Page 24 of Shadow of Death
“She single?” Rod joked, smiling.
Or at least I thought it was a joke.
“She’s single and a bit of a handful,” Kicks joked back.
“All the best are,” Rod said, laughing.
We were in. I was going to have to give Evangeline a hug when we got back.IfI got back.
“I’m leaving at dawn tomorrow, and there’s only one small room left in the crew quarters. Everyone is expected to pitch in. Rations will be tight and I don’t deal with complaining. Whiners get dropped off at the nearest port to fend for themselves. Thieves and troublemakers get tossed overboard. You can deal with those terms, you’re welcome aboard.” Rod held out his hand.
“Deal,” Kicks and I said in unison.
Chapter Eleven
We founda house not far from the dock to settle into for the night.
“I’m going to round us up some wood for the fireplace. Holler if you need me,” Kicks said.
“I think I’ll be fine.” I didn’t have the same fear of being alone in this wild world that I used to. If anything, things should be afraid ofme.
I walked out onto the back deck, the leaves all budding and ready to burst with renewed life. The air had that fresh spring smell. And yet I had this nagging feeling of unease, as if I were being watched.
I closed my eyes, trying to listen for noises that shouldn’t be there, but didn’t pick up anything unusual. If anything, it was too quiet, as if the birds and all the other critters were hiding.
My gaze drifted along the tree line, and I thought for a second I spotted a glimpse of dark movement. The wind was blowing, moving the branches and creating shadows, but I couldn’t rid myself of this nagging feeling of being watched.
Had we trusted Rod too soon? Had he sent someone to follow and rob us?
I kept staring at the tree line, and then I saw it.
I blinked, hoping it would be gone when I opened my eyes again. But no. It was still there, more solid now, as if it had stepped out of the shadows just enough to be seen clearly. The cloak it wore blended with the darkness of the woods, but there was no mistaking the outline of a man. It knew I saw him, but he didn’t make a move toward me or try to speak. Just stood there.
I couldn’t see his face, but I felt his gaze locked on me. As I stared, he disappeared. He didn’t walk away or disappear into the shadows. He was just gone.
“Pips?”
I jumped, turning to see Kicks walking up onto the deck.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. I just… I thought I saw someone out there.”
He looked at where I pointed, taking a deep breath. “I don’t smell anything, but I’ll go see if I can pick up a scent. I’ll be right back.”
He wasn’t going to find anything. Whatever had been there hadn’t been human—or of this world.
First the wolf, and now this creature. Was I imagining them? Disassociating from reality? Was the darkness making me see things from different planes? It was hard to know what to think with no one to ask, other than maybe Death. I wasn’t sure that was the best idea either.
Then she appeared, the timing suspicious at minimum.
“I’m doing what you want,” I said through my teeth. “So I’m not sure why you feel the need to try to scare me with your weird goon. It’s not appreciated.”
Her head cocked to the side, her solid black eyes widening. I looked back at the trees, hating the way she appeared, her movements always so alien.
Who do you speak of?
Was it possible she didn’t know? Could there be something she wasn’t aware of? She hadn’t known how my ankle healed.Was she not as all-knowing as I feared? Maybe more vulnerable, if that were the case?