by ML Guida
Zuto forced himself to give his pet a smile. “You found her, didn’t you?”
The spider clicked its jaws in an answer. He raised his shaking hand and patted its prickly leg. “Well done, boy. Well done.”
Now, he had both the undine and the girl. The noose was closing around Ewan Kelley and the crew of the Soaring Phoenix. Soon, Hannah would be in the hands of Maketabori and he’d be free.
He put both his palms down behind him and waited for the fool Palmer to bring Penelope to him. Despite being in agony, today would be the best day of his life. He licked his swollen lips, tasting freedom.
Not wanting to appear weak, he pushed himself onto his feet and leaned against his pet for his well-deserved prize.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ewan counted the stars overhead––anything to try and forget the pain. His heart beat quickly, as if trying to battle the poison, while his body was sleek with sweat. Not even the cool night air or the water gushing over him could ease the inferno growing hotter and hotter inside him.
The sun had set long ago, and Penelope had left with the Fiery Damsel while he lay here helpless. Fear and sorrow filled him. Even with her wintery power, she’d never survive. Zuto was powerful and desperate and would think of nothing of draining her completely.
Ewan stopped trying to get his lips to move to call out for Leif. If Leif was alive he could get word to Kane to go to Zuto’s island to save Penelope. But all Ewan could manage to do was spit out the sea water that kept gushing into his mouth, threatening to drown him.
Leif hadn’t as much as groaned. He feared the dragon was dead.
He tried to move his head for the twenty-ninth time, but ’twas as if it was nailed to the beach. As much as agony that was pulsing through his body and the stiffness, he swore he’d been crucified.
He concentrated on breathing in and out. He couldn’t fall asleep. He was afraid if he did, he’d never wake up. Penelope needed him. The world would be a colder and emptier place without her. Her frozen beauty and strong will helped him endure the pain. He hadn’t realized how much he’d come to care for the lass, and now at the thought of losing her, a hollowness filled his heart. Every instinct told him her time was short. She wouldn’t live through the night.
He needed help. He closed his eyes and prayed.
Raphael, if you can hear me, please save Penelope. I know I’m dying. I tried to go on the path ye set me upon, but I wasna strong enough. I should not have interfered. Maybe Kane would have been strong enough. All I could think of was Penelope. She’s stolen my heart. I’d do anything for her. Punish me if ye must, but do not allow her light to be doused.
“Open your eyes, Ewan.”
Ewan’s heart leapt at the voice. Raphael sat next to him on the beach with his arms wrapped around his legs, staring out at the black sea. His golden aura illuminated the beach, and ’twas as if night had turned to day. Ewan grimaced since he was unable to shield his eyes. He bet ships would be able to spot the light from nautical miles away. Lord, let Kane see it. Or better yet, William.
Ewan tried to say something, but the dratted poison had locked his jaw. All he could do was release a pitiful grunt.
Raphael turned. “Ewan, you have done what I have asked. The poison is inside you, but you are not done yet. You must have the time spider spew its sticky strand on you then cut yourself and allow the blood to coat the string. This will show you what time your loved ones are trapped in.” He smiled. “The other one is harder. You must mix your blood with Zuto’s. Remember forgiveness is key.”
If he could have, Ewan would have frowned. He willed for the archangel to heal him, but Raphael hadn’t as much as lifted a finger.
“Don’t you think I can read your thoughts?” the archangel said. “As I have told you before, the task is not an easy one.” He slowly stood and brushed the sand off his trousers. “But have hope, Ewan. Help is here. For you”––he glanced over his shoulder––“and for Leif.”
“I will be watching you,” he said. “Call for me when you have accomplished your feat. I can help you no more.”
With that, the archangel faded into the darkness, and only the faint glow of the moon cast any light onto the beach. Help? He must have missed something, because he didn’t remember the archangel helping him.
Something moving fast blocked out the silver quarter moon, and the sound of flapping of wings filled his gut with dread. Ewan cursed. Grand, thanks to Raphael, he was now going to be a feast for the fiends of the Fiery Damsel. Why didn’t they just bring both him and Leaf on board rather than leaving them behind?
