It even covered Kalder in the water.
A gossamer shimmer rained down like a Spring shower.
William and Bart stared at each other with slack-jaws.
Credit: Courtesy Tor Books
Then they turned toward him for an explanation he couldnt even begin to give them.
Belle asked as she shimmied from the rigging and moved to stand beside him.
He had no answer for her, either.
Her eyes had lost all color to them.
Her lips as pale as her body as she whispered a barely audible prayer.
Even her hair had turned stark white.
The stark red, bleeding cuts triggered by the shattered windows provided the only color anywhere on her body.
Yet the strangest part?
Glass hovered in the air around her, forming the illusion of glittering wings jutting out from her back.
William drew up short behind him and cursed.
What manner of creature is she?
When Bart stepped around them with a raised sword to attack her, Devyl stopped and disarmed him.
Shes not our enemy, Mr. Meers.
He returned the sword.
he repeated Williams question.
Youve lost me, Captain.
Devyl carefully closed the distance between them before he took the medallion from Camerons hand.
Cameron blinked twice as if waking from a deep slumber.
With a fierce grimace, she glanced between them.
Is the fighting over?
Bitterly amused, Devyl released a tired breath as he rubbed his thumb against the searing medallion.
No wonder Menyara had sent her to them.
Damn that interfering bitch for it.
He glanced to his men over his shoulder.
It appears we needs amend our earlier answer to the lass, Mr. Death.
and what answer be that, Captain?
There are no humans aboard this ship, at all.
Cameron gaped at him.
Do you remember anything from the last few minutes?
Her scowl deepened as she cast her gaze around as if seeking an answer before she shook her head.
Handing the medallion back to her, he closed her fingers over it.
You are born of a Seraphs bloodline, lass.
And this trinket of your brothers is the proof of it.
Id been hoping I was wrong with my earlier assessment.
Sadly, I wasnt.
He stepped back as he contemplated what it all meant.
The good news is, since you had no idea of your familys origins .
They didnt kill him, after all.
Cameron gasped as hope finally filled her.
Youre sure about that?
Bane nodded before he dipped his chin toward her fisted hand.
As weve all just seen, the medallion reacts to your blood when youre under demonic threat.
Had Captain Jack died, youd have been approached about replacing him in this fight by those he serves.
Since no ones come for you, hes alive without a doubt.
And that medallion is from his own sword that Im sure he inherited from one of your parents.
Camerons breath caught as she opened her hand to study the emblem more closely.
Never had she seen it in her parents possession.
She always said that it would pass to Paden on her death.
She bit her lip as she remembered something she hadnt thought about in years.
After her death, he never let me see it, either.
I never thought anything about that, until now.
Like her, he guards it with the strictest care.
Because of the power it contains, a vile beacon it be.
One that draws evil to it like a flame summons moths.
Devyl crossed his arms over his chest.
And to keep you safe in his absence.
What is this Seraph you keep mentioning?
Before Devyl could speak, a pale shimmering women appeared in the center of the cabin.
Gasping, Cameron shrank away from her.
The men, however, didnt blink.
They acted as if her ghostly presence among them was normal and expected.
Pale golden-brown, it was laced with strands of ice white not gray or any facsimile of gray.
It was a silvery, gleaming white .
like fey-locks that fell in unadorned waves to her waist.
Her black and white striped silk gown was plain, yet richly cut and elegant.
Obviously, she didnt fear splinters from the ship boards.
Almond-shaped, they were a deep amber brown.
She turned to face Cameron and offered her a kind smile.
No need to fear me, child.
I mean you no harm.
Cameron Jack, may I present you to our lady ship, Marcelina?
Cameron bowed to the noblewoman.
Its a pleasure to meet you, my lady.
Im not a lady, child.
You misunderstood Dus words, as was no doubt his intention.
She passed a chiding grimace toward Captain Bane.
Confused by that, Cameron waited for an explanation.
William laughed while Bart bit back a smile.
Devyl gave each of the men a chilling glare before he explained the ladys comment.
Mara is this ship we sail upon, Miss Jack.
Our warden in all senses of that word for this grand misadventure.
Perhaps this will help?
Marcelina posed herself like the ships figurehead.
Before Camerons eyes, she turned into the wooden piece from head to toe.
Holy mother of God!
Marcelina returned to flesh.
No need to panic, child.
As Du said, Im the guardian for all who reside here.
So long as you fall under my protection, I will do anything to keep you safe.
And ensure you have no fun whatsoever, Bart mumbled under his breath.
The captain elbowed him in the stomach hard enough that he doubled over.
Shaking her head, Cameron did her best to absorb all of this, but .
How is this possible?
How can she be the boat?
The smile returned to Marcelinas face.
I come from an ancient race.
We are the wood and the wood is us.
They were the gods and guardians of the forest, Devyl said.
Ever lurking among humanity and causing problems for us.
Excerpt courtesy of Sherrilyn Kenyon and Tor Books
