by ML Guida
Ronan looked at his woman. She was just as strong as Hannah. “Angelica and her sister—”
“Another undine?” Kane looked around at the smoke and men racing around the deck. “Is she on board?”
Angelica shook her head. “No.” Her puny voice was so dejected that Ronan’s lungs twisted.
“It’s my fault. I called for her, and she came. What if she’s dead? Or on board the Fiery Damsel? I didn’t want this to happen. Hannah, can you help?”
“I might be able to slow down the Damsel. It might give us time to find your sister.”
“Thank you.” Angelica gave her a weak smile.
“No,” Kane said. “Hannah’s spent. Her powers drained.”
Angelica opened her mouth to argue, but Ronan lifted her chin, cutting off her protest. When it came to Hannah, it was better not to challenge Kane. He’d never let anyone hurt her and would be liable to lock Angelica up if he felt she was pushing Hannah beyond her limits. It had nearly killed him when she was taken prisoner. Against his better judgment, Ronan said, “I’ll find her, I promise.”
Kane seized Ronan’s arm. “We’ve got to get out of here. Zuto’s furious we took away his new dragon, so he’s calling on his god, Maketabori, for another monster—Charybdis.”
Angelica stiffened in his arms.
Dread swirled in Ronan’s gut. “But that’s a legend—”
“No, it’s not,” Angelica said. “Charybdis is real. That’s not her name by the way. It’s Charlotte. She lives in the Strait of Messina.” She lowered her gaze. “My father, not Zeus, created her. Charlotte was my step-mother. Father discovered that she’d been on board the pirate ship and told them how to kill my mother so he punished her, turning her into a foul sea creature that has an uncontrollable thirst for the sea. He banished her from here. How can Zuto send for her? He can’t leave the island.”
“True,” Kane said. “But his God is very powerful. Transporting a pissed off monster should be no problem.”
“Why wouldn’t Charybdis bring down the Fiery Damsel?”
“Because the bloody demon promised to change her back if she does his bidding and wreak revenge on the man who cursed her.”
“He can’t undo Father’s magic.”
“I suspect Maketabori can.”
“Then we have to get out of here.” Angelica scanned the sea. “Charybdis will kill us. Nothing can stop her, not even William.”
Overhead, the white clouds swelled and turned black. The skies opened up, and rain drenched them. Rain stung Ronan’s clammy flesh and blurred his vision. But there was something else in the storm. Besides the smell of sulfur from the battling ships, he detected something foul, as if decaying seaweed had smothered the smell of the salty rain. Wind picked up, and the sails overhead flapped hard. The hairs on the back of Ronan’s neck trembled. He couldn’t stop shivering.
“She’s coming,” Angelica said. “We have to find Isabella before she does. Charybdis will kill her.”
“Our only chance is to cut off the Damsel before she hits open water. If we don’t, we’ll be forced to fight, giving Charybdis time to swallow us whole.” He looked at the helmsman. “Full sail, bring us in across her bow.”
The astonished helmsman crinkled his brow. “But, Capt’n, she’ll ram us.”
Bloody and a little wobbly, Sean Mallory shoved the terrified pirate out of the way and grabbed the wheel. Ronan had learned not to question the capt’n’s order long ago.
The Fiery Damsel had manned her guns. Cannons recoiled and fired from its port side, sending shots screaming into the Phoenix’s tops, tearing sail and rigging and covering her with a thick blanket of black smoke. Ronan forced Angelica to move as burning sails crashed onto the deck. “You need to get below.”
She broke her arm free from his clasp. “Not until I know what happened to Isabella.”
Through the dark smoke, Ronan cursed under his breath. The Fiery Damsel was picking up speed. Men were in her yards of unfurling sail, others were on deck hauling out more guns, but what caught his eye was Quinton Palmer. He was dripping wet, but there was a tall willowy form next to him.
“Kane, can I use your spyglass. There’s a woman standing next to Palmer.”
Kane gave him a quizzical look, but followed his gaze. “Are you sure?” He handed over the spyglass without question, but his eyes filled with sorrow as he watched Angelica. who was still staring into the water.
