by ML Guida
William twirled his finger into her hair. “’Tis evil. He used it to conjure the yari.”
“You don’t understand. Natasa’s wand can only channel black magic. My father gave Lark his wand. ’Tis a Fey wand and enchanted. ’Tis based on goodness and filled with white magic.”
“If you are wrong, the yari will punish you. We don’t know what it will do.”
She gave him a small smile. “You are lying to protect me. I will be in extreme pain. ’Tis a possibility I am willing to try.”
He stopped twirling her hair. “I am not. Where is his wand?”
“Why?”
“Give it to me.”
She put her hand on her hips. “No.”
“This is not a game. I want you safe. Out of harm’s way.”
“I am already in harm’s way, William.” Her soft voice stabbed his thundering heart.
He stepped around her and headed for her chest.
“No.” She gripped his arm with both hands, but it was like trying to stop a runaway horse.
He shook her off and yanked open the trunk. Both hers and Lark’s wands lay on top. Luckily, hers was still here and not imprisoned in Lark’s dream world. It should have been. Had he allowed her to keep it? Why?
William seized both of them. “Which one is Lark’s?”
She clamped her mouth shut and avoided looking at her wand, afraid he would guess which one was hers.
“Fine, I will keep them both.” He headed for the doorway.
“If you do not let me go with you, I will tell le capitaine.”
He whirled around, his face grim. “You would not dare.”
She ignored the disbelief and horror in his tone. She put her hand on her chest and met his fierce glare, although her legs turned to seaweed and wobbled beneath her. She hated playing dirty and toying with William’s emotions, but she was desperate to keep him from going to that island without her. “Oui, I would. We must do this together.”
He seized her wrist. “You are trying my patience. I could have Kane lock you in the brig.”
She tilted her chin. “Locking me in the brig will not prevent me from telling him what happened to Hannah.”
“I will not give you the wands.”
Hating to play her spade card, she braced her shoulders. “Then your brother’s heart will be broken.”
“You would do this to Kane?”
She stared into his hurt eyes and wished she had not had to resort to this wicked behavior. Her victory weighed heavy in her heart. It lay hollow, choking out her breath. “I would do this to protect you.”
He dragged her out of the cabin and up onto the deck.
“William, will you release me?” She tried to pry away his fingers that bit into her flesh. “You are hurting my wrist.”
Ronan blocked William’s way and reached for Mariah. “Release her, O’Brien.”
William growled, the dragon’s anger rumbling inside him.
Mariah put up her hands. “Stop it. Both of you.”
“Land ho,” Amadi called from the eagle’s nest.
’Twas Zuto’s island. It looked like any uncharted island with palm trees and sandy beaches. But it was not just any island. A faint black aura fluttered around it.
William released her wrist. “How did we get here so fast?”
Ronan shrugged. “I donna know. The Phoenix moved faster than she ever has.”
Cold chills rippled across her skin. Nausea swirled in her stomach, and she swallowed down the vomit. A wave of power struck her, and she gripped William’s arm tight.
“Mariah, are you well?” Ronan’s brow bunched in concern.
“I…can…feel the power,” she panted. “’Tis evil. And they are waiting for us.”
Ronan brushed her hair away from her throat. “What the devil is that around your neck?”
“We were in Lark’s dream, and I—”
“Bloody hell, O’Brien. Ye couldna protect her?” Ronan’s voice softened. “Do you know what Lark went through when that damn thing was around his neck?”
William’s face blanched. “I do.”
Mariah winced at Ronan’s accusatory tone and William’s strained look.
The yari tightened around her neck, and she gasped for breath. “Take me to see le capitaine.” Every word was a struggle to utter.
“Mariah,” William warned.
“We must form a plan. They want us to storm the island. I can feel it. Where is he?”
Ronan gestured with his hand. “At the helm with Sean.”
William circled his arm around Mariah and pulled her close. She didn’t know if it was to protect her or silence her from telling le capitaine the truth.
Kane paced back and forth at the helm. “We will dock in the cove and search for Hannah.”
