by ML Guida
“Hannah, if I would have fed, those men would have died. I refuse to drain another human being to satisfy the blasted curse.”
She frowned. “But you won’t be at full strength when you face Palmer.”
His lashes dark against his cheeks and his mouth grim it took all of her restraint to not admonish him for sacrificing himself for his men.
“Hannah, I’ll be fine.”
He needed blood and his stubbornness could be the death of him. “No, you won’t.” She grabbed his hand. “Come on.”
“Hannah,” he refused to move. “I won’t feed on the prisoners.”
“Did I say prisoners?”
His eyes widened. “What? No.”
She marched up to him and pressed her body against his. She maneuvered her hands slowly, lifting them to caress his cheeks first, to brush aside strands of windblown hair, then weaving her fingers deep into his dark locks. He sucked in his breath. She tipped her mouth up to his, her eyes half-hooded, and felt the tremors in his hands as they slid down her neck, then gripped her shoulders. For the length of two, three heartbeats, she feared he would push her away. She kissed him and whispered, “You’ve taken my blood before.”
He stiffened. “I didn’t mean to…”
“I’m offering it to you. Please.”
He groaned. “Hannah.”
She smiled, his body trembled and his erection pressed against her thigh. She clasped his calloused hand and pulled. He stood still. She cocked her eyebrow and unbuttoned her shirt.
“What are you doing?”
“’Tis here or our cabin.”
He sighed and nodded. “Lead on.” He reluctantly followed, his head hanging down. Her heart quickened and she licked her lips. She closed the door, whirled around and pushed Kane against the door. He had always been her strength, now ’twas her turn.
She ravaged his lips, pleading silently for him to give into temptation, wanting to give him what he needed. And when he did, groaning with abandoned selfishness, his arms wrapped around her and held her close, so close she felt his heart rumbling within his chest. The air was driven from her lungs in a cry of relief, but his mouth was there to seize it, to share it, to help her forget the upcoming battle. He brought her hard up against him, devouring her in the desperate kiss of man facing a deadly foe.
She ripped off his shirt, buttons popping to the floor around them and lightly bit his nipple. He tasted of salt and man. The shudder that passed through him sent a corresponding shudder shaking her spine. Liquid heat pulsated through her arms, and the length of her body, flowed molten fire through her veins. Wanton. She was wanton and out of control, but she’d never experienced such feminine power.
A rough curse brought him gripping her shoulders and whirling her around pressing her back to the door. His mouth stayed fastened over hers, but his hands unbuttoned her shirt and with another curse, betraying his impatience, he tore away her chemise, ripping it from her neck to her bellybutton. She gasped.
“I’ll get you a new one,” he mumbled.
Hannah arched her back as his mouth suckled her nipple, sending her warmth and passion through her, but when he went to carry her to the bed, she pushed his arms down and wiggled away. “No,” she panted. She unbuckled her belt, tossing her it onto the floor along with her pistol and cutlass. His hot gaze sizzled across her skin. She kicked off her boots and yanked down her trousers. “I want you to take me, here now. Against the door.”
His eyebrows knotted. “Right here?”
She leaned her head back against the door. “Yes, please. I want to burn this into my mind so that when I close my eyes and face the demons threatening to kill me, this will be all that I see and feel. This will give me the strength to survive.”
His red eyes burning brighter, he growled rather than answering her. He tore off his shirt, unfastened his belt, his sword and pistol falling next to Hannah’s, and yanked down his breeches, releasing his erection. Smiling, Hannah stood perfectly still against the door, her body drowning in alternating waves of heat and icy anticipation. Her eyes were all that moved, avidly taking in his glorious body.
He stopped just short of touching her and boldly flashed his gaze over her, turning her legs to seaweed. His hands cupped her heavy breasts and she groaned as his thumbs brushed over her budded nipples. One hand slid down her quivering belly toward her tangle of dark curls before slipping between her thighs.
She cried out, her head pressing against the door, reveling in his sweet torture. He stroked her, his finger tracing the folds of her feminine core, probing the silky rifts. She whimpered as her thighs tightened around the intrusion. He moved forward, but this time ’twas not his finger, but his flesh slowly sliding inside her, teasing her, kindling her passion.