“Aye, she’s there.” Ronan peered through the glass, waiting for the smoke to dissipate, holding his breath, and his worst fears were realized. Bleeding and battered, Isabella was on deck, her hands tied behind her back. She was a prisoner of the Fiery Damsel. He handed it back to Kane their eyes met. Right now, there was nothing they could do but escape and fight tomorrow. The crew was weary, and they needed time to heal before they battled the Fiery Damsel and Zuto’s new threat.
“Angelica,” he said, cringing on what he had to say.
She jerked her head up. “Ronan, I told—” Her words died on her trembling lips. She slowly turned. “Isabella!” She lurched toward the railing as if she was going to jump into the sea.
Ronan snatched her arm and pulled her against him, drawing on his last remaining strength. He forced her toward the mast and pressed her against it. “Listen to me.”
“No! She’s my sister!” Her eyes were wide. She kicked and twisted her body like a marlin trying to escape. “We’ve got to rescue her.”
He used his body to pin her. “Angelica, we will, but not right now. Donna you see? Palmer and Zuto are counting on you to do something drastic. You have to trust us. I promise we’ll get your sister back.”
Her body sagged against him. “But you know what they’ll do to her.”
He kissed her. “I know, lass. I know.”
Behind him, Kane shouted orders to the men, instructing them to work the lines. The crew dodged the zipping iron shots to readjust the sails to catch the windage. The Soaring Phoenix lurched forward, aiming for the Damsel’s bow. But Palmer wasn’t done yet. He returned two broadsides to the Phoenix’s one. Ronan tried to utter some comfort to Angelica, but the combined blasts blocked out his voice.
Kane yelled at Sean, holding the tiller, and unlike the former helmsman, followed his orders without question. Ronan could see the sweat glistening off the crew of the Damsel. Unless Palmer wanted to crash his ship, he’d better turn. Palmer threw Isabella into the arms of one of his crewmen and grabbed the wheel. He turned, but he wasn’t fast enough and slammed the side of the starboard side against the narrow shallows, running her aground. Wood splintered, and the great ship swayed.
“Isabella.” Angelica struggled against him. “We can attack.”
Zuto was on the beach watching, his arms raised high over his head. No doubt he was calling upon his master, Maketabori, to send for Charybdis.
Lightning crashed overhead. The swirling clouds parted. A scaly tentacle creature, twice as large as any Spanish Galleon, crashed into the ocean, sending a rolling wave into the portside of the Soaring Phoenix. Water sloshed onto the deck, rocking the groaning ship. Men grabbed lines to hold on.
The ocean swirled faster and faster as a gigantic whirlpool formed. Ronan had never seen anything so big. ’Twas out of nightmares. Wind howled. Sprays of water splashed into the air. In the midst of the whirlpool a wide mouth opened, big enough to swallow a dozen ships whole. Razor sharp teeth gnashed together. The sea, sand, and hapless fish sucked down the mouth as if in a roaring vacuum. It freed the Fiery Damsel from the shallows. The Damsel rose as if a ghost ship.
Kane had no choice but to retreat.
Ronan’s woman wouldn’t understand. This wasn’t going to go anywhere. He’d leave the battle to his capt’n. Before Angelica did something foolish, he had to get her below deck. She had to be as weary as he was.
“No, come with me.”
“Let me go!” She battled against him.
There was nothing they could do. She even admitted William wasn�
��t power enough to defeat Charybdis. But she wouldn’t listen to reason. Not caring if she hated him, he dragged her across the deck. He maneuvered away from pirates trying to pull the Soaring Phoenix away from the whirlpool threatening to suck them down with the ship. Angelica kicked at his shins and punched him in the nose.
Pain temporarily blinded him. “Enough!” He tossed her over his shoulder.
“Ronan, damn it, put me down!” She slammed her fists into his lower back.
“No. Stop struggling.” Ignoring the pain, he tightened his grip. A stream of water slid down past him. He slipped, but he managed to hang on to his fighting Amazon. The ship lurched, flinging him and Angelica down the stairs.
Angelica screamed and went deadly silent. Ronan slammed his shoulder into the stairs, banging his head on the bottom of the stairs. He untangled himself from Angela’s limp limbs. He shook his head to clear the fogginess in his head. “Angelica?”
His heart stopped. Blood gushed down the side of her temple. What had he done?
