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"You don't mean to bring us to?—"
"That's exactly what I mean," Yakobba barked.
I didn't know who he was talking to. I didn't care. Rot, I was exhausted. Everything began fading. Darkness enveloped me. Yakobba held me with gentleness, as if he was holding feathers. He brought me close to his ribbed chest. A chill curled my toes as his last words trickled into my ears, his warm breath tickling the tips.
"We need to clean up this mess. Then we can head for Ashbone Island."
The pirate squeezed me one more time, leaning my head against his chest. I took a final breath, then tumbled into a bottomless black.
Chapter 17
Bargain With the Dark
YAKOBBA
"We made it, Cap."
I looked to where Engèli pointed and grunted in satisfaction. We finally made it to Ashbone Island. Blinking, I warred against my heavy eyelids. I hadn't shut them since we left the Serène Bergs four dawns ago. I wasn't sure how much longer I could push my waning strength. Skies. I needed sleep.
Pulling up to the shoreline was a relief. Grumbling spilled over the main deck as the crew floated around, collecting what they needed for us to drop anchor. Mindless chatter, with a load of bullrot gossip, rose to my hearing.
"Bloody ashes, we've reached the accursed island."
"You think the stories are true? You think he is really here?"
"I think the moment we step foot on that island, we're not leaving."
"Oh shut up, you lout. Captain Ashthorn has been here before, more than once, and he survived."
"Yeah, but his sanity didn't."
Engèli snorted. Loud.
He'd heard them, too.
"Rotting, superstitious, karraba eaters," I grumbled, folding my arms in annoyance. "Get these blue-backed, sea worms off my ship and working. We're here for three dawns. That's it."
Engèli nodded, eyes already scanning the crew members flying scatter-brained throughout the ship.
"I don't like this."
I whipped around and found Aisha floating by my side, pretty face contorted in a deep-set frown that made me nervous. Had she seen something? What did she know that we didn't?
I hadn't seen her since we boarded and made our journey. I couldn't even remember if I saw her during the battle with the Serène.
"Where the rot have you been?"
Aisha scowled, lifting her chin as she met my gaze, glare for glare.
"This entire trip is ballsy and stupid. I'm here because we go way back, and I was willing to do you this solid. Don't question me and my work or you can get to Azizi by yourself!"
Without another word, Aisha spun on her feels, pumped her wings twice, and flew down the ramp, across the deck, off the ship, and continued onto the island, until we couldn't see her anymore.
I wanted to break something.
"I'm telling you, she can't be trusted."
I didn't bother looking at Nyala. My patience was wearing thin. With all of them. Rot. I really needed to sleep.
