Evocation

Chapter 13- Dead Ends

Lorcan:

We docked on Parmenia about an hour ago. The crew had a different air about them today. They seemed lighter and aloof. They all woke up with smiles on their faces, ready to move forward. I guess I should be grateful to Echo. But I'm not. I spent years trying to support her and in small ways, fix her. That makes me sound like an asshole, I'm aware, but I saw the potential for her to be a great captain and wanted to nudge her in the right direction.

Turns out, she didn't need me at all. She needed to be fucking Daegan and Fenix.

God, I sound like a jealous bastard. I guess I am. We all set foot on Parmenia and I expected Echo to run off with the first man who looked at her. Yet we're all sitting at a tavern table together, like a big happy family.

I have to admit, I'm enjoying myself. The crew is relaxed and sitting back, enjoying the moment for the first time in a long time. I think I even caught Dean almost smiling. Almost. Echo's doing a great job balancing her interactions with all of them, listening to them take turns speaking, and she gives them a genuine, productive response. And the way she's leaning over in that red top? She's fucking gorgeous.

Her fuller figure is coming back and I hate myself for noticing. Her breasts are full and fall half out of any low-cut top in an enticing way. Her hips sway when she walks, even when she's stomping around in a mood. She's just fucking sexy, and I see why the locals at every port approach her. I understand why Fenix is in bed with her, even after how she has treated him. She's beautiful.

I shake my head, looking at Daegan who is enthusiastically telling a story. I hope nobody noticed I was just ogling my captain. We've been on land for only an hour and I'm already feeling different. Usually I'm more on edge when we dock somewhere because I have to play babysitter for Echo, making sure she's buying and trading what we need before we have to leave. Maybe I've just gotten burnt out being on sea, but as soon as I stepped off The Evocation, a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I feel more optimistic and less irritable. I don't think I'd be able to tolerate sitting at a table with Echo for this long, anyways.

Echo waves over at the man behind the bar and points to our drinks. She's ordered rum for everyone but me and her. I'm surprised she's not drinking, but she has been paranoid about meeting with Alastair, the gangster who wants the Skull Gem. Regardless, it's been nice not being the only sober person for once. I'm still shaken up by Echo giving me a bottle of cider last night. She's been keeping me on my toes and I don't like it. She was a bad captain before, but at least I knew what to expect. She was erratic and wild and harsh, and in it, she was predictable and safe.

A drunk man slowly slinks over to our table and I am shocked how he effortlessly approaches Echo. The average man is usually intimidated by us dirty pirates, hesitating before getting too close. He's a handsome guy, but Echo is out of everyone's league by a mile. I tense up, worried that Echo is going to go up to his room or follow him home like she usually does. Echo loves a man with confidence. I glance at Fenix and Daegan nervously. They've been infatuated with Echo since we rescued her. Are they about to have their hearts crushed?

Echo gives one of her fake, complacent smiles at the drunken man, then turns back towards Dean and prompts him to finish his sentence that was interrupted. Playing hard to get is not new for Echo. The man places a hand on her shoulder and leans down, whispering something into her ear. She turns to him, her smile turning awkward.

"No thank you, I'm here with other people," Echo says shortly.

The man eyes us all, sizing up what he thinks is the competition. I smile, showing him my sharp canines. I'm not intimidated by him and I want him to know it. I'm going to protect what's mine.