulnerable.” He chuckled. “Big mistake. Gemma is smart. She has trained swordsmen and shieldmaidens patrolling the port and mingling with customers.” He glanced back. “They’ll underestimate her and suffer for it.”

  I hoped he was right. I forgot about the men as we entered the mansion and retraced our steps. The walk back was faster. Ryun escorted me to the Hall before he left for his home. Delia and the islanders were already setting up the main hall for the arrival of the sailors. I raced upstairs, but someone must have told Delia I was home. She was behind me when I reached the tower.

  * * *

  ~*~

  * * *

  “What were you thinking, going anywhere with that rogue?” Delia scolded. “The lad tries my patience. I’ll be happy when he goes back to sailing. Storm will not be happy about thi
s. No, he won’t.”

  “Nothing happened.”

  “But it could have,” she insisted, and I winced, remembering how I’d felt before I learned Deck’s identity.

  “It will never happen again,” I promised and meant it.

  “I should hope not. The girls are bringing hot water. Hurry up and bathe. Have you decided on what dress you’ll wear?”

  “The purple one.” The white chemise had purple Celtic trim along the sleeves, which matched the design on the boned front lacing of the dress. The violet drawstring underskirt had the same designs along the hem. My new mid-calf boots were perfect for the dress.

  Delia nodded. “That’s one of my favorites. Use some of the lavender soap I picked up from the soap maker while you were busy causing a riot in the tavern.”

  She was never going to let me live that down. “I didn’t cause a riot.”

  “What did he do? Cover you with a sack? When you are dressed, come find me in the kitchen.”

  The horn went off when I got into the tub. One hour to go. I finished with my bath, changed, and did my best to tame my hair before leaving for the kitchen. I wasn’t the only one who’d changed. Most of the women, married or maiden, wore fancy bodices instead of their regular undecorated ones. The men changed from slops with drawstrings to nicely tailored breaches with brass buttons and white shirts. Children and their dogs chased each other along the hallway.

  Torches were already lit in the front hall, tables arranged and set. The horn went off again, but this time was different. Instead of blowing once, the person kept blowing in a weird pattern. The people in the hall stopped whatever they were doing and raced outside.

  I followed them, tension coiling in my stomach. Across the bridge, more islanders poured out of their homes and raced toward the bridge. The sky was clear and there was no lightning, so it couldn’t be bad news.

  “We weren’t expecting them for another day,” Ryun said from behind me, and I turned to find him talking to Kai. His bruises were barely there, yet he’d looked like a roadkill after the fight with Deck.