Chapter Three Brugo

T he stupid merman is just coming to as I hear the approach of others outside. I slap him again, watching as his eyes open briefly at the shock of the contact of my flesh against his, then the roll back of them as the whites greet me and he slips back into oblivion once more.

Cautiously, I step up to the door, placing myself flat against the wall so that I am hidden should it be Reeve and the others returning. My stomach churns as I think about that. It can't be them, for that means Mabel has failed. And I simply can't wrap my head around that possibility. No, Mabel's plan must have worked.

"Quick, get her inside," a deep voice growls. I don't quite recognize it but something about its gravelly tone is familiar.

"We need to go!" Fenn shouts as he rushes through the door.

I breathe a deep sigh of relief when I see the scallywag grinning at me.

"Been having some fun, I see," he continues when he sees the state of the person in the chair.

The merman had surprised me when I entered what I thought was a deserted ship. Imagine my surprise when I couldn't find Zeklan but, in his place, was a merman.

The man had attacked as soon as he saw me, but he was no match for an orc–especially considering he was landside and upright on his legs that are rarely used while under the water. I had him captured and halfway to being tied to the chair when Fenn jumped in to help.

I still have no idea where Zeklan is but, judging by how relaxed Fenn is, I am hoping he has some answers for me.

"Zeklan?" I ask.

"He's safe," Fenn replies. "Mabel too, but we need to go. Shit has happened that I don't even quite understand at the moment."

"Mabel?"

"She needs a thorough fucking, but she's fine too."

His words worry me but I'm happy to leave this cursed ship if it means I not only get answers but can sink down into my woman as well.

Leaving the merman behind, I dash out the door, following Fenn quickly as we rush above deck. The satyr moves quickly, his hooves clicking furiously across the wooden deck as he rushes for the gangplank. As we run, I scan the beach, looking for danger but there is none as far as the eye can see.

As we hit the pier, our pace quickens on the flat surface now that we don't have to fight the bob of the sea under the ship. I want to overtake Fenn but hold back. I assume we are heading back to our ship, but I need to stay close. I need all my energy for running, not talking. Plus, Fenn is only little, he will need my protection should trouble arise. I'm not still mad at him, not now that he has helped with securing the boat and the merman left behind to protect it.

The sand slows us down and I continue to glance behind, wondering exactly what we are fleeing from. I can only assume the king and the others are close behind me but, every time I look over my shoulder, I see nothing behind me. I want to ask Fenn what's going on but, also, I want to reserve my breath. Plus, our own boat is not that far ahead, and I will get answers then, I am sure of it.

We just have to get there first .

I don't think about that. Of what might be putting the wind up the sails of the satyr but my mind drifts to the voice Mabel and I heard in the sands. Maybe that's what we're running from. Maybe it was a smoke demon we heard. The thought makes me run faster and I notice I am edging in front of Fenn. I slow but only marginally as the sand kicks up behind us and we battle against it to maintain a good speed.

While I was hesitant when we first moved our vessel closer, I am glad for it now. It was reckless being so close to the main pier, but I am glad Mabel backed Fenn when it was suggested we might need a quick getaway because it is definitely worth all the worry I had that we might be in danger from being so close.

With the first sight of the boat, I have a renewed vigor and I can tell Fenn does as well. I can barely keep up with him as he gallops along the sand in a majestic manner. While he is covering a great distance, he somehow makes it look elegant, even as he canters, then slows to a trot as he approaches. Me, on the other hand? Well, I run just like an orc, all arms and legs pumping as my feet slap down heavily into the sinking sand.

As Fenn dives into the water and starts swimming the short distance to the vessel, I notice a disturbance as something breaks the surface of the water.

Not something. Someone .

I actually let out a growl of relief when I see Zeklan break the foaming surf. He looks pale and haggard, but he is strong as holds on tight to the little hellcat that is our woman.

She comes out swinging, regardless of the fact she has just been below the surface for the gods only knows how long. As I hit the water and splash through the waves, Zeklan narrowly escapes being punched in the face by Mabel. I chuckle even as I turn to glance once more behind me. I can't wait to get on board the ship now and make sure Mabel remembers each and every one of us.

And then it hits me. We made it. We somehow managed to use Mabel as bait and rescue Zeklan without anyone getting hurt. Well, not any more than Zeklan already had been, but that couldn't be helped. Even though our plan went directly sideways from how we expected, it still somehow worked out in the end. Although, because I was left behind on the boat, I am still not entirely sure how.

As I close the distance between the shore and the boat, my long legs still touching the bottom of the seabed, I see a great gray cloud rise over Mabel, covering her as Zeklan drags her onboard. I call out but the wind has picked up and my voice is lost to the vast ocean.

Another stolen glance behind also shows Reeve and the others have finally made an appearance.

I was obviously too quick in assuming we were safe just because we reached the boat.