by ML Guida
She squeezed Penelope’s hand gently. “If you would learn to trust in yourself, you would be able to defeat the demon.”
Penelope shook her head. “But Isabella is a siren and can calm and heal people. I can barely turn water to ice.”
Mariah sighed in frustration. “Oui, your sister is a strong undine, but she does not possess the ability to control the weather.”
Penelope was grateful for Mariah’s faith in her, but she didn’t deserve it. She was a far cry from controlling the weather. She didn’t want to disappoint the witch or disregard her kindness, so she changed the subject. “Where is Ewan?”
Mariah released her hand and straightened Penelope’s cover. “Je suis désolé. Le capitaine is very suspicious of him.”
“What did the captain do?” Penelope slipped her hand up to her neck where Ewan had bitten her and had actually drank her blood––the bastard. “I can’t believe he attacked me.”
“Ewan is not like that.” Mariah gave her a small smile. “He’s stern but he doesn’t attack women.”
“Not from where I was standing,” Penelope mumbled. “Apparently, I was his favorite drink.”
“It is the curse,” Mariah said. “I do not believe he could control himself. He has not had a relationship with a woman since his wife died.”
“He attacked her, too?”
“No.” Mariah clasped her hand firmly. “Listen to me. Ewan has been a lost man ever since he lost his woman, Wynda. The only thing that keeps him from drawing in a bottle of rum is his daughter, Catriona.”
“What happened?”
Some of the anger lessened in Penelope’s voice, and Mariah loosened her grip, but that didn’t mean Penelope had forgiven him.
“Like Doc, Wynda had a great knowledge of healing. After caring for a sick child, she contracted yellow fever, and a few days later, she died. ”
“How awful,” Penelope said. “When was this?”
“Six months ago.”
“Where his daughter now? I have not seen her on board the ship.”
“And you will not. Ewan has tried to shield her from the curse. She lives with her grandmother on St. Kitts.”
“Does he see her often?”
“As often as he can.” Mariah avoided her eyes. “I was not there when Wynda died, but Kane was. He said that Ewan held her in his arms when she died, but not before she made him promise not to marry until Catriona was an adult.”
“Why would she ask such a thing?”
“Wynda was afraid another woman would reject or hurt Catriona, since the little girl is blind, but she needed not worry. Ewan loves his daughter and would never let anyone hurt her.”
“I don’t know, Mariah. You didn’t see him on that island. He was terrifying.”
Someone knocked at the door. Mariah rushed over and opened the door to a frowning Captain Kane O’Brien.
Warmth spread up to Penelope’s cheeks at the thought that she had been angry over Ewan sinking his fangs into her flesh. She hoped one of Kane’s abilities was not to read people’s minds. She sunk lower into the covers, afraid of what he would do if he guessed the truth.
“Excuse me, Kane,” Hannah said as she brushed past him, holding a tray with a steaming bowl and a plate of biscuits.
Penelope inhaled the fragrant scent of chicken broth, and her stomach grumbled.
“Hannah, I could have carried the tray. You should—”
She put the tray down on the desk and put her hands on her hips. “I should do what, Kane?”
Kane put his hands on her shoulders. “You should rest.” The hardness in his voice softened, and love flickered in his eyes.
Penelope realized Kane wasn’t angry with her but frustrated with Hannah. She’d never had any man except her father demonstrate this concern. No man had ever looked at her the way that Kane adored Hannah.
Hannah lifted her arms and knocked both of his. “Kane, I’m pregnant—not helpless.” She pointed toward the door. “Out. Right now.”
Penelope’s eyes widened, and she studied Hannah’s flat abdomen. Her shirt and trousers gave no indication that she was in the family way, especially with her sword sheathed at her side and a pistol on the other hip. Whether Kane liked it or not, his woman was a fierce pirate.
He lifted Hannah’s chin. “I’ll leave as long as you promise not to lift anything.”
She broke loose. “I promise. Now, go.”
Kane slipped his hand into her hair and kissed her deeply. Hannah molded her body against his.
