Page 80 of Saint
“I’d reevaluate that if I were you. In another year you’ll be begging the favor of traders like me.”
Oliver’s gaze sharpened, turning curious. “You’re a trader.”
“I am.”
“Is this about a trade contract? Because I’ve got plenty of those to go around.”
“It’s about coin. Three hundred and fifty-six coppers, to be exact.” It was the exact sum I would owe Henrik when I arrived in Dern.
“Copper,” he repeated.
“That’s right.”
“Why didn’t you say so? I’ve got plenty of that too.”
I nodded. “I’ll also need you to make sure theLunadoesn’t secure any trade contracts with the Gem Guild. And I’m making you personally responsible for seeing that this little gem sage trade between the Narrows and the Unnamed Sea goes away. For good.”
“I can’t possibly—”
“You can. And you will. Or you’ll lose that merchant’s ring and any chance you had at moving up in the guild.”
A tinge of red surfaced beneath his skin, his cheeks flushing over his beard. “How do you suggest I control every merchant in this city?”
“I think you’ll figure it out.” I set my foot on the ground, leaning forward. “And if you or anyone else touches that gem sage you had couriered from Bastian, I’ll cut the tongue from your mouth and feed it to the seabirds. Then I’ll tie you to the anchor and drag you over the nearest reef until the flesh is peeled back from your bones enough that no one in theNarrows will recognize you. You’ll live the rest of your days in Waterside, begging for the rotten fish the ships can’t sell on the docks.”
He paled, swallowing hard.
“Do we have an understanding?”
“I believe we do.” His voice cracked.
“Good.” I got to my feet, taking the time to button my jacket.
Oliver pushed his chair back, pulling open a drawer in the chest behind him and retrieving a purse of coin from inside. He set it on the desk between us. “Is there a designated time frame for this little arrangement?”
“Yes,” I said, picking up the purse and tucking it into my pocket. “For as long as it suits me.”
I was smart enough to know my leverage would lose its weight with time, but there was no telling how long that would take. By then, I’d have found other ways to make Oliver Durant and the likes of the Gem Guild need me. I was sure of that.
He let out a heavy breath, standing from his chair, and he hesitated before he extended a hand. But I didn’t take it. Instead, I turned on my heel, pacing back to the door.
“Happy to make your acquaintance, Mr. Durant.” And I meant it.
It wasn’t until I reached the stairs that I heard the fist slamming down onto the desk and the curse that followed. His husky voice was no more than a cracked whisper as I slipped back onto the street.
“Urchinbastard!”
30ISOLDE
The first day of my year on theLunabegan with birds singing.
I woke in the Pinch with the sunlight streaming through the window. The rain had finally broken during the night and the sea air swept through the city, bringing the sweet scent of a passing storm. I couldn’t find it in me to be sad or to dread what was coming. There was too much hope in me for what would come after.
I spent the early hours studying Saint’s map of Tempest Snare and making notes for him on a piece of parchment for which routes to try first through the jagged reefs. By the time I came back to him, he and Clove would be ready to dredge and we’d start turning over hauls in Ceros before anyone even knew what we were up to. We would keep them small and parsed out, not too much to draw attention, but in a fewyears’ time, we’d be commissioning a fleet to sail alongside theAster.
Saint came down the steps with one hand raking through his drying hair. His face was washed and his shirt was changed, but he still looked like he was taken right out of one of my father’s old books about the sea myths. If he were here now, he’d say that the sea was in the helmsman’s eyes.
A trail of mullein smoke drifted past the window, where Clove had a pipe clenched in his teeth. He’d been as quiet as Saint, getting up and dressed quickly before heading outside to wait.
