…
Greyson winced at Aura’s pained screams.
Yes, she’d broken his heart, and yes, he was pissed at her for being so fucking stubborn, but that didn’t change his need to protect her.
And there was nothing he could do to shield her from this attack.
He scanned the deck, taking in the destruction. The demon had jumped aboard before they could cut the lines securing the Sea Dog to the dock. Everything had gone to shit so fast. The fucking demon leaped onto the deck and sliced through the massive mainmast like it was made of paper instead of solid pine. The sails crashed through the galley.
Witnessing the destruction of the Sea Dog sparked a primal fury in his soul. Greyson was going to send this demon asshole back to hell or wherever he’d come from.
First, he needed to find Colton and Drake. If they were inside the galley with Bob, they wouldn’t heal like their cook. Fuck.
Greyson got up, freeing Aura so he could search through the wreckage for the two crew members who were too mortal for this battle.
He sensed her beside him before glancing her way. “Get below. There’s a lock on the armory door.”
She didn’t respond or move. All her attention was on the sword. Damn it. He waved his hand in front of her face, but nothing distracted her from the Tyrfing. It had to be messing with her head again.
He looked over at the demon, narrowing his eyes. The demon lifted his free hand, beckoning Aura to come to him. Greyson clenched his jaw. No way, not her. Fucking demon could rip apart the ship, but Greyson wasn’t going to allow him to destroy this woman.
Greyson bent his knees and hoisted her up over his shoulder.
“Put me down!” she shrieked.
Apparently, he’d broken the Tyrfing’s spell. “I’ll lock you away myself.”
“The fuck you will.” She reached up to her hip and drew her Glock. “Let me go or I swear I’ll shoot you in the ass.”
He wouldn’t put it past her, but he jogged down the last three steps. “I promised you your sword, and you’ll have it.”
“You don’t understand.” She kicked her legs, nailing a couple of bruising blows to his abs.
“Enough.” He dropped her on her arse in the armory. “I know that cursed sword is whispering in yer head. You’re not thinking straight.”
She started to open her mouth but seemed to change her mind. Shaking her head, she got to her feet, the anger draining from her features. “I’m the one he wants. I can save you, your crew, and what’s left of your ship.”
He should let her go, let her run into that demon’s arms, but he couldn’t. She might never love him. She might walk away with that sword and never look back. But she’d still be in the world.
His fucking heart couldn’t even contemplate the other option.
“My crew has survived longer than we deserve, and we’ll make it through this. Just give me some time. Stay here and stay safe.” He turned to leave, and she jumped on his back, knocking them both to the ground.
Her hands fisted in his braids as she whispered against his ear, “If he decapitates you, you’re not going to heal. I can lift the curse from that blade and end all this destruction. You can either help me or stay the fuck out of my way.”
He looked back at her over his shoulder, in spite of the painful grip she had on his head. “Since when do you give a shit what happens to me?”
She crushed her mouth to his, and he rolled over underneath her, clutching her tight to his chest, angry, hurt, and terrified she was kissing him good-bye. She pulled back and scrambled to her feet, her cheeks flushed with color, a fucking vision standing over him. He stood, ready to grab her before she could race back into the fight.
“I ran up those stairs to tell you…” Her words faded as the timbers overhead groaned and creaked. She grabbed his shirt with both hands and shoved him backward. They hit the wall as the upper deck crashed down on top of the spot where they’d been standing.
“Fuck.” He looked her over. “You all right?”
“I think so,” she replied, coughing and choking on the dust. “You?”
“Aye.” He scanned the destruction around him. The demon was going to destroy the Sea Dog. How much more could she take? If he couldn’t get Aura to sit this one out, then he would fight beside her. He met her eyes. “Let’s kick this demon’s ass.”
The corner of her mouth quirked into a crooked smile, and that sexy spark of defiance lit her eyes. “I’m ready.” She sobered. “I’m pretty sure I need to bleed on that blade to break the curse.”
He was no fan of that plan, but if she was right, it might be the only way to save the ship. “You drank from the cup. It’ll still hurt like hell, but you’ll heal. Just keep yer limbs.” He dropped down and shimmied out from under the debris, then offered her his hand.
She took it, and he pulled her to her feet. She searched his eyes like she wanted to say something more, but if it was an empty plea to be careful, he didn’t want to hear it.
He’d told her how he felt, and she’d been honest with him. Now he’d keep his promise and see that her cursed blade was locked up. Then he could get her out of his life.
“I’ll take the demon,” he said. “When he drops the sword, you claim the Tyrfing.”
She nodded and replied with an impressive accent, “Don’t lose yer head. Arrr.”
He smirked, wishing he wouldn’t miss her once she was gone. He shook his head. “No pirate worth their salt says that. A true pirate says, ‘Fuck ’em.’”
She drew her gun. “Fuck ’em. Let’s do this.”
He led the way, dipping under the broken timbers of the Sea Dog. When they reached the top of the battered stairway, his heart sank. Holes riddled the main deck.
Mamon spun around, his slender, black-forked tongue slithering out between his thin lips, giving his voice a distinct hiss. “Chosssen one.”
Greyson would hear it in his nightmares.
“I’m right here!” Aura shouted. “Where’s the Alpha? Let him go and I’m yours.”
“He’s dead.” The demon’s lips peeled back into a tight smile, exposing pointed, bloodstained teeth. “And you’re already mine. I knew you’d come for the sword.”
The demon lurched forward. Greyson pushed in front of Aura, growling, “The sword’s in yer head again.”
“I’m fighting it.”
Shit, there was nowhere on this ship anymore that he could hide her.