soulofawitch_463-9e1.htm

by Soul Of A Witch (lit)

  ~ * ~

  Switching on the viscomm, Sinya studied face that appeared on the screen. A pirate in his early thirties, with a lean handsome face, ruthless blue eyes and shoulder length blonde hair neatly secured at his nape. Fredrico, no doubt about it.

  "Ahoy, Sinya!" Fredrico greeted him gaily. "How’s it hanging, boy?"

  "Just fine," Sinya returned. "You?"

  "Oh, it doesn’t hang for long." Fredrico winked. "Usually hard as a post and upright, all ready for action."

  "I take it he’s talking about his dick again," Drake muttered in disgust.

  "Drake, you dainty bastard! How’s yours hanging?" Fredrico’s eyes gleamed in amusement. "Given it a work out lately, or too busy giving the whores medical check-ups in case you catch something nasty, and it falls off?"

  "At least I’m discerning," Drake retorted.

  "Fussy," Fredrico returned. "Too fussy. Boy, you’ll never enjoy dipping your wick if you’re worried it’ll get burned."

  "I’ve seen a burned wick, and it ain’t pretty." Drake nodded decisively.

  "You won’t change his mind, Fredrico," Sinya laughed. "So, what’s up?"

  The pirate’s blue eyes switched to Sinya. "Not a lot for me, but you, now. Well, I’ve heard some interesting things."

  "Oh?"

  "Mmm. You’ve been searching for the whereabouts of a certain dark mystic."

  Instantly all Sinya’s senses went on alert. "Is that so?"

  "Uhuh. Now why would that be, I’m asking myself?" Fredrico tapped his chin thoughtfully. "What possible reason could Sinya have for seeking out the services of one such as Hortra?"

  "And where would you hear about something like that?"

  "Oh, I keep my ears to the ground."

  "You’re not that good."

  Anger flashed briefly through Fredrico’s eyes, and his mouth tightened. Then he gave a sudden bark of laughter. "Don’t be so sure of that, friend."

  "Oh, I am sure of that." Sinya paused before adding, "Friend."

  "Tut-tut, let’s not get all uppity." Fredrico grinned. "Now, you’re not denying your quest to find Hortra’s whereabouts, so that means what I heard is true. What do you want him for?"

  "That’s my business." Sinya watched him closely on the screen.

  "Ah, but it could be my business."

  "Could it just?"

  "Oh yes. Especially as you obviously haven’t found out his whereabouts yet, whereas I..." Fredrico allowed his words to trail away tauntingly.

  Sinya’s heart skipped a beat. "You know where this mystic is?"

  "Maybe I do, and maybe I don’t."

  Anger started to simmer inside Sinya. He’d been through too much to start mucking around with Fredrico. "I’m in no mood for farting around, Fredrico. Either you know, or you don’t. If you know, tell me. If you don’t, then bugger off."

  Fredrico’s blonde brows rose up in exaggerated surprise. "My my! The normally happy-go-lucky Sinya, the wenches dream boy and the men’s nemesis, is getting touchy! Dear me--"

  "Piss off." Sinya reached for the switch to cut the transmission.

  Quickly Fredrico raised his hand, his taunting expression vanishing. "Wait!"

  "Don’t yank my chain, Fredrico. I’m in no mood for it." Sinya glared at him. "Tell me or don’t."

  "I don’t personally know where Hortra is, but there is someone else who does."

  "Who?"

  "He doesn’t want his name known just yet--for a reason."

  "Don’t play games with me--" Sinya began angrily.

  "No games. This man wants to meet someone first."

  "Who?"

  The ruthless eyes shuttered. "Wes."

  Sinya’s jaw tightened.

  "I see." Fredrico leaned back in his chair.

  "You see nothing," Sinya grated. "I wouldn’t let my brother anywhere near your degenerate friends. Ever."

  "Because you don’t have him anymore." Fredrico stared at Sinya.

  "He’s here."

  "No, he’s not. Don’t lie, Sinya. This man knows Wes is not with you."

  A cold chill washed down Sinya’s spine. If Fredrico knew that Wes had gone, who else would know? There were a few pirates and outlaws out there who would love to have Wes in their grasp. Not everyone was friends with Sinya, and Wes would make a good blackmailing tool. Everyone knew how much he and his crew loved and protected Wes.

