Charmed Vengeance Read online

  Her eyes narrowed as she took him in. “I don’t welcome trouble makers.” She had an accent better suited to a joy-girl than a captain. “You don’t bother my crew, you don’t cause problems on ship, you don’t cause problems in port, and you don’t cause problems when we’re on a job. You follow orders—my orders. Everyone pitches in onboard, including cooking. You get food, a place to sleep, and a percentage of the take. Understood?”

  Cooking? Well, Magnolia never had complained about his cooking. “Sounds good, Captain.”

  A woman captain. Why not?

  She and Jeff exchanged looks, then she extended her hand. “We agree to a trial, then?”

  “Agreed.” They shook.

  “Welcome to the Vixen’s Revenge. Be onboard by sundown tonight. Oh,” her eyes met his, so intense they burned into him. “Stay out of the engine room. That’s an order.” How strange. Perhaps they hid cargo in there. “Yes, sir.

  Good.” She left. Jeff followed, throwing Kevighn a friendly smile over his shoulder as they walked out of the bar. Magnolia’s smile.

  Sundown tonight. He had more than half the day. Now … how to spend it?

  Hmmm. Noli cocked her head, a wayward strand of hair falling in her eyes. Wiping it back, she added some pink. Yes, that was it. Now for more yellow, such a cheerful color. Oh, and green—the very best color of them all.

  “What are you doing?” Jeff’s voice started her.

  Noli jumped. She stood in front of the center engine, a paintbrush and palette in her hand. Tiny flowers decorated festooned the gleaming brass, and she was surrounded by the parts she’d taken out of the engine and should be putting back in. Pain shot through her head and she rubbed her temples with one paint-covered hand.

  Wait. Paint-covered?

  Her heart skipped a beat. The paintbrush fell to the floor as panic rippled through her.

  “Shhh, it’s all right, Noli, it’s all right. It’s me.” He came up behind her, voice soft.

  “I … ” The sprite had taken over and she hadn’t even noticed. Her knees buckled.

  Jeff’s hand brushed her face, cupping it. “Vix is on her way down. Put on your gloves and goggles and make like you’re getting the engines back together. I’ll put this away. Tell her that you’re almost finished and then we’ll get you out of here.”

  She nodded, gulping. Her throat stayed swelled shut and she gulped again, body shaking. Closing her eyes, she tried to remember what had happened. Nothing. By the number of flowers decorating the engine she’d been at this for awhile.

  Jeff picked up the paintbrush and took the palette out of her hand. “You can’t let her see you like this. She won’t understand.”

  No, she wouldn’t. Gloves. Where were they?

  The work gloves lay discarded on the floor. She tugged them over her paint-spattered hands, flipping her leather apron to the side without paint. Footsteps echoed in the background. The heat in the engine room was stifling, so she’d worn one of her sleeveless work gowns that she’d brought from the Otherworld. Pink paint streaked her right arm. Hopefully Vix wouldn’t notice. Her heart raced like a naughty child scrambling to hide her actions before her mother came in the room. Noli grabbed her magnifying goggles and flung herself of the floor of the engine room among the parts, arms shaking. She’d just picked up a gear when Vix strode in.

  Noli’s heart continued to pound. Flying figs, the sprite had taken over and she couldn’t remember what she’d done.

  Vix eyes narrowed at the state of the room in comparison to how it had been earlier. “I need those engines working by sundown. We’ve been here too long.”

  Gulping, she nodded. “Yes, Captain. The fan on the starboard engine was malfunctioning, causing the engine to overheat and making the other fans overcompensate. I’ve fixed that. Also, there were a number of parts that looked like they’d been spot-fixed, to be replaced at another time. Since we had those parts on hand and the time, I made those changes and a few other preventative repairs. The last thing we want is something to break when we’re on the run.”

  “Oh, very good.” Her eyes filled with surprised as if she hadn’t expected there to have actually been a problem or that Noli was capable of fixing it.

