Page 118 of Accomplice to the Villain

Evie

Evie Sage had only seen the Lilac Sea once as a child.

It had been on her sixth birthday, the sky had been clear of any clouds, and the funniest little birds had swooped down to steal a piece of her cake. Her father had yelled to shoo them away, kicking up sand as he went, face red with anger, but Evie hadn’t been angry at all.

When her father slipped away with Gideon to fish, Evie cut the largest piece and snuck over to the little cove where the gray birds flapped and cooed. She’d slid down the rock to dip her toes in the water, thinking she’d never seen anything so purple.

“Excuse me?” She’d cautiously attempted to get the birds’ attention. All at once, they had turned toward her, ready to launch at the frosting-covered pastry in her hands, and then halted. Perhaps remembering her angry father tearing after them, scaring them.

Evie hated to be scared.

“It’s okay.” She’d smiled, dropped to her knees. The sand was soft beneath the thin dress she wore. “There’s enough for all of us.” Ripping off a piece, she tossed it to the nearest bird. It crept forward and snuck a bite, and Evie saw that a large notch of feathers was missing on its left wing—a wound that had never healed. “Did someone hurt you, little bird?” she asked, her soft heart squeezing painfully.

The bird hopped forward, pecking lightly at her palm, so she gave it another piece and it nudged its head into her hand. “My mama says scars are signs we’ve lived bravely.” She stood and curtsied. “You are a valiant guard to me.”

She’d spent the rest of her birthday feeding the birds and watching the Lilac Sea ebb and flow, so open, so mysterious.

It was the best birthday she’d ever had.

Although this one was proving to be the most interesting.

Evie, Trystan, Tatianna, and Clare rode down to the docks, hoods over their faces for anyone who looked too closely. They couldn’t afford to be stopped again. Kingsley was growing less and less respondent, and in turn the boss was growing less and less patient.

They’d made it to the docks, riding in silence the whole way. Evie entertained herself by watching Tatianna and Clare exchange longing glances back and forth. The midday sun was hotter this close to the coast, and she felt it burning against her bare arms as she dismounted and handed her reins to Trystan, who didn’t spare her a glance as he flicked a coin to the local stable hand to keep them safe until they returned.

“His ship will be toward the end of the docks,” Trystan said gruffly, staring forward.

“How will we know which is Tati’s father’s?” Evie asked, angling her head curiously at a nondescript ship with a group of men hooting and hollering at the five of them as they passed. Trystan grabbed her gently by the shoulders and moved her to the other side of him, away from the boat, and made a strange noise in the men’s direction.

The men fell silent and averted their eyes.

“Sir…did you just hiss?”

“No. I had something stuck in my throat.” His voice was strangled as he nudged her forward. “Keep going. You’ll know the boat when you see it.”

“What do you—”

Ah, of course.

The boat was pink.

“I can’t believe this is happening.” Tatianna groaned into her fingers, and Clare tentatively brushed a hand across her shoulders.

A boisterous voice called from the crow’s nest above, which was gilded in gold and light-fuchsia hues. A man jumped down, tall and muscular, removing a jacket that was, well—also pink. “Angel bird!” A ramp lowered to the dock, and the man sprinted toward them, then lifted Tatianna from her feet and swung her around…and she allowed it. “I’m so happy to finally be able to commit a crime with you!”

He removed his bright hat, which had a few feathers stuck into it, and held it to his chest. His face was handsome and graced with age lines, his head completely devoid of hair, brown skin glistening with sweat from the heat.

Tatianna groaned. “Daddy, you’re not committing a crime.”

Tatianna’s father winked at the rest of them, holding up a hand, mock whispering, “But I’m at least an accessory, right?”

Evie choked on a laugh and, when Tati turned to glare at her, stepped closer to Trystan’s side.

“Clarissa!” He kissed both of Clare’s cheeks, and she beamed at the man she’d known for most of her life. “Are you two back together yet?”

“Dad! Gods damn it all,” Tatianna screeched. “I’m boarding the ship. Tell me when we’re leaving.” Tati trudged up the plank and hopped aboard, her attire matching the exterior. Clare gave Tatianna’s father a big hug and followed quickly after the healer, as if pulled by an invisible string.

The older man turned his attention on Evie, his brown gaze warm, his smile inviting. “Evie Sage, I take it?” He grabbed her hand, and Evie waited with expectation for a handshake or a bow. What she did not anticipate was the man pulling her into his arms and hugging her with the familiarity of family. “Oh, what a joy it is to finally meet you. Tatianna writes of you so often, I feel as if I know you already! Another daughter to add to the roster, to be sure. I’m Jones, but I let the kids call me Jellyfish Jones. So may you.” He laughed at her confused expression. “They found it amusing when they were young, after I got stung.” He winked at her, smelling of the sea and something warm she couldn’t place.