by ML Guida
“Kane, you were strapped to a breaking wheel.”
“I’m a bloody vampire. I should have been able to stop him.”
“During the full moon.”
He sighed, running his hand down her arm. “Jacques will pay for what he did to you.”
She sniffed and nodded.
“Hannah, lower the blanket. I promise you’ll feel better.” She gulped but obeyed, avoiding his eyes, and stared at the ceiling. He smeared a salve onto her breast and she jumped. Kane’s face remained frozen. Was he repulsed?
He lifted the blanket and placed it on half of her shivering body. His fingers smoothed salve onto her right thigh, and she gritted her teeth.
His expression softened. “I’m sorry, love. I didn’t mean to hurt you. The salve will heal the bruises and the scratch.” He crossed the room and opened a dresser drawer, taking out a white sheet, which he tore into long strips. He sat on the bed and, gingerly, wrapped strips around her thigh. “Get under the covers.” She nodded and obeyed. Was he disgusted?
He put out the lantern, and she waited for him to leave, but the bed sank with his weight. He stretched out next to her and gathered her into his strong arms, holding her close to him, and the nightmare vanished. He kissed her on the top of her head. “I’ll never let anyone hurt you again.” She believed him.
Snuggling closer to him, her breathing soon matched his. She rested her head on his chest, her tears slipping down her cheeks. His arms tightened around her and he kissed her again. “Shhh,” he whispered.
Her eyes grew heavy and she kissed his chest. He sucked in his breath and she smiled, slowly drawing on his chest with her fingers. Strong arms tightened around her and she sighed. The memory of Jacques’s evil face faded. She lifted her head and stared into Kane’s hooded eyes. The vampire would protect her. Kane was hers.
She woke the next morning and he was gone. Where was he? Just before they drifted to sleep, she had tried to kiss him, but he had turned his head away. She had run her fingers over his chest and he had told her to stop, his voice stern. Was she soiled goods?
She sat up and blinked back tears. Her sore fingers hurt, but she was determined to practice using her cutlass. She got out of bed and winced. Every muscle screamed for her to return to bed, but since Kane obviously wasn’t interested and would probably dump her someplace, she had to learn to protect herself.
She rolled Kane’s shirt up, tying the ends together and a pair of breeches. She had to tie a scarf around his breeches to keep them falling down. Within minutes, she was up on deck. Kane stood next to Sean with his spyglass in his hand. She could see Tortuga in the distance.
Black smoke rose on the far side of Tortuga up to the blue sky. With each passing fathom, it grew closer. Fire licked the tall buildings. The scent of gunpowder mixed with the sea air. Many ships docked in the harbor had cannonball holes in their hulls. One such ship tilted into the ocean, its stern rising up as the bow sunk below the surface. Hannah closed her eyes and hung her head. The slowly sinking ship suffered the same death as the Dolphin. How many people had died? The Fiery Damsel? Had to be.
Not caring if he found her tainted, she ambled over to Kane. “Kane, why are we here?”
Kane gritted his teeth. “Because the Damsel has been here.”
She edged closer to him, wishing he’d wrap his arm around her, but he kept his hands to himself.
She looked back at the smoke on the horizon and swallowed the lump in her throat. Why didn’t he want to touch her? “What do you see?”
“The Scarlet Woman, a large gaming house and bordello burned. I’d been there many a times. Some of those people had been my friends and now, they’ve been attacked.”
She placed a hand to her churning stomach. Closed her eyes. The acrid smoke burned her nose she could almost hear the screams. She knew what ’twas like to be attacked.
In her mind’s eye, she could see the horror—the crimson flow of life force draining away, the wounded writhing in the pain, limbs being brutally loped off. She could hear the terrified screaming, the stampeding feet, the gurgles of the dying. She could smell the death around her—the coppery scent of spilled blood, the burning stench of gunpowder, the stark odor of sweaty fear. What a terrible, terrible shame. Remorse tasted like bitter nightshade. Deadly and unrelenting. ’Twas all her fault this endless carnage.
