Bonded by the Sea

by Victoria Mercier

  “I don’t have a single black pearl on me.”

  “It doesn’t cost black pearls. The price is a favor.”

  Pace considered it. He was aware that the wound must radiate throughout the bond to Ines. She suffered because of him. Well, technically because of captain. It had been his idea to throw Pace into the fight without a weapon. A very stupid idea. While the training on Crab island had helped him a lot, these pirates weren’t small fries. Far from that.

  “I can do that, as long as the favor isn’t immoral or impossible.”

  “Perfect.”

  Pace snatched the vial. Doctor was careful to not touch Pace’s hand.

  “So, what’s the favor.”

  “No idea.”

  Pace snorted expecting this sort of answer. He made a step toward the door, but doctor’s grunt stopped him.

  “Wait a minute,” doctor said.

  In the corner bed, Toggy already snored. A medicine kicked in. The second bed meant to be for Pace, but he refused. Seeing how Toggy weathered the residence in this small cramped room, it sent gooseflesh all over Pace’s body.

  “I am a man of science. All this talk about the Soul Release and such, meh, it stinks of gifts. And they are called forbidden for a reason. But it does work if I like it or not. Some people can learn it in a flight why others can’t grasp that shit. Pembroke must have known it as a toddler. He can heal wounds like yours within a week. He can sense a living organism from afar… the list goes on. If the situation wasn’t serious, I’d hand you a salve out of spite. But the current events… ah, never mind. Just take it and get out of here. Do as Pembroke says.”

  Doctor More had taken off his coat and hung it on a peg. Pace’s instincts told him that this little monolog cost doctor a lot. He got Pace’s eternal gratitude, but his words left more questions than answers.

  “Who is Pembroke? Is he even human?”

  “Didn’t you hear me? Get out.”

  And so, the old geezer returned to his true self.

  Pace closed the door behind him. Stepping back into the corridor didn’t feel as good as he had expected. Mysteries about Pembroke has been driving Pace crazy. Things he’s done.

  Obviously, nothing prepared him for the big revelation of who the previous captain of this ship was.

  Vice admiral Carbon.

  The legend among legends.

  Suddenly, Pace has been dumped into the unknown depths. He needed a full week to stomach the information. Toggy hasn’t accepted it so far. Pace suspected that the geezer gave Toggy something to calm him down. How the hell Pembroke landed on vice admiral’s ship? He isn’t even twenty-one. And fuck me, but Riss is Carbon’s daughter.

  Raba had descended into the lower corridor, saw Pace and then hurriedly turned around. That scared of him, or rather the virus. It didn’t help that they received no confirmation if Falander survived or not. The Government kept a tight lid on the information regarding the island. Blackport was still in lockdown.

  After Pace had returned to his own quarter, he allowed himself to exhale. Officially, he shared it with Toggy, but currently to younger marine was in the best care of doctor More. It chills my bones to even think about it.

  Pace repeated Pembroke’s word in his head; “You can heal most wounds yourself using only your will.’ Captain had told him after the battle with pirates. I should know better than listen to a madman who advised me to fight without a sword.

  But doctor’s confirmation changed something in Pace’s perception of the Soul Release. Obviously, this was way more complicated than that, but for now, it must be enough for Pace.

  Master Sergeant. Cabara Brothers. Ines. Agent X. Vice Admiral Carbon. Riss. And the battle.

  The battle almost cost him a life. The pirates appeared before they could reach Thousand Lakes island.

  It all has happened withing three fucking weeks. Pace pulled the vial with a bright red liquid. Didn’t More say he will teach me a lesson? Pace shelved the vial away. There might be time for that, but for now, he must try captain’s method. As if it has ever worked before.

  As much as Pace had tried, his mind didn’t listen. The memory of the battle raged in his head. The Songless pirates. What a stupid name.

  But their captain was formidable as hell. It was a pity that Pembroke decided to not take the part in the battle. Parime’s and Kinson’s fight split the pirate’s ship in half. The old man was every bit as impressive as Pembroke. Could he be actually stronger than the captain? Even Ed and John took a part alongside lieutenant and Riss.

