Page 9 of Blood Sea

“She's not dead. I know it sounds crazy, but I can feel it. She’s alive,” I say, meeting his eyes with a determined stare.

“Maybe it would be better if she was dead, you've heard the stories told about those places...” he trails off.

“I have to get to her. I know they run two islands, which do you think they would take her to?”

“You can't be serious. You've gone insane!” he cries.

“I'm not here for your assessment of my mental capacity, Flint. I'm here for answers. Where would they have taken her?” He continues to look at me like I've lost my mind, but I don't care for his concern right now. Every second is precious. “Please,” I beg.

“Tatlin. If they take her anywhere it'll be Tatlin. It's closer, and from what you've told me, Azula's a pretty girl. Tatlin is...well, they have more use for the pretty ones there,” he answers me, his voice carefully devoid of emotion. I can see the disgust and condemnation for the place in his eyes though, and I can't blame him. I know the feeling must be reflected in mine too.

“How do I get there?” I ask.

“You don't,” he replies firmly, leaning against the building.

“I'm not asking for your opinion,” I remind him.

“It's not an opinion, it's a fact. Only pirates survive a trip to Tatlin,” he replies.

“Those pirates that survive, are they all vampires?”

“Most.”

“But not all?” I continue to push unwaveringly, and he sighs.

“You're determined to find a way, whether I help you or not, aren't you?” he questions back.

“Yes.”

“Fine. No, not all the pirates that survive Tatlin are vampires. They have an agreement with the ruler of the island. Pirates welcome, fangs or no, so long as you don't breach any of the rules while on the island. It’s a terrible place, though, James. The island is filled with depraved, the desperate, and the dirty. Your father thinks me scum, but he should look no further for such things than Tatlin.”

“I've heard some stories myself. I figured that if these stories made their ways to the taverns here on Eska, then some visitors of the island must be human.”

“That's a lot of logic for a man that's lost his mind,” he jokes lamely, though neither of us laugh.

“I need to find a pirate crew to take me there,” I muse aloud.

“No, that's both ridiculous and dangerous. They would never take someone like you there, anyway. You'd never be able to blend in.” He waves his hand in a dismissive manner, as if vetoing the idea.

“Where can I find pirates?”

“No.”

“Unless you have a better idea,” I say through clenched teeth, “tell me where to find a damn pirate crew!”

“You look tired, and you're not thinking straight. Come rest for a few hours, and we can continue this conversation then.”

“This is a waste of time,” I say, pushing past him and heading towards one of the sordid taverns. If Oliver wouldn’t help me, I'd get my answers elsewhere.

“Wait!” he calls after me.

“What?” I shout back, not slowing my pace.

“You're really going to do this, aren't you?” he yells.

I turn, and continue on, walking backwards. “What, in everything that I have told you about Azula and how I feel about her, would lead you to believe I’m not serious about this?” I ask, before turning to face forward. People seem to shift out of my way as I walk, splitting a path right through the crowd. I hear Oliver jogging to catch up.

“Then you won't be moving forward with this ludicrous plan of yours alone,” he says, slowing as he catches up with me, matching my pace.

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