Page 61 of Folds
It takes a lot for me to keep awake while I wait for the men above to go to bed. The moon rises, stars pop out, and still they gamble and sing. After hours, they stop, one by one trudging off to sleep. A few lanterns hang around the ship, but none light the ladder. The last thing I need is to be spotted scaling the side completely naked or slipping and falling into the damn ocean.
Carefully, I climb to the top and peek over the railing. Two men are gathered around a barrel on the bow and another at the quarterdeck, probably searching the waves for danger. Three are easier to deal with, easier to seduce, than a whole host of them. I need the man Nock up here, though. I’d rather not have to sneak down to the hull to find him.
A burst of laughter echoes through the night, and the man at the bow turns.
“Perfect,” I whisper, a smirk pulling at my lips.
As long as the captain stays in his quarters and Nock doesn’t make much noise, I’ll be on and off the ship without anyone the wiser. When Nock spins around again, I slip over the edge and drop onto the deck.
The gods must be smiling on me, since I find a pair of trousers and a loose-fitting shirt stuffed behind a keg. They’re stiff from the salt in the air, but they’re better than nothing. I tiptoe up the stairs and hide from the gamblers behind one of the masts. I doubt they’ll spot me across the ship. Nock hasn’t noticed me, even though he’s a mere three feet away. So much for being a lookout.
When he finally does turn, he jolts back, reaching for his sword. His cry of alarm sits on his tongue, then dies a silent death. I force a sultry smile to my face, and he glances around as if it’s meant for someone else.
“You...how did you...where...”
I give him an exaggerated pout. “You stopped chasing me.” I skip closer and run my finger down his chest. “So, I had to chase you.”
As he stares into my eyes, his confusion melts into captivation. Once I’ve fully ensnared him, he’ll give in to me easily. As long as he doesn’t try to stab me, that is.
He reaches for me and I skip away.
“Wait. Don’t go,” he whines, his hand outstretched.
I lean against the railing, trying to make my stolen clothes look sexier than they are. Not that I need to, now that I think of it. He’s already caught in my web. I just need to weave the strands a little tighter before choking them off.
He stumbles toward me, his thin lips parting. I struggle to focus on his face with his unibrow and bulbous nose taking up most of it. His eyes are so close together he almost looks like a cyclops. It’s hard to concentrate on what I should be doing. It’s even harder when his stubby fingers land on my hip and he crowds into me.
I put my hand on his shoulder and dig my nails into his threadbare shirt. Positioning my knee between his legs, I hope I don’t need to launch him over the edge by his balls. It’ll only make this more difficult.
“Will you give in to me?” I whisper.
“Yes,” he breathes.
A slow smile creeps up my face, and I lock onto his eyes. I lean closer, our lips almost touching. Focusing on his eyes, I pull in a deep breath. An acidic taste washes over my tongue as his soul leaves him. This is the worst part and I’m glad it doesn’t last long. Swallowing his immoral essence has nausea bubbling up my throat.
I pull back to watch the moment his gaze goes blank. He won’t fight, won’t fuck, and certainly won’t live. I ease his knife from his belt, making sure he doesn’t react. It’s easy to switchplaces with him. Even easier to press the tip of the blade to his throat. It’s the same weapon he threatened me with.
“Men like you don’t deserve the skin you’re given. The gods don’t look kindly on those who prey on others.” A pinprick of blood blooms on his dirty skin. “You’re never going to do that again, are you?”
Woodenly, he shakes his head. I glance over my shoulder to make sure the other two haven’t taken notice of our exchange. They’re still drinking and slapping down cards. I might not have to deal with them, but if I do, it’ll be easy.
I turn back and swipe the blade across his throat. A gurgling noise leaves him, nothing else. He tips over the railing and I close my eyes. I count, only reaching six before a splash echoes through the darkness.
I could have taken him over myself and pulled him down to the depths. Would have made a larger splash, though. More chance someone would have heard and investigated.My shoulders droop and I drop his knife over the edge. I have no use for it.
After so many years living like this, I no longer find pleasure in it. At first it was exhilarating. I probably shouldn’t have felt that way. I was supposed to be devastated I was cursed. Except after being betrayed, I needed anything but devastation. I was already broken and the curse gave me purpose. Maybe it wasn’t what the gods intended. Maybe I should have wallowed longer. Taking out my rage on pathetic men helped more than I ever thought it would.
Now, I’m just tired. The high of the chase wears off quickly, and I no longer find satisfaction in sending them to the gods to be punished. I feel like their hunter, doing their dirty work for them. And I don’t even know how to break the curse. I was never privy to that information.
Sighing, I face the rest of the ship. The two men huddle next to each other. I cock my head, thinking they’re kissing until twin curls of smoke rise over their heads. I should retreat down theladder and disappear into the night. Instead, I pick my way across the deck, dodging ropes and rigging.
Once I’m close, I hide in the shadows and strain to hear what they’re saying. At first, they’re bragging about their prowess last night, which probably means they’re all lies. I do find out the taller man is named Bosco and the shorter, Ward.
“When are we going to put the plans into motion?” Ward mumbles, leaning over the railing as he faces the open sea.
“We have to get Smitty out of the way first. Or plan on taking them both out at the same time.” Bosco lets out a long stream of smoke.
“Same time would be better. Then Captain won’t catch on.”
