"Cap!"

Jonah's head snapped toward the shout, eyes narrowing against the wind. His crew was clustered along the starboard side, murmuring loud and frantic.

"What the hell’s all the racket?" he barked, striding toward them with salt in his boots and suspicion in his voice.

The group parted just enough for him to see her— A girl. Unconscious. Floating in the sea like driftwood caught in a trance. Limbs loose, hair fanning out in the water like ink. For a moment, Jonah just stared, brow furrowed beneath the weight of something he couldn't name.

He clicked his tongue, eyes unreadable. “Bring her aboard,” he commanded, voice sharp and sure.

He watched in silence as his crew hauled her from the water, seafoam clinging to her skin like secrets.