Chapter Twenty
David jogged down the halls, oblivious to the security cameras mounted in every corner of the building. While he was protected by the invisibility spell, he didn’t have to worry about being caught. He just needed to be sure not to touch anything and be out before the magic wore off.
Two men chatted in hushed tones in an open conference room. David moved inside, standing a couple of feet away. It didn’t take long to realize Pokey had been right. This was the lair of the Serpent Society. Once he had control of the Grail, he could send a team in to sweep the place, but he would need to move fast. The Serpent Society would vanish under the radar and move again if they realized Department 13 had discovered them.
He followed the men out of the conference room, choosing to pursue the one who kept mentioning their “leader.” When he rounded the corner at the end of a long gray hallway, David found himself staring at a middle-aged, balding man with a thick goatee and round bifocals with thin silver frames.
This wasn’t the same man who killed David’s father. That man would’ve been more than one hundred years old now. But being this close to the heart of the fanatics who stole his father from him, leaving him cowering in the shadows, brought back a hunger for revenge that battled against his lifetime of training as a special agent.
David clenched his fists, struggling to keep still. If he broke the invisibility spell by touching someone, he’d be outnumbered.
He hadn’t come this far to lose.
The man behind the desk closed his laptop. “Did you call others for the meeting tomorrow night?”
“Yes,” the younger guy in the hooded robe answered.
“Good.” The older man leaned forward. “Be sure the package is intercepted and brought back here to the vault.”
The other man frowned. “You told us the temptation was too great.”
“Yes, but I’m afraid it’s a risk we must take.” The older man folded his hands. “If the location of the Grail were discovered before the fire took Brother Kyle and Brother Isaac, then there’s no time to waste. We can’t lose that relic.”
“All right.” The younger guy didn’t look completely convinced. “We don’t know which package contains the cup.”
“You will lead one group to Tubby’s, and Thaddeus will take another to Tybee Island. The boxes are not to be opened until you’re all safely inside these walls.” He narrowed his eyes. “Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
David’s pulse thrummed. They were going to bring both packages here tomorrow night. He could tip off the pirate crew and have them steal the boxes without the government being implicated in the sticky situation. Nothing could expose a top secret division of the government as fast as a tenacious sheriff’s department investigating a robbery.
Biding his time in the corner, David wished he could force his will onto the younger man. His time was running short. Finally, the man turned to leave the room, and David slipped out behind him as the door swung closed. Getting out of the building was going to be tricky. As soon as he touched the door handle, the spell would be broken, plus he’d have to make it past the security cameras. Unless he got lucky to slip out the door with someone, he was going to have to break the spell and run.
The hallway was deserted. Minutes ticked by. Shit. Across the hall, the door to the men’s room was propped open. He ducked inside. After checking the stalls, he ground his teeth. Empty. He was racking his brain for another idea when a man in a hooded robe came in and went to the sink.
David caught him in a sleeper hold, his reflection suddenly filling the mirror. The robed man struggled, landing an elbow into David’s gut, but David had a good six inches of height over the wriggling robed man. He wasn’t about to let him go.
Gradually, the man went limp in David’s arms. He quickly removed the robe and left the unconscious man propped on the toilet seat. He put on the robe and, taking a deep breath, he lifted the hood over his head. The robe was too short, but no one would be able to identify him by his pants legs, and at least his face would be hidden from the security cameras.
Tipping his head down, he opened the door and stepped into the hall. He didn’t hesitate, walking straight out the door and into the night. Once he was inside his car, he sent a text to Colton.
Tell the crew the Serpent Society will have the Grail in their main building tomorrow night. Keegan knows where it is. Once you have it, I’ll meet you on board the Sea Dog.
He shrugged out of the robe and drove away. With any luck, he might get some sleep tonight.
…
Charlotte stared up at Keegan. “You’ll wake me if anything goes wrong.”
He sat on the edge of Colton’s bed and nodded. “I’ll be right here, love.”
“Good.” She sighed as she closed her eyes. “I hope this works.”
