by ML Guida
Ewan stopped and shielded his eyes. “Why not?” The question blurted from his sneering lips before he realized he was daring an angel of god.
“You didn’t think this task would be easy, did you?” He spoke to him as if Ewan were a small child, but there was no malice in his voice.
Ewan glared and didn’t answer.
“Your time is running short, Ewan.”
“Are you watching over Catriona?”
The archangel didn’t answer. Raphael unleashed his sword and faced him. “Kneel.”
Ewan sank into the surf and hung his head. The archangel tapped each shoulder with the sword. “I have added another toil.”
Ewan’s patience was running thin, and he thought about stabbing the angel with his own blasted sword.
“In order to save Catriona, you must forgive someone you have no reason to forgive. This must come from deep in your heart. If you condemn him, then you condemn all who you love. Arise, Ewan, and complete the task I’ve given you.”
The sea called to Penelope. Waves crashed onto the rocks, and mist dusted her cheeks. Sea gulls cried overhead, as if telling her to wake from her slumber. She groaned and moved her leg, but pain shot through her, knocking her unconscious.
“Penelope, Penelope, open your eyes. I command you to open them.”
Through the fogginess of her dreams, Penelope didn’t recognize the powerful male voice. It wasn’t her father’s.
“I said to open your eyes.”
A powerful force flung into her chest, and she arched her back. Her eyes flew open. She looked around and realized she was sitting on a beach. The sun warmed her skin, and the storm was gone. The pain in her calf had ceased.
“Rise up, Penelope.”
Someone was behind her. She turned around to see the tallest man she’d ever seen stretch out his hand toward her. He was scantily dressed in a beaded white loincloth and wore golden sandals. His long dark hair graced his massive shoulders. A memory stirred in her weary mind. Fear stole her heart beat. Angelica had described this man. This wasn’t a man. This was the demon Zuto.
She jumped away from him and surprisingly to her feet. She looked around for Ewan, but he was nowhere in sight. “Stay away from me. I know who you are.”
Her voice was tinier than a whisper. He flashed her a smile that almost made him handsome. Almost.
“So, you’ve heard of me, little one? Your witless sister, Angelica, no doubt.”
The sarcasm in his voice made her spine stiffen.
“She was able to defeat you.”
He narrowed his red eyes. “She won one battle—not the war. But you won’t.” He snagged her arm faster than she’d expected. “Tell me where you are.”
She shook her head. “No.”
“You’d rather me have the time spider attack your dear sisters? Or even better, Ewan’s blind daughter? I can arrange this. How do you think your champion would feel knowing were responsible for the death of his only child?”
Her heart squeezed at the thought of the spider attacking her family or a helpless child, but Angelica had warned her never to show fear to the demon. He’d play on her fears, trying to get her to make a mistake. Penelope forced herself to raise her chin in defiance, like her older sister Isabella would have. “If you kill them, then you’ll never find me, and you’ll be trapped on your island forever.”
“You think so?” He reached up and yanked a lock of her hair.
“Ouch!” She immediately put her hand on top of her head.
He released her, and she stumble backward. The strands of her hair dangled from his clenched fist. “With this, the spider will find you. All it has to do his sniff it, and he’ll be able to track you.”
“It will never find me. I don’t even know where I am.”
“Are you alone?” His eyes burned brighter as if he could look into her mind.
Before she could think about it, she burst out, “No.” She groaned at her foolishness. She was no match for this demon.
“Then who is with you?” His malice voice was low. “Is it Kane O’Brien?”
She clamped her jaw tight and shook her head.
“No? Another pirate, perhaps? Some foolish hero from the Soaring Phoenix?”
She refused to answer.
“I can see it in your eyes. You do have a champion––Ewan Kelley. I promise you this—I will kill him, but not before I make him watch me torture his daughter.”
“No! How could you do such a thing?”
He shrugged. “I am a demon. Give me what I want or the girl dies.”
“You have his daughter?”
“Not yet, but I will. I have sent the Damsel to fetch her. She’ll soon be my guest.”
