Wicked Path (The Daath Chronicles Book 2) (23 page)

“Oh, hello Rika.”

Rika’s head tilted to the side. “You know me?”

“Of course.”

I shook my head, urging Jeslyn to be quiet. “This is Rika. She’s going to help with your hair.”

Rika gave a courteous nod.

“We’ll be traveling by sea, make sure her hair is suited for travel.” I handed Rika a few coins. “For your troubles.”

“No, trouble, sir.” Rika’s gaze lingered a moment longer than it should have.

“Very good. I’ll return shortly.”

Dressed in oak-brown breeches, a sandy shirt that buttoned to her chin with a line of ruffles down the middle, black boots reaching the mid of her thighs, and a wide brimmed black hat, Jeslyn was still stunning—though not nearly as delicate.

A sailor may think twice about mistaking her for a vulnerable lady.

Rika had done an excellent job of turning Jeslyn’s hair into a more suitable design, much better than Jeslyn chopping it off. Three braids hung from her head, off to the side.

“Satisfied?” Jeslyn placed a hand on each hip.

“Ruffian attire suits you well.”

She sauntered to me, a stern look in her icy eyes. “If you cross me, I’ll kill you.”

I held in my laughter. “Of course, my lady.”

kept my head low as we walked to the ship, afraid a sailor would recognize me. Lucino had given me a hat to blend in, but I felt like I stood out. Many sailors knew me. After I had searched for shells, I would often visit the docks and ask the men questions about the sea and boats, watching them unload their wares at sunset. Would they stop us if they recognized me? Did anyone know what happened to Grandfather?

I searched for Grandfather’s boat and for Beckett, but saw neither. Did Beckett know of the kidnapping? Had he left? While we walked, I thought of asking some of the sailors, but if Lucino knew where Grandfather had been taken, I had to trust him, even though I didn’t want to.

The shop would be closed, and after a day or two, Ms. Gen would come to see why I hadn’t visited her for bread. A few more days, and she would worry and send word to my father. I didn’t want my family to worry, but there was no time to send word myself. My parents would be frantic if they learned of our disappearance, especially when Avikar had yet to return home. The thought made my chest tighten with sadness.

For all his foolishness, I wished Avikar was here with me. He would find Grandfather and I wouldn’t need Lucino’s help.

“Lucino,” I said. “We need to stop somewhere.”

“There’s no time.”

I grabbed his arm. “If I don’t tell Ms. Gen about Grandfather, she’ll send word to my family. I need to let her know I’m okay.”

He stopped. “And you think she’ll let you run off with me?”

This was an argument I wouldn’t let him win. I dug my fingers into his arm. “We’re going.”

“Very well.”

Backtracking away from the docks, we arrived at Ms. Gen’s just as she opened her shop.

“Jeslyn,” she said with a smile. “Here for your morning bread?”

“No.” I ushered her inside. “Grandfather’s been kidnapped.”

“What?” Ms. Gen’s hand went to her heart. “When? By who?”

“I don’t know, but we have a lead.” I touched her arm. “I’ll find him.”

Ms. Gen shook her head. “You can’t go after him. What if you get hurt? Oh, Harold…”

“Ms. Gen,” Lucino said. “I will protect Jeslyn. There is no need to be afraid. Watch over the shop and tell anyone who asks that Harold and Jeslyn have gone on a voyage.”

A blank expression appeared on Ms. Gen’s face and she nodded.

“Let’s go.” Lucino grabbed my elbow and turned me around.

“Have fun on your voyage!” Ms. Gen said, smiling.

She wore a genuine smile, and I wondered how she could possibly be happy at a time like this.

Lucino remained in the form of the dark-haired boy, Edward. In the tavern, he hadn’t changed, and I didn’t necessarily want him to, but every time I glanced at his dark hair, I wondered why it wasn’t blond. Lucino’s natural hair color reminded me of the golden honeysuckles near the lake. He still wore the dusty breeches and worn-in attire, striding across the docks as a regal bird.

