by Cece Rose
“I don't understand. What are you talking about?” I wipe my hands on my dress, the sweat building on my palms getting to be too much.
He steps closer, and I regret putting the table at my back as I cannot get away with it trapping me in place. His blue eyes bore down into mine, and I know he is seeing more than just my eyes in return.
“You don't know what you are, do you?” he asks.
“What do you mean?”
“Gods, you really have no clue,” he whispers, disbelief lacing his voice.
“What don't I know?” I question him.
“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.
“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.
“I won't?” I ask, with a raised brow. He runs his fingers through his shaggy black hair.
“You won't. Let's be honest, you'd just get yourself killed without me.” My eyes narrow, and I open my mouth to argue. “Look, you've got plenty of book smarts, I'm not questioning your intelligence or capabilities. But you wouldn't survive around these types of people. I spent a few months on a pirate ship, James. I thought I could handle it...I was wrong,” he admits.
“You never told me that before,” I reply, starting to turn left towards Oliver’s house.
“Actually, it would be best if we headed for Rosethorn Tavern,” he says, continuing straight ahead.
“Why?” I ask, doubling back to follow him.
“That's where we find our introduction to a captain,” he answers me with an empty smile.
“You don't have to do this—” I begin, but I’m cut off.
“Yes, I do. You saved my life, James. I owe you that debt, and now I have a way to repay it,” he replies firmly. I think back to that night, and it seems so long ago already.
“I told you, you owe me nothing.”
“But I do. Now come on, pretty-boy, let’s go save your girl. Then you can finally ask her what you should have asked a year ago. She'll have to say yes if you save her from vampirates,” he replies with a harsh laugh, smacking me on the shoulder with his right hand.
“I hope so, Oliver. I really hope so.”
Chapter Nine – Azula
I move naturally under the water, watching the fish dart out of my way as I swim. Able to continuously swim further, I never tire out as I make my way to my destination, wherever that may be. Seeing figures in the water up ahead, I quicken my pace to reach them faster. I’ve been looking for them, I don’t want to be alone in the water anymore.
As the figures come into focus, I pull up short before air bubbles fly out of my mouth, the water silencing my screams. All around me are dead men floating in the water, chained down by anchors tied to their ankles. Their eyes are shut and arms spread out, as they sway slightly in the ocean's current.
Despite my fear, I feel something pulling me forwards. I swim between the floating bodies, feeling myself draw closer to the source of the pull. The water begins to have a faint pink tinge, the colour gradually darkening as I get closer. As I draw near, I notice the body at the centre is surrounded by deep red water. I can taste the coppery tang of blood on my lips as I cautiously swim around the man to see his face. His eyes are open, and his lifeless gaze seeming to stare at me accusingly. I reach for James' face, laying my hand across his cheek, but as my skin makes contact, the fire in his eyes returns, and he begins to scream silently. His body thrashes in the water desperately, as he struggles to find air in a place with none.
I dart down to his feet, trying to free him of the anchor, but it’s no use. Hopelessness fills me, and I swim up to his face, wanting to look him in the eyes again before he runs out of air. He reaches for me, pulling me close. His lips press against mine softly, and then they move, travelling along my jaw to my neck. I jerk back when I feel a sharp sting, and reaching up to touch my neck, feeling that the skin is torn roughly.
Blood flows freely from my neck, and soon, the blood filling the water around us is my own. I look into his eyes, feeling the betrayal rush through me. James wasn't meant to hurt me like this, not him. He loves me, he always has. But his eyes aren't his own anymore, they’re fully black and completely soulless. As a monster’s eyes look back at me from James’ face, a dark smile slashes across his face with my blood dripping from his lips.
I slam my eyes shut, and scream.
Waking up to the gentle rocking of the ship, tucked underneath a soft, unfamiliar blanket, I take deep breaths to calm myself from the horror of my nightmare. The calmness of the sea and the quiet of the cabin feel so wrong after my turbulent dreams. I'm covered in a thin sheen of sweat, and the blanket sticks to my skin. I groan, peeling it off myself and sitting up.
I look down at myself, feeling a mortified expression stretch across my face,
as the soft light shining in through the windows reveals the state I am in. The torn, white clothing I'm wearing is covered in blood and dirt. My riding boots are stained a dark crimson too. Shallow scratches and scrapes are my only injuries, thankfully, none of them deep enough to bleed. I stand and grimace at the condition the vampirate captain’s bed is left in. The blood has stained the sheets, as well as dirt. I've never seen such a mess.
Looking around the room, I freeze when I spot clean clothing laid out across the wooden table. Moving to take a closer look, I hold up the garments in my hands, my jaw dropping at the strange clothing. The long white shirt is definitely a man's, and would be huge on me, but the tight black trousers were surely too small to fit a man’s frame and would fit me perfectly. I can't believe that he would expect me to wear this. A note left on the table catches my eyes, and I pick it up. As I read, I can’t help but to admire the neat, cursive writing.
Azula,
I thought you may require a change of clothes and would like a chance to clean up.
—Captain Blake
Clean up? How am I supposed to get clean without a bathtub? I sigh, realising exactly what he means as I spot the large bucket of water on the floor beside the table. There's a clean-looking rag laying across the edge. Dipping my fingertips into the water, I quickly pull them back out, the chill seeping into my skin. I make a mental note to never complain about my baths being drawn too cold ever again.
Pulling off my bloody clothing, I grab the rag and dip it in the cold water. I begin cleaning myself off the best I can, having to ring out the rag every so often. I grimace as I watch the clear water turn a light pink, and then a deep red as I clean up. I’m freezing, but somewhat clean by the end of the process.
Pulling on the unfamiliar clothing, I feel so uncomfortable in the cheap material of the trousers. The shirt is at least better quality, but nothing like any of my clothing from home. I wipe off my riding boots, getting them as clean as possible before pulling them back on. I wish there was a mirror in here, so I could get a better look at myself, but maybe it's best that I don't see just how much of a mess I am.
