Black Heart

by Justin Somper

“Yes.” The man nodded. “But my Vampirate recently jumped ship to go off with Sidorio and the rebels.” He pulled at his T-shirt and revealed a nasty wound at the top of his chest. “Didn’t stop him from getting a bit nasty beforehand!”

  Grace frowned. “That looks sore.”

  The donor shrugged. “It’s okay. A lot of the donors had it worse than me. I’m told it will heal pretty quickly.”

  Grace had another thought. “If your Vampirate jumped ship, where does that leave you?” She thought of Shanti. “Isn’t it dangerous to be a donor without a partner vampire?”

  The man nodded but smiled. “Fortunately, I’ve already been paired up with another Vampirate. And this time, I’m confident I won’t get mauled. He’s a really nice guy, called Lorcan Furey.”

  “Lorcan!” Grace exclaimed.

  “You know him?”

  Grace nodded.

  “Wait a minute!” said the donor. “I bet I can guess who you are.” Without missing a beat, he exclaimed, “It’s Grace, isn’t it!”

  She flushed. “Yes, that’s right. I’m Grace. And who are you?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” the donor extended a hand. “My name is Oskar. It’s so nice to meet you, Grace. Lorcan has told me a lot about you.” He smiled. “I really hope we can be good friends.”

  “Yes,” Grace said, thinking of her tense relationship with Shanti. “Yes, that would be very nice.”

  “Well, what are you doing right now?” Oskar asked. “’I’d like to get to know you better, and there’s no time like the present!”

  Grace hesitated.

  “What’s wrong?” Oskar asked. “Is there somewhere you have to be?”

  Grace made an instant decision. After all, it would be a while before they reached the bay, and Sally was still sleeping.

  “No, I don’t need to be anywhere just yet,” Grace said. “But I need to make one thing very clear to you, Oskar. I don’t do running!”

  He laughed heartily. “That’s okay,” he said. “I’ve clocked enough distance already this morning. Let’s just take a seat and shoot the breeze! It’s a glorious morning, don’t you think? A day to celebrate just being alive!”

  Grace grinned. Oskar’s presence was as warm and energizing as the morning light. Just what she needed.

  Grace spent a very enjoyable few hours with Oskar. Indeed, he was such easy company that, after only a morning with him, she felt she knew him better than she had ever known Shanti.

  I’ve made a new friend, she thought to herself with some pleasure. And better yet, he’s one who’ll be awake in the day so I won’t be alone anymore. But then, she mused, she had always had the option of socializing with other donors aboard the Nocturne. Why had it never occurred to her to do so until now? It was as if her fascination with the Vampirates had clouded her reason. Certainly, her determination to keep to the Vampirates’ nocturnal rhythms had made it hard for her to function through the day as well as the night. But maybe it went deeper than that. Maybe deep down, if she was given a choice between donors and Vampirates, she would always choose the Vampirates, as Connor had said.

  Grace shook herself. Oskar was looking at her quizzically. “What are you thinking?” he said. Grace wasn’t sure she was quite ready to tell him, so she changed the subject.

  “It’s so funny that you’re Lorcan’s donor,” she said.

  He raised an eyebrow. “Funny how, exactly?”

  “I mean, you being a boy and being Lorcan’s donor,” Grace said, blushing. “I suppose I just assumed that because Shanti is a girl, her replacement would be a girl, too.”

  Oskar shrugged. “Plenty of the Vampirates are paired up with donors of the same gender.”

  She nodded. Now that he said it, she remembered seeing this for herself at the Feast nights she’d attended.

  “Grace,” Oskar said, “I know that you and Shanti didn’t get along. Lorcan did tell me that. He was very concerned to find a new donor who would get along with you.”

  Grace was surprised. “He said that?”

  Oskar nodded. “You’re very important to him, Grace. And no, he didn’t say that in so many words, but he didn’t need to. His feelings for you are abundantly clear.” He smiled. “Grace, I meant what I said before about us being friends. Lorcan’s a great guy and all, but when push comes to shove, I’m just his MBS.”

  “His MBS?” Grace asked, unfamiliar with the term.

  Oskar smiled. “Mobile Blood Supply.”

  “No,” Grace shook her head. “Don’t put yourself down.”

  Oskar shrugged. “It’s okay, Grace. I’m not under any illusions. I know how I fit in around here. I have my reasons for doing this, and I understand the deal I’m making.”

  Grace stared at Oskar. “Why are you doing this?” she asked. “If it isn’t too personal a question.” Though she was interested to hear his answer, she was also thinking of her mother’s motivations. The one thing she declined to talk to Grace about was what had led her to the ship in the first place.

  “It’s okay,” Oskar said with a grin. “Look, Grace. I’m a pretty okay specimen, right? And I’ve been given this golden ticket to immortality. In other words, I get to travel the world and stay this young and cute forever!” He winked at her.