  And if someone knew that Wes was gone, and that he’d been looking for Hortra, then it wouldn’t take long for them to put two and two together and come up with the answer.

  He wasn’t sure which was worse--that Wes was in the grasp of the dark mystic, or that someone was in the know of the whereabouts of Hortra... and ultimately, Wes.

  Settle down, Sinya. You can’t allow your fears to take you from the main focus of this conversation. Someone knows where Hortra is.

  Carefully schooling his features, Sinya regarded Fredrico calmly. "If this man thinks I don’t have Wes, why did you ask?"

  "Personal reasons." Fredrico steepled his fingertips together and regarded Sinya back just as expressionlessly.

  "So where is this man?"

  "I think we need to meet and discuss this with no fear of anyone tapping into this frequency."

  Sinya didn’t like the sound of that plan. "Oh?"

  "Yes. What I’m about to tell you is known by very few."

  "So how do you know about it?"

  Fredrico smiled a little mirthlessly. "Don’t shit me, Sinya. You don’t need to know anything else except where to meet this man. And I’m not going to tell you over the viscomm. No matter how secure we think we have things, nothing is foolproof. So, are you going to meet me?"

  "I guess it’s an idea."

  "Good. There’s an old, deserted space station a nights flight away. I’ll send the coordinates. We’ll meet there."

  The screen went blank, and Sinya drew a deep breath.

  "Probably a trap," Franc said mournfully.

  "Dirty, stinking, scum bags." Drake shuddered. "Some of them need delousing, I swear."

  "There’s not much choice." Folding his arms, Sinya switched his gaze to the map on the side wall. "Track the space station Fredrico wants us to meet him at."

  Drake did as bidden, and a small orange light winked on, marking the spot.

  "Scan it for any form of life," Sinya ordered. "And keep scanning until we get there. In fact, keep scanning until we leave again and are well away. I don’t trust Fredrico."

  "He’s a bastard," Franc acknowledged with a sigh.

  "And the only hope we have so far." Sinya left the cabin to seek out his crew and give instructions for their arrival on the old space station.

  After ensuring everyone was aware of the situation, and their roles in it, Sinya sought out Beulah’s cabin. The door was ajar, and he knocked lightly upon it.

  When there was no answer, he pushed it open slightly and peered in.

  Beulah was asleep on the bunk, reclining back against one of the satin pillows. Close by the bed was Wes’s potted plant, and the fingers of her hand were resting atop the soil. One of the leaves brushed against her arm, and he blinked when he saw the leaves move by themselves. Subtle, but no mistake.

  The woman was a witch, what did he expect?

  But no ordinary witch. Opening the door wider, he stood and looked at her.

  The cabin smelled of night blossoms, the air slightly damp, and he knew she’d showered. The nightgown she wore was thin, the low neckline sporting a pink ribbon, which surprised him. It was high waisted, and outlined her curves. The hem came down mid-calf, and her slender legs and feet were bare.

  His gaze lifted, drifting back up the soft blue of the material. Warmth filled him as he saw her breasts rise and fall with each even, deep breath she took. Her hair was tied in a long, thick braid, which fell over her shoulder and rested between her breasts.

  Mouth suddenly dry, Sinya swallowed. The woman had no right to be so youthful, so pretty. It would have been easier
on him if she had been old. There would have been no problems of keeping his hands to himself. Unlike now. Now he’d kissed her, felt her body against his, felt how perfectly she fitted against him. Tasted her. His loins tightened, and he hastily took a step back, bringing the door back to its previous ajar position.

  Get a grip, man! This is no time to be thinking lustful thoughts! Quickly he started back down the corridor.

  Eight

  As soon as Beulah came out of her cabin, she knew that something was going on. The pirates had a renewed vigor in their step, and she could feel a tension in the air.

  Seeing a fat pirate come barreling down the corridor towards her, she held out her hand. "What is happening?"

  He eyed her uneasily. "You’ll have to ask the Cap’n."

  "Oh." Facing Sinya was something that left her a little disturbed. "Where is he?"

  "In the control cabin."