He ran his hand through her tresses and found a huge bump on the back of her head. His gut churned. She could have a concussion. “Angelica, Angelica!”
She didn’t move. He put his palm over her nose. Her breath was shallow, too shallow. He lifted her into his shaking arms. “Doc! Doc!”
The roaring rain and thunder of cannons and crashing waves drowned his voice. He kicked open Kane’s cabin door. A broken pitcher lay on the floor next to Kane’s favorite Celtic cross. Papers were scattered around the room. Unlit lanterns had tipped over. The walls shook as if a battering ram slammed against the ship. The oval-shaped windows over the captain’s bed had shattered. There was a fine white coat of glistening glass dust on the comforter and chairs. Cold air and pelting rain blew into the cabin. He held Angelica’s lifeless body next to his shoulder. He yanked the comforter off the bed. He lay her down gently but she didn’t even groan. Fear twisted his lungs. How could he have been foolish? He’d been in a too weakened state to force her down the stairs. His pride might have killed the woman he loved.
He turned her onto her side to keep her airway open. He bent her top leg so both her hip and knee were at right angle, and he gently tilted her head back to keep her air way free.
“I’ll be back.” His voice croaked.
He hurried out of the cabin and climbed the stairs two at a time. He had to find Doc. Up on deck, all hell had unleashed. Rain pelted his face, and the howling wind almost pushed him back down the stairs. Mariah and Hannah were at the railing, one casting spells, the other using her telekinetic ability, but Ronan didn’t need them. Kane was strapped to the wheel, determined to sail them away from the shallows and through the angry squall and pursuing Damsel. He’d never let anyone else to take the risk.
Men battled to keep the trysails unfurled to help the Phoenix sail through the billowing winds. William soared in the air, blowing fire onto the Damsel’s sails. Wood and canvas crashed onto the deck. The Damsel was between them and Charybdis. But Ronan didn’t care. All he cared about was his sweet Angelica. He raced around running crewmen, hunting for Doc.
He found him kneeling over a crewman. He was tying a tourniquet on his arm to keep the blood from gushing out of a deep cut. Doc had bruises on one side of his cheek and blood on his shirt. Ronan didn’t know if it was his or the wounded. “Doc!” He rushed over to him. “Come quick, please.”
Doc frowned. “Are you daft man? I done got wounded da tend.”
Ronan knelt next to him. “Please, help me. ’Tis Angelica. She hit her head and she’s unconscious.”
“Damn.” Doc motioned to two hurrying crewmen. “Take him to the quarters with the other wounded. I’ll be there soon. Come on, Ronan. Let me look at your comely lass.”
Ronan lead Doc to Angelica. The wind blew in the cabin, but it didn’t seem to be as strong. He sat next to her and pushed the hair out of her ashen face. “Angelica, honey, Doc’s here.”
Doc examined Angelica and lifted her eyelid. “She’s done got a concussion.” He turned her head. “She’s got a nasty crack on her skull. I’ll get my bag.” He stopped at the doorway. “I’ll need assistance. Get Hannah or Mariah.”
“I can do it, Doc.”
“No, you can’t. ’Tis not just her skull, Ronan. She appears to be bleeding internally.”
“What?” Ronan looked down at the juncture between her legs. Tears flooded his eyes. A bloody flower had formed. Mother of God, was she losing their baby? ’Twas all his fault. He released an agonizing scream and cradled her head in his lap. “Angelica, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”
A few minutes later, Sean came in with Doc and Hannah. Sean was tired and had bloody and muddy streaks on his shirt. His hair hung in his face.
“Oh, Ronan.” Hannah rushed over to the bed. She put her trembling hand over her mouth. “I’m so sorry.”
Sean put his hands on Ronan’s shoulder. “Come on.”
Ronan broke away from his gasp. “I’m not leaving her.”
“You need da leave, Ronan.”
“I’m—”
“Ronan,” Sean said. “Leave them to Angelica. Capt’n’s orders.”
Ronan released Angelica and followed Sean out of the cabin. Mariah held a basin full of water as she walked down the hallway. Tired and defeated, Ronan sat on the step.
“Doc knows what he’s doing,” Sean said. “I’ve got to go up on deck.”
“Go, I’m not leaving.”
