Page 127 of Accomplice to the Villain

She is mine.

Even if it was only in his heart.

That is, if he had one.

He called to the rest of the pirates, who were all gazing out to where their comrade had fallen. “We are going to sing happy birthday in the near future, and if I hear anything out of your mouths aside from those words, you’re swimming after him.”

Furious nodding and murmurs of agreement followed the chained men as they disappeared below deck.

A buzzing began in Trystan’s pocket, and he immediately moved to pull out the caller’s crystal. The gems had their uses, mostly communicating with the Malevolent Guard. He’d told Keeley to update him with any necessary developments, but throughout their journey thus far, the caller’s ruby had remained silent.

The amethyst that he’d left behind for communication with the office, however—that was going off incessantly.

He held the gem to his mouth, Sage frowning at his side. Tatianna approached to listen in, and then Clare.

Just in time for Rebecka Erring’s voice to echo through in alarm.

“Where are you? Everything’s gone wrong!”

Chapter 66

Evie

“And Blade is still not awake?”

Evie had been reeling from what was surely the grandest, sweetest gesture she’d ever seen. He’d thrown a man overboard. For her.

Swoon.

Don’t allow the boss to get away with murder, Evie!

Unless it’s your birthday. Then it’s fine.

“No. Roland thinks he just needs a day or two to sleep it off, since his pulse is steady and everything else appears normal, but we’ve got a demon flower and the dragon is losing it!” Becky screeched into the gem, and Evie had the urge to smile despite her building worry.

“Oh, Becky, I miss you,” Evie said with the utmost sincerity.

“Are you even listening?”

“Rebecka, take a breath,” Trystan said. “Is there any way to speed along Blade’s recovery? A plant Roland can use aside from the memory flower?” Trystan was level, calm—or at least he appeared so, standing there so solid, unmoved by the conflict. If he wasn’t worried, perhaps she didn’t need to be, either.

Waves rocked the ship, the sun lower in the sky as the afternoon drifted slowly into evening. Birds sailed overhead, nose-diving into the waters for fish. The world appeared serene, which was typically when everything seemed to go to shit.

“Roland’s going to try a few ideas, but nothing that will work immediately, and I need him to awaken. Now.”

Without thinking, Evie reached out to grab The Villain’s hand, bringing the amethyst closer to her face. “He’ll wake up, Rebecka. I have some notes in my journal about starlight magic—there might be something useful. It’s in the top drawer of my desk.”

“No it isn’t,” Becky responded, unfazed.

Evie blinked. “Then where would it be?”

“Lyssa’s been reading it.”

Evie cried, outraged, “And you didn’t stop her?”

“I’m the one who got it for her,” Becky said, not sounding even a little sorry.

Trystan cut in, looking bored. “Rebecka, what exactly is wrong with Fluffy?”