by ML Guida
Raphael’s voice was so low that Ewan wasn’t sure he’d heard him right.
Ewan blurted, “Whoever is appointed to this task then would die.”
Raphael frowned and his aura turned to a flaming yellow. “If the chosen one does not fulfill this request, then Zuto will leave the island. Only the chosen can keep Zuto trapped, how long do you think it will take him to find Hannah and bring her back to Maketabori?”
Ewan opened his mouth to protest, but shut it. Kane had risked his life again and again to save Hannah. Maketabori was the God of Coaybay and Zuto’s master. The god had wanted Hannah brought to him to pay for his father’s sins of wiping out his worshippers by bringing three infected with small pox and leaving them on the island. Kane had foiled each attempt, but this was when Zuto was trapped on the island. “I am the chosen one,” Kane said. “And I’ll do what must be done.” He released a heavy sigh and met the angel’s eyes. “I accept your quest.”
“Once the appointed one is bitten”––Raphael handed him a gold string—“put his blood on the string, and it will shoot through time and show you where your loved ones are located.”
“I am the appointed one,” Kane snapped. “What about Zuto?”
“That one is more difficult. The chosen one must mix his blood with the demon’s. Only then will he remain trapped on the island.”
“This is folly,” Ewan said. “No one could possibly survive this madness.”
The archangel clapped his shoulder. “You have no choice.”
Ewan couldn’t tear his gaze away from the archangel’s. Dread crept into his soul that tonight the angel would visit him and make him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Chapter Three
Despite the cloudless sunny sky, a gloomy storm had descended upon their hearts as Ewan rowed back to the Soaring Phoenix. Water sloshed against the longboat. No one spoke. In dragon form, William shrieked overhead interrupting Ewan’s thoughts.
All he could think about was Catriona. He couldn’t let the dreaded time spider get her. She was only a wee one and no match for that hellish beastie. Ewan wouldn’t let her die.
Hannah Knight, Kane’s woman, stood on the bow watching them intently. Like always, she was dressed in a shirt and a pair of trousers. Her brown hair flared behind her, and her sword and pistol were on either side of her hips. She was a fierce fighter and possessed the ability to move objects with her mind. Kane loved her more than his own soul and would do anything to keep her safe—even let a time spider bite him. Like the rest of the crew, Kane was immortal, but the time spider was from Coaybay—Maketabori’s underworld. The poison had to be more potent than any other venom of this world—potent enough to kill a vampire.
Ewan prayed he wasn’t the chosen one. Catriona lived with her grandmother, who was on in years. They lived in a small cottage on Saint Kitts. He constantly worried about his grandmother dying and then what would he do with Catriona? She’d have no one to care for her but a cursed vampire. He’d have to refuse this quest for his daughter’s sake.
He glanced over his shoulder one more time to look at the island. The archangel Raphael sat on a rock and was fishing as if he hadn’t a care in the world. He’d just sent one of them on a deadly journey that he might not survive, and it didn’t seem to bother him. Well, it bloody hell bothered Ewan.
The boat rocked back and forth as each man climbed up the ladder. Ewan was last. He gripped the rope and heard Hannah laugh. Her laughter always made the darkness staining his heart lighter. She was quite a woman and deserved happiness. He crawled up the ladder to the Soaring Phoenix’s deck, determined to not be the appointed one.
Once on board, he helped the men pull up the longboat and secure it.
“You’re not serious, Kane.”
Hannah’s distraught and fearful voice made Ewan grimace. Kane and Hannah had no secrets between them, which was why their love grew stronger each day. He and Wynda had experienced the same undying love, but she was gone, leaving him an empty void.
The crew huddled around Hannah and Kane. William had transformed back into a man and had put on a pair of trousers. Every time he transformed back, he was naked. His pretty little witch always carried a pair of trousers for him in her bag. Theirs was another love that had grown stronger. Mariah had tamed an angry dragon, and they were inseparable. In battle, she always rode William’s broad back, and with her magic and his dragon strength, they were a fatal force.