But then what did it matter? They would both be dead.
The clomp of something hard on the beach elicited another silent swear from him. Hard footsteps plopped on the sand. He waited for Palmer or another one of his filthy swine to taunt him before he was killed.
“Mon Dieu, Leif, Ewan!”
Ewan had never been so glad to hear that sweet French accent.
Mariah knelt next to him. “William, I do not know if he is alive.” She put her slender hand over his mouth. “Where is Penelope? I do not see her.”
Ewan stared at her, trying to tell her what happened, but she continued to fret over him instead of listening. He could only blink, but ’twas so dark, he doubted she noticed his paltry attempt to communicate.
“Leif’s unconscious, but he has a faint pulse,” William answered. “I need to get him to Doc. The harpoon is deep into his chest. He’s lost a lot of blood. It would be better if he was in dragon form when we remove it. I don’t think I should remove the spear here. Doc will know what to do.”
Ewan winced at the worry in his voice. He must be thinking that Leif might not survive.
“We will come back for Ewan’s body later. Right now, we have to attend to Leif.”
Shite, they thought he was dead, which wasn’t far off. Ewan heard the crunch of bone and muscle as William transferred back into a dragon. Panic fluttered inside him. He had to do something to convince them that he was alive.
Ewan drew on all of his power and he sucked in air, then pushed it out. ’Twas nothing more than a tiny puff, but ’twas enough to change Mariah’s face from a sad frown to a bright smile.
“Mère de Dieu! He is alive!”
William shrieked.
Mariah shook her head. “Take Leif back to the ship. I will stay with Ewan.”
A low growl emitted from William.
Mariah glared, then pointed. “Do not take the growl with me, William O’Brien. Take poor Leif to the ship. I will not leave Ewan.”
Her pointed voice was enough to make Ewan want to stand at attention.
William flew overhead and held Leif gently with his talons. He headed toward glowing lights over the horizon. Ewan wasn’t sure but he thought he saw the outline of a ship. He thought ’twas the Soaring Phoenix, but maybe ’twas wishful thinking.
Mariah brushed his hair out of his eyes and closely inspected his shoulder. “You are so cold and hard. I have never seen anything like this before. What happened? It was the spider, no?”
She bit her lip. “I am not sure I have anything on the ship that can help you. If only my grand-mère were here.”
Ewan was always amazed at how humble Mariah was about her magic.
“But perhaps I know a spell. I need some fresh herbs.” She looked toward the jungle and hurried off.
William would be furious, but Ewan was in no shape to stop a determined witch. The pain grew stronger, and each time he took a breath, he could feel his muscles turn harder and harder as if they were turning into wood. He pulled on his vampire power––not even a tingle rustled through him.
Weariness weighed heavy on him, and he wanted to escape from the pain. He gave in and closed his eyes. The last thought he had was for Penelope.
Raphael, keep her safe.
***
Ewan opened his eyes and immediately regretted it. Stabbing pain returned with a vengeance. He couldn’t breathe, move, or cry out. He
was a prisoner to the misery.
Through his agony, he slowly noticed he wasn’t laying on a beach, and salt water no longer tried to drown him. Instead, there was a wooden ceiling over his head and a warm blanket covered him. He swayed back and forth in a hammock, but still lay in the same crumpled position that he had on the beach.
Realization pierced the pain gripping his fuddled mind. He was home. He was in the crew’s quarters. But where was everyone? Was he still considered an outcast?
As if reading his thoughts, Mariah said, “Bien. You are awake. I put a dream pillow filled with agrimony and mugwort under your head. Dream pillows give you pleasant dreams and help ward off evil, including poison. It will reverse the spider’s venom.”
Her voice was strong and sure, but he detected the doubt she tried to keep hidden. She actually didn’t know if her potion had worked. Unfortunately, he didn’t feel any different. Only the archangel could heal him, and he’d refused.