She did her best to clear her thoughts, sinking into a light meditation like she had with her dad. Once her heartbeat slowed, she imagined the bow of the Sea Dog. Nothing happened. Shit. Nerves and doubts blossomed in her mind.
“Who are you protecting?” Keegan whispered in her ear.
She frowned without opening her eyes. “I’m not protecting anyone.”
He replied, “This has only worked when you needed it. It’s not for show.”
Keegan was right. She slowed her breathing as the realization dawned. This demonstration was to earn her a chance to drink from the cup. He was willing to give up his immortality for her, but if she could take a sip with the rest of the crew, they could have eternity. So in a way…she was defending Keegan from having to face death again.
Her limbs tingled. She opened her eyes to find herself staring down at her body on the bed, Keegan holding her hand. It worked.
Her spirit slipped out through the window, and in the blink of an eye, she was on the forward deck. Flynn was talking to the crew about plans. She moved closer, reaching out to flip his hair.
Nothing. Damn it.
Fear clawed its way out of the shadows. What if she really was dangerous? She could kill a man, but she couldn’t mess with them to let them know she was among them. It didn’t make sense. She should be in control.
The night in the barn, she’d seen the man point a gun at Keegan, and the emotion powered the hay hook across the space to stop him. The realization settled heavily on her shoulders. She had to remember she didn’t have a physical body. Right now, she was pure energy and emotion, nothing more.
She focused on Flynn as he turned to Colton. “I think we’ve waited long enough. I have an appointment with a new investor from Reno in the morning. I can’t afford to sail all night waiting for a magic trick. If you don’t call Keegan back here, I will. We need to make a plan.”
Colton glanced at Skye and then back to the captain. “If Keegan says Char can be an asset to this crew, I believe him.”
“Please.” Flynn chuffed. “Our ship’s pilot has always thought with his pants more than his brain.”
His comment sent a hot flash of rage through Charlotte, sparking her power. The door to the galley opened, and One-Eyed Bob came out with a tray full of hushpuppies. She focused on Flynn, and suddenly a hushpuppy flew off the tray, nailing the captain right between the eyes. All around the group, jaws dropped, and a few snickers escaped the crew.
Flynn frowned, glaring at the cook. “Are you fucking with me, Cook?”
“Wasn’t me, C-Cap,” Bob stammered, gripping his tray tight with both hands.
Two more hushpuppies took flight, hitting Flynn’s chest. The snickers stopped. They all looked around. She needed something else, something a pirate could respect. She scanned the crew, stopping at Greyson Till. The master gunner had his handguns holstered at his waist, but she didn’t trust herself with a gun. Farther down, she noticed the cutlass. Perfect.
She focused all her energy on the dagger. The blade slid free and shot across the circle of men to land with the tip embedded in the wooden deck right between Flynn’s boots.
Colton shook his head. “It’s gotta be her.”
Good enough. Suddenly she was back in the bed, gulping down air as she sat up. Concern lined Keegan’s face. “All right, love?”
She nodded slowly, a grin tugging at her lips. “I did it.”
…
Keegan walked hand in hand with Char, surprised to see his crew applauding their approach. The only one not joining in the revelry was the captain. Keegan’s gaze shifted to Flynn’s boots. Greyson’s cutlass stood between the captain’s feet.
Keegan raised a brow, meeting Flynn’s cold blue eyes. “Good thing Char didn’t want you dead, mate.”
Flynn crossed his arms. “She still doesn’t have my vote.”
“Don’t be an asshole, Captain. You know she could help us get the Grail.” Colton pulled out his cell phone and frowned. He lifted his head to address the crew. “Agent Bale said the Grail will be back with the Serpent Society tomorrow night. Keegan knows the building. He wants us to make the grab, and he’ll meet us on the Sea Dog once the deed is done.”
“Fuck,” Flynn growled. “Then we need to find it tonight.”
“Why?” Keegan shook his head. “I’ve seen the building. It’ll be a simple job for us.”
