“You should be inside, Anna,” Char admonished from behind her. “Please, come in and get out of the weather.”
Anna didn’t want to take her eyes off Jake, feeling a slight bit of apprehension of him being alone on the upper deck of the Crimson Jewel, but she sighed and followed the Prince into his quarters. Char’s room was a mirror image of hers, with a small bed, a dresser along the far wall and a chair beneath the window. Char motioned for her to sit in the chair and Anna obeyed, accepting the mug of warm tea he offered before he sat on the edge of the bed. Anna watched him shift nervously for several minutes as he seemed to be debating something.
“Anna,” Char finally spoke hesitantly. “I’m not sure what is going on between you and Captain Reynolds, but I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t say something.”
“Char,” Anna attempted to halt whatever lecture he planned, but he held up a hand in plea.
“Please, let me speak,” Char pleaded. “I’ve heard tale of the Captain’s charm with women and I’m concerned you may have been drawn in beyond your depth.”
“Char, I’m not a child, I know what I’m getting into,” Anna smiled at the man.
“Then my suspicions were accurate,” Char sighed. “You do have feelings for him.”
“I do,” Anna admitted.
“He isn’t the man you believe him to be, Anna,” Char informed. “Jake Reynolds is a monster; a Pirate.”
“I thought he was a Captain in your royal fleet,” Anna reminded.
“Yes, I can see how that would confuse you,” Char ran a hand through his hair in frustration as Anna noticed Jake do on occasion. The longer she sat with the Prince in his quarters, the more similarities Anna saw between them. “I just don’t want to see you hurt.”
“I know, Char, and I appreciate your concern for me,” Anna assured. “Maybe, if I knew what was really going on, why are we really going to Mermaid Cove? What’s so important?”
“I can’t say,” Char sighed.
“No, Char, you won’t say,” Anna corrected.
“Anna, our reasons for going to Mermaid Cove are only known to Reynolds. He hasn’t shared the information,” Char informed. “I have heard only whispers of what he intends.”
“And,” Anna probed. “Tell me what you’ve heard.”
“I’ve heard the Mermaids have possession of something Reynolds needs,” Char paused. “An ancient magic they will not wish to part with.”
“Then, how is Jake going to get it?” Anna asked.
“Anna,” Char paused. “I didn’t offer Reynolds a position in my fleet because I believed him to be a good man; I offered because I knew he wasn’t.”
Anna’s blood chilled. “How is he going to get it, Char?”
“He will most likely try torture and threats first,” Char admitted.
“Like Guardian Maxwell,” Anna whispered.
“Yes, but Mermaids are far stronger and more stubborn a creature than man,” Char sighed heavily. “Reynolds has sworn he will obtain this magic and he is nothing if not a man of his word. He will do whatever it takes.”
“Tell me,” Anna pleaded.
“He is willing to kill for what he wants, Anna,” Char looked apologetic.
“He would kill a Mermaid?” Anna asked in shock.
“Not just one,” Char shook his head sadly. “Reynolds will kill until he gets what he needs from them.”
“I don’t believe it,” Anna shook her head in denial. Surely Jake wouldn’t be so cold and heartless; not the man who held her so tenderly the night before. Jake wasn’t a monster.
“I’m sorry, Anna,” Char reached for her hand, but Anna pulled back. “I know you wanted to believe he was a good man.”
“He is a good man, Char,” Anna defended. “He won’t do it; he won’t kill them.”
“Anna,” Char reached for her as she stood and walked toward the door of Char’s quarters.
“No,” Anna pushed past the Prince and out onto the deck.
The rain had slowed to a miserable drizzle, but the wind still whipped strong enough to make the droplets feel like tiny pellets against her skin. Anna ignored the sting, finding the crew of the Crimson Jewel had dropped anchor in a small cove. Jake stood on the main deck barking orders to his men, his white shirt plastered to every inch of his impressive torso. She approached him as the crew tossed a net over the side of the ship.
“Jake,” Anna called out over the wind.
“Anna,” Jake wouldn’t meet her gaze. “You shouldn’t be out here.”
“What are you doing?” Anna asked, staring at the men holding the ropes of the net.
