Chapter 49
Chapter Forty-Nine
CYRUS
An hour later, we’re all standing in the war room.
I don’t really know why we bothered to move rooms, when we were all together in the galley anyway, but the mood here is solemn.
Tally’s been quiet since we left the brig, even more so after August shared that this isn’t going to be over just yet. When Nadine served us breakfast, Tally barely had more than a few bites, instead choosing to push the food around her plate until it went cold.
Amara’s calm and collected at the head of the table.
With a clap of her hands, she starts, “Okay, we need a plan. Any ideas?”
August is the first to answer. “It’s my family, I know the house and the land. I know how to find them.”
“What are you suggesting?” I ask.
“My father’s office was always restricted when I was a kid.
The night before I left, I tried to go in there, it’s where he kept everything.
” There’s something else she isn’t saying, something that led to her leaving, and a whole lot of pain.
“I go in, take them out, raid the office. Maybe I can find some information, more of James’s contacts.
Find out who else might be coming for us. ”
“That’s all well and good, August, but you aren’t going alone.” Amara pushes back, the only one who August will listen to.
“Taking a team is too risky, they have guards stationed everywhere. We’ll be gunned down, before we can ever get in the house.”
Amara slams her palms down onto the table. “And if you go alone, there will be nobody to watch your back or to report your death. This mission will not happen with you alone.”
“Going alone is the smartest choice, Captain.” August argues.
Clearing my throat, I insert myself into their debate. Utilising my skills as first mate, to calm what will otherwise be an explosive argument. “Going alone isn’t smart, it’s a death mission. However, sending a team for a stealth mission isn’t wise either.”
“Then what the hell do you suggest, Cyrus?” Amara spits the words, the full force of her anger now on me.
“I’ll go with her.”
Everyone turns in synchronisation to Mary. She’s sitting there with a smile on her face, like she’s offered up the most perfect solution. Which, she might have.
Sitting forward, I give Mary a pointed look. “Go on.”
She waves her hand around us, indicating the brewing argument. “If I go with August, then she’s not alone but it’s also not a team. I’m good at blending in, and we work well together. Captain always pairs us. It makes sense if I accompany her on this.”
Silence rears its head again, but she makes a good point.
Mary and August do work well together. They do always get paired together.
Mainly because August scares everyone who tries to get close, except for Mary, who just steps closer with every glare and insult.
Mary latched herself onto August pretty quickly after she arrived, even with August’s grumbles and bad attitude.
Them doing this mission together satisfies all needs. August won’t be alone, but two doesn’t classify as a team. Individually they are powerful, together they’re unstoppable.
“I think it’s a good idea.” I hear myself say.
August scowls deeper, as Amara trains her glare on me.
Too bad her death stares no longer work on me. Knowing her since we were kids tends to dull the effect of such looks. “It’s a good idea to send them both, Amara.”
She drops her chin to her chest, taking a few deep breaths before looking back up. “If the pair of you go, I want constant communication. Everything relayed back to me, down to the last time you went for a shit. Am I clear?”
Mary nods, smile bright and warm as it always is, whereas the begrudging nod August gives is laced with a deep scowl.
“Everyone in agreement, say aye.”
Everyone, including myself and Tally, says ‘aye’. Doc, as usual, responds with a ‘yes’ instead.
“It seems we're all in agreement. Before you leave, I want you to get everything from those fuckers in the brig and I want them dead before we hit land. We’ll be leaving here in a week and I want you to have as much information as possible.” When August starts to stand, going to argue some more, Amara points at her, then down to August’s seat and continues.
“I don’t care if it’s your family and the house you grew up in.
You’ve been on this ship for years, you have no idea what could have changed.
You said it yourself, they’re evil, so get yourselves prepared as much as possible. ”
They continue talking out the logistics of everything. We’ll take them over to the mainland, after that, they’re on their own. According to August, from Portwood Port, it’ll only take them a day or two by horse to reach the house.
But all I’m getting from that, is the ship is leaving in a week.
In a week, we’ll be gone again.
In a week, I’ll be leaving Tally again.
We’ve only just got to the part of admitting our feelings to one another, I was hoping to persuade Amara to stay a little longer, just so Tally and I could work out the kinks of what will come from me being out at sea. Looks like we’ll have to figure it out far quicker than I originally imagined.
I can tell from her posture, Tally’s thinking about it too.
It’s like a shard of glass to the heart, she looks heartbroken already and we haven't even gone anywhere yet.
Once the meeting is over, everyone disperses. Honestly, I’m glad. Today has been a lot and it’s taking everything out of Tally. Taking everything out of me.
I decide getting her off the ship and giving her something else to think about is a wonderful idea. I know I could do with going on a walk.
With Tally’s hand in mine, I lead her off the ship, down onto the dock before she questions me as to where we're going.
“We’re going for a walk. You can show me more of your island.”
“We’re going on a walk?”
I grin down at her, flashing all my teeth. “Yup. Now start leading the way, or I’m likely to get us stranded somewhere.”
She rolls her eyes, but it doesn’t disguise the slight upturn adorning her mouth.
“Come on, I’ll take you up to the cliffs. It’s quite a hike, but the sunset up there is stunning.”
Suddenly she’s the one in charge again, dragging me along behind her as we hike through the wilderness.