Page 6 of Blood Sea

“I ain't disputing that. They're pirates, for sure, but vampires they are not. They're one of the six human pirate crews still daring to set sail,” he explains. The sound of pistols firing makes me dig my nails into my palms. “Soon to be five, I reckon,” he adds.

“PREPARE TO BE BOARDED!” I hear shouted from above and swallow.

“But they had the vampire colours flying!” I argue, refusing to believe that a human could be so evil, so cruel as to attack our town and kill my father. I want a monster to blame.

“Wouldn't you fly the colours that would drive fear into the heart of any man?” he responds calmly, as he leans back against a barrel. I don’t have an answer for him, not liking that he could be right.

We sit silently, listening to the sounds of battle above. Clangs of metal clashing, shouts, and shots fired. We listen to them all, just waiting for the result of the brawl, not knowing who to root for. With the vampirate flag flying, who would attack this ship? They couldn't be anything good, to not be afraid of the biggest evil in our world.But surely it can’t get any worse?

The door bursts open above our heads, and I see feet dangle down. Instead of climbing down the steps, they jump down, clearing the narrow, wooden stairs with ease.

The man stands up straight and then turns to face in my direction. His eyes are completely black, no whites showing at all in his chiselled face. If it wasn’t for the blood and the fear I’m feeling right now, I’m sure I would have described him as attractive. Understanding dawns on me as I stare into the black, soulless voids of his eyes.

Who in their right mind would attack a ship that’s masquerading as a vampirate crew?

Who would be fearless enough to attack, thinking that the deadliest of creatures are commanding it?

The actual bloody vampires.

“Nowthat, is a vampirate,” the man says, his voice wavering over the word. Vampirate. A real vampire is standing in the hold with us. I hear a whispered prayer from behind me, coming from one of the other men.

“Great Sea Witch, please be kind and grant us all a swift end, and may—” his words cut off, as I hear a smack against skin. I can only assume someone hit him to shut him up. A part of me wishes someone would knock me out too.

Here I was, thinking that things couldn’t get any worse. How damned naive could I possibly be?

Chapter Six - Azula

The whole room seems to collectively hold our breath as the vampirate steps further into the hold and closer to us. He smiles, his sharp fangs flashing from his lips. I notice my hands are fisting my dress nervously, and relax my grip, not wanting to show how terrified I am.

He looks between us all, his black eyes settling on myself and Cora longest. The only women in the hold.This can't be good.He walks slowly towards where Cora and I are chained, each step against the wooden floor of the ship creaking loudly in the otherwise silence. A cold feeling takes over me, the chill spreading as he comes closer. I scramble to backup as far as I can, but I didn't need to bother. He heads in Cora's direction, stopping right before her.

“Stand,” he says quietly. Not that he needed to speak loudly, as the word rings out as a command despite the volume, the cold, emotionless tone sending a shiver down my spine.

Cora tries to rise, but is held down by her chains, which are attached to a ring on the floor of the hold. The vampire looks down, scowling when he sees them. He grabs the chains holding her captive and grips them in both hands. I watch curiously to see what he's going to do. He snaps his arms out quickly, the thick chains giving no resistance as they yield to his strength.

Cora trembles as he places his hand around her throat and lifts her up into a standing position. She tries to back up into a stack of crates, but he follows her step for step, not releasing his vice-like grip on her.

“How kind of the pretenders to leave such a delicious looking dessert down here for me,” he says as he trails a hand down her cheek. She makes a strangled squeak of a noise and attempts to shake her head in disbelief. He slides his hand into her thick hair, and tugs her head roughly to the side, baring her neck.

Cora suddenly seems to realise exactly where this is headed, and her eyes widen as she screams in terror. The sound hurts my sensitive ears, still ringing slightly from the loud bangs of canon fire and shots from pistols. He covers her mouth, smothering her screams as he leans down, and covers her neck with his mouth. Her pupils dilate, and then her body goes slack against his.

I struggle to try and get to her regardless of the pain in my wrists from the stupid chains holding me down as I yell for him to let her go.

chains holding me down that stop me from fully standing. I pull forward, trying to find some give in the chains, but it's no use.

He turns, looking over his shoulder, blood dripping from his mouth. His intense gaze freezes me in place, and I swallow thickly. “Why so eager, can you not wait for your turn?” he asks, and I stumble back, the fear slamming into me again in full force. A whimpering sound comes from Cora, making my eyes dart away to look past him and at her instead. She's gazing up at him with this strange look in her eyes. She reaches for his face and pulls him back down to her neck, closing her eyes and moaning as his mouth covers her skin again.Need...that was the look in her eyes.His hands begin to roam her body as he continues to feed. I feel sick and turn away, not able to watch anymore.

She moans louder, and I can hear the sucking sounds as he drains more and more of her blood away. I know seconds ago she didnotwant this, no sane person would allow such a dark creature to drain the life from them. I've never heard of what these monsters do being enjoyable, and I certainly didn't hear any cries of pleasure from the deck above during their fight with the human pirates. I assume he is doing something to her, twisting her mind to find this gratifying, a make her a willing victim to drain.

The sound of her body hitting the floor pulls me from my thoughts. I glance back, staring at her limp, lifeless body crumpled at his feet. I want to be consoled by the fact she didn't feel any pain, but in a way, I think it's worse. Her death feels more unjust. Cora was unable to put up any resistance, any fight. She had that option stolen from her by him. He not only took her life, but he took her dignity as well. To take either is unforgivable, but both is even worse.

I don't look up when I hear him step closer to me, I keep my eyes firmly on Cora. I will not allow him to corrupt my mind as well as defile my body. I swear to myself right then: I will leave this world as I surely came into it, kicking and screaming. When his hand clasps my left arm, the chill of his skin on mine takes me by surprise. He’s like ice to the touch, much colder than any living person.Is it possible that these monsters are truly dead like the tales say?He moves closer, and I play helpless as he runs a hand through my blonde hair.

“So soft,” he whispers in an almost husky tone. He reaches down and snaps my chains, allowing me to stand from the uncomfortable, hunched position I’d been stuck in. Swallowing my pride, I feign a whimper and make an attempt to appear weak. I need him to underestimate me, not see me as a threat.

Just a little closer…As if he can read my mind, he moves that little bit closer that I need. I quickly slam my knee up into his groin, though I grimace slightly from the underhanded move. But you never know what your opponent is willing or able to do, so I was taught that to fight fair is to lose.

My father's words ring clear in my head, as clear as the day he said them, and I use them as motivation as I jerk my leg up, kicking the vampire in the gut.

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