Arms folded, Vice blinked and looked up at Perry untangling The Morrigan’s lines from the Veritas. She shook her head and rubbed her face. “Sorry,” she muttered and climbed up. “I just”—she checked none of the crew was too close—“I don’t like it.” Sitting astride the bowsprit, she pulled herself along, closing in on the points where it was tangled with the Veritas.

“See, I wasn’t so sure.” Perry’s voice was full of arched eyebrow.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You look pissed as all hells about the Captain agreeing to speak to this Blackwood but …”

Vice paused, wrapping her legs around and turning to narrow her eyes at Perry. “But what?”

Perry cleared her throat and refused to meet her gaze, seemingly absorbed in separating the lines in her hands. “Well, you took your time patting down the man. When I said it sounded like he was good-looking, you could have told me that was an understatement. If I’d known, I’d have rouged my lips before meeting him.” She glanced up with a smirk, fingers still working the lines by touch. “I can’t blame you for enjoying it so much. Find him packing anything interesting?”

Vice scoffed and rolled her eyes before sliding along to the first of the snags. She wasn’t that affected by the whole thing. The rough hemp under her fingers was familiar and categorically non-sexual. Lips pursed, she let it consume her physical attention. “While you’re distracted by a pretty face, I’m far more concerned about the fact those two are holed up in FitzRoy’s cabin deciding all our fates.”

With a shrug, Perry’s gaze returned to her work. “And Bricus.”

First rope untangled, Vice dropped it and turned to Perry, open-mouthed. “What?”

“Bricus is in there, too. Captain summoned him not long after they shut themselves away.”

“What the hells? And you’re fine with this?” Prickling irritation shot down her neck and across her shoulders. “You’re the quartermaster—you should be in there.” What was FitzRoy thinking? Did he not give a damn what Perry thought? Much as Bricus was a cheery first mate, Perry was more important to the ship’s running than him.

“His ship, his choice.”

“That’s the problem.” Arms straining after two battles and all that use of her gift, Vice heaved herself to her feet. “And he needs telling.” She balanced her way back along the bowsprit and hopped down next to her friend.

Perry jumped, eyes wide when she looked up. “Wait, what are you doing? Leave him be, Vice.” A line formed between her brows. “Have you eaten since the fight, since your …” She wriggled her fingers.