Page 39 of By the Flames of Her Fury

“He spouts some hogwash about a better future, tellin’ people they can be ‘elevated beyond this life,’” Sommers mimicked, doing a frighteningly accurate imitation of Mortep. “And people say I’m crazy.”

Starke and I shared a look. That was the first I’d heard of Mortep trying to gather people to his side. But what for? To ‘elevate beyond this life’? What did that even mean?

“When was the last time you saw him?” I pressed.

Sommers paused, taking another long drag of ale before slamming it down. Brown liquid sloshed over the top and landed on the table. “Three weeks, maybe. Took another group of people ‘n disappeared.”

“He took them?” Odessa asked with a gasp.

“Well, it was their choice. He gives his pretty speeches and people flock to him like birds.” Sommers took his other knife and spun the blade on the wooden tabletop. “We never see ‘em again.”

Three weeks ago. Probably the same time he foraged the Twin Tides burial ground. I just barely missed him, again.

“How often does he come back?” I asked.

“Depends. Sometimes a couple months.” A demented grin flashed on his features. “Once he’s plucked all his little birds and needs more, I reckon.”

Ice crept through my veins. Little bird. Mortep’s voice caressed my mind, freezing me.

Starke jumped in, seeming to notice my momentary silence. “Do you know where he stays when he’s in town? Any other places he frequents?”

Sommers shook his head. He went back to picking his teeth with his fingernail. “Never seen ‘im in the same place for long. That’s all I’ve got for you. Consider us square.”

Starke’s nose twitched. “Fine. Thanks, Sommers.”

The three of us stepped away, my thoughts churning and questions rising, when Sommer’s scratchy voice caught my attention again. “The eternal flame,” he threw at us. I whirled around, forehead pinching. “I just remembered. That’s what your man was always going on about. Lighting the eternal flame.” He pointed his dagger at Starke. “Now you owe me, boy.”

“The eternal flame?” I shook my head. “What does that mean?”

The man shrugged, but to my surprise, Odessa’s face went ashen. “It can’t be,” she whispered in a shaky voice.

My heartbeat quickened. “Odessa, what’s wrong?”

She gripped my arm, fingers as cold as ice. “I—I think I know what it means. I know what Mortep is looking for.”

17

Vera

Odessa refused to talk until we went somewhere more private. The three of us made our way out of the Dead Man’s Chest and down the streets, back toward the dock. Billowing fabric hung between windows of the stacked buildings above us, and the sounds of boots on cobblestone and coins clinking in pockets mingled with the conversations.

Starke led us through the crowds and clouds of smoke until we reached the ship, and we clambered back aboard. I was practically vibrating with the need to know more. Patience had never been my strong suit.

Starke opened the doors to his office on the quarterdeck, guiding Odessa to one of the chairs in front of his desk. “Are you feeling alright, Odessa?” he asked.

She nodded. “I’m fine. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause a fuss. I was just…I was caught off guard.”

“You said you know what Sommers was talking about,” I started. “That you know what Mortep is looking for.”

Odessa twisted her lips and looked down at her fingers. “It was that phrase he said, the ‘eternal flame.’ I’ve heard it before, from an old legend my parents passed on to me. But I never believed it could be true.”

“That what could be true?” I urged.

“Vera, let her breathe,” Starke cut in.

“No, it’s fine,” Odessa said. “I should have connected the dots when we were researching in the archives room. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before, Vera.”

Her big, golden brown eyes peered up at me from behind her spectacles. I softened at the look on her face, then reached to take her hand. Physical touch still wasn’t something I was comfortable with, but Odessa and I had taken each other under our wings, in a way. I had a soft spot for the girl.