But their force had been beaten more than once by Zuto’s spiders, especially the time spider. It was the most cunning and had yet to be killed.
“Oui, Capitaine,” Mariah said as she looked between Hannah and Kane in a deadly standoff. “There must be another way. You do not know if you can survive this bite, no? You do not even know if you are the chosen one.”
“What?” Hannah asked.
Kane put his hands on Hannah’s slim shoulders. “I am the captain, Hannah. I will not allow any of the crew to do this but me.”
A spread of conflicting emotions—anger, fear, love—crossed over Hannah’s face. She grabbed his shirt, pulling him toward her, her knuckles turning white. “Damn you! I can’t go through this again. I can’t lose you.” Desperation rocked her trembling voice.
He wrapped his arms around her shaking body. “Hannah.” His Irish timbre shook with sorrow. “If there was any other way…”
She shoved away from his chest. “I don’t want to hear it.” She stomped off, her hair slapping Kane in the face.
He lowered his head.
William touched his shoulder. “Kane, you should go after her.”
Kane lifted his head. “And say what? Nothing will change. I have no choice, but to follow the angel’s decree. If I don’t, Zuto will remain free.” He looked at Mariah. “Can you put your beloved at risk?”
A vein throbbed in William’s temple, and his arm dropped from Kane’s shoulder. His answer lodged in his throat. Like Kane, William had sacrificed much to save the crew and those he loved.
Kane braced his shoulders. “All hands on deck! We sail for Tortuga.”
Men scrambled to follow his orders. Sails were unfurled and rippled as they caught the wind. The anchor was hoisted up. Kane took the wheel from his first mate, Sean Mallory, and steered a course for Tortuga. It would take two days to reach their destination. Kane was a man ready to meet his fate.
Ewan wasn’t a coward, but he had too much at stake to be battling a time spider and demons over a beautiful girl he barely knew.
***
Ewan lay awake in his swinging hammock, listening to the crew’s snores, determined not to fall asleep, but the creaking of the ship or something else lured him into a restless sleep.
The sun warmed Ewan, thawing his cold heart and easing the tension brewing inside him. His worst fear came to light. He found himself walking in the surf, but he wasn’t alone––Raphael walked along next to him. A golden aura shimmered around him.
“Greetings, Ewan.”
Ewan stopped. The water gushed around his boots.“I am not the chosen one. I canna be. I am not a righteous man.”
“No, but you are riddled with guilt.”
Ewan jerked his head up. “Please, I canna do this. I have too many sins.”
“You mean because Kane made you the disciplinarian on the Phoenix?”
“Aye.”
“Your father was a harsh man and left many a lash on your back. You’re not your father. And as far as I know, you have not hurt anyone on the ship.”
“But that hasn’t been true with our prisoners.”
“Kane has shown more mercy than most.”
“You should have Kane be the chosen one––not me.”
Just because you don’t want it doesn’t mean it’s not true.”
“You donna understand. I have a daughter––”
“That’s blind. Yes, I know.”
“She’s all I have. I would do anything to protect her.”
“I know that, too.”
; Ewan wanted to strangle the angel but kept his arms pressed to his side. “How can you ask this of me?”
“Because this is your destiny.”
“No, I will not do it. I will not risk my daughter’s life to protect a girl I hardly know.”
“Your daughter will not be safe.”
Ewan ran his hand through his hair. “Then I’ll send her to the Americas where Zuto will never find her.”
“If he is able to get off the island, there isn’t anywhere on Earth she’ll be safe.”
Ewan’s mind raced on what he could do to hide her. “I will leave the ship and go with her. I promised Wynda I’d keep her safe.” His voice broke as he thought of his dead woman.
“Listen to me,” the archangel said. “If you fulfill this quest, I will touch your daughter. Her vision will be restored and she’ll have a mark that will hide her from the demon.”
“You can do that? Keep her safe from Zuto and restore her sight? She’s been blind since birth.” His heart thumped at the thought of his wee girl being able to see for the first time and how, for once, he could be the father she deserved.
“I am an archangel. What is your choice?”
