Storm: Phantom Islanders Part I

by Ednah Walters

  The banks had walls and a stretch of sloping land between them and the water. I guess one would call it a canal since it was part of the sea, except the entrance was underground. There was land on either side of the wall. One side had trees and the other houses.

  Despite everything, I was curious about this secret island. What was life like on it? Could I escape, or should I resign myself to my fate? No, that was never going to happen. If I had to hide at the bottom of some ship, I was going to make it home. Tommy needed me.

  The door opened, and I looked up, expecting Storm. It was Nerissa. Cheers and the bellowing horn followed her inside until she closed the door.

  She’d changed into a burgundy skirt with a white, decorated petticoat under it, and cute boots. Her corset was a brighter shade of red with black lace, and she’d added a cute black jacket that came to her waist. Even her crazy spiked hair looked freshly teased. She looked amazing, and the sparkle in her brown eyes said she was happy to be home.

  I was envious of her, hated her, and was fascinated by her. I wanted to go home, too, yet she was a symbol of something I didn’t understand. According to history, few women ever openly served on ships as pirates, let alone as an officer. In fact, she could have stepped out of some medieval portrait.

  “You haven’t changed,” she said with disappointment. “I guess you don’t want to meet the others before we head to the Great Hall.”

  She didn’t need to twist my hand. I might need help to plot an escape, and there was always safety in numbers. I raced to the bed.

  Nerissa chuckled. “I’ll wait outside.”

  “No, don’t go.” I had no idea what to wear from the pile of clothes she’d loaned me. I loosened the borrowed pants and yanked them down. I wanted to ask her so many questions so I could figure out my escape. Escape meant knowing my enemies and the layout of the island.

  “How big is this island?” I asked.

  “It’s huge and impenetrable. The entrance we used is controlled from the inside, so no one enters or leaves the island without Storm’s permission.”

  Damn it. Whatever hopes I had of escaping were diminishing. Maybe I’d just fight Storm until he gave up on me being his mate and kicked me out of his island. I studied the clothes.

  “Start with the chemise,” Nerissa she said, pointing at the white blouse with elastic around the neck. It was on top. “I layered them so you knew what to put on first.”

  The chemise was made of a delicate, soft material. Surely, she didn’t expect me to wear it without a bra? Nerissa leaned against the door and continued to watch me with an unreadable expression.

  I lifted the next item, drawers with elastic on the legs. They probably came to my calves and they were hers. Washed or not, I wasn’t wearing someone else’s underwear.

  “Those are bloomers. If you don’t have panties on, feel free to borrow them.”

  “I have panties,” I said quickly, and she chuckled.

  “Were you born with the ability to compel people or is that something you learn?” So I could learn it and knock them all out before heading home.

  “Most of us can compel Tuh’rens. The feeble minded ones are easily compelled while strong willed ones fight it. That’s the forepart,” Nerissa said, pointing at the white skirt with designs, which I’d assumed was a petticoat. “Put it on first. Then the emerald-green overskirt goes on top.”

  I pulled on the forepart, then the overskirt. Because I was shorter than Nerissa, the skirts came to my ankles. The overskirt was open at the front to show off the petticoat/forepart. I tucked the shirt in, and the neckline dipped. Maybe the corset would hold it in place. It was green like the skirt, but with black accents along the front lacing.

  “The chemise will fit you better,” she said and pushed away from the door. She indicated the corset with a nod. “Then I can help you with the bodice.”

  “This is not a corset?”

  “No, it’s a bodice, and it covers your breasts, too.”

  I studied her outfit and imagined myself wearing it. Her bodice cinched her waist and literally pushed up her boobs for the world to see. Not bad for a medieval push-up bra, but the neckline of her chemise was so low her breasts threatened to spill out. My boobs might not be drool-worthy, but I liked them tucked and hidden behind a bra. Unfortunately, mine was still wet on the peg where Storm had hung it. There was no way I was wearing the chemise and displaying my boobs for a bunch of pirates.