  Grace smiled. Her first instinct was to dismiss his sentiments as shallow, but maybe that would be hasty. The world was a harsh place. She knew something of that, growing up close to the breadline in a dead-end town. Hadn’t she stood in the lamp room of her father’s lighthouse, looking down to the waters of the bay, longing for escape and adventure? In her case, adventure had come and found her. But what if things had been different? Maybe she would have sought it out, anyhow. Maybe she would have made the same pact as Oskar and Sally had. Who was she to judge them? When push came to shove, who didn’t want to stay young forever and have a life of excitement and ease? Once more, Grace thought of Sally. Things hadn’t lived up to their promise for her. But why? Why had things gone wrong? Was it because of her dad? Or Sidorio? Or both, perhaps? Grace hoped this voyage was going to give her some answers.

  “How come you’re so interested in the relationship between Vampirates and donors, anyhow?” asked Oskar. “Thinking of becoming a donor yourself?”

  Grace shook her head, remembering the time when she had offered to become Lorcan’s donor. “No, I’m not thinking of becoming a donor, but my mother was one. I guess I’m just interested in finding out more about how it works.”

  “Your mother?” Oskar said, surprised. “You know, I thought you looked kind of familiar.”

  Grace beamed. “You knew her!” Suddenly, it clicked. “You’re Oskar!”

  “Yes, Grace, I told you that before.”

  “You play the guitar. You used to have much longer hair, but I recognize you!”

  He shook his head in confusion. “You recognize me? You’re losing me.”

  “It’s complicated,” she said. “But my mother’s name was Sally. She was friends with Shanti and another donor named Teresa.”

  Oskar stared, openmouthed. “Of course! I remember Sally! And you look so much like her. I don’t know how I didn’t make the connection before. How is she? Where is she?”

  “She’s right here on the ship,” Grace said.

  Once more Oskar’s face betrayed his confusion.

  “Do you know about the souls the captain was carrying?” Grace asked him.

  He nodded, his face filled with concern. “I always wondered what had happened to her. Is she okay?”

  “She’s doing all right, under the circumstances,” Grace said. “But she’s weak, very weak.” She paused. “You probably know this already, but most of the other souls who came back with her have now faded.” She felt a lump in her throat. “But although she’s frail, Mother is holding on. We’re headed back to Crescent Moon Bay to visit my father’s—Dexter’s—grave.” She paused. “She asked to. I think it will help her.” It was impossible to keep the emotion out of her voice.

  “I re
member Dexter, too.” He smiled at Grace. “A lovely guy. Really genuine.” He paused. “So you’re taking Sally home?” Oskar asked Grace.

  She shrugged. “It’s not her home. She never went there. I’m not even sure it’s my home anymore. It’s the place I came from, and I have some good memories of it. But there’s no one there for me now. Dad’s gone. Connor’s out at sea. There’s no life for me to go back to there.” She turned to face him, feeling a wave of cold panic. “Oskar, I don’t think I have a home anymore.”

  He smiled at her. “I understand how you might feel that way,” he said. “I’ve thought the same thing myself. But maybe home isn’t a place. Maybe it’s a feeling you have inside of you, being around the people who matter to you. Maybe your home is right here, on board this ship.”

  Grace thought about this. “Yes,” she said at last, feeling suddenly reassured. “Yes, I think that might be true.”

  For a time, Grace and Oskar sat there in companionable silence, watching the waves and lifting their faces to the soft breeze and the warm sun.

  Then Grace noticed something up ahead. “Oskar!” she cried out excitedly, leaping up.

  He laughed and clutched his chest. “Careful, Grace! That was a cry to wake the dead.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m sorry, but I think we’re nearly there. Look, that’s the lighthouse! My lighthouse!” It surprised her to feel such a wave of emotion sweep over her. Perhaps Crescent Moon Bay held more importance for her than she had acknowledged.

  A red-and-white-striped lighthouse was becoming visible high on the cliffs around the next bay.

  “I must go and get my mother! I’m sure she’d like to see this. Come with me—quickly!”

  They raced across the deck and through the door into the labyrinth of internal corridors. Grace was out of breath as she rapped on Sally’s door.

  “Mother! Are you awake? Can I come in?”

  “Yes, yes!” Sally called excitedly from inside.

  As Grace entered the room, she found that her mother was not, as she had expected, lying in bed. She was sitting fully dressed in the chair by the porthole, looking out to sea. She turned to Grace and smiled. “We’ve arrived, haven’t we?”

  “Yes,” Grace said. “Can you see the lighthouse?”

  Sally nodded. “Yes, my darling. Yes, I can!”

  “The view’s a whole lot better up on deck,” Oskar said, poking his handsome face inside the doorway.

  “Oskar!” Sally exclaimed, delighted to see him.

  “Sally!” He walked over and kissed her on both cheeks. “It’s wonderful to see you again, after all this time.” There were tears in his eyes.

  “Still the sensitive artist, I see,” Sally said, shaking her head with a smile. “Now look, if the view’s so much better up top, why are we dragging our heels down here?”

  “You’re right!” said Grace. “Let’s go!”

  They made it up to the deck just as the Nocturne passed the last rocky outcrop between them and their destination.

  Sally gasped as the little coastal town came into view. She gripped Grace’s hand tightly. “So this is it. This is really it! Crescent Moon Bay!”