When her hips started to curl upward to meet his slow thrusts, he bent down his lips brushing over her neck. She turned her head and offered him more of her flesh. Her hand slipped around his neck pressing him down onto her. “Now,” she whispered, “drink.”
“Hannah,” he groaned. His tongue licked her and she closed her eyes, waiting for him to bite her, taking what he needed. She wrapped her other arm around his waist holding him to her. He lifted his head and murmured, “I’m sorry, Hannah. I can’t resist.”
“Drink, love, drink,” she insisted.
His teeth sank into her flesh. A sharp but swift pain jabbed her neck. White-hot whips of lightning pleasure propelled through her body, his sucking intensified and his hips quickened their pace, his cock filling her. Hannah matched his intensity, her hips matching his rhythm. She locked her legs around his hips, hooking her ankles, holding him to her. “Harder,” she gasped.
His powerful thrusts drove deeper inside her, touching her womb, taking her to the same blazing depth. Hannah’s pleasure exploded. She cried out as shudder after shudder seized her. He slammed in her one more time, spilling his seed inside her. Dizziness swept over her. He raised his head, licked her neck. “Hannah, Hannah, did I hurt you?”
“No,” she whispered. She gazed into his concerned eyes and cupped his face. “I need you to survive, Kane.”
He rested his head against hers, their skin moist to the touch. Her tiny muscles still clamped around his moving flesh. “I promise you, I will.”
She rubbed his back, feeling the power within his sculpted sinew. “You better.” Her quivering legs tightened around his hips, binding him. He might not survive and she needed him to want to survive. A reason to live. “Because I love you.”
He jerked his head up. A look of bewilderment filled his face. “But, I’m a vampire.”
“Yes, you are.” She traced her finger around his heaving chest. “You’re my vampire.”
She held her breath waiting for him to respond in kind, her hand pressed against his beating heart, wanting, needing him to respond in kind, but he only stared. He opened his mouth, and shut it. His hand trembling, he cupped her chin. “You’re so beautiful.”
Beautiful? She wanted to hear the words, needed to hear them, desperate for them. Kane had always acted like he believed in her, cared for her. Why would he not say them? Didn’t he feel the same?
He dropped his hand and turned his head, his silky hair caressed her hot skin, but when he faced her. Her hope died. His captain scowl had returned. “We’re being hunted by the Fiery Damsel and I’ve got to get up on deck.”
She swallowed, unable to answer. Better or worse, she’d said it. Now, she knew where she stood. Disappointed.
Hannah slowly unlocked her legs and bit her lips. Jacques’ words of how Kane tired of women haunted her. Had he tired of her? Kane slowly withdrew from her wetness.
She brushed past him and headed for his dresser. Clothing rustled behind her as she grabbed one of his shirts and tied the long ends into a knot to keep from wearing it like a dress.
“One of these days, I’ve got to get you shirts that actually fit you,” Kane said.
She turned around. “I like wearing your shirts.”
A slow smile spread across his lips. He handed her the discarded breeches on the floor along with her weapons. She sat on the bed and with shaking hands, she put on her boots.
“You don’t have to fight, Hannah,” he said. “You can stay here.”
She met his gaze. “I’m not afraid,” she said. Only afraid of you not loving me.
He held out his hand and she clasped it. Together, they walked up on deck.
Soft beams lit up the dark ocean, waves splashed onto the hull of the ship. Hannah braced her hands on the railing of the ship and gazed out to the moonlight sea, trying to steer her courage. Somewhere out there her father was imprisoned on the Fiery Damsel and Palmer was doing God’s knew what to him. Would he even be alive?
“Ahoy, Capt’n,” Amadi called from the crow’s nest.
Amadi pointed. “Off the portside.”
Kane stood beside her and squeezed her hand. “Hannah.” He peered down at her. He looked so different, so mysterious, so deadly. “You’ll follow every word I say without question. Savvy?”
His voice was tender, filled with concern. She turned away. “I’m not hiding in the cabin, Kane, so don’t even ask me.”
