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Julian, for his part, was his usual stoic self—almost. His eyes were sparkling in the dim light of his own lamp, and he was smiling ever so slightly just at the corner of his mouth.

“Is she alright?” he asked, suddenly, raising a brow and nodding toward his wilted fiance.

“Julian?” came Tavia’s tiny voice in answer as she slowly sat up.

“Ah, good,” he nodded. “Don’t worry me like that, dear.”

“Julian,” she breathed, fanning herself with her hand. “You weren’t supposed to be here—this is not what it—oh, I’m so sorry!”

“Not to worry, my darling,” he answered matter-of-factly. “I planned to show you this room eventually, and seeing how you’re so eager, we may as well go now.”

“NO!” cried all three explorers at once.

“No! No!” Lia interjected. “We were just—going for a walk . . .”

“Right,” Tyrell added. “We’ll just get the princess back—”

Julian bunched his lips together as the sparkle in his eye gleamed all the brighter.

“Is everything alright out here, Captain?” a new voice called from further down the corridor.

Lia glanced in the direction they’d been heading and noticed three women silhouetted against a light coming from some distant door.

“We heard screaming.” The woman at the head of the three was brandishing a plank like a club. Scarred, weatherworn, with bulging arms thicker than Tyrell’s head, she looked like the type of person who could deal some serious damage with a plank.

“Oh, we’re alright, thank you, Nora,” Julian smiled.

Lia turned to the captain, giant eyes demanding explanation.

Julian offered Tavia a hand, and when she was standing on wobbly legs, gestured to the strange woman. “My darling, Tavia,” he said. “I’d like you to meet Nora Finn.”

17. Saint or Scoundrel?

Nora Finn?Lia’s mind was spinning. Wasn’t she one of the missing girls Notchnose mentioned at The Bloody Kraken?

Julian motioned to the woman on Nora’s left. “This is Leech-” He paused, then glancing at Tyrell, said. “Sorry, ladies, we have anoblepresent. I should use your proper names.”

All three women roared with manish laughter.

“This is Molly Leechweed and Jeanie Watertide,” he amended.

There it was, the name of the other missing girl Notchnose had mentioned—Jeanie. Although calling these women “girls” was hardly appropriate. The youngest of them was at least ten years Julian’s senior. The two beside Nora had gray streaks in their hair. Nora, for her part, had hair of a vibrant red which she kept out of her face with a black bandana.

“Captain Julian, I demand an explanation!” Tyrell cried, his voice still slightly shaken.

Nora put her fists on her hips and said, “Good luck with that. The Captain never has been one for explaining anything to anyone.”

Julian chuckled.

Lia snapped her gaze back to him—his brows were arched and he was almost grinning. Was terror and confusion the only thing that brought that man delight?

“Then why don’tyouexplain it to them, Nora?” Julian suggested. “While I show them Leviathan Hall.”

Nora opened her mouth to speak, but as she did, a strange inhuman echoing wail blasted through the open door.

“Oh dear, little Chunky is awake,” Jeanie sighed.

“Let’s calm him down, girls,” Nora ordered with a sharp clap of her hands.