“Have ye all forgotten how to think like pirates?” Flynn narrowed his eyes. “If we play the agent’s game, we’ll be at his mercy.”
“How so?” Colton crossed his arms. “He agreed to let us keep the cup.”
“Aye.” Flynn scanned the group. “And I say what better way to get us to do his dirty work? His ‘word’ is meaningless. He takes orders from men we’ve never met. And if they tell him to take the Grail before we’ve taken our swig, he has weapons and agents to do just that.”
Keegan hated to admit it, but the captain had a point. Agent Bale wasn’t crew. They had no way to know if he would follow through on his word. “If we screw him, he’ll come after us.”
Flynn nodded, meeting Keegan’s eyes. “That’s why we’ll get the cup tonight and take a drink before he knows we’ve retrieved it. Then we can let him know we altered the plan, but we have the Grail either way.”
Colton stepped into the center of the men. “First, we vote on adding a new member to the crew, then we’ll make our plans.”
Keegan raised his voice. “Adding Skye to our crew has helped us chase our treasure, and Char has the power to protect us while we bring it back.”
Cheers erupted from all but Flynn.
Colton quieted the crew. “I’ll count the votes, yay or nay.”
One by one, Keegan’s crew voted to make Char one of them. Finally, Colton reached Duke, Flynn’s first mate. The big man’s dark eyes flicked to the cutlass at the captain’s feet and then back up to his face. He turned to Colton, his deep voice rumbling as he nodded. “Yay.”
Keegan squeezed Char’s hand, waiting for the final vote.
Flynn plucked the cutlass from the wood, pointing the blade in Char’s direction. “One question for you. Are ye willing to spill blood to protect yer crew?”
She lifted her chin, her tone steady. “I already have.”
Flynn pulled in a slow breath, inspecting his reflection in the blade of the cutlass. He started to nod as he handed the blade back to Greyson. “Yay.”
Keegan laughed, pulling Char into his arms. She grinned up at him with a chuckle. “Never in a million years did I imagine I’d be part of the crew of the Sea Dog.”
“We’re lucky to have you, love.”
Keegan released her as Colton approached and offered her his hand. “Welcome to the family, Dr. Sinclair.”
“Call me Char.”
John Smyth came over and shook her hand with a grin. “You still owe me a favor.”
She rolled her eyes. “I know, I know.”
Keegan rubbed his chest over his long-dormant heart. Damn, he loved this woman. As long as he’d lived, he never realized how much he could care for someone, and unlike Jess, this time the trust was a two-way street. He had no secrets from Char.
Flynn cleared his throat. “We have a long night ahead of us. Best we eat and lay our plans.” He turned to Duke, lowering his voice. “Save me some food. I need to send an email to reschedule my meeting with Aren Sloan. I want this connection with Sloan Consulting to work.”
Keegan assumed that must be the investor from Reno who Flynn had mentioned. He didn’t trust his captain when it came to business propositions, and he didn’t feel a trace of guilt for eavesdropping.
Duke raised a brow. “He already flew out to Atlanta today.”
“I’m well aware. I’ll have Carol give him a tour of our commercial properties in the city. She can buy some time.”
Duke crossed his arms. “If this deal is that important, you should go handle it. We don’t need your help to steal the Grail.”
“No.” Flynn gritted his teeth. “Sloan has investors lined up who are looking to expand on the east coast, yes, but his influx of cash isn’t going to buy me immortality. This is more important right now.”
Flynn got up, apparently finished discussing it. He took out his cell phone as he walked away toward the stern.
Keegan pulled his attention back to the rest of the crew, enjoying Bob’s shrimp and hushpuppies with Char. When Flynn returned, he laid out his plan for retrieving the Grail. Since they had no idea which package contained the Lord’s cup, they’d have to hit both Tubby’s River Street and Amick’s on Tybee Island at the same time. If they tripped alarms, the police would be busy at two locations while the crew brought both parcels back on board the ship.