Her eyes widened. She remembered what had happened to Angelica’s husband, Ronan, and Isabella’s love, Leif. She couldn’t let Zuto torture a little girl, not if she could help it.
“I swear I’ll stop you. How could you torture a small child?”
“It’s not my first choice, but freedom never comes without a price, princess. It’s time you learned this.”
He reached for her again. This time, she flicked her hand, and the strands in his fist turned to ice.
“Ah, so, you’re trying to use your useless powers. Ice doesn’t bother me. But I don’t like magic being used against me. You’ll need to be taught a lesson. Boba.”
The snake armlet on his bicep that she hadn’t even noticed him wearing moved. Its red eyes glowed, and horror jumped down her throat as it slithered down his arm and landed on the beach with a thud. It slid along the sand, growing in size, the head flattening. Its tongue flickered in and out, then the snake raised its head as it shifted back in forth.
She stepped away. She looked frantically for Ewan.
“Don’t worry, it won’t kill you. But you’ll be in pain and remember not to disappoint me.”
The snake opened its mouth, revealing fangs.
Zuto flashed a deadly smile. “But your hero won’t be as lucky.”
He snapped his fingers, and the snake lunged for her. She darted away, its fangs nearly missing her arm.
She turned and ran down the beach, screaming.
Chapter 11
Zuto leaned casually against a palm tree on his island and pretended to leisurely watch Captain Quinton Palmer approach. Too many times he’d depended on the captain to carry out his plans, and too many times the man disappointed him. Too many times, he’d suffered the wrath of an angry god for the man’s incompetence. But once again, he was reluctantly forced to rely on Palmer’s help.
As he closed the distance, Palmer watched him warily with his right eye. His left eye watered as always, thanks to Ronan Macmillan. A member of the Soaring Phoenix, he’d been a prisoner on board the Damsel, and on one desperate attempt to escape he’d grabbed a sword and stabbed Palmer in the eye. Zuto had always admired Ronan for bringing down the haughty captain.
The sun set behind the Fiery Damsel, a three-masted Spanish carrack, making it look darker and gloomier––fitting for a ship full of killer vampires. After Captain Kane O’Brien and his crew sunk Palmer’s ship, he’d been determined to steal a faster and better ship to exact his revenge. Palmer and his crew attacked the Spanish ship on its voyage back to Spain to bring King Philip the Fifth’s jewels from the New World. They confiscated the booty then murdered everyone on board. Their greed and blood thirstiness sickened even Zuto, but they were a necessary evil.
He was at least the master over them, unlike Natasa who was his master. He hated being her slave and forced to do her biding. He couldn’t believe that at one time he’d fallen for her feminine charms only to be hurt and betrayed, but then what would a demon know about love?
’Twas something he was curious about after watching Kane risk his life over and over again to save his beloved Hannah and Ronan refusing to have his severed hand returned in order to be with Angelica. Humans were so different than demons, and sometimes, he actually envied them––except for the ruthless
man walking toward him. Palmer had the soul of a demon.
As Palmer approached him, Zuto watched the sun slowly lower toward the sea. He stiffened. Soon Natasa would return and would inflict her torture, but not before he gave the fool Palmer his new orders.
Palmer left his men standing on the beach next to the longboat. Zuto could sense their fear.
The captain faced him. Taller than most men, he was several inches shorter than Zuto. The ocean breeze blew his long red beard, which hid the many scars on his face.
“Greetings, Palmer.”
Palmer lowered his head. “Zuto. What is your bidding?”
Although he appeared to do homage, his tired voice irritated Zuto. He needed to have a little fear to remind him that he was only a vampire.
“I need you to go on two missions. The first is to go to Saint Kitts and retrieve Catriona Kelley and bring her to me.”
Palmer lifted his head and smirked. “So, the grand gun master has a daughter.”
“Do not hurt her.” His snake band moved around his bicep.
Palmer’s eyes widened.
“Maketabori gave it to me, Palmer. Would you like to see what they can do?”
Palmer shook his head. “No.”