Mariah lifted her chin. “Capitaine.”
He stopped pacing. “What’s that around your neck?”
“’Tis a yari.”
Suspicion flared in his eyes. “How did that get around your neck?”
A stream of red light soared from the island toward the Phoenix.
“Cap’n,” Ronan pointed. “Somethin’ is comin’ from the island. They’re firin’ on us.”
Kane unsheathed his sword. “Prepare for trouble, men. Be ready to fire at my command!”
Each man knew his job, crouched by their cannons, ready to unleash hell.
Evil permeated the light. Mariah raised her arms to conjure a spell to stop it.
Ronan’s eyes widened. “The diamonds––they’ve changed to rubies.”
With each word she chanted, her neck stung. The sensation grew stronger as the light grew closer. “’Tis not a weapon.” Pain bore into her neck, and she winced. “Black magic.” The red light grew closer then splintered into yellows rays like shooting stars. Agony stabbed her flesh. She grabbed the choker and pulled, but it wouldn’t move. Black dots flickered in front of her eyes, and her knees weakened. She tilted her head back, and all she could see was the Phoenix’s sails flapping overhead. Muscles betrayed her, and she arched her back and collapsed.
William scooped her up before she hit the deck. “Mariah?”
The shimmering lights slammed into the Phoenix, then the ship tilted back and forth. Men swore and yelled as they frantically hung onto anything around them to keep from being dumped into the ocean. Mariah shut her eyes to block out the pain and light, and sloshing ship. Nausea stirred in her stomach.
The ship steadied, and she forced her eyes to open. Men returned to their cannons and readied for war.
Amadi pointed. “Cap’n, on the bow.”
Mariah fought her fear. Natasa stood on the bow and smirked. “Not so powerful are you, witch?”
Pirates swarmed around Natasa with swords and guns drawn.
Natasa flicked her hand at the men. “Your weapons can’t hurt me.”
Kane gripped his sword. “I would like to test that claim.”
Mariah pushed against William’s chest and wiggled. “Put me down, William.”
He tightened his hold. “But—”
“Now,” she said.
William slowly glided her onto her feet, his arm wrapped around her waist.
Mariah forced her wobbly legs to stand. “Take this yari off me, and I will show you, demon.”
“Even if I wanted to, I could not.” Natasa clasped a diamond pendant hanging around her neck and caressed it with her thumb. “I didn’tt put it around your neck. Your dear brother did.”
Desperation flared in Kane’s eyes. “Where’s Hannah?”
Natasa raised her eyebrow and focused on Mariah. “You didn’t tell him, witch?”
Mariah held Natasa’s gaze and refused to cower or look at William.
Kane aimed his pistol between Natasa’s eyes. “Tell me what, demon?”
She tapped Kane’s pistol with her finger. “Your little whore is dead.”
Quiet murmurs broke out around the crewmen.
One man raised his sword. “Tis a tri
ck.”
Another glared at Mariah. “Aye, ’tis true. The traitor has cursed us.”
“You lie.” Kane cocked his pistol.
Natasa laughed. “Ask her.”
Kane glanced at Mariah with fear and denial gleaming in his eyes. “Well?”
“Je suis désolé.” Mariah’s voice was heavy with sorrow.
His face paled, and the blood drained from his tight lips. His powerful shoulders slumped, and he slowly lowered his weapon, his hand shaking. “No, ’tis not true.”
William grabbed Kane’s shoulders. “Kane, listen to me.” His voice was desperate. “We don’t know this is true. You can’t lose faith.”
Mariah bit her lip. Kane was a fierce captain and had fought gallantly to save his crew. He didn’t deserve this. Natasa hankered to have an anchor chained to her neck and be thrown overboard, never to be seen again.
“Don’t worry, Captain.” Natasa grinned. “You’ll join your little bitch. I will see you both soon.” She snapped her fingers, and smoke swirled around her.
Tears glistened in Kane’s eyes. He screamed and shoved William, knocking him to the ground, then fired his pistol at the dissolving smoke.