Keegan shook his head. “One problem, mate. Tybee is a good half hour drive from River Street with only one way back here. If the police get involved and close the roads, we won’t be able to get to the Sea Dog.”
Flynn raised a brow. “Then you’ll have to find a place to lay low.”
Keegan rolled his eyes. Tybee Island wasn’t a big city like Atlanta. Hiding out wouldn’t be so simple.
Before he could explain it to the pompous ass, Colton spoke up. “Keegan’s right. Besides, Tubby’s isn’t far from here. It wouldn’t be safe to keep the stolen package on the Sea Dog.” Flynn opened his mouth, but Colton raised his hand to silence him. “I say we go in pairs to retrieve the packages. The rest of the crew will prepare the sails. When we get back from Tubby’s, we set sail for Tybee Island. We’ll pick up the other two and then take the packages out to sea.”
Keegan nodded slowly. “Good plan, mate.” He glanced at Flynn. The captain was staring at Char with a calculating smirk. Fuck. Flynn was going to nominate Char to go ashore. Keegan angled himself in front of her, blocking the captain’s view. “I’ll go ashore with Colton, and John and Greyson can head for Tybee Island.”
Colton crossed his arms. “We’ve got a skeleton crew as it is. I need to stay on deck. Someone’s got to pilot the ship over to Tybee.”
Like a shark smelling blood in the water, Flynn struck. “Keegan’s lady can go inside the building without setting off an alarm. Why aren’t we sending her? She’s no help on the ship anyway.”
Char groaned and nudged Keegan aside. “I’m standing right here, and I’m far from useless.” She turned to Colton. “But he might be right about me being more valuable on land.”
“You can’t teleport a box out of a building.” Keegan tensed. “You’ve never stolen anything in your life. This is a bad idea.”
“You’re right, it is a bad idea. All of this is.” She rested her fist on her hip. “We should just wait until tomorrow night and pay the Serpent Society a visit like Agent Bale planned. There’s a much better chance of succeeding when we can focus on one location instead of two.”
Flynn bristled, shaking his head. “Then we take all the risk, and the government will claim our reward.”
“Fuck that.” Keegan raised his chin. “I’ll go.”
“And I’ll go with you.” Char slid her hand into his.
He frowned, looking down into her eyes. His voice softened. “Stay here. Be safe until I can bring you the cup.”
“You’re not bulletproof right now.” She squeezed his hand. “I saved you once already. I won’t get in your way, but if you’re in danger, I’ll be right there.”
Again, his heart stuttered. No one had ever cared so much for him. He brought his other hand up to caress her soft cheek. “You’ll stay behind me?”
“Until I need to be in front.” Rebellion gleamed in her eyes as her mouth turned up into a playful smile.
Keegan winked and looked at the others. “Settled, then. Char and I will head for Tybee Island.”
“Good.” Colton glanced at their master gunner. “Greyson, you and our clever boatswain will go to Tubby’s and get your asses back here as fast as you can. And keep your phones off. If the agent suspects anything, he has the resources to track our GPS. I’ll have the Sea Dog ready to sail for Tybee when you two get back.” Colton focused on Keegan and Char. “Then we’ll drop anchor by the lighthouse. We’ll send a dingy out to the shore. Meet us there.”
“Aye.” Keegan nodded.
“We just entered the mouth of the Savannah River.” Caleb interrupted the meeting. “If we don’t let out the sails and dump some of this wind, none of your plans is going to work.”
Keegan hustled to the helm, while Colton barked out orders and the others shot up the ratlines. Char took it all in, drawing a smile from him.
He called over to Colton. “Quartermaster, who is rowing in to the dock?”
The dingy would be lowered to the river with two men, who would climb up to wait on the dock and catch the lines to tie the Sea Dog in place.
Colton shouted over the wind. “Duke and Drake are manning the boat ashore. Why?”
Keegan replied, “If you take the helm, I’ll help Char toss them the monkey’s fist.”
“Aye.” Colton chuckled, turning to Char. “You’re officially crew now.”