Zuto took a minute to take in the captain’s fear before he continued. “Now pay attention. After you retrieve the girl, track down the Soaring Phoenix and then utter the word ‘Guaba’.”
Palmer looked at him suspiciously. “What is Guaba?”
Zuto snapped his fingers. The trees shook, and the earth quaked. Palmer stepped back and withdrew his sword. The men on the beach shoved the longboat into the water, apparently willing to abandon their captain. No loyalty among killers.
The time-spider crashed through the trees, completely healed. It shrieked, and saliva dripped from its jaws onto the sand. Palmer edged toward the beach and glanced over his shoulder. He cursed under his breath.
“Don’t worry, Captain. His designs are not for you––at least, not yet.”
Palmer jerked his head around then licked his dry, cracked lips. “When it appears, it will only go after the mermaid?”
“Yes, you coward. It needs to bite the mermaid, then bring her and the girl to me. Don’t even think about harming my pet. Or you’ll find yourself flung through time or made into a morsel for my other pets. Do we have an understanding?”
“Aye.”
“Good.” The sun disappeared into the sea. Zuto saw a female silhouette move between the trees and bristled. Natasa was here. Not taking his eyes off her, he flicked his hand. “Get back to your ship before I have the spider start to feast on you.”
Palmer sprinted down the beach then fired his pistol into the air. “Ye filthy swine, come back for me!”
Zuto could care less whether his men returned or not or whether Palmer was forced to change into a bat and fly back to his ship. He had worse things to think about––such as surviving the bleak night.
Chapter 12
Penelope jerked awake. The fogginess of the dream still gripped her—the warmth of the sun on her skin, the crashing waves, the cool breeze. Any minute, the demon would come out of the jungle with his pet snake. She and Ewan were in danger. They had to get out of here—now.
“Ewan?”
She twisted her body around, but she was alone. Something flickered out of the corner of her eye. She jumped to her feet, and her right leg collapsed. Pain shot up her calf, and she couldn’t breathe. Her heart beating against her ribs, she looked for Zuto and the snake, but there was no sign of them.
The ravaging storm from last night was gone, replaced with the morning dawn. The sun’s rays warmed her shivering body. Sand stuck to her cheek, and she brushed it off.
Seagulls flew overhead, and small plovers hopped along the shoreline. She saw no footprints or snake tracks. Her fear lessened. It had been a dream. An all too real dream.
She exhaled slowly. She was alone. Then it slowly dawned on her. She was alone––vulnerable.
Where was Ewan? Had Zuto made good on his promise? Would he really torture a blind child? She knew demons were vicious, but Zuto’s evilness awakened a desire inside her to fight. She was a princess and the daughter of the great king Eldric––it was time for her to stop being a coward.
She cupped her hands over her mouth. “Ewan!”
A sea gull answered her call with a mournful cry.
“Ewan, where are you?”
But only her loud, beating heart answered her.
She shielded her eyes with her palm and scanned the beach and sea, afraid she’d see a dead body. The sea was peaceful and the beach empty. Sitting on her arse and screaming wasn’t going to help her. She gently pushed herself to a standing position, careful not to put too much pressure on her leg. She limped, and misery seized her. She stopped catching her breath and shoved the hair out of her eyes, then frowned.
She glanced over her shoulder. The sea beckoned her. Her father would protect her from the creature and she’d be safe. Or at least, she’d hoped she would.
No. She mustn’t. The spider would follow her. Home wasn’t an option.
A groan made her whip her head around, afraid the demon was there, but she didn’t see Zuto. Unless he used magic, he wouldn’t be able to hide. She suspected he didn’t ever hide. Why would he? He had nothing to fear.
Someone moaned again.
It sounded human.
She took a hesitant step toward the trees. “Ewan?”
Red strands of hair blew in the wind. Ewan had lost his shirt, and his trousers were ripped. He lay on his back, his hand over his eyes as if he couldn’t look at her, but hope filled her. He was alive.
She limped toward him. “Are you hurt?”
“Shite, leave Penelope, while ye can.”
She shrank from his harsh voice. He was back to being the hard gun master. She put too much pressure on her bad leg and sharp pain stabbed her. She wobbled then fell onto her side, crying out.