He grabbed her arms, his fingers holding her secure, and whirled her around. “Did I say for you to do that? As much I hate this, I need your abilities. I want you to stay close to William.”
She frowned. “Why William? Is he my sentinel now?”
“You’ve little choice. ’Tis him or shackles below.”
“Fine, as long as he does not lock me in the brig with Jacques,” she grumbled.
He released her, his index finger caressing her cheek. “William!”
William marched over to them. “Aye, Kane.”
Kane dropped his hand. “She’s your responsibility, brother.” He nodded towards the Fiery Damsel. “I can’t fight if I fear for her life.”
William braced his shoulders. “I’ll protect her with mine.”
The brothers grasped their hands together in a tight grip. A lump formed in Hannah’s throat. This was it. They could die. Any of them could. Maybe she should hide in her cabin.
Kane stormed away. Her skin was still chaffed where he had kissed her. Her breathing slowed, her eyes grew heavy and she fought to keep them open. Had Kane taken too much blood on purpose so she’d be too weak and sleepy, and miss the battle?
William stood next to her and they both faced the approaching ship. What could they say? They were the only mortals going into battle. She’d her powers, but what about William?
“Hannah, stay with me,” William picked up her hand and squeezed. “If you follow Kane, he’ll not be able to concentrate and you’ll put him at risk.”
She squeezed his hand. “I promised I’d follow his orders.”
“I hope you do,” he dropped her hand and hugged her close. His heart pounded hard. He was as frightened as she.
The Fiery Damsel approached them on the horizon, her sails blooming in the wind and her sweeps splashing in the black sea. Her guns manned, the Fiery Damsel’s full broadside erupted from her beam, sending cannons shrieking through the Phoenix’s tops, tearing sail and rigging, and adding a blanket of black smoke to further mask her movement. The ship came along their portside, vastly overtaking them, just like it had in Saint Kitts. Was their speed due to the witch onboard? Did he make the ship go faster or was it Zuto? Kane had said Zuto couldn’t leave the island, but what if he found a way, what if he was on board that ship. She swallowed hard. Tonight her powers would be put to the test.
“Amadi! Man the guns! Fire when ready,” Kane ordered. Arm raised, Amadi towered over his crew. Waiting for his command, gunners held wicks soaked in saltpeter and spirits of wine, the fuses burning red hot. Others clutched wadding, shot, and powder, prepared to reload the minute the cannons discharged.
“Now,” Amadi yelled, bringing his hand down in a closed fist. Men lowered the wicks to the touchholes and lit the charge of powder. A moment later, the guns erupted synchronously, the deck rumbling from the formidable impact of the carriages recoiling.
Gray twirling smoke snaked around Palmer’s men hurrying to haul the guns inboard for reloading. Less than two hundred yards away, wood from the smashed rails and bulkheads exploded and splintered. Aboard the Fiery Damsel, men were launched in bloody chunks as high as the topsails. Hannah edged closer to William and her eyes watering, she scanned the Damsel’s deck for Palmer. Not even a vampire could survive the ghastly explosions.
A second volley from the Phoenix struck the Damsel before the crew could reload and bedlam broke out along the grisly deck of fallen disembodied vampires, fallen shrouds and blasted spars. Hannah couldn’t help but smile at the turmoil aboard the Damsel. Revenge for the Dolphin.
Their victory was short lived.
“Prepare to be boarded,” Sean yelled. “Use your swords mates.”
A moving black cloud soared from the pursuing ship. The massive flapping of wings chased her breath away. Within the dark mass, dozens of red eyes stared at her. Hannah armed herself. She didn't know how to fire a pistol, but she’d use it. Kane’s voice echoed in her head and she replayed all he’d told her. She’d not fail him.
Despite the fires burning within the Damsel, the ship fired her guns, close enough to send buckets of seawater spraying over the rails. Droplets splashed onto Hannah and salt stained her lips.
William braced his legs. “This is it.”
Hannah frowned, “What about Doc?”
William faced the flying horror. “Hannah, Doc can take care of himself.”
“No, he can’t. I won’t leave him to be slaughtered.” She didn’t wait for William to answer and darted for the cabin. She raced down the steps with William cursing and trailing behind her.