We stopped at a ship with three large masts—one of the merchant ships that transported goods to the western shores. I never ventured near the merchant ships. The men there were brasher than the local sailors of the harbor were.

The captain stood on the dock yelling out orders and checking off a list. Lucino approached him.

“Hello, Captain.”

The captain examined us with sharp gray eyes. His white, scraggly beard hung way past his chin. He looked over Lucino and then his eyes found me. “That’s your sister?”

“Yes, and here’s our fare.” He handed over a small leather bag, which the captain inspected.

“Del!” The captain shouted at a young boy who jogged over to us.

“Yes, sir!”

“These two are joining the crew. Show them their quarters and assign them swab duty.”

Del nodded, and the captain walked off to yell at another sailor.

“I’m Del.” The boy had kind hazel eyes and shaggy brown hair. His smile reminded me of Avikar.

“I’m Edward and this is my sister Rose.”

“Nice to meet you both.” Del walked up the plank and we followed.

Since I’d arrived in Luna Harbor, I’d wanted to sail on a ship. Grandfather had promised me I would accompany him on his next journey. Nervousness trickled through my body. What if someone discovered the truth about why we were on this voyage? Grandfather told me stories of captains dangling stowaways and scallywags from the bowsprit and using them as squid bait. The giant squids in the deep waters were rumored to have a taste for humans.

“I didn’t pay passage to work,” Lucino complained.

“Everyone works.” Del slapped Lucino’s shoulder. “And if you do your job well, Captain might take you off swab duty.”

I covered my mouth, holding in a laugh at Lucino’s aggravated expression. I’d enjoy watching him work. He probably never dirtied his fingernails in all his life.

Men glanced as I passed, but only briefly. They were more concerned with preparing the rigging for voyage, and darted back and forth across the deck. The travelling outfit I wore had a small hole in the breeches and, covered in dust, was far from my normal attire. The change filled me with exhilaration. Under this guise, I felt free. I could be a different person—do things only my brother could do.

The ship was bigger than Grandfather’s pearl boat or the larger ship he sailed west. Men hauled barrels of unknown contents below deck and I watched in awe at the massive masts, wondering when the white sails would unfurl and take us away. Heights never frightened me, and I hoped I’d be able to see the view of the seas from the crow’s nest.

Del took us below to the cargo hold, stuffed with barrels and crates. No bed, no blanket, no place to rest your head but the sodden wooden planks. A rat raced by, disappearing behind one of the wooden drums and I cringed.

“You’ll sleep in here,” Del said. “Cook rings the bell at first light. You get to the galley and eat or you’ll miss out, and working on the ship, you’ll need the strength.”

Del closed the door and brought us up to the orlop deck, showing us the galley and sickbay. The musty smell of sweat and salt permeated everything, very different from the wistful beach air.

When we returned to the upper deck, the ship was beginning to set sail. Sailors let loose the rigging holding us to Luna Harbor and unfurled the sails, all the men working together in a unified rhythm. Some of the sailors reminded me of the drunkards who hung by the tavern and some reminded me of Grandfather.

Sickness twisted my stomach at the thought of what Grandfather must be going through. I had seen no signs of Beckett. Why would someone take Grandfather? No one but Beckett knew about the map, and Beckett would never betray him.

Lucino’s hand guided me past a burly sailor who appeared as tall as my father, but much meaner looking with a black beard and a lazy eye. We walked to the railing, out of the way of the busy men. Del left us and we stood alone watching the sea.

“It should take us two weeks to reach the western shores,” Lucino said. “From there we’ll pick up the trail.”

Would we be able to save Grandfather? What would happen after we rescued him? I still didn’t understand what Lucino wanted from me. Hadn’t he caused my family and me enough pain? Why couldn’t he just let me be?

It didn’t matter. Saving my grandfather was worth anything Lucino planned. I just had to find the strength to endure it.