“Penelope?”
His voice was less harsh and seemed to be filled with concern.
“I’m fine.” She rubbed her trembling hand over her calf, trying to hold back tears. The bandage had slipped, tearing off loose skin and revealing a jagged pink bite mark. Pain throbbed steadily. It smelled putrid, like sweet almonds. She covered her mouth and gagged.
He shakily stood on his feet and frowned as he looked at her calf. “This needs to be redressed. We need to find fresh water.”
Sand and dried blood stuck to his shoulder, and he had a deep cut down his chest that she hadn’t noticed before.
“You need it as much as I do.”
His frown turned into a small grin. “Aye, yer right.” He stuck out his opposite arm. “Shall we?”
She clasped his arm. “I guess we’re quite the pair.”
He was surprisingly strong to lift her to her feet. “I thought you were weak.”
“Weak for a vampire.” He led her toward the jungle. His smile slowly faded. “Ye must listen. It does not bode well for ye to be with me. Once we dress yer leg, ye must return to yer father.”
She shook her head. “Ewan, you know I can’t. The spider would follow me there. I need to work on developing my power.” Without a handsome man tempting her. He needed to get back to his daughter, but how could she tell him about Zuto’s plans? He was so weak the demon could easily make good on his threat. What was worse, she sensed a growing attraction between them which would prove perilous for her. She needed to remain pure––untouched. She twirled the pearls around her neck, hoping they were still white. “We need to get you to your ship. We need to somehow signal the Phoenix. I am sure they are looking for you.”
He tightened his grip on her arm, and she winced.
A vein in his taut cheek trembled. “I’m not safe to be with ye in this state. Ye’ll do as I say.”
She bristled at his belligerent voice, but silenced any retort when she noticed a red rim had formed around his green eyes. He turned his head, and when he l
ooked at her, ’twas gone.
She pretended not to notice and allowed him to escort her deeper into the jungle. Leaves rustled, and birds jumped into the air as if a predator was pursing them. Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. She stopped and clenched Ewan’s arm. She lowered her voice. “Do you think the spider is in there? Can it jump out of thin air?”
He shook his head. “Whenever I have seen it, the beast crawls out of the ground. If the earth rumbles, then we have a problem.”
She nodded, hoping he was right, but she couldn’t stop trembling. Their movement was slow and hesitant as they walked across the jungle floor of leaves and twigs. Bright flowers smelled fragrant and chased away some of her tension. A spider web hung from tree-to-tree, and terror crawled up her spine. She jerked back, yanking on Ewan’s arm. He cursed as he tumbled into her, knocking her to the ground.
She landed on her back on a bed of ferns. She couldn’t take her eyes off the spider web that dripped with dew. The memory of men being torn apart flashed in her mind, sending blood pumping wildly through her veins. All her bravery of escaping the storm and battling the shark vanished. ’Twas all for nothing. The creature had found them. The web trembled, and she screamed.
Ewan hauled her up and grabbed her shoulders. “Penelope, it’s not the beastie. I promise ye. Listen to me.”
Her cheeks burned at her foolishness. “I am sorry. Everything hit me at once. Shall
we––”
Suddenly, Ewan kissed her, brutally crushing his lips to hers, silencing her. He wrapped one arm around her waist, pinning her to his hard chest.
Penelope was terrified. Her body burned with anger and fear and panic, her senses exploding with the will to escape. She shouldn’t be kissing. Her father said physical intimacy would weaken her power and put her people at risk. She was supposed to be the next queen, and sometimes, that meant making sacrifices.
She wiggled her body, but her hands were trapped against his smooth, muscled chest. She tried to push herself free, but it was like pushing against a ship. She opened her mouth to protest, but Ewan cut off her escape and filled it with his tongue, thrusting with deep strokes that were as thrilling as they were shocking. He twisted his hand into her hair. She’d only ever experienced gentle stolen kisses, but this was anything but gentle. His mouth was desperate and possessive, quelling any protests, any attempt to turn away from the passionate embrace.