Natasa’s red eyes peered through the smoke. “I have a proposition for you, Captain. Bring Justin Knight to me, and I can resurrect your dead whore. She dies, and he lives, or he dies, and she lives. Your choice.”
The smoke faded along with the eyes. Kane whisked out his sword and stabbed at the mist repeatedly. “Hannah, you killed my Hannah. You’re dead, bitch. I’ll gut you and cut your heart.” His loud voice was full of hate, and he was as terrifying as when Mariah had first seen him with the prostitute.
Mariah tried to think of a spell that would show whether or not Hannah was dead. The yari tightened around her neck, blocking out her air. She grabbed the choker and tried to rip it off her neck, but ’twas as if the choker had melted into her flesh.
Kane violently shook Mariah. He then slapped her across the face. The impact of his palm sent her falling to the deck. Pain exploded across her cheek, bringing tears to her eyes.
“’Tis your fault she’s dead.” Kane’s voice trembled.
William snarled and sprung forward, diving low. He tackled Kane, and they crashed into the bulkhead. William slammed his fist into Kane’s chin, and Kane’s head snapped backward.
Kane flashed a deadly smile and cracked his knuckles. “You’ll be sorry, little brother.”
“No, you will be. I’m stronger than you.”
“Mutton head, I’m a vampire.”
The two men circled each other, then they attacked, a crunch of flesh and bone. Kane charged and smashed his fist into William’s nose.
Blood spurted into the air, and Mariah was close enough to feel splatters fall on her face. She was at a loss on how to stop them from killing each other.
Grunts and curses assailed the sea air, reinforced by the sound of flesh pounding flesh as the two brothers rolled onto the deck, William briefly gaining the advantage, dripping crimson onto Kane’s face and chest. Kane managed to throw William off. The two warriors dragged themselves to their feet. They panted heavily, sizing each other up. Kane launched the second round and rammed his fist into William’s gut, doubling over him. William fell to his knees, gasping for breath.
“’Tis your fault she’s dead.” Kane wiped the blood off his face. “Yours and your little whore.”
Heat washed over Mariah’s cheeks and she wanted to hide. She could feel the eyes of the crew upon her, hear them mumbling in agreement with le capitaine. He was mad with grief, but nevertheless, his words stung.
William lumbered to his feet. “You bastard,” he said. Droplets of red trickled from his split lip onto his chest.
Mariah had not credited William’s rage as a weapon, but he wielded it now and charged his brother. He rammed his head into Kane’s stomach, knocking him down. He sat on Kane’s chest, pinning him to the deck.
Kane spit into his face.
“You’ll not hit her again.” William smashed his fist into Kane’s face again and again. Bones cracked.
Mariah stared in horror. Why wouldn’t someone pull them apart?
Crimson stained the deck, and her stomach lurched. She covered her mouth, not from the gore, but from watching two brothers kill each other. This was not right. This was dark magic. This was Natasa’s fault. “Stop, William.” Mariah clenched her fists.
As if her words broke a spell, men seized William’s arms and dragged him off Kane. Red drenched Kane’s shirt, and he rolled onto his side, spitting up blood.
Doc knelt down. “Cap’n?”
Kane shrugged off Doc’s arm. “Lock them in the brig.”
Her gaze darted between her and William.“No, Capitaine. We must all go to shore. Natasa is planning on us losing control. Do you not see? This is only the beginning. William and I can help. Do not give into grief.”
“I tire of listening to you.” He wiped his face with his sleeve. “I gave an order.”
Chapter 27
William stared at his bloody hands. “My God, what have I done?”
Sean and Amadi gripped his arms. He bowed his head bowed and let them led him away. Pirates crowded around Mariah, weapons still drawn, and blocked her view of William. Men glared at her, their eyes brimming with hate.
“Traitor,” a burly pirate murmured and spit on the deck.
“Hand her over to her brother,” another said.
“Should be hanged.”
A tall skinny man shook his head. “No, turncoats should be burned.”
Mariah fought back tears. The memory of her parents flashed in her mind. France all over again. Was this Natasa’s plan for her to follow her parents’ fate? Her heart raced, and her lungs failed to exhale. Stay calm.
