But the five to the captain’s right are different. They’re all kind of young-looking compared to most of the crew, and unlike some of the crowd, their eyes never leave Santa Elena. Something sets them apart—some favor of the captain has elevated them to this position.

It seems like they’re her protégées. It’d explain why Swift is such a showoff.

“You’re quiet,” Santa Elena purrs. She hauls herself upright and stands, the dress falling elegantly around her ankles as she steps from the dais and approaches me. “I’d imagine you’re bursting with questions. Can’t hurt to ask them.”

I’m not going to give her the satisfaction of my curiosity. I wonder why I’m here, why the Reckoner trainer was the only one worth kidnapping on a ship that carried so many wealthy tourists, but the first words that leave my mouth are “What happened to the Nereid ?”

“Depends. If someone responded to the distress call, there’s a very large chance that the passengers will be rescued before the ship sinks. If not … ” She doesn’t need to finish the sentence. The devilish smile that spreads across her face tells me everything I need to know. “And we killed the crew that resisted, of course. We have to be efficient about these things.”

“What did you take?”

I catch the slight twitch of her upper lip, see her resist the urge to sneer at me. “You. Cash, and a few finer goods. Food, to replenish our stock. No electronics—we don’t want anything that could be sending out a signal. The dress is new. Do you like it?”

I draw my lips tight. My wetsuit is drying out and starting to itch, and I have to fight to keep myself standing as still as possible.

“When I ask a question, I’d like you to answer, Cassandra.” She lashes out and grabs the collar of my wetsuit, dragging me toward her until I’m staring up into her deep brown eyes.

I can’t blink. Not now. “It’s beautiful,” I tell her flatly, and it isn’t a lie.

Her fingers go slack, and as she draws back, I notice a tattoo of a small fish over her heart. Santa Elena doesn’t miss the way my eyes travel. This time she really does smirk. “Like it? Every loyal member of my crew has the ship’s namesake inked on their body somewhere important. See, for me this ship is my life, my beating heart. So my Minnow is right here.” She folds a hand over her breast. Her smile turns goading. “Maybe you’ll earn yours someday.”