Nerdy and the Beast

Liam could feel Emma shaking, and hear her crying despite how hard she tried to hide it. He thought it best to say nothing, since anything he said would only make it worse. But after a while Emma seemed to pull herself together enough to get angry with him.

“So it was all a lie, from the very beginning?” she asked. “Is your name even really Liam Bardot?”

“Yes,” Liam sighed. “That’s really my name. I brought this voyage idea to Kamon when you offered it, in exchange for no longer working for him.”

“Who is Kamon, exactly?” she demanded. “What’s so special about him that you couldn’t just quit like a normal person?”

“You would probably know him better by his nickname. The Viper King.”

Emma sucked in a breath. “The Viper King? You actually work for him?” She sounded appalled and Liam felt his heart withering away to nothing in his chest.

“Why would you ever even associate with that animal?”

“It’s a long story.”

“I think we have plenty of time, what with being tied up and left behind and all,” Emma said testily.

“I don’t think you actually want to hear that story.”

“You owe me at least that much, don’t you think?”

Liam winced, but he still took a long time to answer. He didn’t talk about the past much, and he dreaded doing it now. But she was right; she deserved the truth.

“I was born in a poor neighborhood called Eldenberg, not far from the Sin Sector. My father left us when I was six. When I was twelve, my mother caught pneumonia and died. She had always tried to make sure we got an education, my siblings and I. I had once had dreams of attending university. Pipe dreams, really. But after my mother died, I had to give up on that entirely. My brother was nine and my sister eight, and it fell to me to take care of them.

I got odd jobs mostly, working at the docks, the factory, even delivering newspapers most mornings. When I was sixteen, I met Natasha. She was a couple of years older than me. I thought myself in love with her, and I thought she loved me.” Liam couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his voice. Admitting how easily he’d been taken by someone like Natasha still carried a sting of humiliation.

“One day she came to me in tears, panicked. She said she’d cheated at a gambling hall, and was caught. The owner was threatening to have her killed if she didn’t pay back what she’d taken. She’d had an accomplice that took the money. She begged me to go to Kamon and get a loan. I thought her life was in danger and I was desperate to save her. So I did it. I swore I’d pay him back as fast as possible. He gave me the money but then he changed the terms. Wanted me to work for him, since there was no way I’d get the debt paid off. I didn’t make that kind of money in a year.

I had to agree, but I couldn’t work for him. He’s a monster. So I hatched a plan to escape, with my brother and sister. I was going to get us out of Mistgrove and go far away. I went to Natasha and told her the plan. I begged her to come with us. I thought she’d be in danger from the Viper King. I didn’t know yet that she was working for him the entire time. It was a ploy she often used to trick people into owing him or working for him. I guess she figured she’d get further into his good graces by telling him about my plan. You’ve seen that it worked.

She showed up at the harbor, Kamon and half a dozen thugs in tow. They attacked us. No one skips out on a debt owed to the Viper King. Ivan and I tried to fend them off, to protect Laure. She was only twelve.” Liam felt his hands clench against the ropes binding his wrists and he had to take a breath before continuing, his voice dull. “Kamon killed my brother. Came up behind him and yanked a garrote wire through his throat. He… he sawed my little brother’s head off, and he laughed as he held it up like a trophy. He told me to take a good look at what happened to people who crossed him. Then he took Laure. I don’t see her often; that was true too. He keeps her in an apartment in another section of the Sin Sector. He keeps her watched around the clock, to make sure I stay in line. He’ll kill her or worse if I don’t obey him. He uses me as hired muscle to collect debts. Nine years I’ve worked for him.

Like I said, I arranged this voyage because the amount of wealth Kamon could obtain from finding the Furieuse Bounty means he would let us go. My sister and I could leave the Sin Sector and be done with him, forever.” Liam felt shame and disgust rise up to choke him. He’d fallen for Natasha’s lies, he’d gotten his brother killed and his sister taken prisoner by a ruthless killer. Now he’d led Emma into danger as well. She could die, because of him. She hadn’t interrupted as he told his story and she had gone so rigid she might snap.

“I’m sorry, Emma,” he said quietly. He was glad he couldn't see her face, now that she knew what he was. “I ruin everyone in my life that’s good. I lied to you, and I thought I could protect you. That’s why I stayed close to you. I didn’t expect anything to happen between us, and nothing should have happened between us. Now I’ve failed you, and failed my sister. Again. I was selfish in coming here, and I was selfish to let you think I was a good man. I should have walked out of your museum and never come back. You’re right to hate me, and I won’t ask you not to.”

The secret wall behind the spices creaked open, startling him. Duncan poked his head out.