  The pirate captain’s bounty was twenty thousand black pearls. Pace wasn’t able to imagine the pile of money it’d make, and this crew didn’t break a sweat defeating them. Well, maybe except Parime. She was truly strong. When the Navy warship arrived, their captain couldn’t believe that this small brig with a handful of marines had taken care of the Songless pirates without any causality.

  Well, they could almost count Pace.

  *

  Pace

  He didn’t even reach his bed when Ed knocked on the door.

  “Cap wants you.”

  Captain, commander, lieutenant, and Riss were waiting for Pace in the captain’s quarter. What they wanted from him this time? Pace feared that he might not survive another captain’s idea.

  The room smelled of cinnamon, citruses and something Pace didn’t recognize. Who could say what they brought from the New Frontier?

  The middle of the room was taken by the triangle map table. The map itself was protected by the sheet of glass. At one side sat captain, facing them, on his right was commander Kinson, on the left Riss and lieutenant.

  They shared cups of cinnamon tea and dried fruits. Beyond that, the captain’s quarter was exquisitely cluttered. Items from mundane utensils to artifact-like objects. What kind of person felt a need to gather everything?

  “Captain,” Pace said smiling weakly. The wound throbbed.

  “Tell me about the Soul Entanglement.”

  “There is not much to say, cap.”

  Commander grunted. He couldn’t get over the casual tone of Pace around captain.

  “I meant your feelings. Do you still sense Ines?”

  “Sure, but for some reason, the last days we haven’t been moving any closer to her.”

  The atmosphere changed. Something was up.

  Riss had a faint smile. She employed it after Ed spilled the beans about her father. It wasn’t exactly a secret, but the crew has chosen to not speak about it for some reason.

  “We’re about to stop by Merkas port on Thousand Lakes island. Commander must give the report to captain Ryzen.”

  “Why?”

  Pace’s attitude irked commander. Kinson’s face had reddened, but he said nothing.

  “For now, let’s say we’re trying to confuse the Government.”

  “What about Ines?” Pace asked. His heart shuddered at the thought of her. If he focused hard, he could almost see images of her in his head. These might be only a product of his imagination, but Pace would grip at anything related to Ines.

  Captain put a leg over a leg and his appearance became somber. They were about to drop a bomb on him. Pace felt it in his bones.

  “We’re expecting the Government agents to appear on the island in the coming days. They’d want to interrogate the marines from the warship that responded to our call and of course, they’ll speak with Parime. And then we hit them hard take their warship and sail to King’s Valley…”

  Pace’s mood immediately lifted, but still, the room remained silent. What was off?

  “There is a possibility that we won’t be able to beat the agents or doctor will fail the preparation of the antidote.”

  “But wait, what about the Soul Release? I know you can use it to counter Pestilence’s virus.”

  Captain sighed.

  “I see there is no fooling you,” Pembroke admitted. Everyone in the room seemed to find the cups with the tea interesting. “Anyway, a day can arrive when I�
�ll drop dead.”

  No one, except Pace, looked surprised. And captain didn’t even give him time to stomach the words. What was Pembroke trying to say?

  “That day you’ll become the captain of Horned Pony, which by the way is the name of this ship.”

  Pace blinked. He wasn’t sure if he should cry or laugh. It was too much to process. Horned Pony? Wait, what is going on? Pace shook his head, trying to clear it. There had to be a mistake.

  “It’s fine to feel overwhelmed, but remember, if I die in a week, then Kinson, Riss, and Mist will explain our entire agenda. You’ll be told every secret we know, and well, there is a long list. For now, rest and focus on that wound of yours. You must be combat-ready the day we arrive at Merkas. You can go now.”

  Pace let his feet carry him to his quarter. He heard too much. If he let his mind wander, it might not find the way back. Ines, did you hear that? Obviously, she didn’t, but Pace couldn’t help it.

  *

  Pembroke

  The door closed behind Pace a few minutes ago. No one seemed to want to disturb the silence.