  He wasn’t in the control cabin, but she found him in the dining cabin. He was talking to the seven pirates still breaking their fast. They all stopped talking when she appeared.

  "Am I interrupting something?" she queried.

  "Not at all." Sinya stood and gestured to the stool opposite him. "Sit, please."

  Perching on the stool, she gazed directly at him, and saw the wariness in his smile.

  "Did you sleep well?" he asked, dark eyes unreadable.

  "Like the dead," she replied, wondering how to overcome the uncomfortable feeling she had.

  Drake sucked in his breath, grabbed the salt shaker, and sprinkled the grains liberally on the floor around himself.

  "What the hell are you doing?" Franc yelled.

  "Should never mention the dead in connection with your sleep!" Drake gave the salt shaker an extra shake.

  "Why the hell not? And stop shaking that, you drongo!"

  "It invites spirits to take your soul while you sleep," Drake returned. "But they won’t get me. Here, I suggest you surround yourself, too."

  "I suggest you get a brain transplant!" Grabbing the salt shaker, Franc groaned. "You emptied it, you useless excuse for a pirate!"

  Laughter bubbled up inside Beulah, and she caught the answering mirth in Sinya’s eyes. Immediately all strain disappeared from between them, and she relaxed.

  "I’ve some news that might lead us to Hortra," Sinya informed Beulah.

  "Oh?"

  "We’re landing on an old space station to find out the name of someone who claims to know where to find Hortra."

  "That’s good." She saw him glance at his crew. "Isn’t it?"

  "It’s the best news I’ve heard so far, but I’m wary of the source of the information." Leaning forward, Sinya folded his arms on the table. "Fredrico is the pirate who gave me this information, and he won’t tell me the name of this person while on the viscomm, for fear that someone could tap into our frequency, and find out as well. Apparently this name is not to be bandied about."

  "You don’t trust Fredrico," Beulah stated bluntly.

  "Pirates aren’t to be trusted."

  One of his crew snickered.

  "Other pirates," he amended.

  "I see."

  The look he cast her sparkled with laughter, before he grew serious once more.

  "So, when do we meet this Fredrico?" Beulah asked curiously.

  "In about twenty minutes. And you’re not meeting him."

  "Why?"

  "I don’t want him to know you’re aboard."

  "Because I’m a witch?"

  "No. Because you’re a woman." Sinya regarded her closely. "A very attractive woman."

  "Don’t have to be attractive to get that mobs’ attention." Drake made a moue of disgust.

  "Shag anything female," Ephim added.

  Now Beulah knew what was coming even before Sinya spoke.

  "You’re to stay safely in here. Okay?"

  "All right."

  She could see immediately that her answer had surprised the men, who all gaped at her.

  "What’s this?" Ralfis grunted. "No arguments?"

  "No whining?" Ephim stared at Beulah.

  "Hell, even Drake would whine if he was told not to go," the fat pirate added.

  "Up yours, Beli," Drake retorted.

  Beli leered at him.

  Beulah calmly looked at them all. "I have no real experience in this kind of thing. Most things mystical, yes--"

  "Don’t bloody start!" Franc snarled at Drake, who stopped mid-hawk.

  "--but in dealings with pirates, I leave it up to Sinya." Beulah turned her gaze back to the man opposite her. "Anything else I need to know?"

  "No." Sinya gave her a brief nod. "Thanks."

  A bald-headed pirate appeared. "We’re approaching the station, Sinya."

  "Right. Everyone take their positions." Sinya stood up. "You’ll be fine, Beulah. Just stay here."

  She nodded, and watched the men leave. Once alone, she went to the food counter and chose a meal, which she proceeded to eat thoughtfully.

  Suddenly she stopped, frowning. Laying down the spoon, she stared at the far wall, searching with her mind for the source of her discomfort. There was a disturbance in the currents around her, a vague threatening sensation.

  She probed the currents, and felt the trail above her. Looking up, she unfocused her eyes, and immediately saw the thin, grey stream of smoke that spiraled above her.

  "Oh yes," she said softly. "I see you."

  ~ * ~

  Sinya watched through the porthole as the space station drew near them. Already Fredrico’s spaceship had landed, and several pirates waited outside the ship for Sinya’s arrival.

