Page 8 of Blood Sea

“What you are, but how could you not? Is it possible I am mistaken?” he muses aloud, then he leans down and inhales deep, smelling me. I lean as far back as I can, my back hitting the surface of the table. He notices my discomfort and pulls back taking a step away from me. “You are definitely what I believed you to be,” he announces, as I stand back up.

“Look, I've had a really terrible day; my father was murdered, I was kidnapped by pirates, kidnapped again by vampire pirates, and then watched my friend get sucked dry. So I would appreciate it if you would kindly get to the point, and tell me what the hell is going on!” I finally snap, his vagueness pissing me off. His black pupils suddenly dilate wide, covering the blue irises of his eyes and stretching out to fill the whites. All I can see is black.Maybe setting him off wasn’t such a good idea?I try to dart away, but he grips my shoulders tightly, holding me firmly in place.

“Do not fucking talk to me like that, Azula. You have no power here. This is my ship, and you will do as I say.”

“I'll speak however I damn well please, you aren't my captain,” I retort brazenly. I instantly regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth, especially when his grip tightens on my shoulders. The thought occurs to me that I should probably be a lot more afraid than I am, and I should definitely start acting a little smarter if I want to make it out of here alive.

“While you’re on my ship, I’m the authority because I’m the captain. I am the fucking god of all that lies aboard this vessel. Do you understand me, Azula?” he asks. His voice is low, not needing to shout to make his point. The power in his words is enough all on its own. Shaking slightly in his grip, I manage to nod, licking my suddenly dry lips to moisten them. “Tell me that you understand,” he demands, my nod clearly not enough for him.

My mouth feels so dry as I try to summon words. I can barely breathe, my heart racing with fear. I can't look away from his pitch-black eyes, and I couldn't even if I were brave enough to try with his hands keeping me in place.

“I understand,” I manage to whisper.

“I understand,Captain,” he corrects me, leaning down closer and bringing his face mere inches from mine.

“I understand... Captain,” I choke out. He draws away, releasing me and stepping back a few paces.

“You will stay in here and not cause any trouble until we reach land. Once there you will leave, and neither I nor my crew will ever see you again, do you understand?” he questions.

“I understand perfectly.” He steps closer again. “I understand perfectly, Captain,” I correct myself.

“Good. There's a bed behind the curtain, rest for now. Whatever you do, do not cut yourself on anything, Azula. You cannot let your blood spill. If it does, I will not be able to keep the crew away from you,” he says as he heads for the door.

“Yes, Captain,” I reply quietly, and he nods, hearing my words. “How far away from land are we? And what port do we near?” I ask, my voice coming back to me easier now that he's on the other side of the cabin.

“A few days at most, depending on the winds. We are passing by Asmia, and it is there we will leave you before continuing on our way,” he answers. “Now sleep,” he commands, before leaving and closing the door behind him.

I watch the door for a moment, waiting to see if he returns, and when he doesn't, I sag in relief. I try to picture where Asmia is, but my memory fails me. I am sure it is an island close to Eska, though. Turning around, I spot the charts on the table. There's also a more basic map of the islands, too. I grab one of the candle-lit lanterns and hold it over the map, trying to find where we must be. My small home island, Carysi, is at the bottom left corner of the map. Above and slightly to the right of my home is Eska, a much larger island known for its busy trade. To the right of Eska is Asmia, the first in a line of eleven smaller islands that lead to another large island, Taylana.I wonder if that is where they are heading?

My eyes are drawn north, over the chain of small islands. There's a landmass a little way above them I glance right over, but I pause looking at the very small island directly above it. I'd heard so many stories about the island, that I can't help but be curious. Tatlin is a small island, but by no means is it a boring place. The island was once a stopping point for merchant ships, its only trades were alcohol and sex. The island had been overrun by the vampirates some years ago, though. I'm not sure what they use it for, considering they can't even stand on it during the sunlight hours, but the rest of the world has abandoned the island to them. It's one of the two islands completely lost to the vampires.

I turn away, heading for the thick, red curtains. I run my hand along them, feeling for the gap. I draw the curtains open on one side, and find a surprisingly spacious bed built into the wood. Underneath the bed are drawers, but I don't bother to search through them. Feeling completely exhausted, I climb into the bed and draw the curtain shut, plunging me into complete darkness. I'm not sure how I am supposed to sleep, surrounded by creatures of the night and knowing I could be attacked at any time. Yet miraculously, as I bury myself under the blankets, my eyes close and I drift off to sleep quickly.

Chapter Eight-James

Stepping off the ship and onto the main port of Eska, I'm quickly immersed in the bustle of the place. I move with purpose, knowing exactly where to go to find out the information needed to locate Azula, if it isn't already too late. My heart begins pounding at the thought of her not being ok, and I have to shake myself, taking a deep breath to calm the rising panic. I know Zu is alive, I can feel it in my bones.I'd know if she were dead, wouldn't I? Surely some part of my subconscious would feel her death, it would recognise her absence from this world.

“Burcham? What a sight for bloody sore eyes!” a familiar voice calls, jerking me from my thoughts.

“Oliver Flint,” I answer, turning around to face the man. “Just the man I was looking for.” I glance around at the busy streets, bustling with the life and the vibrancy this town is known to exude. I gesture to a quieter side street, and head towards it without another word. We walk across in silence, dodging between people. It doesn’t seem to matter how often they’re raided, how many times their homes are burned, the people of Eska always rebuild and always carry on as if it never happened. They were either a town gone mad, or perhaps they had it right. To face fear in its face and tell it that they wouldn’t back down or ever give up. They refuse to live in fear here, choosing to live full lives, no matter the danger.

“You were looking for me? Funny, I thought it had been made clear you weren't to have anything further to do with my sort,” he says, snorting derisively as we reach the side street.

“Your sort?” I inquire, my eyebrows raising.

“Your father's words,” he clarifies, wiping a blackened hand on his trouser leg before extending it out to me.

I clasp his forearm and lean in, clapping him on the back a couple times. “It's good to see you, old friend.”

“Then why is it you look so serious, James?” he questions, releasing my arm and stepping back. He wipes some sweat from his brow, as he arches it in question.

“Azula...” I trail off, feeling a lump fill my throat.

“She said no?” he asks, his eyes widening slightly in shock.

“I never got to ask, she... there was a raid on Carysi, the vampirates came.” I pause, swallowing thickly. “They took her, damn it!” Abruptly, I smash my fist into the wall of the building beside us. I shake out my hand, the pain smacking some sense into me instantly. Taking out my rage on a wall isn’t going to help matters. Cradling my now bloody fist, I turn back to Oliver.

“She's dead?” Oliver asks tentatively, in a voice laced with sympathy.

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