“It isn’t safe up here, Lass,” Sully informed as he approached with Char at his side.
“Jake,” Anna pleaded for him to talk to her, but his eyes remained focused on the small island in the distance. Anna placed a hand on his arm as she repeated his name.
“We’re fishing,” Jake answered her earlier question distantly.
“What are you fishing for?” Her eyes followed his stare. Although the waves were high, Anna could see long, nimble creatures leaping between them with purpose. Their forms became clear as they approached the Crimson Jewel. Anna gasped at the shimmering bodies and legs of the Mermaids as they propelled them through the surf. Jake’s hand clasped over hers where it rested on his arm. Anna jerked her eyes up to meet his sad blue gaze.
“We’re fishing for Mermaid,” Jake answered.
As she stared up at him, Anna knew she wasn’t looking at a monster. Jake didn’t want to do whatever he was about to do. “Jake,” Anna heard the plea in her tone.
“Please, go inside, Anna,” Jake whispered. “It isn’t safe out here.”
As he finished, a loud bang sounded and the ship rocked violently. Anna was flung into Jake’s arms, which wrapped around her protectively. Shouts of the crew floated on the wind, surrounding Anna with chaotic calls of warning. After another wild buck of the ship, the crewmen manning the ropes of the net began to pull excitedly. “We got one!” Dane shouted.
Jake passed Anna to Sully, making sure the older man’s hands supported her before turning to his men. “Pull her up!” Jake shouted.
Chapter Sixteen
Anna watched in sick fascination as the creature was hoisted onto the deck in a squirming heap. The violent rocking stopped immediately as the ship was circled by bobbing forms. The creature in the net struggled as she was carelessly dropped in the center of the main deck. Red hair floated around her shoulders in waves and bright green eyes glared out at the men surrounding her. High, firm breasts were covered with scraps of what looked like seaweed and her muscled stomach was left bare. The lines of her ribs were pierced with what Anna could only consider gills and her skin held a shining quality far from any she’d ever seen. As Anna watched the droplets of water fall from the creature, her skin transformed from shimmering to more flesh toned.
It was her legs which held Anna in awe. The creature’s long legs were thick and roped with heavy muscle. Her toes were webbed, but as they dried separated to look more like a human’s digits. A bucket of water was tossed on the creatures legs, everywhere the liquid touched turned to jewel-colored scales which gleamed in the dim light of the moon. The appendages looked as dangerous as they were beautiful. The Mermaid whipped around within the confines of the net, daring any to come close enough to feel its strength. Jake knelt near the Mermaid’s side, whispering a threat just below Anna’s range of hearing. His words stilled the creature, who looked terrified at whatever was said.
“What will you do to her?” Anna asked as she pulled away from Sully and moved to Jake’s side.
“Anna, let’s get you below deck,” Sully followed, stopping next to her.
“You don’t have to do this,” Anna whispered. “There has to be another way.”
Jake winced as he looked down at her. Anna knew tears were streaking down her face as she tried to reason with the man. “Anna, if there were another way,” Jake trailed off.
&n
bsp; “Whatever you want, whatever you feel you need from her, we can find another way.” Anna looked at the Mermaid; the creature having turned her gaze in Anna’s direction questioningly. Sully’s hands clasped on her shoulders and prodded her away from Jake and the events about to unfold. With a sob, Anna turned to Jake. “Please, Jake, don’t do this.”
“Do what you have to,” Char’s voice spoke sadly from behind her.
Anna whirled on him, her misery turning to anger at his insistence for Jake to be the monster he believed him to be. “No!” Anna yelled as Dane came to her side.
The large Pirate lifted her from the deck, slinging her over his shoulder. “Take her to her quarters, Dane,” Jake ordered quietly. “Don’t let her back on deck.”
“No,” Anna squirmed violently. “Put me down!”
Dane released her as he closed the door of her quarters behind him. “I’m sorry, Miss Anna,” he looked as miserable as she felt.
A feminine scream echoed through the door of her room, prodding Anna to push the large man in an attempt to move past him. “Let me by, Dane!” Anna ordered in a broken tone.
“I can’t do that,” Dane shook his head as he restrained her.