Penelope couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy swell inside her. Ewan had kissed her, but she suspected it was due to the spider’s poison, then he fed on her. He hadn’t gazed at her with the same tenderness as Kane. No man had.
Kane pulled away from Hannah and caught Penelope’s eye. Penelope looked down at her trembling hands.
“I hope you feel better, Penelope.” He headed toward the door. “I promise you—Ewan will not hurt you again.”
“He better not, or I’ll freeze him in ice forever.” Not that she could do that––yet. But threatening to do it made her feel powerful.
Kane gave her a stern look, and she immediately lowered her head, remembering he was a fierce vampire, too.
Penelope glanced at Mariah, who was bringing the bowl of soup over to the bed but didn’t offer a hint of what had happened.
“Captain, wait. Where is he?” She blurted.
“He’s in the brig.” He glanced at Hannah, whose lips were swollen where he’d kissed her.
He narrowed his eyes. “And he’ll remain there until I am convinced he’s not a threat to my ship.” He closed the door, stifling any inkling of a challenge.
“I’m sorry, Penelope,” Hannah said. “He’s become unreasonable ever since he found out I was in the family way.”
“Most human men are,” Penelope said. Both Hannah and Mariah gave her shocked looks, so she immediately changed the topic. “When did you find out you were with child?”
“About two months ago. We have not shared the news with the crew except for Mariah and William and Doc, of course.”
Penelope frowned. “Why?”
Mariah and Hannah glanced at each other, then Hannah sat on the bed. “I love the men on this ship, but sometimes they are a funny lot. Besides being vampires, they can be superstitious. A pregnant woman would be looked upon as a curse.”
Penelope gave her a knowing smile. “That’s not the only reason, is it? You’re afraid Zuto would find out.”
Hannah put her hand over her flat belly. “Yes. He’d be even more ruthless in finding me. We need to keep my pregnancy a secret. I have agreed to go stay with Morgana once I cannot keep my baby a secret.”
“Not by ship,” Mariah said, as she reached across Penelope’s abdomen and grasped Hannah’s hand. “William will fly her there.” She released Hannah, then picked up the bowl and spoon and handed it to Penelope. “Here, you need to eat.”
Penelope took the bowl reluctantly, then shook her head. “I need to tell you something about Zuto.”
Mariah sat on the bed. “What about him?”
Penelope could feel the power barely veiled beneath Mariah. “I had a dream about him.”
“That’s how he moves around,” Hannah said as she sat on the other said of Penelope. She felt like she was being cornered by two threatening sharks.
Penelope began talking quickly. “I don’t why I kept this a secret, because I don’t know if Zuto even has her.”
“Has who?” Mariah asked.
“Ewan’s daughter.”
“What!” They both exclaimed then glanced at each other, their faces pale.
“The demon said he was going to send the Fiery Damsel after her and order them to bring her to him.”
“This is very important,” Mariah said, as she gripped Penelope’s hand tight, her nails threatening to dig into her flesh. “Did he say whether she had to be alive or dead?”
“He wanted her alive so he could torture her
before he killed Ewan. ’Twas just so terrible. Do you think he’s capable of such a disgusting act?”
“Oui, I do. I must go find William.”
The disapproval in her eyes made Penelope squirm. Ewan might be an obsessed vampire, but obviously neither woman thought he deserved this.
“And I Kane,” Hannah said.
Mariah gave her a steely gaze. “Doc stitched his wound where the time spider stung him. But I fear he may be possessed. You and Hannah are not safe around him. This news may put him over the edge.”
“But you don’t know this,” Penelope persisted. “The demon could have been lying.”
“Or not,” Mariah said. “Zuto is cunning and we must act on the fact that this is true.” Her voice turned icy. “If you do not eat, you’ll be vulnerable. Please, you’re turning paler by the minute.”
Penelope wanted to argue, but she doubted she’d change Mariah’s mind. Her stomach protested, and she reluctantly took the bowl. Bits of chicken, carrots, and potatoes floated in the broth. She dipped her spoon into it and took a bite. It was warm and soothing.
“’Tis good.” She had to admit.
