Chapter 17:
The tide was out. Helena noticed the rocks that surrounded the tiny island with the ruined tower that took up the majority of the isle. By the waterline on the shore, Alexei was correct: if he tried to let her off on the beach, the craft would surely flounder on the rocks.
The tower, or what was left of it, was tiny, perhaps fifty feet in diameter and less than a solid story left standing. At one time, the structure would have made an impressive guard to the harbor. Now it was a garbage heap.
The launch sat in deeper water. Not a long swim, but Helena didn’t relish getting back in the water, even if only for a few minutes. She didn’t have time to think about her decision. Each second they sat in this location, the chances grew they would draw the attention of some nosey auth
