Page 10 of A Descent Into Darkness

“Who said that?” Teach demanded. “Step forward now and reveal yourself.”

“It was I, Captain.” Auggie, a scruffy older fellow, stepped forward, his head held high. Clearly confident in his convictions. “She will anger the sea gods, sir. She must go.” The crew grumbled in agreement.

“Well then…” Teach pandered. “I guess we’ll need to offer a sacrifice.” He paused for a moment, stroking his beard.

Auggie’s face scrunched in confusion. “Bare her breasts!”someone shouted from behind. “It’s the only way to calm Manann.”

I pulled Katherine closer to my side. No one was going to touch her. I was the reason she was here, and the burden of her safety fell on me.

A sinister smile slid across Teach’s face. “Toss him overboard,” he said it nonchalantly, as though Auggie’s life meant nothing.

The crew stood silent, frozen in shock. No one moved or dare speak a word. It was a well known nautical superstition that women aboard ships brought bad luck. But the crew had also sworn an oath to abide pirate code. One didn’t question your captain’s orders. Especially one like Teach. He was known for his brutality and governing his ship with an iron fist.

I looked over at Katherine and wondered if she would ultimately be the demise ofQueen Anne’s Revenge. It was hard to believe that a seemingly demure, broken woman could single-handedly take down a massive vessel like theQueen Anne. It would be worth it. I’d sink a hundred ships with her if it meant I could get back to Neverland and get my revenge on Pan. That bastard had eluded me long enough. I was drowning in the murky depths of abhorrence. Reveling in the sweet suffocation.

“James!” Teach’s shrill voice pulled me from my reverie. “Don’t just stand there. Toss him.” The crew remained silent, staring at me. I tried desperately to find the strength to follow the captain’s orders. I had no choice. It was killor be killed. Auggie’s fate was sealed whether I obliged or not.

“Mr. James,” Auggie stared at me wide eyed as I approached. “Please, sir. I have a family to feed. Please,” he begged, breaking my heart.

“Now!” Teach demanded.

I grabbed Auggie, blocking out his incessant pleading, and tossed his fragile form, along with a piece of my humanity, off the edge of the ship with a resounding splash.

“Let that serve as a reminder,” Teach barked. “You pledged a vow of fealty. No one questions my orders. Miss Hawkins is my personal property. If anyone has a problem with her being aboard, you are free to jump ship and try your luck with Manann. Get back to work! James.”

“Aye, Captain.”

“Get Miss Hawkins cleaned up and settled in her room. I’m suddenly feeling the need to release some tension.”

I escortedKatherine below deck to a cabin just outside of Teach’s. It was a confined space. Nothing but a small bed and a desk. A single candle offered comfort and light in the shadows. It wasn’t much, but it was her own. I feared it would soon become her safe haven. “This will be your room, Miss Hawkins.”

“I guess it’s better than a cell,” she mumbled while looking out the porthole. “At least I can see daylight.”

“I’ll be keeping the door locked for now.” I informed her, awaiting some fiery response.

“Locked? Am I to be a prisoner?”

“Having you aboard will be a temptation for some and a bad omen for others. Either way, keeping you barred inside will insure your safety.” At least having her under lock and key would protect her from the crew, but Teach was another story. I had seen him with the whores atTheGilded Filly. He had unusual tastes when it came to carnal activities, and I feared he would soon break our little witch.

“So the answer is yes.”

I sighed. “Would you rather I leave you at the mercy of these men? To be raped, beaten, or worse?”

“You think I can’t protect myself? I’m a strong woman, Mr. James,” she boasted. “What about your Captain? Can you protect me from him, too?”

I had the decency to look down at my hands as she called me out on my failed attempt at chivalry. Here I was, explaining how I’d protect her from the crew, all the while knowing I wouldn’t lift a finger to save her from Teach.

“I’m sure you are capable, Miss Hawkins. But the door stays locked.”

Truth was, I didn’t trust her not to sacrifice herself to the sea once Teach was through with her. I wouldn’t risk losing her until I got answers. Plus, the idea of one of Teach’s men getting their filthy hands on her had me feeling unusually protective. I didn’t like the thought of Teach touching her, either. But that was a fate I’d have to accept.

She stood silently, taking in the small space as I removed the shackles from her bruised wrists. “While you are in this room, you will be free to move about.” I turned her wrists, inspecting the damage. They were more than bruised. Her skin was raw and oozing. If I ever met a man who could do such vile things to a helpless woman, I’d delight in removing his hands. My fingers lingered a bit too long on her soft, delicate skin, drawing her attention back to me. Our eyes locked, and for a moment, time stopped. My heart pounded in my chest. This woman stirred something deep with in me. A curiosity for the future. A desire that I feared had the power to consume my soul. And it was clear in that moment that she felt something, too.

A loud knock on her cabin door startled us both back into action. Crew members barged in carrying Teach’s private tub. One by one, they brought in buckets of hot water from the galley, filling a steaming bath for our guest.

“Warm water,” I mused. “You must have made an impression. The Captain doesn’t do simple pleasures. No one gets a warm bath. Not even Teach himself.”

“Simple pleasures,” Katherine huffed under her breath. “I’m sure he’ll be finding his pleasures in my company.”

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