Chapter 7
Shadows lurked in the corners of a small cabin aboard the Huracan. Captain Inigo Encina sat at a small round table, one elbow on the top and his head clutched in his hand. His eyes were closed, and the corners of his mouth were pressed tightly together to create long wrinkles.
A rap came from the door. “Enter.”
One of his sailors stepped inside. He grasped a paper in his hand. “The repair report, Captain.”
Encina didn’t open his eyes, but he did hold out his hand. The man scurried forward and placed the paper between two fingers. The captain set the paper on the table in front of him and resumed his statue-like appearance.
The sailor’s eyes flickered between the paper and his captain. “Is something wrong with the report, Captain?”
Encina’s mouth curled into a bittersweet smile. “If only that were the case, Amador, but you and I both know the repairs are far from the worst consequence of this matter.”
A little color drained from Amador’s face. “Have you received a summons from them?”
Encina opened his eyes and fell back against his chair, his focus on the slim piece of paper with a handwritten list. “Not yet, but it’s only a matter of time. I’m sure the message was sent out before the Tempest was out of sight.”
Amador’s eyes flashed with emotion. “You’re sure you don’t want me to interrogate the crew again? It churns my stomach knowing there’s a snitch on board.”
Encina shook his head. “They’d only find another way to keep an eye on us.”
Amador took a step closer to him and raised a fisted hand. “Could it be more burdensome than feeding the mouth of a traitor?”
“I don’t dare risk it for the sake of the other mouths,” Encina countered as he picked up the paper and studied the list. “Besides, we’ll need another of their jobs to pay for these and satisfy the thirst of the men.”
Some of his first mate’s ire was changed to curiosity. “Do you think they’ll give us another one?”
Encina tossed the paper back onto the table.
“We fetched three of their people, and only lost this one because of that damned pirate. I doubt they’ll find anyone else willing to take such risks and have such success, even if they offered twice the gold.
” He shook himself and looked up at his sailor. “When will we reach port?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
“And the provisions?”
“Will last us that long, and a few more days beyond that.”
“Have any of the birds come back with replies?”
“Nothing, but we don’t expect them to reach some of the ports for a few days, captain. The only one close enough to have reached it is perhaps Azur Bay. That reply should come in a day or two.”
“Very well. Leave me.”
Amador bowed his head and slipped out of the cabin. A heavy silence fell over the room as Encina stared at the damage report. The corners of his lips were tense, and he tapped a few fingers against the table.
“That damned pirate doesn’t know what he’s done. . .” he murmured to himself. He balled his tapping hand into a fist. “But I guarantee he will learn the consequences.”
It was at that moment tat a cold chill slipped into the room. Encina tried his best, but a shiver ran through him. The candle on the table beside him was snuffed out, sending the room into near-total darkness. He stayed still, waiting for the inevitable arrival of the messenger.
A black mist slipped through the cracks of the rear windows and flowed across the floor to the table.
Encina’s face paled as the fog floated up and formed itself into a hunched figure.
The frayed edges of the person still wriggled like mist, and if one were to look closely under the hood, they would see a fathomless nothingness.
And then they would go insane.
Encina turned his face away, but kept the corner of his eyes on his ‘guest.’ “I expected you hours ago.”
A slithery, scratchy voice floated out of the empty hood. “The Master is very displeased.”
The captain scowled at the creature. “Does your master know everything that happened?”
“The Master does not accept excuses.”
“Dealing with Captain Marcus Torvus is no excuse, it’s dealing with the fury of the elements themselves.”
“Your told us you could handle any situation.”
“And I was told I would have no difficulties with capturing this woman,” Encina countered as he sat up. “She had no connections to this realm. Nobody knew she even existed, and yet Torvus knew we had her in the hold. How?”
The shadow swayed and its voice grew harsher. “You are blaming the Master for your failure.”
“I’m pointing out that your organization is talented at placing spies, but not so much at weeding them out yourself. Perhaps you should investigate the matter before bothering me about your failures.”
The frayed edges flowed faster like the rattle of a snake. “You speak too freely, mercenary. The Master will not be amused by your sense of humor.”
“Then perhaps your master shouldn’t send his messenger boy to bother me about old mistakes when I’m trying to make amends.”
The creature cocked its hood to one side. “How?”
He waved his hand at a half dozen cages on a table set against the wall. They were all empty. “I have my own messengers sending a call out to my own spies. They’ll find the woman, and then I’ll completely the job I was given by delivering her to you.”
The creature swayed side to side. “I will inform the Master of your actions, and you will be judged.”
“I’d rather be given another job.”
“You will not be given another job.”
Encina lifted an eyebrow. “Why? Your master doesn’t trust me anymore?” He leaned his elbows on the table and risked facing the creature. “Or is it because he has all the tools he needs?”
The shadowy figure slithered backward. “I will pass along your message, mercenary, but mind yourself. You may not like the reward your curiosity brings.”
The thing dropped back into mist and disappeared behind the glass.
Encina’s eyes flashed with a fiery light. “Damn them, and damn you, pirate. You’ll all pay for making a fool of me.”