  The space station was truly deserted. Apart from the pirates, there were no other life forms in the area. He studied the station as Drake prepared the ship to enter the shield.

  Ten huge bays were on the left, each bay able to hold ten large ships. They were all empty, bar for the one holding Fredrico’s ship. Next to the docking bays were the fueling hoses, lying discarded on the ground. The repair building not far off would once have held spare parts. On the other side stood the service building. Tall, easily ten stories, it consisted of travelers units on the upper floors, with the first floor having two restaurants. The ground floor was made of the reception, a warehouse where supplies could be bought, and a lounge area for relaxing and intermingling with other space travelers. It was empty, some of the glass windows shattered. It was in a bad state of disrepair. Enclosing the whole of this space station was a massive space shield dome, which enabled the previous travelers to live in an otherwise non-breathable atmosphere. Not to mention protecting them from being sucked inside out. Going by the fact that Fredrico’s pirates were walking around without space helmets on, there was obviously still oxygen in the dome.

  Drake guided the ship to the docking ledge, where a shield encompassed them before drawing them inside the dome, and placing them in a vacant bay.

  Sinya led ten of his crew down to the first floor. The wide corridor accommodated them all easily, and they stood near the ramp. Sinya waited until they’d all done a last check of their weapons, making sure the holsters were loose, and that every weapon could be drawn quickly in case of trouble. Once the ramp lowered, Sinya strode out with his crew flanking him.

  "Well, well! How nice to see you again!" Fredrico greeted them cheerfully.

  "Fredrico." Sinya shook hands, his gaze never leaving the other man’s face. "What’s the person’s name who knows the whereabouts of Hortra?"

  "Is that all you can think about?" Fredrico sighed. "Business, business! Haven’t you got a few minutes to spare for a little chat?"

  "There’s a reason why your cousin, Sonja, always fought with you, Fredrico. I suspect this is one of them."

  "Sonja was always too busy. The wench never knew when to relax." Fredrico winked lewdly. "She’s busy now, too, spreading her legs for that Daamen trader."

  "I heard congratulations were in order." Sinya grinned. "Must really grate on you that she turned lawful."
<
br />   Fredrico shrugged. "No accounting for taste. Besides, without that vicious wench around, there’s more for us."

  Sinya’s gaze swept across Fredrico’s pirates, and he saw the open hostility in many of the faces. A few were friendly, but most were wary. This crew was a bunch of cut-throats, and so ruthless they’d shoot their own mothers for a piece of gold. Or for the fun of it. He would have felt distaste, but he’d been around them and others just as bad many times before, and had learned long ago to block out his personal feelings.

  "This man?" he prompted.

  All humor fled Fredrico’s face. "There’s a man here to see you about that."

  "He’s here?" Sinya glanced again at the pirates.

  "Not that man. The one who knows him." Fredrico gestured with his hand.

  Sinya watched a robed figure appear from the depths of Fredrico’s ship, and a crawling sensation went down his spine. Automatically his hand went down to the butt of his laser, and he felt the shift of tension in his crew behind him.

  More than one whine of a laser could be heard.

  "Relax," Fredrico said calmly. "It’s not a trap. This man can steer you in the right direction."

  Several of Fredrico’s crew moved aside, their expressions openly proclaiming the disturbance they, too, felt around this robed man.

  "You never said anything about meeting someone here," Sinya said.

  "This wasn’t something that could be discussed over the viscomm."

  "You just love your surprises, don’t you?"

  Fredrico grinned wolfishly.

  The robed figure drew closer, coming to a stop a foot away from Fredrico. Sinya saw a flicker of revulsion in Fredrico’s eyes, but to give the pirate his due, he didn’t move.

  The robe the man wore was grey and tattered, the hood hanging low over the bowed head, and a faint smell of rotten meat permeated the air.

  "Why did the witch-woman not come out with you?" The man’s voice hissed slightly, as though spoken from a ruined mouth.

  Fredrico frowned, glancing between the men.

  "What witch-woman?" Sinya kept his hand on the butt of his laser.

  "Don’t play with me, little boy. You have Beulah aboard, and it’s her I will see."

  There was no need to pretend that he didn’t know what the man was talking about here. It was more than obvious it was no secret. "She is under my protection."