Several tormented screams later, Anna was on her knees. She sobbed and rocked violently, covering her ears with her palms in a futile attempt to block out the disgusting sounds. “No,” Anna shuddered. “Please, don’t.”
Anna knew Jake couldn’t hear her plea for mercy, but she spoke it anyway. She was a fool to believe the man could be anything more than the monster Pirate everyone claimed he was. Even Jake warned there would be no redemption for him after he did what needed done. Rocking back and forth on the floor, Anna let out all of the pain and frustration she held since the moment she was ripped from her family. She never wanted to return home more than at that moment. A blood-curdling cry drew even Dane’s attention and Anna used the opportunity to bolt past her guard. Anna was determined to end the misery of at least one creature onboard the Crimson Jewel that night.
***
Jake turned as Anna screamed his name. The Mermaid’s blood dripped from his blade, drawing Anna’s shocked gaze. Her eyes looked past him at the creature writhing in agony at his back. Jake knew what she would see; the creature’s blood pooling around her, scales of her legs littering the deck and Jake standing over her without compassion. He winced at the horrified disgust on Anna’s innocent face.
Dane rushed from the room behind Anna, but Jake waved him away. There was no reason to hide from Anna now she saw the devastation Jake caused. He deserved whatever anger, disgust and hatred Anna offered him. Jake watched Anna approach as her eyes condemned him to the hottest depths of damnation.
“Don’t touch her,” Anna sobbed, the remnants of tears staining her cheeks.
“Anna,” Jake reached out for her, but pulled back as he noticed the blood dripping from his gloved-fingers.
His hand shook as he dropped it to his side and stepped back from her. Jake’s stomach churned as she brushed past him and knelt at the injured Mermaid’s side. He didn’t deserve to offer comfort or touch her. Jake deserved every ounce of her hate and disgust. “Anna, it isn’t safe,” Jake began harshly, wanting her to be clear of the Mermaid’s reach, but Sully placed a restraining hand on his shoulder with a shake of his head.
“Leave her be, Jake,” Sully whispered.
Jake turned away from Anna as she reached for the Mermaid cautiously. “It isn’t safe, Sully,” Jake argued quietly.
“If it tries anything we have a dozen plus men here ready to defend Anna with their lives,” Sully assured. “The creature knows that.”
Jake nodded, too shaken by Anna’s expression when she first saw the consequences of his actions to press further. “I need to,” Jake stuttered. “I need a minute.”
“Go on,” Sully nodded. “I’ll look after the lass.”
Jake nodded and walked to the opposite side of the deck, noting most of his crew had stepped back from Anna and the Mermaid. He wondered if they felt the same shame he felt. Jake hadn’t wanted to harm the Mermaid, but if it meant Anna’s safety and happiness, he would sacrifice anything and anyone. He would sacrifice his own soul.
“Anna,” Sully’s tone held a warning and Jake turned quickly. “Anna, back away.”
“No,” Anna glared at Sully as she pulled on the net confining the Mermaid and freeing her from its grasp. Anna lifted at the creature, helping her to her mangled feet and toward the side of the ship.
“Anna,” Jake held out his hands as Anna approached the edge of the ship.
“Don’t,” Anna turned her cold stare on him, freezing Jake where he stood. “I won’t let you hurt her anymore.”
“Anna, please,” Sully begged. “Step away from her, she’s dangerous.”
“She isn’t dangerous!” Anna shouted. “She’s done nothing to us! You have no right!”
“You’re right,” Jake agreed. “She’s not the monster; I am.”
“You didn’t have to be,” Anna’s obvious disappointment tore at Jake. “You chose to be a monster.”
The Mermaid looked at Anna as she pulled up on the rail of the ship. A screech from below drifted up as the Crimson Jewel jerked violently. Jake shouted Anna’s name as the Mermaids below once again attacked his vessel. He bolted across the deck toward Anna, watching the injured Mermaid disappear over the side just as Anna lost her grip on the rail. Anna screamed as Jake reached out, his fingers just missing her as she plummeted into the Ocean.
“Anna!” Jake’s chest tore with his scream as he knelt on the deck staring over the side. He silently pleaded for Anna to surface, but there was no sign of any life from below.
