The sky hung heavy with storm clouds, bruised and brooding as if the sea itself had taken offense at the tension brewing on the deck. Rain hadn't started yet, but the air was thick with warning.
Seagulls had long vanished. The ship creaked beneath their boots, sails slack as the wind died down—unnaturally, like it was holding its breath.
Rian stepped forward, frowning, voice firm but bewildered. "What do you mean we're not going anywhere, Kalei?"
Kalei stood squarely in the middle of the deck, arms crossed over her chest, chin tilted in challenge.
Her tawny hair was damp with sweat, not yet rain, and her jaw worked as she answered with a sharp sneer. "I mean exactly that. We're not going anywhere. Not with them on board."
She jerked her chin toward Val and Yara.
Murmurs rippled through the crew. Val tensed subtly, stepping half a pace closer to Yara.