  Finally, Riss snorted, letting a long laugh.

  “You’re good at it.”

  “I’ve always been a talented motivator.”

  “Oh, not that,’ she corrected her captain. ‘I meant a liar.”

  “I didn’t exactly lie.”

  “He thinks you’re gonna die,” Mist said.

  “And the part with him as the new captain,” Kinson noted. “I’d sooner join the Government than let him make a single decision. He hasn’t the slightest clue what awaits him in the New Frontier. He’s already out of his league. And we’re within a few days of travel from his hometown.”

  “Don’t dismiss him so easily, Kinson.”

  Kinson in a stiffer than usual manner popped a dried plum into his mouth. He has rarely smiled. His life has left deep scars that couldn’t be healed. Pembroke understood that. Commander saw the death of his best friend and only a promise to vice admiral kept him here. Someone with his experience and skill should become vice admiral himself. Kinson has stayed with Pembroke. Would he remain with Pace? Pembroke feared to ask this of commander, but he must do it.

  “What about the Soul Entanglement?” Kinson changed the topic. “I thought you wanted to know about the bond.”

  “It’s fine. She is alive and my plan is working,” Pembroke replied a little dizzy.

  The Soul cleansing left him weakened and exhausted. Pestilence proved to be a formidable opponent. If he kept working with the Government, Pembroke should assume more surprises like this one. It could be a good time to notify admiral about the Government’s scheme in Karu, only Pembroke wasn’t fully convinced he understood it well enough. The Government was developing a way to counter the Forbidden Gifts without the need for the Soul Release, which was scarce among the Navy. Even, the requirement for each captain to be able to use it didn’t change much the status quo. Most likely, Karu’s situation gave no reason to admiral to interfere with the Government’s business. Invading the King’s Valley… it’d put them all on the wanted list with bounties so high that every bounty hunter in the seven seas would go after them. Hell, even the Devils of the Sea would chase them. On the other hand, if they wouldn’t rescue the girl, then the boy was lost to them. The Soul Entanglement would never allow him to leave her. It wasn’t his fault.

  His officers knew his intent to go to King’s Valley, though they had no clue how exactly he wanted to get the girl out. The plan was a very risky plan. It could easily backfire.

  “So, you have a plan, cap?” Riss asked. She loved to tease him. Sometimes he felt, when he and Riss left alone, the tension in the air. He was aware of her affection. Perhaps, she loved him for real. Perhaps. It didn’t matter.

  “You know me,” Pembroke said with a smile to discharge the atmosphere in his quarter. They usually were chattier than that. “There is always a plan.”

  “I don’t like it,” Mist noted almost immediately. “That face. I remember it a day before we crossed the second seafall.”

  “Musheim,” Riss said. “Not just any seafall, he chose the most dangerous of all!”

  “We had no choice, on one side the Government, on the other a Devil of the Sea… ah, and the things that chased us. Do you remember it?”

  “I’d rather face them all than go into Musheim,” Riss stressed, but as quickly as she got heated up, she relaxed. “What’s your plan in regard to King’s Valley, cap?”

  “Parime.”

  Kinson frowned. Riss snorted. Mist gaped.

  “So… her appearance here was your doing?” Mist asked carefully.

  “Yes.”

  “And how she supposed to help us? She couldn’t even beat commander.” They were confused and thrown off the track. It’s going to be fun.

  “Don’t you remember her second name?”

  They shook their heads. Captain concealed a grinned because he knew he outsmarted them.

  “Dorado.”

  “But that’s the name of one of the Devils of the Sea.”

  “Yes, Ciron’s.”

  “But what… Wait, a minute. You aren’t thinking about what I’m thinking… Pembroke, this is suicide.”

  “That’s the plan,” Pembroke replied amused by the fact that this crew was still capable of being shocked. “We’ll make him assault King’s Valley.”