  “Did you decide to give those boys sanctuary?” I asked, hoping to distract her.

  “No,” Nerissa said and closed the gap between us. “The timing was off. We haven’t had deserters in a while, and Storm didn’t like them asking now when you just joined us.”

  “Are you saying he denied them sanctuary because of me?”

  She shrugged. “Your safety is the most important thing to us now, Lexi. You don’t like the chemise?”

  “It’s too thin, and I, uh, I don’t have a bra.”

  A chuckle escaped her. “You’ll learn to embrace your womanhood, Lexi, and become comfortable in your own skin in Vaarda. We strip and jump into the canal to swim, and when we leave the water, we sunbathe and dry our bodies, then change back into our clothes, and we do it together with our men, mated and unmated. A woman should never be ashamed of her body or hide her gifts. It’s up to the men to control their urges and know when they are invited to worship us closer. Keep Storm’s shirt if you must, but put on the bodice. I insist. We don’t want you looking like a prisoner.” She picked up the corset-like top. “I’ll help.”

  I was a prisoner, I wanted to remind her, but I was tired of arguing with her. Sighing, I let her lace and tighten the bodice. She led me to the mirror. Despite my situation, I had to admit the outfit was gorgeous and feminine.

  “Put this on.” Nerissa had a jacket I hadn’t seen. It was black with gold buttons.

  “It’s too much,” I protested.

  “I told Storm the same thing, but he insisted.”

  “Why?”

  “I never question the man,” she said.

  “Bullshit,” I shot back, and her eyes narrowed. “Sorry. I, uh, heard you two on the balcony at the hotel. You said you’d kick his ass.”

  “I try, but he doesn’t go easy on me, which is exactly as it should be. We don’t go easy on each other, or our lads would dominate us. They are bossy with larger than life personalities. Don’t ever apologize for speaking your mind. It makes you appear weak. Put this on,” she ordered, and I obeyed. She smiled. “And don’t ever let anyone boss you around either.”

  I studied our reflections. Our dresses were similar, except hers was burgundy and she wore a sword belt. I bet they wouldn’t trust me with a sword. Heck, I wouldn’t trust me with one. I was likely to attempt another escape with it and end up hurting myself. Maybe I could learn how to fight like them, get assigned to a ship, and find my way home from one.

  No, that would take forever. I had to go home in the next ten days. Mr. Sinclair probably skipped the cruise and was searching for me. Tommy probably knew I had disappeared.

  “You look amazing,” Nerissa said, and I forced myself to focus on her. “Keep Storm’s thick socks. You have tiny feet, but with the socks, my boots might just fit you. I’m sure merchants will fight to make you new boots, clothes, or whatever you desire. Being Storm’s mate makes you very special.”

  If she expected me to say something or jump up and cheer, she was in for a disappointment. I didn’t want to be anyone’s mate or want the perks that came with that position.

  “You shouldn’t have jumped into the sea,” she added, studying my hair. I didn’t dignify that with an answer either.

  “Are the other girls borrowing your clothes, too?” I asked instead.

  “No. You are our leader’s mate, so first impression is important,” she said and grinned when I made a face. “Okay, mate-to-be, but our men are kind of territorial once they find their mates.”

  “Neanderthals,” I mumbled.

>   “Hardly,” Nerissa said, chuckling. “Anyone can scent you and say you smell nice, but to a true mate, your scent resonates with his. It stirs his other senses, sometimes even enhancing them. Since we are a magical people, it’s easy to tell.” She walked straight to a shelf and came back with a brush. “I don’t know if I’m explaining myself properly because I’m still searching for mine. But my mother insists that a mate is the person the gods made just for you. They made sure your energies compliment each other, so you know right away when you meet.”

  “Good for them. Unfortunately, I don’t believe in soul mates.”

  “Storm will make a believer of you. He is intense.”

