Page 66 (1/2)

“Yes, I can see you’re heading alhtfully “I only pray h when I most need them”

Even as she spoke, Mr Scollard’s voice sounded from somewhere inside her Your th And remember to listen with your heart It won’t fail you

Three hours later, Mr Scollard’s prophecy was confirmed

The waters had grown rough over the past fewit from side to side, yet Courtney’s stomach went oddly and abruptly still With a hoarse cry, she flew to the railing, her heart threatening to pound its way out of her chest “Papa,” she whispered, staring into the inky depths of the Channel She groped for her ti with his crew, Lexley fighting valiantly for his captain, her father, bound and gagged, weighted down, dragged toward…

“Papa,” she whispered again, hearing his screa his fear as he struck the water and went down “Oh, God—Papa”

A sudden hipped about her, reached inside her with an icy chill that had little to do with the temperature

Slayde abandoned the helm, came to stand beside her “This is the spot” It was a statement, not a question

“Yes” She sed, pain lancing through her like a knife as she focused on the eddying waves “The currents are strong”

“Very strong” Slayde’s fingers closed around hers

“I knew they were,” she whispered “But so in the opposite direction—toward England rather than away Had that been the case, Papa ht have been hauled closer to shore As it is…” She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling her father’s presence in her heart, her soul—but nowhere she could touch “He’s not here,” she stated simply, her lashes lif

ting Reverently, she cradled the tio back”

Courtney didn’t speak the whole way hoht but a vast swell of emptiness and a profound sense of isolation It was over She’d h they ht be, found them

Later, she’d feel But for now, there was nothing

She blinked in surprise when twinkling lights caht fallen, but their ship was nearing land

“Where are we?” shethin to her own ears