Chasing the Lantern (42 page)

"There's not quite enough of either crew left to run the ship."

"Aye."

"I think, to make it back to Haventown, we're going to have to work together."

"Mhm-hmm."

They quieted again. An irritated shout came from up the deck. After a moment a lone scryn flew past the stern, a chrome hip flask in its maw. Fengel felt a moment of revulsion for the thing.

"Think there's something to that?" asked Natasha. She turned, leaned on the rail with one arm, showing him her bared throat and the low cut of her blouse. She blinked, long eyelashes fluttering.

He kept his posture ramrod straight. Then he sighed. "You're incorrigible."

"And you're stuck up."

He nodded. "Maybe. Maybe there is something to that."

"All right."

Fengel pondered a moment. "It would mean we'd have to truly work together. No more backstabbing. No more racing to get ahead. You'd have to stop caring that one of us is better than the other."

Natasha froze. Then she relaxed. "Same goes for you. A partnership. Equals."

There was mockery in her tone. Fengel frowned. He didn't trust it. He turned to face her fully, unconsciously falling into a quick-draw stance. He stuck out one hand.

Natasha rolled around to face him fully, yet still leaning against the rail. She put one hand to the small of her back. Ostensibly to support herself, more likely to put the dagger there close to her grip.

She took his hand. It was soft, between the calluses.

"Partners," he said.

They shook once. Fengel watched her eyes for the smallest hint of action, the smallest movement. They were golden, and very lovely. She watched him in turn, hunting for weakness, maybe admiring the curve of his jaw.

They did not let go.

END BOOK ONE

Acknowledgements

It's taken five years to get here. That's a long time, and there's no way I could have done it on my own. I'd like to thank my parents for fostering my love of fiction. I'd like to thank my wife, Shawna, for standing beside me and always giving me the most honest of critiques. Both of my first readers, Cheri Cross and Erik Hansen, have put up with a lot of bad writing over the years. To Willy Traub, Rachel Helmkamp, Harrison Paul, Laurel Amberdine; your input has been invaluable on this project. Thanks must be given to my editor at Indigo, Susan Defreitas, for all her hard work. And to Ksenia Mamaeva, thank you for your wonderful art.

Last, but by no means least, my Kickstarter backers. Thank you for your support and assistance, for being excited and interested in the work of a complete stranger. I hope this novel has succeeded in repaying your faith.

About the Author

Curious about me? Or my works? Learn more at www.jonathonburgess.com.