“I hid when everyone started getting ready to go ashore,” he said.

“That’s a good boy, Duncan. Very quick thinking,” Liam said. Ivan had been in hiding with him and now hopped onto Liam’s shoulder as Duncan scurried over to free them from their ropes. Liam jerked away from Emma as if she were on fire, still carefully avoiding looking her in the eye.

“This ship belongs to Horace Whippol,” he said. “We can sail it back to Sun Isle and get word to him about what’s happened. Kamon has no other way to get off the island.”

“But then what will you do, Mister Liam?”

Liam shrugged. “Turn myself in, I suppose. It’s pure luck that I haven’t been hanged by now, really.”

Duncan’s eyes went wide and he thought he saw Emma jerk from the corner of his eye, but he was already moving out of the galley toward the deck. He frowned as he inspected the helm.

“Fuck,” he said quietly.

“What’s wrong?” Emma asked. Liam ran his hands through his hair, his stomach turned to lead.

“This is a high tech ship,” he muttered. “It uses engines in addition to sails, to increase speed and to compensate when there’s lack of wind. But we need the engine key to get it moving. And Kamon has that key.” He raised his head, staring at the island. “I have to go and get it.”

“But the captain isn’t going to just give it to you,” Duncan protested.

“No, no he’s not. But we’re not going anywhere without it. Eventually they’ll be back, and then we’ll be chopped into fish bait and tossed overboard. I’ll go ashore, I’ll get the key, somehow. Duncan, if anyone besides me comes back, you hide. Keep Ivan and Emma with you, and stay safe.”

“Yes, Mister Liam.”

Liam made sure he still had his switchblade in his pocket, and he felt like he’d been scraped hollow when he felt the pen Emma had given him in there too. He swallowed his misery and looked down. There was only one lifeboat remaining, and Liam figured Emma and Duncan might need it. So with a sigh, he swung his legs over the railing.

“What are you doing?” Emma demanded.

“You might need the boat. So I guess I’m taking another swim.” He didn’t wait for an answer before vaulting himself over the side and plunging into the water below. The water wasn’t as cold as he’d expected, though it was very salty. He swam for shore, hoping they weren’t far out enough that a hungry shark might be lurking nearby. He had to take a moment to catch his breath once he waded up onto the sand.

“This is a terrible idea,” he muttered, preparing to trudge into the jungle. He heard footsteps behind him and whipped around, bracing for an attack. Instead, he saw Emma. She’d taken the lifeboat and followed him.

“What are you doing here?” he asked warily, turning away. “If they see you here, they’ll kill you.”

“You don’t even know where to look for the entrance,” Emma said, adjusting her satchel.

“It’s not a very big island.”

He knew she wouldn’t listen if he told her to just go back. He’d just have to make sure she made it off the island alive. Emma consulted her notes and led the way, until they reached a cave entrance. It descended downward; a thick rope was tied to a tree nearby and Liam realized the crew must have shimmied down the rope to get inside and hunt for the treasure.

“Well, well. The mice came looking for the cheese.”

Natasha sauntered out of the trees, a pistol in her hand and aimed right at them. “Kamon thought you might get loose and show up,” she said.

“Just let Emma go,” Liam said. “You can shoot me if you want.”

Natasha laughed tauntingly. “Honestly Liam, this desire to be the hero makes you weak. Always trying to save people, and always failing.” She cocked her head. “Maybe you’re hoping your valiant efforts will absolve you of all your failures. That you’ll become worth saving yourself if you can just protect someone for once, instead of getting them killed.”

Liam’s entire body tensed and Natasha smirked, satisfied that she’d twisted the knife. She waved the gun. “Well, you two are here now and I suppose we can kill you just as easily underground. Kamon should’ve been back by now, so perhaps this treasure is harder to find than we thought. Your precious little doll here will help us find it, or I’ll blow your brains out right here and now.”

“Well that’s a pointless threat,” Liam said. Natasha sprang at him so suddenly he could barely react as she pistol whipped him across the face. Emma gasped and Liam stumbled back slightly.

“You’re really trying my patience on this little trip,” Natasha said tightly. “Climb down the rope, and stand against the far wall. You’ll stay where I can see you, and you won’t make a move. Or I’ll blow her brains out. Got it?”

Liam did as she said without protest, though bending down to grab the rope made him a little woozy. His temple was throbbing from where Natasha had struck him. He really should’ve just thrown her off the ship when he’d had a chance. He made it to the cave floor, and backed up against the wall, as instructed. Natasha sent Emma down next, telling her to stand against the opposite wall. Then she scaled down the rope, smirking in triumph.

“After you, darlings.”