The Lady Machinist (Curiosity Chronicles Book 1) by Ava Morgan Page A

their effort.
    “We’ll see.” Smythe slogged through the water to get to the manual control levers on the wall. He cranked until the bellows of the pump contracted and expanded. He nodded for Lydia to reverse the valve.
    Once she did, water flowed into the pump. They listened for several minutes as the bellows sent it through a hose and out of the ship.
    “It’s working. The water line’s beginning to recede.” Excitement built in Smythe’s voice.
    Lydia saw the mark on the wall as the water level dropped an inch. A small start, but it was enough to give her hope. “ The Enlightened won’t sink today.”
    Nikolaos pushed against the door. “It will if that breach isn’t found.”
    “We’ll look for it when the water drops.” Smythe continued to work on the manual levers. “See to O’Neil and find the crew.”
    “Can you not see that this ship is not operational? The crew is gone. I’ll see to myself and Lydia.” Nikolaos put his shoulder against the door and prepared to give it a shove. The water seal gave way and the door opened before he had a chance.
    Rhys stood before him. “Care to repeat yourself, Lord Abeiron? I’m afraid my men and I only heard that last part.”

 
     
     

Chapter 10
     
     
    Rhys entered the engine room, flanked by Finley and a muscled crewmember whose name Lydia did not know. Rhys’ clothes were soaked from the storm. His shirt was torn at the shoulder, and he bore a haggard, worn face. Still, his authoritative stance broke through. “We made the pirates turn back. The storm should keep them from returning. ”
    At the sight of the captain very much alive, though somewhat in tatters, the tension ebbed from Lydia’s body, replaced by relief and an urge to rush and put her arms around him. She curbed the swell of emotion and clung to the network of pipes on the wall instead.
    “What happened to O’Neil?” Rhys inspected the still unconscious engineer.
    “Hit by a flying valve,” Smythe spoke.
    “Finley, Duncan, take him to the infirmary table and have Malcolm look at him. Was this an accident?” Rhys’ probing stare fell on Nikolaos.
    Nikolaos proceeded to save face. “Lydia and I found him that way when we entered this room.”
    Rhys continued his descent as the crewmen tended to O’Neil. “I told Lady Dimosthenis to stay in the cabin where it was safe.” He turned to Lydia, his mouth reduced to a firm line of disapproval.
    Surely he wasn’t going to scold her like a child before everyone? She lifted her chin and stared him down.
    Water covered Rhys’ boots when he walked out to her. He spoke below his breath, his voice filled with a sarcasm that was only a little more saturated than the floor he stood on. “You’ll pardon me for inconveniencing you with orders, my lady, but they are meant to keep you in one piece.”
    Her breathing quickened. “I thought the ship was no longer in one piece. I heard a loud explosion. How could I stay put after that?” She matched his stare until Smythe’s strident voice broke through in her ears.
    “Captain, the hull breach needs patching up.”
    Rhys nodded to the apprentice engineer. “Thomas will see to it once we get O’Neil on deck. I’ll aid you as well, after I see to our passengers’ safety.” He referred to both Lydia and Nikolaos, but he didn’t shift his eyes from her as she edged by him.
    Lydia left the engine room and stepped back into the ship’s corridor. Nikolaos and Rhys came behind.
    “You must not blame us for employing our own means of escape, Captain,” Nikolaos further placated Rhys when they ascended to the second level.
    “Since you refused to aid O’Neil and Smythe, you can do their share of the work on top deck. See to it.” He gave Nikolaos a look that dared him to object.
    Nikolaos spared a few choice words for the ship’s captain. Lydia heard his Greek mutterings when he sidled past her to go upstairs.
    “He forgets I can understand every word.” Rhys walked beside Lydia. In