Charlisse leaned over the side of the ship. Smoke drifted from a charred hole in the Redemption's sternjust inches above the waterline. She glanced at Isabel standing beside her, the lady's wide eyes and pale face mirroring Charlisse's horror.

The Vanquisher shifted her sails, and with the wind behind her, bore down upon them, all guns blazing. In moments, Captain Carlton would be close enough to loose a broadside that would no doubt drag the Redemption to the ...