“For your information, this is bloody dangerous,” she whispered.
Nat said nothing but pulled her tighter against him.
The ship shook for a while longer then the engines went off. The shouts and footfall from the port side came clear now.
“Yep, she’s secure,” Justin called.
“Same here,” Dray called back from the other end.
“Good job. Better catch up on our beauty sleep then, boys,” a third man called.
“Aye, captain,” the men responded with enthusiasm.
Anouk relaxed a bit when the steps distanced. Greetings and laughter drifted from the platform. After several minutes they faded. The only sounds were the creaking of the ship and distant banging of heavy machinery at work—the refinery.
Nat eased his hands around Anouk. “Let’s go.”
“Okey-doke.” She nodded although she wouldn’t have minded staying in Nat’s arms until morning. It had felt very comfortable, but this was for the better. Getting too used to Nat’s warm body wasn’t a sensible idea—she was going back home when this was all over. If she survived.
They tiptoed towards the ship’s wheelhouse, circling the cargo. Nat stopped at the bridge and peeked behind the corner. “No one is about,” he whispered but made no move to leave their hiding place.
“You said the island is guarded.”
“It is and that’s why I find it strange I don’t see anyone.”
“Maybe they went inside with the crew.”
“Aye. The Navy is keeping its eye on these waters, so they might feel secure. After all, they left the gangplank in place. Still, we’d better wait for a little while just to make sure.”
Anouk bobbed her head in acknowledgement. Keep hidden and play it safe made sense.
Minutes stretched but the small dock remained deserted.
“Let’s get moving. I think the route is clear,” Nat said before heading to the narrow board connecting the ship and the platform.
Anouk followed him, keeping low and shooting glances around. Her skin prickled although she didn’t see the reason for it. She fixed her eyes on Nat’s back.
They walked onto the dim-lit platform. Two cranes and a giant pile of scrap metal at the far end loomed like menacing ghosts against scattered lights of the small dock and the distant lights from the refinery. In the sparse illumination, the island appeared bare and rocky.
Anouk looked up to the sky. Her jaw dropped and for the moment she forgot her apprehension for the mission. For once, there were no hazy smoke curtains blocking the stars and the moon; they shone bright like diamonds on black velvet. The night sky, with its moon, looked similar to what she had seen in her travels, just not quite the same. No Big Dipper or Orion. There… where the North Star should have been was a constellation of dim stars. A wave of homesickness washed over her… Common sense dictated she had no reason to feel like this. She would be home soon and this adventure would become nothing more than a distant memory. For the first time it dawned on her, she didn’t know exactly where Anglea was. There was no map on which she could put a pin to mark she had been here. There were no words to describe her awe.
Nat tapped on her shoulder, snapping her back to the present and to their mission. “Let’s check the buildings first.”
Anouk’s anxiety level shot up—it was too early to think about returning home and putting pins on maps.
They veered towards the warehouses close to the waterfront. Anouk jogged behind, resuming her duty of watching Nat’s back. She touched the revolver and the katana on her waist. Let Stalo and Captain Biddulph come. She would be prepared… or so she hoped.
Nat stopped in front of the first warehouse. “Night goggles,” he whispered.
“Oh, yes,” Anouk muttered and lifted the goggles over her eyes. The darkness gave way to a greenish light.
Nat tried the latch. The door opened with a screech, the sound of which bounced from the rocks. Anouk jumped, shooting worried looks around. The steam engines working at the refinery covered subtle noises, but the groan of the hinges was not in the least bit subtle. On the contrary. Moreover, if Stalo and the captain were inside, they would know by now to expect visitors. Anouk’s hand moved to her hip, and she pulled the gun. Nat did the same. They slipped through the door crack, but soon the warehouse proved to be a tool shed. There was no sign of Stalo or Captain Biddulph or anyone else for that matter. Anouk couldn’t decide if she was disappointed or relieved.
They searched the next warehouse, but the result was the same. On this occasion, Anouk realised her relief. As much as she wanted Stalo and his henchman behind bars, she didn’t want to face them on an island seemingly full of boulders, nooks and crannies. She couldn’t see the geography further than a few yards—Stalo could be watching them from his hiding place now, taking his time to shoot Anouk and Nat.
Nat gave a half smile. “Nervous?”
“Yes.” Anouk wasn’t going to lie, but she would not tell him she was nearing the brink of wetting herself. “Aren’t you?”
Nat regarded Anouk for a few seconds before he nodded. “Yes.”
“You are?” Anouk’s eyebrows shot up. She hadn’t expected him to confess outright. Not that he hadn’t said before he had his moments of fear.
“Aye.” Nat turned to scan the area. “But you get used to it. The danger is part of this job.”
“Yes, I’ve noticed.”
She followed Nat’s gaze. Further away from the dock were four barracks. Judging by the shouts and laughter, they were the workers’ living quarters.
“Stalo and Captain Biddulph are unlikely to be striking up friendships,” she said.
“No.” Nat pointed to the right of the barracks towards two warehouses. “Let’s check out those before we go to the refinery behind them.”
He broke into a jog. Anouk stayed close behind him, mirroring his movements and staying in
