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"Normally we'd tattoo you next, but Jerald doesn't

195

Blind

Space

Marie

Sexton

have the equipment, so we'll have to improvise."

A blinding pain in my left ear, and I almost

screamed, but it was only for a second.

They let me go, laughing, pounding me on the back

as I sat up on the table. My ear felt like it was on fire. I reached up and touched it—some kind of stud had been pushed through my ear lobe. I pulled my hand away and looked down at the drops of blood smeared over my

fingers.

It seemed I was officially a pirate.

I looked up to find Valero smiling at me. "I don't suppose you could have warned me?" I asked as I rubbed my hand over the newly-shorn spot on the side of my head.

He laughed. "Of course not." He hooked his hand behind my neck. "You look good," he said. "Downright respectable compared to the rest of us."

I reached up to tug on the red streak of hair at his temple. "That's not saying a lot, Captain."

His smiled changed. It wasn't that it faded, but it went from being full of laughter to being cautiously pleased. He moved closer so he could lower his voice.

"I'm not the captain," he said.

"You are to your men," I said. "As long as you follow Yima, they will too, but it's you they're loyal to." I pulled him closer, looking into his eyes. "It's you
I'm
loyal

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Marie

Sexton

to."

"Do you really have so much faith in me?"

I didn't even have to think about it. "I do."

He leaned close, using his hand in my hair to turn

my head so he could whisper in my ear. "I promise you Tristan, I won't let you down."

He hasn't broken his promise yet.

THE END

197

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marie Sexton lives in Colorado. She's a fan of just about anything that involves muscular young men piling on top of each other. In particular, she loves the Denver Broncos and enjoys going to the games with her husband. Matt and Jared often tag along. Marie has one daughter, two cats, and one dog, all of whom seem bent on destroying what remains of her sanity. She loves them anyway.

Website/Blog:

http://mariesexton.net/

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/MarieSexton.author/

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/MarieSexton/

Email:

[email protected]

ALSO BY MARIE SEXTON:

Available from
Silver Publishing
:

One More Soldier

Blind Space