One Last Exploration?

Pirate Conference?

Angel had seen references to it in the Nighthawks' records, though they were short on detail. After all, the Church of Evernight was not the Church of Storms and had little involvement in affairs at sea.

Even so, she knew it was an annual gathering hosted by Nast, the King of the Five Seas. Every Pirate King, Pirate Admiral, and well-known pirate was invited. Last October's conference had been held on a volcanic island in the Sonia Sea. Mr. Hanged Man of the Tarot Club had mentioned attending as captain of the Ghost Ship Blue Avenger. He was one of the Church of Storms' insiders at the gathering.

But the date and location of each conference were only confirmed a week beforehand, to keep the navies and churches from laying an ambush and sweeping up everyone with a hefty bounty on their head.

But I'm not a pirate. Why would I... Wait. If I attend and bring Anne along, wouldn't that make me one of the Pirate Kings?

Angel had been about to refuse, but this might be a chance to cement her identity as Angelica Zaki. It would draw a firm line between Angelica, a ruler of the seas, and Christine, the delicate young lady in Backlund. The title might also keep others from laying a hand on Helene and the Red Haired Woman, in whom she had invested...

And if the Vice Admiral of Ailment dared to attend, it would be a good chance to approach her.

After a moment's thought, Angel was tempted, but she did not agree right away. No one knew when the Pirate Conference would be held. For all she knew, the King of the Five Seas might not even consider the Golden Queen worthy of an invitation.

Once back in