“I donna have a much of a choice, do I?” Ewan grumbled as he lowered his head. “I accept.”
“Very well. You must do this alone.”
Ewan jerked his head up. “Without the Phoenix?”
“To prove your sincerity, you must leave the ship.”
The angel touched his hand, and burning pain rippled through Ewan.
Before Ewan could comment, he woke in the crew’s cabin, his heart pounding a million thumps a minute. He couldn’t breathe, as if the hot air stilted him. He held on tight to the hammock, trying to calm himself. He was drenched with sweat. It had been a dream, but it was all too real.
He looked down at his right hand, and there was a silver sword seared into his flesh––the mark of the archangel.
He stared up at the ceiling and took a deep breath, hating what he was going to have to do next. He just hoped someday Kane would forgive him.
William and Mariah were sheltered in a canvas tent in the corner of the room. More than canvas hid them from prying eyes. Mariah’s magic kept any sound emitting from inside, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t hear what was going on outside. Ewan’s heart pounded fiercely as he drew up the courage to set his plan in motion. Disabling the Phoenix would not endear him, but ’twas the only way to save Catriona.
He slowly rolled out of his hammock. The lanterns cast a low glow on the sleeping crew. They were his brothers, his family, and he was about to betray them. He hoped one day they would understand that he couldn’t follow Kane’s orders, not if it meant risking his daughter’s life. He was a father first, a brother second. Determined not to turn back, he edged out of the crew’s quarters maneuvering between sleeping men. In the corridor, only his shadow flickered on the wall. He crept down the corridor like a sabotaging wraith.
The ship rolled and creaked. His footsteps squeaked along the planks, and he winced. He stopped. Only his rugged breath echoed off the walls.
He stepped down the stairs to the weapons hold. Luck was with him. He grabbed an ax and held it tight.
No stopping now.
His heart thundering, he treaded lightly down the corridor to the gunners’ hold with the ax over his head. The ship creaked and moaned as if it suspected foul play. Sweat trickled down his temples, and his hands shook. The smooth wooden tiller rolled as it pushed on the rudder maneuvering the ship. It had to be at least six inches thick and well preserved. Water sloshed and splashed onto the ship. Up on deck, Kane was steering the wheel, unsuspecting that his course would be off set indefinitely. Treason could mean death or abandonment, but Ewan had no choice. His way was clear.
Without hesitation, he lifted the ax high over his head and then swung. Wood and splinters sprayed into the air. Pain swirled up his arms. Only a small nick marred the tiller. He had to act quickly. Kane would have felt something shiver with the wheel. Drawing upon his vampire strength, he swung again and again. His breath was ragged, and his arms shaking. There was a loud crack, then the wood split and snapped.
The deed was done. The tiller hung in two pieces—one scratching the floor, the other stabbing the ceiling and leaving a mark of mutiny.
Yells and hollers echoed overhead.
Rumbling footsteps pounded down the stairs. The full moon wasn’t until tomorrow, so he couldn’t change into a bat. He tossed the ax onto the floor and raced out of the cargo hold.
“This way,” he yelled. His heart sent blood rushing to his face.
Kane was the first one inside, his sword drawn. “There’s an intruder on board. He’s chopped the tiller in half.” He grabbed Ewan’s arm. “Did you see anyone come through here?”
Hannah was behind him her hair disheveled and sleep still in her bloodshot eyes. Unloading the longboat by himself would be cumbersome, and his guilt would be discovered. He needed an ally.
“No, I just arrived before ye did, Captain.” Ewan’s lie came too easily from his lips, and guilt slammed into his gut like a fist.
Sean slipped past them both and retrieved the ax. “’Tis still warm. Without the tiller to maneuver the rudder, we’ll be adrift for days.”
“We search the ship. Tell my brother to search the waters for the Fiery Damsel.” Kane motioned with his sword. “Bring the traitor to me.” Murder reflected in his eyes.
Ewan left with the crew, afraid too many questions would be asked. He raced down the corridor with the men, but then let them dart past him. Hannah hadn’t had her weapons and she’d come to retrieve them. He slipped inside the captain’s cabin, hoping ’twas Hannah that returned and not Kane.
