Chapter 33
Leo
Maddie and I had stolen a couple of Shattered Crown uniforms, stiff with salt and blood. Mine itched like hell, but I didn’t complain. Not when every second counted. Not when Elira might be somewhere on this godsdamned ship.
We’d snuck aboard under cover of chaos— battle-smoke still trailing in the sky like a curse. No one questioned two more soldiers barking orders, moving crates, blending in. Not yet.
Maddie moved beside me with practiced precision, her chin tilted at that perfect arrogant angle she’d seen on enough guards. Her violet hair was tied back and hidden, her uniform half unbuttoned. I’d sourced a couple of helmets, but with Maddie being so small, it wobbled slightly on her head.
I hoped it wouldn’t be too obvious.
We kept to the lower decks, where the shadows were thicker, the questions fewer. My heart thundered as we passed rows of chained prisoners—soldiers from Frostwatch. Civilians. No Elira.
“We check the officers’ cabins next,” Maddie whispered.
I nodded. My fingers itched toward the dagger hidden under my coat. If she was here, we’d find her. If she was hurt—
Gods help whoever stood in our way.
We rounded a corner—and stopped.
Two Sentinels stood talking outside the captain’s cabin door.
My gut twisted.
Maddie gave me a sharp nod—ready. But I grabbed her arm before we could move.
“Too risky,” I murmured. “There’s no opening. We’ll come back. We need another way.”
We backed off and circled toward the galley.
I caught a whiff of food being cooked. I caught a whiff of food being cooked—apparently pillaging worked up an appetite.
Maddie shot me a look—half irritation, half nerves. “If anyone asks, I’m mute,” she whispered.
“Brilliant,” I muttered back. “Maybe I should be deaf.”
She smirked, but it vanished the moment a soldier rounded the corner. We both stiffened.
“Oi,” the guard barked, “you two—why aren’t you helping with the cargo shift?”
Maddie straightened. “Captain Vasquez gave us orders to reinforce the south hold,” she snapped, in that clipped voice she’d practiced. “There’s been an issue with the prisoners.”
The soldier blinked. Hesitated. Then grunted. “Fine. But they’re getting twitchy up there. Stay sharp.”
We nodded and strode past him, hearts pounding. I let out a slow breath once we were clear.
“How did you know that would work?” I asked.
“I didn’t,” she whispered. “But assholes love being reminded they’re not in charge.”
We wound our way through the narrow halls, boots thudding in sync. The ship was enormous—three decks, and too many rooms for our search to be quick. But I could feel it.
“She’s not on this ship,” I said under my breath.
I couldn’t explain it—just a hollow weight where hope should’ve been.
Maddie didn’t argue. She just nodded and kept moving.
We approached the galley, where a bowl of what looked like slop and bread was being prepared. Maddie reached into the bag hidden under her uniform and pulled out a couple herbs.
“Distract them,” she hissed.
I stepped forward straight away, bumping into the soldier carrying the slop. The slop swirled and spilled down his shirt.
“Look what you did!” he growled, reaching for my collar.
“Sorry, sir,” I clipped out. “Here, I’ll serve up while you clean up.”
The soldier grumbled. “You bet your ass you will. And you’ll do the dishes too.”
“Of course, sir,” I snapped.
The cook left the room, and Maddie darted forward, sprinkling a concoction into the mixture. “Whatever you do—don’t eat the food,” she muttered.
Maddie’s hands moved quickly, her face set with grim precision. She dusted the powdered herbs into the slop like she was seasoning a meal, then stirred in smooth, practiced circles.
“It’s fast-acting,” she said under her breath. “Not immediate—but close. Ten minutes, maybe. Less on an empty stomach.”
I nodded, adjusting my mask and straightening up just as the grumbling cook returned. He barely spared us a glance before picking up the tray and marching off toward the main deck, muttering curses about lazy bastards and extra duties.
We followed at a distance.
The mess hall wasn’t far. Half a dozen Crown soldiers were already seated by the time the food was laid out. More filed in by the minute—tired, hungry, unsuspecting.
I watched the first few spoons go down.
“Now we wait,” Maddie whispered beside me, her hand resting near the hilt of her dagger.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
One by one, the soldiers began to slump in their chairs. Some twitched. One let out a muffled groan before collapsing face-first into his bowl. Another staggered to his feet, made it two steps, then crumpled to the floor with a heavy thud.
It was eerie—quiet, slow. Like watching a curtain fall after a long, brutal performance.
I moved first.
“You know,” I muttered as we got to work, “you’re a little terrifying sometimes.”
“Naw.” Maddie grinned. “Thanks, buddy.”
We moved fast, hauling the unconscious soldiers out through the side hatch to the lifeboat we’d prepped just in case. One by one, we slid them overboard—not unkindly. We weren’t monsters. The lifeboats would carry them back to shore eventually. They’d wake up pissed. But alive.
Maddie tied off the last lifeboat and gave it a gentle shove. “They’ll wash up on the beach fine,” she said.
I turned toward the helm, eyeing the wheel. “You think you can pilot this thing?”
Maddie gave me a flat look. “Better me than you. How’s your stomach?”
“Fine,” I grumbled.
My stomach swirled unhappily in response.
“Really?” she said flatly.
“If I puke, I’ll aim for your shoes.”
“Nice.” She glared. “Okay, I doubt Elle’s here—but we need to check the whole ship.”
“I’ll go check the prisoners. Maybe one of them knows how to actually sail a boat. If not, we can send them off on a lifeboat too.”
“Your faith in me is awe-inspiring,” Maddie drawled.
“Hey, I know you’re awesome, Mads—but everyone has limits.”
She jabbed a finger at my ribs. “Look who’s talking. Go.”
I nodded. I already knew what I’d find—but I had to be sure.
Room by room—I searched. The brig. The captain’s quarters. Storage. Empty. All of it.
No sign of her.
She wasn’t here.
I met Maddie on the bridge, where she was already setting the course away from the rest of the fleet.
“She’s not on board,” I said, voice low. “They took her somewhere else.”
Maddie didn’t flinch. Just tightened her grip on the wheel.
“Then we find out where.”
I turned to the sea, jaw clenched, wind raking through my hair.
“I’m coming, Elle,” I whispered. “Wherever they’ve taken you—I’ll burn the ocean down to get you back.”