  She handed me the hairbrush. It had his scent. Annoyed with myself for noticing, I tried to tame my hair. With each tug, I cursed softly. Stupid seawater had turned it into a bird’s nest, and my soul mate was a marauding pirate. Wasn’t my life just great?

  “Give me that,” Nerissa said and wrestled the brush from my hand. “You have beautiful hair. Treat it with respect.”

  Seriously? I glared at her.

  A smile tugged Nerissa’s lips. “And you were right about one thing. I question Storm all the time, just never in front of our people. He encourages discussion during council meetings and listens to what the members have to say before he makes a decision, which is the reason we’ve stayed strong while other islands are conquered and occupied by Tullius’s people.”

  “Next time introduce me to that Storm, because I’ve not met him. The one I know just ignores me and keeps doing things his way.”

  She laughed. “He can get that way sometimes. But then again, it’s been six weeks since he first knew you existed yet had no idea how to find you. That’s long enough to drive most lads crazy. Remember one thing when dealing with him or any men on this island. Weak women do not survive out here. They become shadows of themselves. Forgettable. Stand up for yourself. And yes, your hair, even when messy, is beautiful. Combined with that face and those eyes, I think Storm will need to remind the lads again and again that you are his before Selection.”

  Selection? Another ritual? I didn’t want to know. I planned to be gone before that happened. Nerissa led me to the mirror. I had hair from hell, which took forever to tame, but she’d done the impossible in a few minutes.

  We left the captain’s cabin. No one was on the deck, and the blood had disappeared, probably washed away while we were under the sea. On the banks of the river were hundreds of people carrying torches. There were so many of them, including children, and they were dressed just like us in medieval clothes.

  “Are those the islanders?” I asked.

  “Aye. They always welcome us home, whether we bring good or bad news.” She looked up at the clear sky. Another bolt of lightning speared the sky. “We try to celebrate the living first, and then mourn the dead.”

  Nerissa went to the middle of the deck and lifted a trap door. I followed her down the stairs. Hammocks dangled from ceilings and tables with dirty plates and tumblers occupied the middle of the deck. To our right was the cooking area. I could see plates and tumblers on hooks, and a large stove.

  I couldn’t see any place to hide in here, unless it was inside one of the storage barrels. There were several in the galley. I’d look into that later.

  We took the second set of stairs to a lower deck. There were more hammocks, some lower and others higher. These had blankets. A group of about fifteen girls were gathered in the middle of the room. They stared at us with fear and hopelessness. I wished I could reassure them that everything would be all right, but even I didn’t know what awaited us once we docked.

  Storm and his people knew how to pick them. Diverse and gorgeous, and from their dresses, they must have been clubbing when they were Harvested.

  A moan came from the other end of the room, and I noticed a dark-haired girl curled up in a hammock. “What’s wrong with her?”

  “She became hysterical and attacked one of the guards,” one of the women said. “And he knocked her out. She’s my cousin, Skylar. She didn’t even want to go out last night, but I forced her because she spends all her time with her nose in books. She won’t survive without me.”

  Frowning, I started toward her, but Nerissa grabbed my hand and shook her head. I freed my hand from her grasp and went to the girl’s side. She had blood on her forehead and hair.

  “She’s bleeding. What did they do to her?”

  “It’s not her blood,” Storm said, stepping from the shadows. Several men were with him. I’d been so focused on the girl I hadn’t noticed them. “It came from one of the guards. She’s not staying on the island. We’ll pass her to the Undine Court.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means she doesn’t have what it takes to survive our way of life. You shouldn’t be down here, Alexandria. Go back upstairs with Nerissa.” He nodded at the guards. “Take the girls to the Great Hall.”

  “No,” protested the girl who’d said Skylar was her cousin. “Please, don’t separate us.”

  My eyes volleyed between her and Storm, whose expression wasn’t giving anything away. Once again, he indicated to the guards to take the girls upstairs.

  “Don’t do it,” I said, lowering my voice. I didn’t want to question his decision in front of his people, but he was wrong. “It’s scary enough being here without having the one person you know taken from you.”

