Page 10 of Blood Sea

“I won't?” I ask, with a raised brow. He runs his fingers through his shaggy black hair.

“You won't. Let's be honest, you'd just get yourself killed without me.” My eyes narrow, and I open my mouth to argue. “Look, you've got plenty of book smarts, I'm not questioning your intelligence or capabilities. But you wouldn't survive around these types of people. I spent a few months on a pirate ship, James. I thought I could handle it...I was wrong,” he admits.

“You never told me that before,” I reply, starting to turn left towards Oliver’s house.

“Actually, it would be best if we headed for Rosethorn Tavern,” he says, continuing straight ahead.

“Why?” I ask, doubling back to follow him.

“That's where we find our introduction to a captain,” he answers me with an empty smile.

“You don't have to do this—” I begin, but I’m cut off.

“Yes, I do. You saved my life, James. I owe you that debt, and now I have a way to repay it,” he replies firmly. I think back to that night, and it seems so long ago already.

“I told you, you owe me nothing.”

“But I do. Now come on, pretty-boy, let’s go save your girl. Then you can finally ask her what you should have asked a year ago. She'll have to say yes if you save her from vampirates,” he replies with a harsh laugh, smacking me on the shoulder with his right hand.

“I hope so, Oliver. I really hope so.”

Chapter Nine – Azula

I move naturally under the water, watching the fish dart out of my way as I swim. Able to continuously swim further, I never tire out as I make my way to my destination, wherever that may be. Seeing figures in the water up ahead, I quicken my pace to reach them faster. I’ve been looking for them, I don’t want to be alone in the water anymore.

As the figures come into focus, I pull up short before air bubbles fly out of my mouth, the water silencing my screams. All around me are dead men floating in the water, chained down by anchors tied to their ankles. Their eyes are shut and arms spread out, as they sway slightly in the ocean's current.

Despite my fear, I feel something pulling me forwards. I swim between the floating bodies, feeling myself draw closer to the source of the pull. The water begins to have a faint pink tinge, the colour gradually darkening as I get closer. As I draw near, I notice the body at the centre is surrounded by deep red water. I can taste the coppery tang of blood on my lips as I cautiously swim around the man to see his face. His eyes are open, and his lifeless gaze seeming to stare at me accusingly. I reach for James' face, laying my hand across his cheek, but as my skin makes contact, the fire in his eyes returns, and he begins to scream silently. His body thrashes in the water desperately, as he struggles to find air in a place with none.

I dart down to his feet, trying to free him of the anchor, but it’s no use. Hopelessness fills me, and I swim up to his face, wanting to look him in the eyes again before he runs out of air. He reaches for me, pulling me close. His lips press against mine softly, and then they move, travelling along my jaw to my neck. I jerk back when I feel a sharp sting, and reaching up to touch my neck, feeling that the skin is torn roughly.

Blood flows freely from my neck, and soon, the blood filling the water around us is my own. I look into his eyes, feeling the betrayal rush through me. James wasn't meant to hurt me like this, not him. He loves me, he always has. But his eyes aren't his own anymore, they’re fully black and completely soulless. As a monster’s eyes look back at me from James’ face, a dark smile slashes across his face with my blood dripping from his lips.

I slam my eyes shut, and scream.

Waking up to the gentle rocking of the ship, tucked underneath a soft, unfamiliar blanket, I take deep breaths to calm myself from the horror of my nightmare. The calmness of the sea and the quiet of the cabin feel so wrong after my turbulent dreams. I'm covered in a thin sheen of sweat, and the blanket sticks to my skin. I groan, peeling it off myself and sitting up.

I look down at myself, feeling a mortified expression stretch across my face, as the soft light shining in through the windows reveals the state I am in. The torn, white clothing I'm wearing is covered in blood and dirt. My riding boots are stained a dark crimson too. Shallow scratches and scrapes are my only injuries, thankfully, none of them deep enough to bleed. I stand and grimace at the condition the vampirate captain’s bed is left in. The blood has stained the sheets, as well as dirt. I've never seen such a mess.

Looking around the room, I freeze when I spot clean clothing laid out across the wooden table. Moving to take a closer look, I hold up the garments in my hands, my jaw dropping at the strange clothing. The long white shirt is definitely a man's, and would be huge on me, but the tight black trousers were surely too small to fit a man’s frame and would fit me perfectly. I can't believe that he would expect me to wear this. A note left on the table catches my eyes, and I pick it up. As I read, I can’t help but to admire the neat, cursive writing.

Azula,

I thought you may require a change of clothes and would like a chance to clean up.

—Captain Blake

Clean up? How am I supposed to get clean without a bathtub?I sigh, realising exactly what he means as I spot the large bucket of water on the floor beside the table. There's a clean-looking rag laying across the edge. Dipping my fingertips into the water, I quickly pull them back out, the chill seeping into my skin. I make a mental note to never complain about my baths being drawn too cold ever again.

Pulling off my bloody clothing, I grab the rag and dip it in the cold water. I begin cleaning myself off the best I can, having to ring out the rag every so often. I grimace as I watch the clear water turn a light pink, and then a deep red as I clean up. I’m freezing, but somewhat clean by the end of the process.

Pulling on the unfamiliar clothing, I feel so uncomfortable in the cheap material of the trousers. The shirt is at least better quality, but nothing like any of my clothing from home. I wipe off my riding boots, getting them as clean as possible before pulling them back on. I wish there was a mirror in here, so I could get a better look at myself, but maybe it's best that I don't see just how much of a mess I am.

I stare at the cabin door, debating whether it is safe to step out there or not. I really want some fresh air. I feel like a caged animal in here, but I fear the vampires waiting out there.

Making my decision, I steel my nerves and cross the room, quickly pulling the cabin door open before I can change my mind. A man stands in my path, trapping me in the doorway. I stare up at him, my brown eyes meeting his blue ones in an intense moment where neither of us say a word. He eventually steps to one side, allowing me to pass. I let out a deep breath after I make it past him.

There are only two pirates other than the captain in sight on the deck, and all are far enough away from me to lure me into a false sense of security. I make my way to the side of the ship, looking out at the sea and watching as the waves crash against the ship. There's no land to be seen anywhere, just a never-ending view of blue water.

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