they discover Evelyn, which I doubt, they’ll leave her alone while she’s on board.”
I shook my head, “Once she disembarks, all bets are off. They won’t let one of their targets go, not that easily.”
“You’re right, but it’s better than nothing—and when the Shadow Pope says something, it’s law. We both know that. She’ll be safe enough for now. I told her to enjoy the cruise while she could. She’s more interested in seeing you, but if the Inquisition does spot her…”
“She’d end up leading them right to me, which would really make things awkward, especially when they piece together I was on the team sent to kill her. Still, Evelyn’s the one at real risk.”
“Which is exactly why I’ll be getting both of you off the ship tonight. I’ve charted our course as close to shore as I can. Once most everyone has gone to sleep, I’ll launch a jet ski for you two. Evelyn can swim, and she’s assured me she’s strong enough to handle you if you run into trouble.”
I shivered at the thought of ending up in the ocean, with or without help, scuba gear, or a life jacket. “Beats sinking the ship with my brother on board.”
Zachary chuckled. “Knowing you, you’ve been beating your head against the coffee table for the past few hours trying to avoid any plan that might involve any risk to him whatsoever. I know you. You protect what you think is yours, and he’s your twin, for all you have a couple of inches on him.”
“Identical in all ways except that,” I muttered.
“All right. Here’s what we’ll do,” Zachary said, smoothing out one of the blueprints on the table. He pointed at the cargo bay. “It’s not on here, but there’s a launch rig in there not too far over the water line. The trick will be getting you down there unnoticed, but I have an idea on how to handle that. I brought one of Max’s uniforms. So long as it sort of fits, once dinner starts in about thirty minutes, you’ll make your way down to the cargo bay. A lot of people will be moving around, and it’s easy for a crew member to get lost in the crowd. I brought a set of keys so you can access the lower floors.”
“That might work,” I replied, considering the best way to get to the cargo bay. “All right. Got one of those nice caps the other crew gets to wear for me?”
“You better believe I do. Keep your brim down and your head ducked and you’ll be fine. Look busy and in a hurry, and you’ll match the rest of the staff. After things settle down, I’ll send Evelyn along with something for you to eat so you don’t starve to death while waiting for your ride out of here. I’ll be along sometime between one and two in the morning. There’ll be a concert on the other end of the ship, which should prove enough of a distraction to prevent anyone from noticing you leaving.”
“That’s a much better plan than what I had. Did I mention that mine involved walking the plank?” Despite everything, including the lingering remnants of my headache, I laughed.
“I’m fairly certain Evelyn would kill me if I made you walk the plank. To answer your question, yes, I do have a sword. Yes, I do have a pirate’s hat. Maybe I’ll wear them tonight for the fun of it. I dress up as a pirate at least once every voyage. The passengers love it.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
Zachary grinned at me. “You’re a lucky man, Boss. She’s a territorial woman, and she’s decided you’re hers. She’s going to give you lots of trouble.”
I scowled at how pleased my friend sounded about that. “Is that so.”
“It is so. Once things settle down, send word to me, and I’ll marry you two as I said.”
“You’re making assumptions again,” I grumbled before I sat straighter. “What about your witches? What are they going to do with so many Inquisitors on board?”
Getting to his feet, Zachary bumped my shoulder with his fist. “They’ll be fine. They’re all assigned to the night shift and will work
I shook my head, “Once she disembarks, all bets are off. They won’t let one of their targets go, not that easily.”
“You’re right, but it’s better than nothing—and when the Shadow Pope says something, it’s law. We both know that. She’ll be safe enough for now. I told her to enjoy the cruise while she could. She’s more interested in seeing you, but if the Inquisition does spot her…”
“She’d end up leading them right to me, which would really make things awkward, especially when they piece together I was on the team sent to kill her. Still, Evelyn’s the one at real risk.”
“Which is exactly why I’ll be getting both of you off the ship tonight. I’ve charted our course as close to shore as I can. Once most everyone has gone to sleep, I’ll launch a jet ski for you two. Evelyn can swim, and she’s assured me she’s strong enough to handle you if you run into trouble.”
I shivered at the thought of ending up in the ocean, with or without help, scuba gear, or a life jacket. “Beats sinking the ship with my brother on board.”
Zachary chuckled. “Knowing you, you’ve been beating your head against the coffee table for the past few hours trying to avoid any plan that might involve any risk to him whatsoever. I know you. You protect what you think is yours, and he’s your twin, for all you have a couple of inches on him.”
“Identical in all ways except that,” I muttered.
“All right. Here’s what we’ll do,” Zachary said, smoothing out one of the blueprints on the table. He pointed at the cargo bay. “It’s not on here, but there’s a launch rig in there not too far over the water line. The trick will be getting you down there unnoticed, but I have an idea on how to handle that. I brought one of Max’s uniforms. So long as it sort of fits, once dinner starts in about thirty minutes, you’ll make your way down to the cargo bay. A lot of people will be moving around, and it’s easy for a crew member to get lost in the crowd. I brought a set of keys so you can access the lower floors.”
“That might work,” I replied, considering the best way to get to the cargo bay. “All right. Got one of those nice caps the other crew gets to wear for me?”
“You better believe I do. Keep your brim down and your head ducked and you’ll be fine. Look busy and in a hurry, and you’ll match the rest of the staff. After things settle down, I’ll send Evelyn along with something for you to eat so you don’t starve to death while waiting for your ride out of here. I’ll be along sometime between one and two in the morning. There’ll be a concert on the other end of the ship, which should prove enough of a distraction to prevent anyone from noticing you leaving.”
“That’s a much better plan than what I had. Did I mention that mine involved walking the plank?” Despite everything, including the lingering remnants of my headache, I laughed.
“I’m fairly certain Evelyn would kill me if I made you walk the plank. To answer your question, yes, I do have a sword. Yes, I do have a pirate’s hat. Maybe I’ll wear them tonight for the fun of it. I dress up as a pirate at least once every voyage. The passengers love it.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
Zachary grinned at me. “You’re a lucky man, Boss. She’s a territorial woman, and she’s decided you’re hers. She’s going to give you lots of trouble.”
I scowled at how pleased my friend sounded about that. “Is that so.”
“It is so. Once things settle down, send word to me, and I’ll marry you two as I said.”
“You’re making assumptions again,” I grumbled before I sat straighter. “What about your witches? What are they going to do with so many Inquisitors on board?”
Getting to his feet, Zachary bumped my shoulder with his fist. “They’ll be fine. They’re all assigned to the night shift and will work
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