  The fan had been an easy repair. However, Noli wasn’t convinced that was the problem, hence why she’d spent two days doing every sort of diagnostic and inspection she could think of—and replaced other parts in the process. But she couldn’t find anything. Since she couldn’t find it, she should put the engine back together. Noli realized the captain gazed at her expectantly. Her cheeks burned. “I’ll get the engine put back together—it shouldn’t take me long.”

  In theory.

  “Hurry up or you won’t get to go off ship. Everyone needs to be onboard by sundown.” She looked around and Noli prayed she didn’t notice the flowers on the engine. Distraction time.

  “Will you teach me how to shoot? I … I was considering what you’d said about defending myself.” Noli didn’t know if pistols worked in the Otherworld, but who knew when she’d return there? Knife fighting would probably help her in both worlds.

  Vix’s dark eyebrows rose. “Have you asked Jeff?

  I figured you were a better shot.” Noli grinned at her. She shook her head, lips twitching. “I do have to say, I think that dress is quite practical. It can get hot and stuffy down here.” Vix craned her neck. “Where is that brother of yours?”

  As if on cue, Jeff sauntered out of her room, their father’s battered toolbox in his hand. “Noli, I have no idea what part you’re talking about, so I just brought your entire toolbox.

  You’re the best, Jeff.” She took it from him. Toolbox. Good call. She’d been using the ships’ tools since most of those were specific to fixing airships. But she could have something special in there, Vix wouldn’t know.

  “I’ll help, if you’d like.” Jeff pulled on a spare set of goggles. “I know a little about engines.”

  “Well, I suppose. I hear you had an excellent teacher.” She laughed; their father had taught the both of them. After he disappeared, Jeff had continued to help her build, and invent.

  Vix rolled her eyes, lips still twitching. “I’ll leave you to your repairs. Noli, remember, you can’t disembark without Jeff.”

  “I know.” She took a deep breath in attempt to slow her racing heart.

  “We’ve already got plans.” Jeff smiled at Vix and waggled his eyebrows. “If you’re a good captain maybe we’ll bring you back something.”

  Laughter bubbled from Vix’s lips. “You two are very strange. Oh.” Her laughter stopped. “We brought on a new crewmember for a trial. Where he could be perfectly fine, I don’t trust him yet, so steer clear.”

  Noli blinked, trying to understand what she meant.

  “Asa, Thad, even Winky, I trust them with my life— and I know they won’t lay a hand on you. But him … ” She shook his head. “Be careful around him.”

  “Yes, sir.” A new crew member?

  “That’s all. As you were.” She left.

  As soon as the door closed, a sigh of relief shuddered through Noli. That was close.

  What did you do? Noli cried mentally at the sprite. Do you understand how much trouble we could have been in?

  But this is so boring, the sprite whined. We’ve been doing this for days. I did a good job. The engine is so pretty. The pink ribbons add a nice touch.

  Ribbons? Sure enough pink ribbons festooned the engines. Do you want to get thrown off the ship—or worse, sent to an asylum? Do you know what those places are like? They make Findlay House look like a seaside resort.

  The sprite wouldn’t know—or care—about the dreadful Findlay House since she didn’t like unpleasant things. But Noli remembered. Suddenly, she was back there, strapped to the table, water pouring over her face, choking her.

  “Noli, Noli look at me.” Jeff’s voice sliced through her panic as he crouched in front of her, both hands cupping her face. “Shhh, it’s all right.”

&
nbsp; “I …I can’t breathe.” Her lungs screamed for air, but water filled her mouth and nose.

  He pulled her to his chest. “Yes, you can, just take a deep breath. In, out, in, out.”

  “The water, the water is choking me.” Over and over all she could see, all she could feel was the deluge of ice cold water.

  “No it’s not,” Jeff soothed. “There’s no water here. Just me and you in the engine room aboard the Vixen’s Revenge.”

  “Make her stop,” Noli cried, unable to get a good breath in before the water continued. “Make Miss Gregory stop, I can’t breathe.”

  “I’ll make her stop, Noli,” Jeff whispered, stroking her hair. “I’ll make her stop. She won’t hurt you ever again. I promise.”

  He whispered to her over and over until she remembered that she wasn’t at Findlay.

  “That’s my girl.” He smiled at her, but it was a worried smile.