Above deck, the flapping of wings grew louder and feet pounded on the deck. “They’re here,” William said his voice low.
The memory of the Dolphin rushed over to her. The blood splattered deck, men’s throats ripped out, agonizing screams. Dead bodies thrown into the black ocean. Her heart pounded, threatening to explode. Sweat trickled down her back. Last time her power failed her, but this time, she was prepared. She failed to save her crew, but she’d not leave Doc to be massacred.
Thumps, screams and yells echoed down the stairs. Glancing behind her, she gripped her cutlass tighter. William’s back was to her and he faced the stairs, as he slowly descended. She pounded on her cabin door. “Doc!” Her heart stopped when she met with silence. She burst into the cabin. Doc was fully dressed with his cutlass and pistol stuck in his belt.
“Doc,” William came up behind her. “You’re not well enough to fight them.”
Doc shook his head. “I’ll be dead if I stay here.”
“If Jacques is aligned with Palmer, will Palmer’s crew try to free Jacques and his men?”
William’s cheek twitched. “Aye, they will. Kane will have to have eyes in the back of his head. We’ve got to stop them.”
“I’m with you,” Doc answered, his hand shaking as he pulled out his sword.
She tilted her head toward Doc. “William.”
He rushed over to Doc and flung his arm over his shoulder.
Doc frowned. “What are you doin’ boy?”
“Saving your arse.” He dragged Doc down the corridor to the brig.
Hannah followed up the rear. She stepped sideways down the hall, keeping an eye behind them. Dampness permeated the ship. Her shirt stuck to her sweltering skin and her hair clung to her cheekbones. Pistols fired and swords clanged. Was Kane hurt? Did he need her? She wanted to rush up on deck and fight by his side. But what if she got him killed?
“Come on, Hannah,” William urged.
She darted into the brig. Dozens of men filled the cells. Most of which lay in a stupor on floor from being fed off of by Kane’s men.
His face pale and laboring to breathe, Doc leaned against a wall and held his pistol and sword. William locked him inside an empty cell. “To keep you safe, friend.�
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Doc merely nodded. But by his deep frown, he clearly wasn’t pleased.
Ashen, Jacques staggered to his feet. “I’ll soon be free, mademoiselle.” He gripped the bars. “You should be afraid. Very afraid.”
William slammed his pistol onto the bars, barely missing Jacques’ fingers. “Shut up, you dog,” William warned.
Jacques jerked his hands away. “You’ll both be dead soon,” he promised.
The flapping of wings rushed towards them. Hannah’s beating heart matched the bat’s flapping wings. She moved closer to William. Bracing her legs apart, she aimed her cutlass at the open door.
Three red-eyed bats soared into the brig, fluttered in the air, circling them. Their legs and torso lengthened and wings changed into arms. In a grotesque display of cracking and shifting the men transformed into muscular, sneering pirates.
“What do we have here?” the blond of the three pirates asked. “Chickens in a hen house guarded by three pups.”
“Free me, you fools,” Jacques ordered.
“In good time, in good time,” the blond hissed, revealing a mouth full of sharp fangs.
Hannah swallowed, trying to be as calm as William, but her legs wobbled and her hands shook.
The pirate focused on Hannah. He flicked his gaze over her and grinned. “Fear tastes so much better coming from females.”
She gripped her cutlass tighter.
William poised his sword ready to strike. Tilting his chin, his cheek twitched and his eyes focused. She wished she could emulate his stony expression.
“My, you’re a beauty.” The blond pirate meandered towards her, his eyes undressing her.
Even with Kane’s shirt and his trousers hanging loosely around her, she wanted to cover herself.
“What a lovely feast you’ll be,” he taunted. “But first we’ll have fun.” He lurched for her.
Hannah lunged, her cutlass slicing through his shirt and cutting into his flesh. The pirate grabbed his chest. He staggered and slammed into the wall. “Bitch.” He narrowed his eyes and stormed across the cabin. “You’ll pay for that.”
Hannah pressed her palm towards him, and her power swept over her. A gush of wind whirled around him, his hair whipping his face. His eyes widen and he flew backwards, flinging him into the wall. “What the hell?”