Kane held onto a mooring line to keep from falling down. He stared at the island.
She wrung her hands. “Capitaine, please listen.”
He ignored her, his other hand caressing the butt of his pistol. She opened her mouth to plead once more, but when he released the mooring line and started to load the pistol with powder, she thought better of it.
The sea of hate parted, and Ronan maneuvered through them. “Bloody hell, ye louts. Leave the lass alone.”
A pirate pointed a sword at Mariah’s throat. “’Tis her fault the Cap’n’s bride’s dead.”
She recoiled and wished she could draw on her power. But she was powerless. Defenseless.
Ronan unsheathed his sword and flicked the man’s blade away from Mariah. “Harm her and you’ll face me. Now, stand back, ye devils. Cap’n said to lock her in the brig. Not kill her.”
The man sheathed his sword. Ronan pulled her off the deck and wrapped his arm around her waist. He lifted her into his strong arms. “You’ll have to forgive the cap’n,” Ronan whispered. “He’s stricken with grief. Hannah was his life.”
Mariah leaned her head against Ronan’s chest. She didn’t blame le capitaine. Tears slipped down Mariah’s cheeks, and she buried her face into Ronan’s shirt. “Le capitaine is right. ’Tis my fault. My magic failed me.”
“No, ’tis not your fault, Mariah. We’re at war. People die in wars. People we love. We canna give into hate or revenge.” He pushed her against the wall. “Can you still save Lark?”
“Not with the yari around my neck. I need William. Without us, we will all die.”
“Ronan.” Amadi walked down the corridor toward them. He jerked his thumb behind him. “You heard da cap’n. Lock da witch in da brig.”
“I will.” Ronan put Mariah back down on the deck and seized her hand. “Donna fret.”
Mariah didn’t fight Ronan. He led her down into the bowels of the ship, where only a few lanterns light up the belly. Barrels lined the walls. Humidity and mustiness was thick in the air. In the cell, William slumped on the bench.
Ronan unlocked the door and motioned for Mariah to go inside. “I canna free you both now. But I will be back. I promise.” He locked the
door and put the key back on the wall.
Mariah rubbed her throbbing cheek. “William?”
He lifted his head. His eyes were swollen, and she gasped. A slit ran down his left cheek and blood leaked out of his nose. Red drenched his shirt. “I could have killed my brother.”
“William, we have to get out of here. Natasa will kill Kane. He’s not thinking straight and will rush head-on to his death.”
“I could have killed him.”
“We have—”
“Because of you.”
Mariah shuddered at his soft words. She refused to huddle in the corner and wallow in self-pity. She could do so later. “You pirates are a stubborn lot, no? We have to get on that island and work together. Then we can part?”
“Is that what you want? To separate from me?”
His eyes glowed gold, and a low rumble came from him like a wolf threatening to attack.
Chills whisked down her back, and she rubbed her arms. “I don’t want to argue.” She flicked her hair out of her face. “Do you still have the wands?”
He smeared his bloody mouth on his sleeve. “You didn’t answer my question. I want an answer.”
She wanted him, loved him. “William, I know you don’t feel the same about me as I do you.”
He clasped her shoulders and forced her to look into his bloody face. “And how do you think I feel about you?”
She refused to repeat his cold words—that he could never be with a witch. He had said he didn’t trust witches. Said they were evil. His condemnations stung her lips and bore a hole into her breaking heart.
Concentrate.
“William, we are wasting time.”
“For us to defeat the evil, do we not have to care about each other?”
“We must have faith in one another, only then can we defeat the evil.”
He kissed her forehead and bent his head. Sweet kisses nuzzled her neck, his hand massaged her breast, and warmth spread through her. The man ignited a fire within her, and she wanted him, would always want him. “William, stop.”
“Answer my question.”
She tried to focus on what he had asked. “Question?”
“How we feel about each other?”
“Desire,” she gasped. “We want each other.”
“Aye, ’tis true. I’ll always desire my little witch.” He captured her mouth and kissed her hard.