A lantern softly glowed. The blankets on the oak bed were tangled as if someone had kicked them off. A closet door stood open, revealing a laundry of shirts and trousers and a couple of gowns. A jaded green cross on Kane’s desk glittered next to neatly folded papers. The cabin smelled of lemon and jasmine—definitely a woman’s touch. Not wanting to be discovered, he hid in the shadows, his blood rushing between his temples. He gripped his sword tight.
The door flung open.
Hannah raced toward her weapons alone.
He stepped out. “Hannah?”
She whirled around with a pistol aimed at his heart. “Ewan, what are you doing in here?”
“I have a proposal for ye.”
Her eyes widened. “You have splinters in your hair and on your clothes. ’Twas you, wasn’t it?” She cocked the trigger.
“I canna let Kane do this task.”
“You’d rather have Zuto be free?”
He shook his head. “The angel visited me in me dream and appointed me. If I do this, he promised to give sight to Catriona. Will ye help me?”
She lowered the pistol. “Ewan, the spider could kill you.”
“Aye, what I do? She’s me daughter. The choice is yours, Hannah.” He slowly approached her. “Would ye rather Catriona remain blind or Kane?” He lowered his voice as he stood next to her.
She cupped his cheek and met his gaze. “Kane will never forgive me, but I can’t lose him.”
He kissed her palm and gripped her hand. “I know.”
She retracted her hand. “How can I help you?”
“I need the longboat.”
She nodded. “I understand.” She shoved her pistol into her belt, then tilted her head. “We need to leave before Kane decides to search this cabin.”
He went to open the door.
Hannah grabbed his arm. “What of William?”
“Speak to Mariah. She’ll find a way to keep her dragon under control.”
Hannah didn’t answer but motioned with her hand for him to move.
Ewan peeked open the door to an empty corridor.
“I’ll go first. They’ll think nothing of me coming out of my cabin.”
Ewan allowed her to go, praying that he wasn’t seen sneaking out of her cabin. Kane
would have him skinned alive if he thought he’d messed with Hannah. His muscles tense, he slipped outside. Hannah was down at the opposite end talking to Sean, whose back was turned. Ewan hoped she wasn’t about to betray him.
He climbed the stairs two at time, pretending to look for the supposed intruder.
Kane was storming back and forth on deck. “Blast it. Palmer’s behind this. Zuto must have suspected what we were up to.”
Ewan masked his fear and grumbled like the rest of the men, cursing Quinton Palmer. Palmer was the captain of the Fiery Damsel and Kane’s deadly enemy. Unlike the crew of the Phoenix, Quinton and his men could change into vampires at will. As long as Kane suspected Palmer and Zuto, he wouldn’t be looking at his own men.
Someone slid up next to Ewan, and he looked down into Hannah’s brown eyes. She tilted her head in the direction of the longboat. He wasn’t sure what she had planned, but he didn’t have much choice except to make his way between the crowded men to the longboat.
Mariah came up next to Hannah, and the two women exchanged knowing glances. Ewan groaned inwardly. Obviously, his little secret was out, but to his surprise, Mariah mumbled something under her breath, and the back and fore stays unwound by themselves as if cut.
“What the hell is going on here?” Kane bellowed.
The men ran to grab the stays to hoist up the sails.
Hannah came up next to him. “Get ready.” She put out her palms, and the ropes holding the longboat unwound. The boat lifted over the ship. A splash signaled the boat had reached the bottom. Hannah dropped her arms. Blood trickled down her nose, always a signal she’d used her powers.
“What the hell? Hannah!”
Kane’s booming voice sent Ewan into action. He jumped over the rail and shimmed down the rope.
He grabbed the oars then looked up at the disabled ship. Kane gripped Hannah’s shoulders and shook her, but then held her in his arms. He’d forgiven her, but then, he’d forgive her anything. That could not be said for Ewan.
Angry and surprised voices called out.
“Ewan!”
“He’s the traitor!”
“May ye rot in hell, Kelley!”