Kane lowered the spyglass and gazed at her. He gave her a smile. He wrapped his arm around her, and she melted against him. She leaned her head against his chest, inhaling his masculine scent, and tightened her arms around his waist, never wanting to release him. She stared up into his face, his eyes watched her. A look of possessiveness, determination reflected in them. Maybe she’d been wrong. At least, she hoped she was.
“Hannah,” he pushed a hair out of her face. “I want you to stay in the cabin while we go ashore.”
She stiffened and moved away from him. “No, I’m not going to hide Kane. Besides, if they attack us, they’ll find me anyway.”
He gripped her arm and pulled her to him. “Hannah, you’re not going to put yourself in danger. You’ll do as I say.”
He towered over her, his eyebrows knotted and his face set in a tight line. His fingers were like steel. Her heart thumped in her chest. She jerked, and was surprised, she broke free. Why had he released her? She refused to cower, wanted to prove she could fight. “Kane, I’m not going to hide in the cabin like a wilting rose.” His face clouded and there was no changing his mind, but she wasn’t done yet. “Fine. But I intend to practice using my cutlass.”
He lurched for her again, but she outmaneuvered him. “Kane, don’t go back on your promise on teaching me to fight. A man’s only as good as his word.”
He swore under his breath. “Don’t twist my words around.”
She glanced at the smoke rising into the air. “I’m not.” She folded her arms across her chest. “You kill them by decapitation, don’t you?”
He grabbed her shoulders and silenced her protests with a kiss, chasing away her doubts. He did want her. She dug her nails into him, pinning him to her. She sighed into his hard body. He broke off the kiss and whispered in her ear, “You don’t, I do.”
She studied his handsome face. “You can die the same way, can’t you?”
His fingers clasped her chin. “Mallory?”
“Aye, Capt’n?”
“Fetch ahead. We’re going ashore.”
Kane leaned closer, his breath brushing over hers.
Hannah’s heart pounded, waiting in anticipation.
“Ease your helm to the dock, helmsman. Get her underway. I want to dock at the far edge of the city. Shorten her sail, mates.”
His lips captured hers. Hannah held onto him, afraid to let him ago. What if the crew of the Fiery Damsel was hiding on the island? She explored his mouth, wanting to taste him.
“Captain,” Sean asked.
Kane slowly released her. “Stay aboard, Hannah.”
She searched his eyes. He was walking into danger, leaving her aboard the blasted ship.
Kane wrapped his arm around her as the Soaring Phoenix sailed into the harbor, and docked. Men lowered the plank. She tightened her arm around Kane’s waist. How much human causality was on the island? Was her father among the dead?
Flames flickered over the city, devouring buildings. Smoke filled the air, swirling like a gnarled hand. She wrinkled her nose at the gunpowder and charcoal polluting the sea air.
William walked over to them. He had red-rimmed eyes and a shadow beard. “The men await your orders, Captain.”
Kane nodded. “Meet me at the bow.”
William headed back to the crew. The crew stood at attention in the middle of the deck waiting for Kane.
Hannah gripped Kane’s bicep.
He sighed, “Aye?”
“Please come back,” she whispered.
His arm encircled her waist, pressing her to his body, and his hand gripped her buttock. A fast heat paralyzed her, fanning through her bo
dy with unsettling precision. His hungry lips were demanding, moving hot and sure over hers, ravaging them with a fierce insistence that left her weak and breathless.
“Ahem. Captain?”
Breaking off the kiss, he whispered in her ear, “I’ll be back. I promise.”
She nodded, but tensed as Kane moved away and headed to his men. A dark premonition filled her. She glanced into the heavens and murmured, “Please let him return to me.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Kane stared at Tortuga and the rising smoke swirling into the sky. Palmer. He was sure of it. He glanced over his shoulder at Hannah. His beautiful Hannah. He wanted to lift her up off her feet, carry her back down to his cabin and kindle the passion deep within her. Damn. Why hadn’t he sent her back to England where she would have been safe? Now, she was trapped. There was no ship fast enough to out maneuver the Fiery Damsel when she was in pursuit. Only the Soaring Phoenix could out run her. He should lock her in the cabin, she’d be safer. He gritted his teeth. There would be hell to pay. With her powers, she’d break free and try to use her blasted cutlass.