  “They tried to break me.” Noli’s voice cracked. “They tried to take away everything that was me until I was naught but a vapid pile of mush.” Memories of Findlay made her tremble. “If … If … ” Her mouth clamped shut. She couldn’t tell him about the wish or the Otherworld.

  Jeff’s eyes bore into her. “My word, what did they do to you?”

  She looked away, shame consuming her.

  And this is why I don’t think about unpleasant things, the sprite retorted.

  Jeff’s hand grazed her cheek and for a moment he reminded her so much of their father her heart ached.

  “There’s grease on your cheek,” he told her, wiping it off with his fingers.

  “Hazards of the job.” She flashed him a weak grin.

  He held up a gear shaft. “Let’s get this engine put back together. Then I’ll take you off ship. What would you like to do?”

  “I want to go to a park.” The words slipped out, but she wanted to see trees, feel the bark under her hands, play in the dirt. Her roses were nice but not enough. “We could go on a picnic,” she added, trying to cover her odd request. “Like we used to with Mama.” Before their father had disappeared they’d gone on a picnic in the park nearly every Sunday the weather was pleasant. Actually, it sounded like a good idea.

  “Noli, we’re in Denver and it’s winter. There’s snow on the ground. But,” he gave her a gentle smile, eyes still brimming with concern. “I understand wanting to go outside. It can be a little much being cooped up—especially at first. I never thought ask if you wanted me to take you up top—sorry.”

  “It’s all right.” She smiled back, then held up a wrench. “Now, let’s see how much you remember.”

  Having changed into the blue bustle dress she’s worn to the pier, Noli positioned her derby hat, the one with the bird on it, on her head, smoothing her hair to cover the points of her ears in the process. The engine had been reassembled, the pink ribbons put away. The paint, however, didn’t seem to want to come off. Excitement at being off the ship and back among the plants and trees bubbled inside her as she pulled on her cape and gloves. Perhaps she could find a clip for the watch chain while they were out. Progress was slow, but the pattern was turning out beautifully.

  Voices came from the bridge as she approached, looking for Jeff. Did they realize exactly how far their voices carried? The small ship was quiet, everyone but Vix and Jeff off ship.

  “I don’t know if I like this,” Vix said. “But I trust you.

  Everything will be fine,” Jeff replied.

  “I hope so. So, do I even want to know what happened back there in the engine room?” Vix’s tone made Noli squirm in her dainty black boots.

  “No, you don’t,” Jeff replied. “But we got everything put together and cleaned up, mostly.”

  “Is this going to become a problem? Yes, she’s your sister and I understand that she’s been through who knows what. Still, I must maintain order aboard my ship and if she’s going to put us in danger—”

  “Give her a chance. I’m her older brother; it’s my job to take care of her. You know exactly what will happen if we send her to Boston,” Jeff retorted, frustration tingeing his voice.

  “She wants to go to the university, perhaps we should help her with that sooner than later.” It sounded as if Vix paced the small bridge. Again.

  “Not yet. If something happens, who’s going to take care of her? They hurt her at that school, and it’s a place for ladies of gentle breeding. I can’t stomach the idea of someone sending her to someplace even worse. ”

  “This is an airship, not a finishing school,” Vix snapped.

  A finishing school for air pirates. What a notion! She swallowed her laugh, not wanting them to think she was spying. Again.

  Jeff sighed. “Let’s take this one day at a time. She truly is an ace engineer.”

  “Perhaps. But what if we need her? Not only is her job important, but it’s creepy when she’s just … gone like that,” Vix replied.

  It was even creepier when it happened to you. The fact Vix noticed made fear swirl inside her. All the captain needed to do was make it an order and Noli would be gone—even if Jeff didn’t wish it. Where would she go?

  Wait. She wasn’t some sniveling society girl. If it came down to it, she could return to the Otherworld and wait at the big house for V to finish his quest. Yes, that would be a splendid backup plan. She could get there by herself … most likely.

  “If she’s going to stay aboard, someone should teach her to defend herself, if not fight and shoot,” Vix added. “For her own personal protection. Though the idea of her with a pistol frightens me.”

