“As fun as it may be watching you try, could you please unhand my man?” Rylander wagged his head like a disappointed parent. “King Delphi does not want to take your ship. Nor do I. We want to join forces.”

My nose scrunched in disgust. “A truce? You want to work together?” My blood boiled that he of all people dared proposition my alliance. “Why? And for what cause?”

Rye gestured toward my hold on Lanard.

I shook my head, refusing to give up my only leverage.

It all happened so fast. Rye grabbed his pistol and fired before I saw it come free of the holster. My head lurched back from the force, and I dropped my stolen weapon. The handle clanked against the deck, out of reach. I sucked in air as the white-hot pain seared my skin. The gunshot and the pounding of my heart echoed in my ears.

Smitter grabbed Lanard and pulled him to safety. Screams and gasps from both crews were muffled by my racing pulse. Warmth and wetness coated my earlobe.

“You shot me,” I yelled, cupping my injured ear to staunch the bleeding.

“It’s a scratch. You’ll live,” Rylander deadpanned. He holstered his pistol. “I’d like your full attention. You’re burning time. Time that we do not have.”

Smitter tossed me a dark smile, a gold tooth glinting in the front of his mouth. His sun-kissed face crinkled like old leather.

“We want to end the War of the Sea, but we need something only your ship can offer.”

Ah, so that’s what you’re after.

The Freedom and its sailors were immune to the sea’s worst treacheries. With a crew composed mostly of women, we sailed any waters we wished, without fear of the vicious creatures known as sirens calling us to our deaths and consuming our hearts. We were two generations of salty females, skilled to fight pirates, steal treasures, and evade the songs of our enemy. Over the years, we’d become known as a refuge for women. We trained them, fed them, and gave them shelter when they had none. I’d grown up on this ship, wielding a sword at age nine, joining the crew at thirteen, and leading it at seventeen, after my father’s murder.

But the War of the Sea still affected us. Yes, we were immune to the seductresses below, and they hated us for it. They pilfered ships we pursued, killed the men we sought, and took treasures we coveted. In my darkest hours, I believed my lack of command had pitted the sirens against us. I couldn’t understand how my father had evaded them, and for that reason alone, Rylander’s offer piqued my interest, as much as I hated to admit it.

“And what can you trade in return for our assistance?” I raised a brow.