He returned his focused to his men. “Let’s go. I want any news of Palmer. See if anyone knows his plans. Spread out and meet back here at sunset.”
He strolled down the plank to the dock. A grizzled old man put his hands on his hips. “You canna not dock here, sailor. We doona know you and the last unknown ship nearly destroyed us.”
Kane cocked his eyebrow. “Barney, you don’t know me man?”
Barney scowled slowly his face broke out into a grin. “Captain Kane O’Brien. I’ve not seen you for sumtim.” He glanced at Sean and slapped his hand on his forehead. “Sean Mallory. I’m sorry mate. I guess with all the mayhem tonight I didna recognize you.”
Kane tilted his head to the burning smoldering black and gray smoke, spinning into the sky. “What happened, Barney?”
Barney shook his head. “The devil himself sailed into our harbor a few days ago with his blasted crew.”
Sean and Kane exchanged glances as Barney recounted what had happened and confirmed their suspicions about Palmer and his crew savaging the town.
“I seen the bats land back on the boat an’ the ship sailed out of the harbor,” Barney said. “They sailed back to hell.”
“Thank you, Barney,” Kane shook his hand.
Barney’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not thinkin’ of going after ’em devils, are you?”
Kane clapped him on the back and winked. “Thanks again, old man.”
His crew moved past him and made for the smoldering buildings. The stench of burned flesh turned Kane’s stomach. He grimaced at flies buzzing around human carcasses littering the street. “Christ. Nothing but empty shells.”
“Aye, Capt’n,” Sean answered.
Kane stared at the blackened bordello. The top two floors had collapsed, but an oak staircase survived. Bits of charred wood blew in the wind. The remnants of brass beds and chairs were thrown onto the street. How many people had perished inside?
Divinity, a prostitute Sean often visited when they docked in Tortuga, rushed into Sean’s arms. Between sobs, she retold the harrowing nightmare of how she hid in the carriage house in a bale of hay. Palmer’s men had dragged one of her friends into the carriage house and tortured her, leaving her for dead. Sean hugged Divinity and promised she’d be all right before parting ways.
Down a narrow street, an old woman with a multi-colored striped shawl sat on the stones steps in front of a small white washed church. Gold hoop earrings dangled from her ears and bangle bracelets banged together on her wrist as she pointed a crooked finger at them. “I know what and who you are.”
Kane stopped and frowned. Chills scurried down his back. A memory stirred within him, but he couldn’t recall. Why? What was wrong with him? He tried to think, but fog rolled into his mind, clouding his thoughts. What was happening? Was it her? He couldn’t remember.
“You are the likes of the ones who were here last night—Vampire.”
Sean hissed.
Kane’s blood froze. The woman must be mad. “You’re mistaken. We’ve just docked today.”
Sean sneered, gripping the butt of his pistol. “What do you mean by that old woman?”
“Just what I mean,” she said. “Vampire.”
Sean narrowed his eyes. “Why do you call us vampires?”
“Because I know a vampire when I see one. I’ve the gift of sight. I see you’re like the ones of last night but not. I know you don’t kill your prey nor do you enjoy feeding on the innocent. You’ve been cursed.”
Drawing his sword, Kane crept up the steps and pointed it at the woman’s heart. “How do you know this old woman? Speak. Tell me or I’ll slit you throat.” Was she a trick? Were they about to be ambushed? “Have I met you before?”
She laughed.
The hair on the back of Kane’s neck pricked.
She stopped. “I’m no trick.”
Kane edged the sword closer to heart, yet the woman didn’t flinch.
She stared expectantly. “As I told you, I’ve the gift of sight, but my grandchildren’s powers are greater than mine.”
Kane studied the alley waiting to see if anyone else appeared, ready to cast a spell or ambush them, but nothing happened.
“No, they’re not here,” she said. “My granddaughter’s somewhere safe, but my poor grandson, Lark, was taken aboard the Fiery Damsel, he’s imprisoned along with your friend, Ronan Macmillan.”
Kane lifted her chin with his sword. “You seem to know a lot about our business.”