  Chapter 24

  Ines

  Ines had trembled the first time a man in the lab coat came to take her to conduct the test. She kind of overestimated herself in the conversation with Dukas. Her fears proved to be unfounded, none the less. The testing didn’t require her organs or body parts. They’ve taken blood, saliva, vaginal liquid samples and then have asked her to perform some weird exercises. Easy stuff.

  At the back of her head still walked Dukas with his threats, but the man didn’t appear during the day and she assumed she might survive this place.

  Now, two men in the lab coats led her to her cell. The testing for today was over. Kimberlton didn’t come to her and she more than suspected that the man dreaded her. Ines considered her situation. The Government treated her like a test subject, but at the same time, she was special to them. Could she exploit it? They said something about gifts and soul.

  They left her in the cell. Ten minutes later, food arrived for the first time while she didn’t sleep. When she’d finished, she expected another featureless man to appear and grab the empty plate. Instead, Kimberlton approached the window, then deactivated the security.

  The glass sheets separated with a hiss.

  The scientist was her height but much bulkier, and he couldn’t expect her to fight. Ines possessed physical prowess. Two years spent in the forest on her own greatly expanded her limits. But here, she didn’t consider using violence. She already noticed how Kimberlton’s body reacted in her presence.

  Though, not wearing the sexiest clothes, she still decided to expose her bosom and a thigh. Kimberlton pursed his mouth, then his eyes diverted from her.

  “The test subject…”

  “Do I turn you on, Kimberlton?”

  “…zero manifests…”

  “Why are you here?”

  “…uncanny ability…”

  “Stop!” Ines stepped forward, Kimberlton flinched back but didn’t close her cell. “Are you such a coward that you can’t look into my eyes?”

  Kimberlton’s gaze rose, but slowly and with difficulty as if his head struggled with an immense gravitational pull. Ines noticed determination in the scientist’s glare. His previous attitude of indifference wasn’t there now, like a mask thrown away because it didn’t surprise anyone anymore.

  “You’re not a person! You’re a test subject! The Government property. You’re a part of the Project Ouroboros. Karu Island is nothing but the testing ground. Nothing there is real. Karu civilization had never existed. It has been designed and created by us!” The confession cost the man something important. His skin was covered with sweat.
his hands trembled and he breathed as if he had run for hours.

  “Maybe you’ve started it, but we no longer need you to live! You can’t claim ownership over someone else’s life!” Ines shouted back.

  Kimberlton’s brows tightened.

  “You can’t be… anything else but the test subject…”

  A drop by drop realization dawned on him. Ines saw it the change in his face.

  Kimberlton slammed his palm against the wall and hissed.

  “If I’m to accept your point of view, then everything… everyone we keep in this place should be released. It’d mean we are monsters,” he admitted quietly, pain radiated from his every word.

  Ines decided it was the moment to make the move. She crossed the space between them with a cat’s grace but didn’t touch the scientist. It’d kill him. From such a close distance she smelled sharp odor of antiseptic. Kimberlton wasn’t ugly, but the white facial hair made him look strange.

  “It’s never too late for making the right decision.” The words made her think of Pace. He was in pain and his thoughts burned with longing. Why didn’t he come to get her? He actually began moving away. Is he going to leave me? Be rational. The man in the black almost killed them all. What could Pace do to save her?

  “I can’t do it.”

  Time to use her most powerful weapon has come. Forgive me Pace. She reached to clips that held her robe in place and released it, letting the gravitation strip her naked.

  Kimberlton gasped. Unwanted memories of Marus intruded her mind. He, too, struggled seeing as nature had made her. Though the scientist was the second person who saw her without any clothes, she felt no embarrassment. Why would she? Her body was perfectly sculpted with all the right proportions and envy-inducing shapes. Kimberlton’s eyes slightly bulged trying to devour every drop of their sight.

  Ines let him.

  They stood in silence until Kimberlton’s body shuddered violently and he got himself out of the trance. He peeled his gaze off with strain. Then he touched the interactive panel and the sheet of glass returned, closing her cell once more.

  She sighed collecting her robe from the floor. It looked like she failed. She used up her last resort and now only Pace left. But why he didn’t move any closer to her?