  “My sister is a lady, ladies don’t shoot pistols or fight,” Jeff grumbled.

  Vix made a rude noise. Noli made a production of bumping into the table in the galley in order to alert them to her presence.

  “That sounds like my cue,” Jeff replied.

  Noli arrived in the doorway just in time to see Jeff plant a kiss on Vix’s cheek.

  “Sorry,” Noli muttered. It was the first time she’d seen them be outright affectionate and heat rose to her cheeks.

  Jeff laughed. He didn’t wear his usual pirate gear, but a gentleman’s suit and hat. “Noli, let’s get off this tub.”

  They disembarked and Noli wrapped her cape around her, cold biting through the wool and ribbons. Snow crunched under their feet on the wood docks and her breath came out in frozen puffs. It didn’t get this cold in Los Angeles.

  Jeff led her into the passenger terminal where they stopped at a small shop that made takeaway meals for people to bring on their journeys. They also had a blanket to sit on so they could have a proper picnic.

  Noli swung the sack as she skipped down the street, following Jeff. Skipping kept her warm. Also, she couldn’t contain her joy at being off ship. Autos puffed down the street, a few hoverboards streaked the skies, and airships took off and landed in the background.

  “Have you heard from Mama, is she well?” Noli asked. “Should we send word to her?”

  “I sent her an aethergraph when we first arrived. She’s in Boston and quite happy. She’s worried about you.” Jeff squeezed her arm. “I assured her that you were safe here with me.”

  Noli squirmed. “Did I dishonor our good family name?”

  Jeff made an ungentlemanly sound. “No, and you know grandfather has probably engineered some story— you’re off on a well-chaperoned tour of the United States with a group of young ladies of good breeding or some other ridiculousness.”

  “I…I’m trying hard, truly, I am,” she whispered, remembering his conversation with Vix. “I appreciate you defending me.”

  He pulled her a little closer, body warm against the cold chill. “You’re my little sister. Please, keep trying as hard as you can. I can only do so much.”

  Noli gulped. “I … I promise.” Got that? she scolded the sprite.

  I want to go back to the Otherworld. You said this would be fun, the sprite pouted.

  “Noli?” Jeff brought her out of her inner conversation. He touched
her face. “You’ve got to stop this. Vix has noticed your strange behavior—especially when you’re just … gone. It can’t become an issue.”

  Vix had a point. What if the sprite took over in the middle of something important?

  Jeff led her to a public garden. The sign on the wrought iron gate read closed.

  “Oh, it’s closed.” Noli didn’t hide her disappointment.

  “This way.” With a sly grin, Jeff led her along the fence until they came to an out-of-the-way place near a greenhouse. “Up you go.”

  “Wait—we’re breaking into the gardens?” Noli grinned, the idea dangerous yet appealing, something she, James, and V might have done. Once.

  He boosted her up and then hopped over the fence himself. Noli looked around the frozen garden that was probably breathtaking in summertime.

  “This way.” He led her to an unlocked greenhouse and they walked inside. “How’s this?” Jeff gestured to the little greenhouse. Seedlings and blooms filled the glass and metal structure, the air fragrant with perfume.

  “It’s perfect.” It felt naughty, yet at the same time the need to be among the plants pressed on her with such weight tears pricked her eyes.

  He spread a blanket on the floor of the greenhouse, right between rows of exotic blooms. Noli removed their picnic. They took a seat on the blanket and ate the hearty sandwiches they’d purchased along with dainty scones, which, in Noli’s opinion were twenty times better than anything made by blasted Missy Sassafras.

  “Noli, what happened back there? Will you tell me? Please? If I understand I may be able to help you better.” Jeff laid a hand on her arm, grease under his nails.

  “I … I don’t want to talk about it.” The bite of sandwich stuck in her throat and she took a sip of lemonade to clear it. The thought of the sprite taking over like that still made her tremble. This could be problematic.

  “Noli. You’re safe on our ship. No one will hurt you and I’m going to do whatever I can to protect you,” he soothed.

  She nodded, wishing V were here. They had to find a way to stop this. They just had to—and if V couldn’t, well, she’d do it herself. Somehow.