  Storm waited until the men steered the girls upstairs, and then he closed the gap between us. My heartbeat moved from normal to “oh shit” in seconds. The tattoos around his neck appeared to shift and writhe as though they were alive. Or maybe I was so wary of this Storm my vision was skewed.

  “Alexandria,” he said through clenched teeth. “When I give an order—”

  “I’m not one of your crew or an islander, Storm. I’m a prisoner, someone you abducted and brought here against her will. So I will not obey you. I will fight you every day until you let me go.”

  Silence followed as we stared at each other. His jaw was clenched, his eyes narrowed, but I was ready if he pulled something. My entire body was taught with tension.

  “You cannot send her away when her cousin needs her. The girl already feels guilty for dragging her to that club.”

  “People on this island depend on me to keep them safe,” he said, enunciating his words. “I cannot do that when I have a hysterical girl threatening to kill them the first opportunity she gets. She already snatched a dagger from one of my crew and stabbed him.”

  I liked this girl already. “Put yourself in her shoes. She has every right to fight for her freedom, and maybe she didn’t really mean to hurt the guard.”

  Storm shook his head. “She must live with the consequences of her actions. Take her to the east tower.”

  That sounded ominous, and I thought he meant Skylar, but someone grabbed my arm and lifted me to my feet. I tried to free myself until I looked up and I realized who held me. My second least favorite pirate. Levi. He wasn’t letting me go.

  “You are cold and cruel and an unfeeling bastard, Storm.”

  “No, it’s a cruel world we live in, and I adapted, she’lahn. Why do you think we retreated from your world and created the Veil? Your kind hunted us down for years. They called us monsters, the boogeyman in the stories they told their children, the things that crawled out of the lakes, oceans, and seas, yet they stole our women and kept them against their will, worked us like mules. You think I care about Tuh’rens? They are a means to one end. The survival of my people.” He looked away, but not before I saw the pain in his eyes.

  I stared at him in shock. The cruel words from his mouth and the look in his eyes contradicted each other. And what did he mean by we’d hunted his kind? Because they could do magic? I glanced over my shoulder at Levi. For once, I saw an emotion other than annoyance in his eyes. I didn’t want his pity.

  “Put a sock in it, pal.”

  Annoyance returned. That I liked.

  “What does he mean
we hunted your kind?” I asked when we reached the upper deck.

  “Don’t take the things Storm says right now seriously. He’s hurting.”

  “But did we hunt and kill your kind like he said?” I insisted.

  “Aye.”

  “Why?” I asked, but Levi kept quiet. I swear getting information from him was like getting water from a rock. “Because you wield magic and we don’t?”

  “No, because we are different. Your kind doesn’t understand or tolerate differences. We embrace it. We finally realized we could not coexist, so we created a barrier between us. You only see us when we want you to or when the young ones get careless.”

  Different how? I wanted to ask, but we were on the plank exiting the ship. A bridge loomed in front of us, and to our left was a hulking building with turrets and towers. The group of people on the bridge with torches was headed toward it.

  CHAPTER 6

  It was a castle with an outer wall and steps leading to a massive arched entrance. Most of the upstairs windows were dark and foreboding, the only light coming from the towers, ground floor windows, and the doorway. There were no other buildings around it, and beyond it were trees. Across the river on the other side were houses, torches, voices, and music. The differences were stark.

  We stepped off the pier and started toward the stairs connecting the canal bank and the rest of the island. How far was the canal? Was the underground entrance we’d used the only way in and out of the island? Even though I could hold my breath for long under water, I doubted I could escape by swimming out of the canal without knowing what else was out there. From what I’d seen, this island was in the middle of nowhere and escape seemed impossible.

  But I would find a way. I had to.

  My eyes followed the canal when we reached the top of the stairs. More islanders were crossing the bridge and heading toward the castle, all of them studying me as they walked past, whispering. Levi stood aside to let them pass as though he wanted them to notice me. Most nodded and asked about the trip.