He closed his eyes, wanting to remember his dream. He didn’t know if her potion had anything to do with it, but he’d dreamed of Penelope. They’d been intertwined in a loving embrace, exploring each other’s secrets back on the little island. But more importantly, he’d been free of the stone-turning agony.
She held a chalice in her hand. “I know you are uncomfortable, Ewan. I have gone through my spell book and found an elixir that could help you. It called for the herb angelica which I did not possess in my stores. The herb grows in the subarctic regions, but I was drawn into the jungle and found it growing among some ferns.”
Had Raphael been at work?
“Through the night, I have blended it with agrimony and poured all of my magic in it. I must warn you that it might not work.” She put her hand under his stiff head. “Unfortunately, there are side effects.”
He groaned silently. Why was there always a blockade to victory?
She pressed the chalice to his stiff lips. “The poison will fight my magic, and I am afraid you will go into convulsions. To save us, you must drink. It is why I forbade anyone coming in here.”
William materialized and folded his arms over his chest. “Except for me.” His tense golden eyes left little doubt that in this case, Mariah would not win the argument.
“Mon Dieu.” She rolled her eyes but did not argue.
She forced the clear, bitter liquid down Ewan’s pinched lips. Immediately, sharp pain burst inside him as if millions of red fire ants were eating his flesh. But Mariah didn’t stop. She forced the liquid down his throat and it rolled down his chin and onto his chest.
As she had feared, he broke out into convulsions. He shook so bad he fell off the hammock and smashed onto the floor. He flopped around on the floor like a high-strung rabbit. He crashed into wooden poles and chests. Blood burst through his nose, and one eyed was swelled shut. His stomach revolted, and the burning liquid spilled out of his mouth.
His vision was blinded except for the blurs of brown, yellow, black, and white colors whizzing past his eyes. His teeth chattered uncontrollably. His insides were on fire.
Suddenly, he released a buried and mournful scream.
He heard excited voices but didn’t care.
A force within him picked him up and threw him across the wall. He slammed into a mast. Ribs broke. And then he jolted up and down.
A loud feminine voice pierced his agony. “Isis, I call upon the forces of good and ask you cast out the demon possessing him.”
Small tingles rolled over his body, but the evil within him wasn’t finished. It flung him up on the ceiling and broke his nose and wrist. He swirled around on the ceiling like a scurrying spider.
“I command you release him.”
This time, the tingles surged through him, rushing through his veins and cooling the embers boiling inside him. He fell like a rock onto the hard floor. He tried to catch his breath, and he rolled over onto his back. Blood guzzled down his throat.
“Oh, Ewan. Je suis désolé.” Tears rolled down from her violet eyes.
William stood behind her clasping her shaking shoulders. His face was stricken with horror.
His left wrist was broken, but he clasped her right hand. “No, Mariah. You saved me. I can move.”
Kane knelt beside him. He hadn’t even seen him. He took out a scarf and dabbed Ewan’s beaten face. “You have done well, my friend.”
His voice actually choked. Ewan must look pretty bad for the captain to be so emotional.
Through his one good eye, Ewan saw Doc, Ronan, Sean, and Hannah. Like Mariah, she had tears streaming down her cheeks. The rest of the crew were huddled in the corridor watching him. Awe and wonder were in their eyes.
Ewan turned his head and spit out blood. “You came when you heard me cry out.”
Kane stopped and smiled. “No, we were here the whole time, waiting in the corridor. Mariah wouldn’t let us into the quarters but we were outside.” He glanced up at Mariah, then the rest of the crew. “I do not know how you bore this. I am not sure if I could have endured what you have.”
Ewan was shocked by Kane’s admittance. He was the bravest and the most determined pirate he’d ever known. Ewan was humbled at his words.
He cleared his voice. “You would have if Hannah’s life had been threatened.”
“Spoken like a man in love,” Mariah said.
Ewan looked at Mariah, marveling at her statement.
Hannah hurried over next to Kane. “I tried to use my power to help you, but I have never felt anything like that before. It knocked me into Kane.”
