Chapter 31: The Hades' Revenge

The shriek of gulls and rustle of waves against the hull of a ship woke Charlisse. A warm breeze caressed her face, carrying with it the smell of salt and fish. For a fleeting moment, she thought she was still aboard the Redemption, safe with Merrick, and the past week had been nothing but a nightmare.

She peeked from beneath heavy lashes, and the smile on her lips faded as unfamiliar surroundings came into view. She was in a ship's cabin, but it was not Merrick's. The bed was round and twice as large as his. Gone were the leather chairs, the big oak desk, the bookshelves, and the Persian rug. In their stead were a few rickety benches, a large table covered haphazardly with maps, and a glass-fronted cabinet filled with muskets, pistols, and knives. Scattered throughout the room were empty rum bottles and food-encrusted plates swarming with flies.

Charlisse's heart sank. Scrambling to the oval window, she peered out and saw the harbor of Port Royal fading from view.