Jake sat on the Darkwhale's deck beside Grevik for perhaps twenty minutes, watching the sun continue its descent toward the western horizon and painting the bay in shades of orange and gold that made the water look like it was on fire.
The shadow serpents he'd manifested remained in position around the deck, their autonomous behavior keeping them alert and ready but not aggressive, creating a barrier that both crews respected without needing additional instruction.
The door to the captain's quarters opened, and Maureen appeared, her face showing signs of recent crying but her expression calmer than it had been, carrying the particular exhaustion that came from emotional confrontation rather than physical combat.
She looked at Jake and gestured for him to come inside.
Jake stood, dismissing half his shadow serpents to conserve energy, and followed Maureen back into the cabin, where Elisabeth was still sitting at the table with a fresh bottle opened and three glasses refilled.
