Cousin’s charms sang. Kraken and Gabb were in mortal peril. It was all she could do to stay still. Most of the crew were back. The watch was relieved. Cousin stayed on deck. Something was coming. She could feel it in the waves that touched Haven.
The charms went silent. Whatever the danger, it was over. They survived. Cousin gripped the stones until impressions dented the palms of her hands. Her breath came in short bursts.
“They’re fine,” Ghost said coming up beside her. Ghost had only spoken to Cousin twice before in the time she had been on the ship. The first was after her first battle when she ended up fighting back to back with him. He had said, “Thanks.” The second was after her memory came back, and she told the crew. He had come up to her later and said, “Don’t care.”
Cousin looked at the man made of shadow and sinew.
Ghost looked into the shifting depths of Cousin’s eyes. He felt at home in her gaze. “They set a trap. They knew about the men following. The Captain is good at this.
Cousin blinked tears. “I know.”
“You’re still not sure what losing him would mean.”
“No,” she said. “No, I know what it would mean. That’s what scares me most.”
Ghost looked out at the ocean. “I can swim shadows like most swim through water. I’m not a wielder. I’m not sure what I am.” He looked back at Cousin. “This crew saved me. I don’t talk much, drink much, game much, but without this crew, I am only an animal. That is what I am without him, without them. What are you?”
Cousin looked at the docks knowing no one would be there. “I. I am not sure I have a word for it.”
Ghost shifted, a flowing motion like silk in a breeze. “We are here. We will be here. You only need to stay.”
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