She glared. “Listen to me and listen well. I’d no intention of getting into this fight between you and Quinton Palmer until he took my grandson. Yes, I’m a witch, a very powerful one. I’ve seen the cards and much to my chagrin, our families are intertwined Captain O’Brien.”
“Witch,” Kane cocked his eyebrow. “What do you mean, crone?”
Sean cocked and aimed his pistol at her. She waved her hand at the pistol. It flew out of his Sean’s hand and fell at his feet. “Meaning, you can’t defeat Palmer or Zuto without our help.”
Kane pressed his sword deeper. “I don’t like riddles.”
“You think you’re all powerful, vampire. I don’t think so. It’s not just Zuto you have to face, but his god, the God of the Underworld. To defeat him, you’ll need us. Lower your sword or I’ll tell you nothing.”
“’Tis a trick, Capt’n,” Sean argued.
Kane studied the crone. He needed answers and lowered the sword.
“Very well, Captain,” the old woman said. “My name’s Morgana Fey.”
Kane sucked in his breath. “Bloody hell.”
Morgana waved her hand. “Not the Morgana Fey. She was my great-great grandmother. I’m a descendent, but her powers grow strong within me. My granddaughter’s even more powerful than I am, but ’tis my grandson you should be worried about.”
Kane gripped his sword tighter. “Stop talking in riddles.”
“You must free my grandson before his powers are tapped by the demon, Zuto, or Palmer tricks him into doing something stupid. Lark does not know the depths of his powers, and I hadn’t finished his training when he was taken.”
Sean bent over to retrieve his pistol. “His training?”
“Yes, you dolt. He’s the power to command the winds and the seas. What do you think Palmer would do with that?”
Sean snatched his pistol and aimed it at her, but this time, she sat still as if she had no fear. Kane’s stomach clenched. This kept getting worse and worse.
The witch lowered her voice. “Zuto thinks Lark kept them from destroying the city, but ’twas my granddaughter, Mariah. She’s a more powerful witch than he is.”
Sean frowned. “What do you mean witch? He’s a man and thus is a warlock.”
The woman slapped him on the thigh and Sean blinked. “You fool! Both men and women are witches, but if a male witch is turned to the dark side, he becomes a warlock.”
Kane lowered his sword. “How do we know Lark won’t turn on us?”
She shrugged. “He’ll fight, but I sense his resistance is failing. The cards have told me one more thing. You’ve another problem, Captain. Justin Knight.”
“Don’t play games with me wench, tell me.”
“He told Palmer about Hannah’s ability. He already suspected she had a concealed power. Now, he wants her, too.”
Sean glanced at him. Kane tensed. What if the bastard planned to sneak back and kidnap Hannah?
His jaw twitched. He lifted his sword at her again. “How do you know this?”
“I saw him do it. I have the gift. He was sputtering like a witless fool about her power.”
“Bloody idiot,” Sean said.
“You both don’t understand. Palmer hates witches. The only reason Lark’s alive is because of the demon, Zuto. They need him to counter Hannah.”
“Meaning?” Kane lowered his sword.
“As soon as Zuto no longer needs Lark, Palmer will kill him along with your woman. Everything the man does is based on revenge, just like you Capt’n.”
Refusing to give into the panic rising inside him, Kane asked. “Do you know where he’s headed?”
She nodded. “He’s gone out to sea, but he’s waiting for you Capt’n. You two will meet very soon. To protect your woman, you must free my grandson, Lark. Without him, you’ve no chance in defeating the demon.”
Kane grimaced. That’s all he needed—a warlock to add to his troubles.
The woman began to disappear. Kane whipped out his sword. A loud bang hurt his ears. Suddenly, the air crackled with lightning. The atmosphere grew heavy and tense, the air thin, the temperature plummeted. Goose bumps broke out on Kane’s arms and he shivered. Kane labored to take a breath. Dizziness swept over him. His legs trudged along, but each step he took was like walking through angry waves. He gripped his weapons tighter as a strong wind tried to whip them out of his hands. Swearing, he motioned for Sean to move. They backed out of the alley. When they reached the end of the street, the air lightened. Kane breathed normal. “Sweet Jaaysus.”