Hannah patted Penelope’s leg. “Doc swears by it. He even fed it to me when I fell down the stairwell during a squall. I felt better.” She grinned. “I was strong enough to take on a stubborn Irish captain.”
Penelope took her time finishing the bowl and acting complacent with both Hannah and Mariah. Guilt was eating away at her. She didn’t want Kane to tell Ewan. Ewan might have betrayed her, but she wouldn’t him.
“I am so sorry. I should have said something earlier.”
“On this ship,” Hannah said as she put her hand on the doorknob, “we all learned a long time ago that secrets are never good. Don’t hide anything from us again.”
“I promise. I won’t.”
“Good.” Hannah’s voice softened. “Coming, Mariah?”
“Oui. We need to make a plan. I will check on you soon.”
They both left, shutting the door quietly.
Penelope lay down, pretending to be asleep for several minutes. When no one else walked inside, she threw the covers off and jumped out of bed, which was a foolish mistake. Her legs buckled, and she crumpled to the floor. The room spun around, and she clutched the blanket tightly to keep from swirling around and vomiting up the warm soup.
She took deep breaths until the dizziness passed. She used the bed to climb up to a standing position. Obviously, she couldn’t wander around the ship half-naked. She took small steps, praying no one would open the door. She opened a nearby wardrobe, hoping to find some dresses. Her heart sank. Only a line of Kane’s and possibly Hannah’s shirts hung inside. She groaned, wishing this was Mariah’s cabin and not Hannah’s. Hannah preferred shirts and trousers to gowns. Mariah would have had a trunk full of dresses, but there was no way for her to sneak into Mariah’s and William’s room.
She carefully pulled off a red shirt and wriggled it over her head. She opened a nearby dresser to find a pair of trousers and smiled when she realized they were cut for Hannah, not Kane. She even found a scarf and tied it around her head, then carefully shoved her stubborn blond curls underneath it. She hunted for her soaked shoes and discovered them tucked next to the bed. Someone had cleaned off the sand and mud. She slipped them on, not caring that her feet squished, then she crept over to the door, hoping there wasn’t a guard outside. It would be like Kane to order she be watched.
She put her ear to the door and listened. Her heart pounding wildly, she cracked open the door to an empty corridor. Not waiting another minute, she sneaked outside and hoped any prying eyes would mistake her for Hannah.
Chapter Fifteen
Kane was wise to lock Ewan up. He sat on the bench alone in the brig with only the sound of the creaking ship as a companion. He put his hand over his heart again, disturbed he could not feel his heartbeat. When he’d been a vampire before, he could feel the steady rhythm of his heart. Why was this so different?
He turned his head and cracked his neck. His skin had turned the color of a silvery moon. His muscles had drawn thin, and his throat was drier than a dead riverbed. He rolled his tongue over his fangs and grimaced as the desire to suck blood nearly drove him mad. Only Mariah’s enchanted bars kept him from wrecking terror on board the Soaring Phoenix. She had enchanted them in case they ever imprisoned a member of the Fiery Damsel. He leaned his head back. Guess she never thought she’d have to imprison one of their own.
Ewan couldn’t stop thinking about blood or the dream of the archangel. Who did he have to forgive? As far as he could tell, he was the one who needed to ask for forgiveness.
He groaned. If ’twas true, then the archangel must be sorely disappointed. Kane would never have given into the hunger lust.
Doc had bandaged his shoulder and stitched the three-inch cut on his arm where the spider had slashed him with its stinger. He moved and hissed. Not even his throbbing shoulder hurt this bad. He took a long deep breath and waited for the agony to subside. He’d been in many forays and been left with broken ribs, gun shot and stab wounds, and even suffered a broken leg, but nothing hurt this bad. Hell, what would have happened if the spider’s fangs had sunk deep into his flesh? He shuddered at the thought of the unbearable agony. He had no doubt it would be enough to kill a vampire.
He clenched and unclenched his fist and took a deep breath. Even that tiny movement sent hot, piercing pain through him. Blasted spider.
He stared at his untouched meal of lightly breaded fried fish and potatoes––his favorite dish, but his stomach revolted at the sight.
