Coggler's Brood (Work in Progress)

Chapter 10

By the flickering light of the lanterns I line Ms Steenkamph up in the sights of a pistol. "The treacherous..."

"Hey, Anabella," Jack charges into my field of fire, "where did you come from?"

"From below. No one ever looks down."

Damn. I maintain my stance, hoping Jack will move aside.

Instead he stays doggedly between me and my target. "What are you doing Anabella?"

My only chance now is to take her out with a sword—the very weapon she took from an assassin in a duel. Still, given the choice between a hanging or a skewering, I'll take the blade any day. I leap to my feet, holster the pistol, and charge past Scud and Magnus, who are both standing like useless geese.

Anabella slices through more rigging on the bow. "Did you really think you could escape in this bucket? With just the four of you? You need my help."

I swarm up the fore-deck ladder and draw my sword. With a crash, a pulley block smashes to the deck at my feet . I instinctively duck. "We were doing just fine," I yell back, "until you abandoned us."

I elbow Jack aside and throw myself at the pirate. Our swords ring as they clash. With my free hand I slip the pistol from its holster and snap the cock into ready. I whip it up level with Ms Steenkamph's head. Then stop.

Anabella's pistol is hovering in front of my own face—point blank. Damn, she's fast. Lamplight reflects off her grinning teeth and she lowers her sword. "Just checking out our escape route."

"I guess it's blocked then," I spit. "Otherwise you would be gone." I try to circle her, to get my face in the shadows. That way I might be able to get the drop on her and shoot first.

Anabella stands firm and follows me with her pistol—she knows that trick.

Instead, I back away.

"The Shonti Bloom has been purloined by a posse of parasolled ladies with pistols." Anabella announces.

She's teasing, but the news does cause me to pause. Why would Mother take Anabella's ship? Unless of course she already knew Ms Steenkamph was in prison with me. It's another of her elaborate traps.

Then Jack steps between us. "Anabella's smart, Nina."

He's never called me smart, not to my face anyway—perhaps he doesn't think I am. To my mind, Jack has taken an unhealthy liking to Ms Steenkamph.

"There's no way we can escape on this airship with just the four or even five of us. We do need her help."

I ignore him and address Anabella, trying to distract her. "What would the Daughters of Gaia want with you?"

"You know these terrorists? These Daughters of Gaia?"

Jack's stays put.

"I have an acquaintance."

"I figure the similarly dressed lady at the jail, with the Sheriff's keys, might have been a ploy to trap us. She leads us to my ship, then they pounce."

I give her the nod, but I maintain eye contact. "That would be their style."

Jack, careful to keep his body between Anabella and I, turns to face the pirate. "Nina has something they want," he says, giving away my trump card. Why doesn't he keep his mouth shut?

Anabella raises her eyebrows and lowers her pistol. "Want enough to trade for my ship?"

MY SHIP. I hope I didn't just say that out loud. I'm still looking for a way around Jack with my pistol. One shot is all I need. "I'm not giving it up."