Page 18 of Voyage of Death and Desire

“A snack?”

“Have you lived your whole life in a hole? They’re vampires. You’re on a ship full of pirate vampires. They have to eat, and we’re their food.”

I stare toward the voice for what seems like an eternity before being able to process his words. “We’re their food?” I repeat.

“More like a blood donor…an unwilling blood donor.”

On cue, a door opens, flooding the dark room with dim light. “Get the boy,” a man says. My eyes won’t focus on who or what’s coming through the door.

Instinctively, I close my eyes, pretending to be passed out or dead. Whichever works the best.

“I’m empty,” the weary voice says from across the room. “There’s nothing left.”

“I can smell ya, mate. You’re good for at least a few more feedin’s,” a man answers. The sound of grunting and something being drug over a wooden surface pierces my ears.

“It’s time to dump some of these bodies,” a different voice says. “They’re starting to smell.”

“Nah, leave ‘em. They’re food for the rats.”

“I ain’t eatin’ no rats.” The two men share a laugh, making me sick to my stomach. “What about that one?”

“Cap’n says hands off. That one is his.” I know without asking, they’re talking about me.

“I can smell her blood from here.”

“Aye, me, too.” The door closes, taking the light with it.

I can’t stop the tears from flowing. I try to stand without much luck. My legs are weak and barely able to hold my weight. Seconds later, I fall to the ground, landing on something solid and cold. Another body. My stomach empties onto the floor in front of me. This is how I’m going to die. Being held captive by a band of vampire pirates.

My mind flashes back to Charles and his lifeless body collapsed on the deck of Thorne’s ship. My poor mother. Losing her husband, son, and daughter so close together. I’ve never felt so helpless.

The door opens not long after and provides enough light to see the room is littered with corpses. I can’t make out any details, other than they’re lifeless. Another body is thrown back into the room, landing with a crunch.

I wait until the door closes again before speaking. “Are you all right?” I whisper, receiving no response. “Hello?”

I know without being able to see that the person who was talking to me earlier is now dead, joining the rest of the corpses on the floor. I’m alone. I’m truly alone.

I have no idea how much time has passed,and no one has been back in the room since returning my only companion. My stomach rumbles louder than I thought possible, echoing through the small room. My lips and mouth are caked in sores from thirst. I don’t need a doctor to tell me I won’t make it much longer. I’m dying. Maybe that’s what he wants?

Out of nowhere, a feeling I recognize hits me hard. My legs and arms begin to cramp, curling me into a small ball in the area I’ve claimed as my own. Without food or water, my body is out of my control. When the convulsions begin, my body is thrown around stronger than ever before. The sound leaving my throat is terrifying, even to me. It’s a mixture of a cry, a scream, and death all rolled into one. I’m going to die alone, surrounded by bodies, in the bottom of a pirate ship.

Dim light floods the room, and my body is lifted off the floor. Seconds later, light floods my eyes, and the heat of the sun covers me.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” a familiar voice clicks. “It seems your demon has come out to play.”

“I’m not possessed,”my mind screams.

“I can take this pain from you, but what shall I do for a food source until the next port?” He leans against the wall, watching me, relishing the pain wracking my body.

I know what he’s offering. He’s going to make me one of them. One of the bloodsuckers. One of the killers.“I’d rather die!”my mind screams.

“Careful there. You don’t want to bruise thatbeautiful skin of yours.” His laugh fills my ringing ears. “Oh, all right. You’ve talked me into it. Your heartbeat is slowing down, which means you’re about to die, my dear. I simply cannot allow that to happen.”

“Let me die…”

He lifts me into his arms, forcibly holding my body still. I don’t see what pierces my neck, but my body reacts instantly. The sun begins to fade, leaving only a small circle of light. I’m dying…I’m dead.

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