Cousin spent the next hour in Kraken’s cabin writing out personalized protection charms for the crew designed to absorb any and all hostile energy used against them, then redirect it at the will of the owner.
Kraken called each man in one at a time to receive his charm, papers locked into a small bottle on a cord. Gabb came last to get his. He took it, kissed Cousin on the check and went out without a word.
Kraken laughed until Cousin slipped the cord of his charm over his head. He looked at the little bottle with its scrap of paper. “It doesn’t feel like anything.”
Cousin nodded. “Wasn’t that the idea?”
“Make yours, then we’ll talk about the ship. I’ll get you some food.”
Cousin watched Kraken go then moved to the mirror. Her face had become thinner. Her skin was more luminescent. Her eyes looked bigger and her ears pointed ever so slightly. “I look like one of them,” she said to her reflection. “One of the Masters.” She returned to the desk and wrote her charm with a blank mind. She folded the paper and put it in the bottle. Sliding the cord over her neck, she smiled. No matter her look she was home.
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