The flash of humor was a good sign. Austin helped Ian from the alcove and turned her over to Zavala, who asked if she was hurt.

“No, thank you. I can walk on my own.” She took a few steps and had to reach out for Joe's arm for support.

They climbed up to the aft deck. Even the fresh air and sun couldn't dispel the black cloud that hung over the ship. Ian sat on a coil of line, blinking her eyes in the sunlight. Zavala offered her a flask of tequila he carried in his pack for what he said were medicinal purposes. The liquor brought color back to her cheeks, and signs of life returned to the impassive eyes. Austin waited patiently for her to speak.

She stared out at the water in silence. Finally, she said, “They came out of the sea."

“Who did?”

“The killers. They came at dawn. Most people were in bed.”

“What kind of boat did they come on?”

Unknown

“I don't know. They were just... here. I never saw a boat.” Once the plug was pulled, the story poured out. “I was sleeping, and they came into my room and pulled me out. They were dressed in strange uniforms, baggy pants and boots. They killed my roommate, shot her without warning. I could hear gunfire allover the ship.”

“Did they tell you who they were?”

“They didn't say a word. They just went about their business as if they were killing cattle in a slaughterhouse. Only one of them talked."

“Tell me about him.”

She reached out with trembling hands and took another swig of tequila. “He was tall, very tall, and skinny, almost emaciated. He was pale, as if he never saw the sun, and had a long beard and hair all matted as if he never combed it.” She wrinkled her nose in disgust. “He smelled, too, as if he hadn't taken a bath in months.”

“How was he dressed?”

“All in black, like some kind of priest. But the worst thing were those eyes.” She shuddered. “They were too big for his face, round and staring. I don't think he blinked, They were like fish eyes. Dead with no emotion in them."

“You said he spoke to you.”

“I must have passed out. When I awoke, I was lying on my bunk. He was bending over me. His breath was so foul, it was all I could do not to vomit. The ship was quiet. There was only that voice, soft like the hissing of a snake. Almost hypnotic. He said he had killed everyone on the ship except me. They were leaving me alive to deliver a message.” Her body convulsed into choking sobs, but her anger helped her pull herself together and she continued. “He wanted NUMA to know that this was revenge for killing his Guardians and violating the 'sacred precincts.' He said he wanted Kurt Austin.”

“You're sure he called me by name?”