Ewan noticed she had blood dripping from her nose. He thought they’d abandoned him and hadn’t cared, but he was wrong. They’d forgiven him and stood by his side. His heart swelled, and he felt his vampire power grow stronger.
He gripped Kane’s hand, who returned the tight clasp.
“Capt’n? Penelope, we––”
“Aye, we’ve already sailed for Zuto’s island. We will be there tomorrow morning.”
Kane wrapped his arm around Ewan’s shoulders and helped him to sit. He nodded at Doc. “Let’s get this warrior healed before he tries to attack Zuto as a broken man.”
“Not broken, Captain. The spider bit me. I have the blood to stop Zuto and find Lark, Gwen, and Cé.”
Mariah burst into tears and clung to William. She laid her head against his chest. “We can finally bring my brother home.”
Kane helped him to his feet. “You are amazing, brother.”
Ewan’s throat choked at the words that he’d waited to hear. He’d always considered the crew of the Soaring Phoenix his family and never counted himself worthy, but the captain’s words proved he truly was a member of the brotherhood.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Penelope sat in the place she dreaded most––the brig of the Fiery Damsel. Both of her sisters had been imprisoned here and she’d vowed never to be its prisoner, but her vow was broken when Ewan died.
She’d kissed him and could taste his salty lips on her. She could feel her power insider her. She was stronger, but she didn’t know if she was strong enough to defeat a demon. But she didn’t care. If she died, she’d be joining her mate, but not before she rescued his daughter. She owed Ewan that much.
Her shirt and trousers stuck to her. Her curly blond hair was tangled and matted with sand and dirt. Grit and dirt were caked on her hands and shoved underneath her fingernails. She was a mess and longed for the freshness of the sea.
Her eyes were swollen from crying, and her head still throbbed where the bastard Palmer had hit her. She stared at her gruel on the ground. She’d refuse to eat anything the vile crew had given her.
But first, she wanted revenge.
The dirty lanterns swayed, revealing the grungy dungeon. Manacles dangled on the wall, and she remembered Ronan had told her both he and Mariah’s brother, had been strapped there for months. Not far from the iron holds was a rust-colored rack, where both Lark and Ronan had spent agonizing hours at Palmer’s mercy.
Bitterness soaked through her. She wanted vengeance against the demon Zuto. ’Twas his fault Ewan had died. When she saw him, she’d turn him into a frozen statue then fracture him into a zillion pieces.
Phearson, the same pirate who tried to save her from being raped, entered the brig holding a plate of fried fish and potatoes. He looked at her. “Ye need to eat something, lass.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Why do you care? You’re just like the rest of the crew. All ready to hand me over to the demon.”
He winced. “We are not all like Paddy and Gibbons.”
She watched him suspiciously, ready to freeze him in his steps. “If you’re not blood-thirsty, why do you sail with these vile blackguards?”
He sighed. “I am a pirate and thief. ’Twas this or starve.”
“But why this ship?”
He shrugged. “At the time, Palmer was the most successful. Let’s just say I like pretty trinkets.”
“Then you’re no better than the rest of them.” Penelope couldn’t stop her sharp tongue from attacking what was probably her only ally on this godforsaken ship, but she was tired, lonely, and frightened.
“Yer right not trusting anyone on this ship. But I considered Cé and Leif both my friends. Leif risked his life to save ye, so I’ll do what I can to help.” He flashed her a shy smile. “Just dona expect too much.”
She hadn’t realized it, but he was handsome with his dark hair and dark eyes. He had high cheek bones, and his smile must have convinced many a maiden to give up her virtue.
He handed her the plate and turned and left. She looked at the food. It did smell good, and it had been hours since she’d eaten, but she couldn’t bring herself to eat it. She placed it on the cell floor, untouched and sat back on the bench.
She was alone.
She preferred it this way. It gave her time to draw on her power. She concentrated and pictured a snowstorm forming inside her. She could do this.
The sound of hard footsteps and the jangle of keys made her brace her shoulders. She was ready to face the demon.
