Chapter 15
15
T hey walked together as they continued on their way. They had walked next to each other before, but now they were a team. Anna trusted him, as she did Anton. They belonged together and she looked forward to when the memories of Chris returned.
"What were you doing in town, Ani?"
"I wanted to look around, and then I ran into Elena. I found out some interesting things. According to her, I worked for a woman named Lotti in a nursery before I disappeared. And Elena doesn't seem to know I'm supposed to be a fairy."
"You are one." His eyes were glowing, but he turned away to scan the marketplace.
"Anyway, she said I didn't come back that Monday. And that you had picked me up after work the Friday before, if I understood correctly. What was I doing at the nursery?"
"You were following a lead. From the start I didn't think it was a good idea, but you insisted and your stubbornness won out — like it does far too often, madam. Who knows who you might have alerted by doing that."
Anna had to smile. Although his tone was extremely gruff, there was tenderness in his voice that you wouldn't think he had, just from looking at him. His dark appearance, his predatory movements, the scar on his cheek… Nevertheless, Anna sensed that there was more to him than just the feared pirate.
"What lead was I following?"
"You had a theory that someone was keeping fairies as slaves to produce more flowers. That's why you carefully examined every nursery. Lotti and her company seemed suspicious to you, which was why you transformed and worked in human form so you could snoop around as a fairy during work hours." His expression reflected how much he had thought of the plan at the time.
"Why didn't I return to the nursery? Because I didn't find anything?"
"No." His voice suddenly sounded thick and he gave her a dark look. "That was when you disappeared."
"Do you think it might have something to do with my work at the nursery?"
The captain shook his head. "Believe me, I tore that nursery apart after you disappeared. I believed your theory might have been true and that you had been caught. My entire crew and I turned Lotti and every corner of the damn business upside-down and I found nothing. No clues, nothing suspicious. Nevertheless, I kept an eye on Lotti and followed her every step. When she had to close the nursery after a while because there were no more flowers, I knew you couldn't be there."
Anna nodded to herself, deep in thought. It was interesting, but unfortunately, it didn't yield any clues, just like the conversation with Elena.
Ever vigilant, he scrutinized the area, although no one in the crowds seemed to be paying any attention to them. "We have to leave the city. You're not safe here."
That made sense to her, but she didn't want to hide. "Then we need to get me some scarves and a wig so I can disguise myself. After all, I have to find out what happened back then."
"Aye, but for that you don't have to hide your beautiful face behind scarves. I have a plan."
"What plan? Tell me."
"First, come with me to my ship. On board, we can talk undisturbed."
On his ship? Her pulse quickened. "There might be a few eavesdroppers on board. Not to mention, the men who abducted me." The memories of the night she was taken from her apartment came flooding back, making her uneasy.
The captain turned her toward him, grabbed her shoulders firmly, and looked at her steadily. "I swear, Ani, on my honor as Captain of the Fortuna, no harm will ever happen to you on my ship again! And the rats who stole it will pay dearly for it!"
The corners of her mouth twitched. She wanted to believe him. She really did. But facing those men again… "Are the mutineers on your ship?"
"Aye, but they are in a magical sleep."
Right. He had told her that. Fine, she trusted him. Nevertheless, before she followed him, she remembered the friendly giant who was still lying in the meadow taking a nap. "Toni is waiting for me in front of the city wall. I can't leave without telling him."
The captain rolled his dark eyes. His eyelashes were so thick and black that it almost looked as if he was wearing dark makeup. "Great, I have to deal with that chaperone. Send him a message."
"No, that's not possible."
He stroked his dark brows. "You're as stubborn as ever, madam. I have a bad feeling…"
Laughing, Anna pulled the captain onto the main street that led back to the city limits. No one seemed to notice them along the way, but the captain remained ever vigilant, his eyes searching every nook and cranny. His gait was confident and he exuded a ferocity that wordlessly threatened anyone who would try to mess with him. The guards looked up as he passed the city walls, but they remained quiet about the pirate having been in their city. What was the role of the pirates all about? She had to make sure to ask him later. But now she had to convince Toni that they could trust the captain.