Sean dragged his feet up the wet stairs. Ronan stared at the door, willing Doc, Mariah, or Hannah to walk through and say Angelica was awake and everything was fine, but his command wasn’t granted.
***
Angelica heard whispers in the background. One of the voices was Hannah’s and she seemed so worried. Had something happened to Kane? The other was not instantly recognizable, but a vaguely Irish brogue brought a slight frown to her brow.
“I think she’s waking.”
The strong voice was enough to make her fight to open her nailed-shut eyelids.
“Aye, she’s wakin’ up. Better go inform Doc.”
She fluttered open her eyes. The dim light of a lantern shone on Ronan. He sat in a chair next to her bed. He looked horrible. His tangled hair stuck to his head. He still had dried blood and mud on his face. He had black stubble on his face, and his tired, brown eyes had more gaunt veins than a spider’s web.
Angelica tried to moisten her cracked lips, but there wasn’t enough spit in her mouth. Ronan patted her face with a cool rag, and some of the wetness leaked into her mouth. She managed to lick her lips.
“Ron...an?” Her voice sounded so thick and shaky. She swallowed, but her throat was so tight she coughed. “Why did you throw me down the stairs?”
“Here, drink this.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and lifted her off the pillow.
Angelica grimaced. The slight movement sent sharp pain through her stiff muscles. Everywhere hurt. But at least, she wasn’t in her soiled gown and had on a clean shift.
He tilted a mug of cool water to her lips. She greedily drank it. “Not so fast, lass, or you’re liable to upset your stomach.” He kissed her on the forehead.
She nodded. He lowered onto the pillow. “Why—” She struggled to breathe.
He clutched her hand and rubbed it his cheek. “Shhh, I dinna. Donna you remember? Water spilled down the stairs, and the bloody ship lurched....And I slipped.” Tears actually formed in the corners of his eyes. “I’m so sorry. Can you forgive me?”
She tried to remember but only received a raging headache for her troubles. Dizziness overtook her, and Ronan’s sad face spun in circles. She closed her eyes to keep her swirling stomach from losing its meager contents. “’Twas not your fault.”
He kissed her clammy palm. “I love you.”
She forced a small smile. “I know.” But the corners of her mouth faded slowly. It was quiet, church quiet. “I don’t hear anything.” She thought of Hannah. “Did Kane die?”
He chuckled. “No, the capt’n’s still barking orders.”
Confusion added to her already muddled brain. “Am I dying?”
He kissed her knuckles. “Bloody hell, no.”
“What happened? How long have I been out?”
“For four days. Doc says you had a concussion. And—” His voice trailed away, and he avoided her gaze.
He sounded afraid. Dread stirred inside her stomach. “Ronan, tell me what happened?”
“We almost lost our babe.” His voice was so tiny she had to strain to hear him.
She couldn’t look at Ronan. Tears fell down her cheeks. Every muscle tensed. She gasped, and the shame and guilt of putting their babe in danger overwhelmed her, stealing her breath. Dear God! No wonder with swimming the ocean, dealing with the kidnapping, and playing cat and mouse with the treacherous demon. She placed her palm on her lower abdomen. Her son moved, and she sighed with relief. “But I didn’t.”
“No, you didn’t.” Hannah walked into the cabin with Doc trailing behind her.
Angelica squeezed Ronan’s hand. “I felt our son move. He’s alive.”
Her weak smile faded. Something else still had to be wrong, or Ronan wouldn’t be such a mess.
Hannah rubbed Doc’s arm. “Thanks to Doc and Mariah. Their combined efforts saved your babe.” She looked at Ronan with admiration. “He hasn’t left your side.”
Doc narrowed his eyes. “Despite da Capt’n’s orders.” His eyes softened when he looked at Angelica. “How ye doin’, lass? You had a nasty bump an’ cut on the side of your head. I done stitched it up. You’ll not even notice da scar.”
It explained why the side of her head throbbed and itched. She gently touched it and brushed her fingers over a bandage. “Thank you, Doc.”
His eyes darkened. “But you need to be more careful.”
“I told you, Doc.” Ronan put his strong fingers on Angelica’s chin and forced her to look at him. “It was not her fault. ’Twas mine.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, inhaling his spicy smell. “Ronan, I’m so sorry.”