With a numbing sensation climbing from his gut to his chest, Jake stood and stepped over the rail. He ignored the calls of his crew behind him, diving into the Ocean after Anna without a second thought. His body hit the water with a thud, knocking the wind from his lungs and forcing him to surface for a breath before diving beneath the waves. The water chilled him, slowing his movements and making each stroke feel heavy and uneven. The moonlight glinted off of Mermaid flesh beneath the Ocean, chasing away the darkness of the deep.
Feminine hands reached out to him, pulling at his clothing and dragging him deeper into the abyss below. The Mermaids clawed his flesh, keeping him from surfacing. Not that Jake wanted to surface as he saw a slowly sinking form just a few yards from where he was held. Jake screamed her name futilely as he struggled for freedom, but the Mermaids were relentless. Jake broke, his body heaved with the force of his devastation. He could give Anna up, could allow her to hate him, but to know she was gone forever was unacceptable. Jake felt the fight leave him, silently willing the Mermaids to do with him as they wished. It no longer mattered.
As Jake’s vision blurred and faded into blackness, he felt the release of his arms and legs. The Mermaids backed away, giving no reason for their retreat. Jake didn’t wait for them to change their minds, swimming with straining lungs to reach his woman. The moment she was in his arms, Jake sprinted for the surface, cresting with a dramatic gulp for air. Anna didn’t make a sound where she rested against his chest. Jake sobbed; her name a breathless plea on his lips as he brushed the hair from her face.
He looked around for his ship, seeing the Crimson Jewel was far from where they surfaced. There was no time to swim so far. Behind him was the start of the island cove and Jake quickly swam to shore. He pulled Anna onto the rocks, running his fingers over her pale, cold face.
“Come on, Love, don’t leave me. Not like this,” Jake pressed his lips to hers, breathing into her lungs repeatedly. “Breathe, Anna!”
Anna sputtered as Jake continued breathing for her, spitting the water from her lungs and dragging in deep breaths of air. Jake pulled her close, his chest heaving with the adrenalin still coursing through his blood. He shook with the force of his relief as he rocked with Anna in his arms. She was alive.
***
“What were you thinking?”
Jake whispered into her wet hair.
Anna shuddered with the cold, her voice choked as she struggled to rid her lungs of the remnants of salt water they held. “I couldn’t let you kill her.” Feeling more stable, Anna began to struggle. She didn’t want to be in Jake’s arms, but he refused to release her. “Let me go, Jake.”
“Please, don’t pull away,” Jake begged hoarsely. “Tell me what I can do, my love, anything.”
“You were going to kill her!” Anna condemned, but she felt her resolve waiver at the obvious agony in his tone. “You have no right! You have no reason!”
“Anna,” Jake’s voice broke.
“No, Jake!” Anna screamed as she pulled back and looked up at his face. Jake used a gloved hand to swipe at his cheek before Anna could see the tear which managed to spill free, but she saw it just the same. The sight broke the dam of her own misery and Anna sobbed uncontrollably. “You can’t kill them! Promise you won’t hurt them!”
“Anna,” Jake brushed at her cheeks, trying to remove her pain with his gloved hands. “Don’t cry, Love.”
“Promise me!” Anna demanded.
“If it’s what you wish, I swear it,” Jake leaned his forehead on hers. “I swear it on my life. No harm will come to the Mermaids.”
Anna threw herself into his arms, wrapping her hands around his neck and burying her face in his shoulder. She heard the calls from the Crimson Jewel in the distance and the rustling of water by the rocks on which they sat, but none of it mattered. Jake’s arms crushed her to him, holding her as if she was all which held him to this world.
“Unfortunately, I do not believe they will offer any of us the same guarantee,” Jake mumbled into her hair.
Anna pulled back and looked out over the water, finding it dotted with dozens of Mermaid heads and torsos. The small dinghy from the Crimson Jewel was slowly making its way through the mass as creatures moved just enough to be out of its way. A thick lethargy settled over her as Anna shivered in Jake’s protective grasp and she felt her lids droop over her stinging eyes. With the stress of her evening draining what remained of her strength, Anna faded into a blissful, dreamless oblivion.
Once a Pirate (Mystical Realm Series Book 1) Page 15