They crossed the city limits and continued along the country road until they reached Anton. The giant was still sleeping in the middle of the meadow, masquerading as a humungous rock. Anna walked right up to him and stroked a random spot.
"Toni? Wake up."
As he yawned loudly, the rock moved and there emerged an arm, which he stretched to the side. He almost tore down the city wall, but he didn't notice. Half asleep, he sat up and rubbed his big eyes. When he saw Anna in front of him, a smile peeked out from under his thick beard, but when he spotted the captain next to her, his expression became fearsome.
"What are you doing here? Leave before I flatten you like a pancake!"
The captain raised a dark eyebrow and stared at the giant as if he were the smaller one. "As friendly as ever… I'm glad to see you too, giant."
Anton clenched his hands and straightened up. "Anemone, what is this? I told you how dangerous he is."
Anna raised her hands soothingly. "Toni, I trust him. And you know I did so before."
A grumble that sounded almost like thunder emerged from the giant's mouth. "You were on your way to that dishonorable scoundrel and then I didn't see you for years, Anemone."
The captain wanted to react indignantly, but Anna stopped him. "Let me clear this up." She turned to her friend, who still had displeasure written all over his gigantic face. His bushy eyebrows were drawn together so deeply and tightly that they cast shadows over his moss-green eyes. He peered menacingly down at the captain.
"Toni, please. Trust me."
The giant looked at her and the corners of his mouth turned downward. "What kind of friend am I if I don't protect you?"
Anna had to smile. "You are the best friend I could ask for. Please believe me when I say that Chris is not our enemy." The name rolled off her lips easily as if her mouth remembered how many times she had said it. "If you want, you can accompany us to his ship."
"What are you thinking, madam? The whole world would know where my ship is anchored." The captain shook his head.
Anna frowned. "Isn't it moored in a fixed place in the port city?"
"I am a pirate, Ani. The world thinks I'm the villain and my treasures illegitimate. If I enter a port, it is only for a short time.
She hadn't thought of that. Once again, the question of the role of pirates in this world popped into her mind. Now she had to think about what she could do with Anton. She would never leave him alone. She beckoned him closer, so as he sat on the ground, he stretched his head down toward them. She put her finger to her lips. Anton came closer and the captain drew nearer.
"Reveal your plan now, Chris, and then Toni will know where I will be. We will also consider what he can do to help in the meantime. That's what you want, Toni, right?"
"You can always count on me, Anemone." His expression relaxed. Apparently, it was the right idea to let him in on it. The captain, however, didn't seem enthusiastic at all.
"Don't giants always spill the beans?"
Before Anton could get angry, Anna intervened. "If he is to trust you, you must trust him. I guarantee Toni will keep our plan to himself, right, Toni?"
"You can trust me with anything. Giants don't talk much anyway."
"Unlike you…" The captain scrutinized him.
"Just because I like to talk, doesn't mean I'm untrustworthy!"
Anna raised her hands like a referee. "Wait a minute, you two. Either we trust each other or I go without you. It won't work any other way."
Anton's face darkened at the prospect, as did the captain's. The giant was the first to give in. "All right, then. Tell me what you're up to and where you're going so I know where you are, Anemone. In return, I will let you go with him, even if I am still not convinced of his good intentions.
Anna was delighted and stroked Anton's hand, which was lying next to her on the meadow as if he was ready to grab her and run away with her if the captain planned something mischievous. She turned expectantly to the pirate, who was staring darkly at the giant.
She tilted her head, waiting. Trust was mutual. She wouldn't budge an inch. "So?"
His gaze darkened even more. "Aye. But swear, giant, you will not speak of our plan to anyone."
"I swear." Anton placed his hand on his heart solemnly.
"Swear on Ani's life," the captain demanded.
"I swear on Anemone's life. So, what are you two up to?"