The fat woman screamed and pointed her finger at Vares.

  “You… you mongrel!” she sneered with indignant rage. “Do you know who I am? I’m Nichelle Thamis! Who my husband was? Who my father was? My family has lived here for longer than you’ve been alive!”

  Mora was amazed by how unfazed the pirate remained despite the aggressive tone, but she was also impressed by how stupid this woman was acting. Lady, this isn’t a man you want to mess with…

  “So your people have been in this shithole for generations? That does explain much, I’ll admit.”

  Dewey picked up some pebbles and threw them impotently at Vares’ chest. “You don’t like it here? Then go away! No one wants you here.”

  “Don’t worry, child, I’ll be gone soon enough.”

  Nichelle shook her head. “I will speak to Nik. He’ll get you. He’ll punish you. You have no idea what’s in store for you, you bastard.”

  “I’d be impressed if you walked all the way there. Or will the boys roll you?”

  Mora let out a chuckle but quickly covered her face. Why was Vares saying these things? Why was he purposefully antagonizing her? “Just stop…” she whispered under her breath. “Let her be.”

  At that, Nichelle let out a cry of rage and stomped forward, fat hand raised to deliver a blow.

  When she got within reach of Vares, he smacked her across the face so hard that the thunderous impact made Mora wince and nearly lose her balance.

  Not yet done with her, Vares grabbed Nichelle by the hair, dragged her over to the river, and shoved her face down into the water.

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  The boys all cried out. Kay, being her son, rushed over and pulled at Vares’ arm. “Let her go!” he demanded. “Let her go!”

  The other two boys joined in, and soon all three were pulling on him and hitting him as best they could. Vares, however, remained as still as a statue, a hateful grin plastered on his face, his powerful arms drowning Nichelle, one helpless move of her fat body at a time.

  Mora could only watch, herself helpless. Her little eleven-year-old heart pounded as she watched the grim scene, her panicked eyes taking in every movement of Nichelle’s half-submerged body. He won’t kill her, she told herself. He wouldn’t do that. There’s no reason to.

  Kay became hysterical as he glanced at his mom, realizing Vares wouldn’t let her surface for air. “Let her go!” he squealed, barely intelligible, ripping the shirt off of Vares as he clawed at him. “Let her go!!”

  Something about the look in Vares’ eyes at that moment made Mora realize he wasn’t going to pull her back up. Whether it was sheer carelessness or a deep hatred that sprang suddenly, the man appeared totally unconcerned by the death he might cause.

  Mora gulped, now afraid of his action as well, and joined the boys. “Let her go,” she said. “Did you hear me? Let her go!”

  Vares ignored that too.

  Mora placed her thumbs under his eyes and pressed her nails toward them. The red glow in them terrified her, but she hoped he would relent. “Stop it. You’re killing her!”

  “If your idea of saving her involves doing great harm to me, I’d advise you to reconsider it.”

  “Please… Please just stop! I never asked for your help. Just stop it!”

  Mora wasn’t sure what she said, because the way she’d intoned that last cry was absolutely helpless.

  But then, to her surprise, Vares dragged Nichelle up and let go of her with disgust. He stood up. “As you wish.”

  Whether or not the fat woman’s survival could be counted as a win was debatable, but Mora did feel a wave of relief wash over her.

  Once he ensured his mother was fine, Kay immediately whirled on Vares. “You could’ve killed her!”

  “I could still kill you, if you prefer.”

  That made him quiet down quickly.

  As Vares began to move away, Mora debated whether she was safer going with him or staying with the others.

  In the end, she followed after him, though from a distance.

  When they were out of earshot, he gave her an over the shoulder glance and asked, “You’re too concerned with the welfare of others.”

  “You can’t just kill anyone you don’t like.”

  “Of course you can, my little oni. It’s just a matter of how long you get to do it for.”