Mariah walked into the room, her skirts swooshing as she moved. Her face was grim. She held a silver chain in her hand. “You do not look well, Ewan, oui?”
“I dona feel well.”
“I fear the spider’s poison is transforming you into something evil.”
“Grand. ’Twas not my plan. I never wanted any of this. The archangel promised to give Catriona sight if I agreed to his terms. He said he could keep her safe from Zuto, but I wanted to protect all of ye and Penelope, too.”
“Even the best of plans go amiss. I have something that may help slow down the process. I cannot guarantee it will work.”
“I’ll try anything.”
“Bien.” She unlocked the door.
“Mariah, do not come in here. I am not safe.”
“I know.”
“Does William know yer here?”
Suddenly, William materialized naked. Being able to turn invisible was one of his powers as a dragon. “Aye. Do you think I’d let her come in here unprotected?”
Ewan flashed a sheepish grin. “No, I didna.”
Mariah and William approached him. He could smell the blood pumping through their veins, and he forced his arms to stay at his sides. If he made any sudden movements, William would unleash his powers and put an end to Ewan’s misery by burning him to a crisp.
Ewan stared at the chain and realized there was a diamond pendant dangling from it. “This is yer plan. A diamond?”
She frowned. “Do not be so surly, and do not underestimate my magic. I have charged this diamond. Diamonds naturally are a symbol of truth and loyalty. I chose this stone over the others because of your fierce loyalty to Kane. Your belief in him may be your salvation. You see in him what I believe is buried deep within yourself.”
Ewan scoffed. He couldn’t believe she would compare him to Kane. Kane was a natural born leader and his men were loyal to him. He’d never turn on his men and put everyone above himself. He would die before he’d attack Hannah or turn on his crew. This time, Mariah was wrong, but he was too tired and too hungry to argue with her.
She put the chain over his head. “The diamond will protect you. According to mygrand-mére, the bearer cannot be possessed.”
Tingles swept over him, but he didn’t feel any different. He stared at the veins in her throat and wanted to rip his fangs into her flesh, but sat where he was. Only William’s low gro
wl kept him at bay.
Not wanting to be ungrateful, he took her soft hand and gently squeezed it. “Thank ye.”
She smiled. “Vous êtes le bienvenu.”
William wove his arm through Mariah’s. “Don’t look so glum, Ewan. If you remember, her magic stones saved me.” His green eyes turned to a dragon’s gold. “Just don’t take it off.”
Definitely a dragon warning that if he became possessed, William would attack. Despite his vampire powers, Ewan was no match for a dragon. Maybe he deserved to die. At least Penelope and the crew would be safe.
Mariah and William turned and left him with his brooding thoughts. He sat on the bench and leaned his head against the wall. All he could think of about was sinking his fangs into flesh and drinking his fill. He deserved to be punished. All of his good intentions had gone amiss.
He rolled his tongue over his incisors. Damnation, the thirst was upon him, and he wanted blood, Not just anyone’s––Penelope’s.
Soft footsteps alerted him. His nostrils flared, and he tensed. A woman dressed in a billowy red shirt and a pair of black trousers and soaked blue shoes entered the brig. He stilled. He knew those pretty slippers.
A curly blond strand escaped from the scarf tied around her head. Despite her attempt to look like Hannah, she only drew curiosity with her deep blue eyes. Hannah never tied a scarf around her head. She preferred to either wear her hair free or tied a ribbon around it, fashioning it into a loose queue.
He held his breath, waiting for the accusations to rip out his heart. He watched her warily, more afraid of what she would say than what Kane would do if he found her here. He didn’t like his orders to be disobeyed.
“You shouldn’t be here, Penelope. Kane will not be pleased.”
“How did you know it was me?”
He laughed. “Yer blond curls and blue eyes easily gave ye away.” His laughter died. “How long do ye think it will be before they discover ye are gone? Return before ’tis too late.”
She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes wide, as if she expected to see Kane glaring at her. She hurried over to the bars. Even where he sat he could inhale her sweet feminine scent.