The Siren's Song Read Online Free

double-knotted in her gut.
    The sea lapped across the deck now. Gilly hesitated to climb down from the rigging and stand in the surging water. A nasty wave might wash her overboard. Safety came in the taut ropes she held fast to. As long as they held. She glanced up to the yardarms. Egad, the driving rain stung. Blinded, she tucked her face into her arm and blinked until she could see again.
    The longboat drew near, cutting through the sheets of sea spray. Flashes of lightning offered her a look at the men inside. Determination etched their rigid faces. That determination drove her to hasten her descent and return to the deck. She stepped down, carefully, and edged away from the greedy waves rising up and over the ship. Rushing seawater made standing too arduous, necessitating that she hug the slick, wet mast.
    A sudden surge slammed the longboat into the side of the ship. On a swell, a man in the front of the vessel grabbed at the railing where a rope ladder hung. He clung to the ladder and jumped, climbing the rest of the way into the ship.
    The man staggered forward, buffering the wind and daring the gale. The tempest flattened his black clothes against a hardened body, and long dark hair, fallen from the bind at his neck, whipped freely around his shadowed face. He wore a rather large knife at his waist and Gilly’s instinct barked danger. Run from him. Scale the mast. Jump overboard. Do whatever it takes, but get away from him.
    Lightning flashed. She gasped. The bright light did nothing to bleach out the darkness of his eyes.
    “Let’s go!”
    His voice cleaved through the constant roar of the gale; she flinched under his commanding tone.
    Gilly looked down at his large hand extended toward her. Should she listen to her intuition and flee? Or should she take the hand of the dark blackguard? For surely that was what he was, a blackguard.
    Where had this indecision come from? He came to save her. What other reason would he have to risk his life to board this ill-fated ship? Bedad, Gilly. Not everyone is after you.
    “What the devil, woman. Let go of the mast. Take hold!” He shook his hand at her.
    Past his intimidating form, the longboat bobbed in the violent surf. Getting inside would be suicide. Clinging to the mast of the hopeless ship would only offer her more time in the face of the inevitable. Her upset stomach weakened further. What good came from waiting on the claws of death to snatch you from the world of the living? None.
    She unraveled her arms from around the mast. The man’s hand outstretched farther toward her, beckoning her to grab a hold. She reached for him, her ominous savior.
    The wind lashed at her. The rain shifted. A black wave rose from the darkness and crashed down upon the Rowena. Her fingers brushed against his before the breaker knocked her back.
    She tumbled, the rush of water rolled her, and she came to a stop facedown. Gilly gulped for air, and the brine she swallowed burned her nose and throat. The man’s firm grasp dug under her arms and quite suddenly she stood on her own two feet.
    He spun her around. “Are you all right?” He wore no look of concern. Rather, the deep cut in his brow suggested anger.
    “I…” The word rasped over her raw throat, sending her into a fit of coughs.
    He bent to peer closer and it was then she realized how he towered over her. So tall he was, taller even than Hyde.
    She swallowed a few times to coat her sore throat before managing two words. “I’m fine.”
    “Right. We’ve got to get off this ship, now.” He tugged at her arm and shoved her forward, alarming her by his rough handling.
    The ship bemoaned, shuddered and at once tipped. She lost her footing, bringing the stranger down with her. Together, they washed down the decking. White-capped water devoured the ship’s edge. It stretched out to receive them. Her foot bashed into the submerged railing, stopping her from sliding into the raging sea. Gilly yelped at the sharp pain spiking up