  22

  THE MISSION

  The Tiger was still moored in the harbor at Pirate Academy, its maiden voyage delayed by the tragedy at the Captains’ Race. Connor, like the rest of the crew, felt an increasing sense of claustrophobia. It was time to set sail out onto the open ocean. What good could they do here? No question, what had happened was terrible. Horrific. Beyond words. But pirates were meant to be out at sea, not banked up in the academy harbor. The place had too many bad memories for Connor ever to feel comfortable here, even before the slaughter during Cheng Li’s investiture day.

  “Tempest,” he heard one of the crew call. “Is Connor Tempest about?”

  “Over here!” he shouted, jumping up so he could be seen more easily.

  “Captain Li wants to see you,” said the pirate. “In her quarters. ASAP.”

  “Aye, aye,” Connor said with a smirk. Was there ever a time when Cheng Li did not expect her orders to be met ASAP?

  He jogged along the deck and down into the corridor leading to the captain’s cabin. As he knocked on the door, it was pulled wide open.

  “Connor,” said Cheng Li. “What kept you?”

  “What’s up?” he asked, then remembered that he probably ought to address her with a little more formality now that she was his captain and he a mere lieutenant on her crew.

  “We’ve been summoned to a meeting,” Cheng Li announced.

  “All right,” Connor said. “Where? When?”

  “At the academy,” she said, “in approximately three minutes. Think you can make it to the top of the hill in that time?”

  “Sure!” he grinned. “But what’s it all about?”

  “It’s Federation business,” Cheng Li said.

  “Oh,” Connor’s excitement dwindled. His previous encounters with the Federation had instilled little enthusiasm in him for the organization. “Shouldn’t Jacoby accompany you? He’s your deputy. I’m a mere lieutenant.”

  “I’m well aware of the ranking of my crew members,” answered Cheng Li bluntly. “Jacoby would, in the usual scheme of things, accompany me, but as it happens, he is engaged on a separate expedition this morning.”

  “So I’m deputizing for the deputy, am I?” asked Connor with a grin. “Does that make me third in command?”

  “Actually, your attendance at this meeting was specifically requested,” said Cheng Li. “Now let’s get a move on. We don’t want to keep them waiting.”

  The drumming of Cheng Li and Connor’s footsteps on the marble floor alerted the headmaster’s secretary to their presence. Miss Martingale raised her head and smiled weakly at them. Her face, Connor noticed, was streaked with tears, which had caused her makeup to run. As they approached her desk, she reached for a tissue and began blotting her face.

  “Hello, Frances,” Cheng Li said. “How are you today?”

  “Not so good,” the secretary answered. “It’s all been such a shock.”

  “Yes,” Cheng Li said. “For us all. John Kuo was an exceptional man—a superlative pirate, an irreplaceable mentor, and a wonderful friend.”

  Her words were intended to soothe but seemed to have the opposite effect on Miss Martingale, who reached for the tissues. Cheng Li waited patiently, then continued in a soft voice. “Frances, I’m sorry to bring things back to business at a time like this, but we were called here for a meeting with the Federation.”

  “Yes,” nodded Miss Martingale. “Yes, they told me to expect you. I’ll just pop my head around the door and see if they’re ready.”

  As she disappeared, Connor asked Cheng Li, “Do you know exactly who will be at this meeting?”

  “No.” Cheng Li shook her head. “John was the most senior member of the Federation I ever dealt with. And he was very senior. My guess is that René Grammont has succeeded him.” Hearing Miss Martingale’s returning footsteps, she added, “Looks like we’re about to find out!”

  “They’re ready for you now,” Miss Martingale announced. “If you just follow the corridor around—well, you know the way to the headmaster’s study.” She broke off sadly.

  “Yes,” Cheng Li said. “Don’t worry. We know the way.” As she marched off with Connor in her wake, she turned and muttered, “Poor dear. She was utterly devoted to John. Well, I suppose we all were.” Connor nodded, deciding that this was definitely a time to keep his thoughts to himself.

  Cheng Li knocked on the door, and after a brief pause it was opened and the familiar face of Captain René Grammont greeted them.

  “Mistress—do forgive me, Captain Li. And Mr. Tempest. Come in.”

  So, thought Connor, it appeared that Cheng Li had guessed right. Grammont had succeeded Kuo in his Federation role. Well, Connor had a better liking for Grammont. He exuded a more trustworthy air. Even so, he intended to be careful and watch his back at all t
imes.

  “It’s good to see you again, Captain,” said Cheng Li as René kissed her hello. “Even under such dire circumstances.”

  “Yes,” agreed Captain Grammont, reaching out to shake Connor’s hand. “Tell me, how are the rest of your crew holding up?”

  “They’re all a bit shaken,” said Cheng Li, “but ready to set sail. I think it’s what John and the other students would have wanted.”

  “Quite so,” agreed Captain Grammont. “Well, I’m sure the Tiger won’t be detained here too much longer. Indeed, I think we may have some pertinent news for you on that front.”

  “We?” Cheng Li said, an eyebrow rising inquisitively.

  In answer, Captain Grammont gestured toward a figure neither Cheng Li nor Connor had noticed as they entered the room. The man was standing with his back to them, in the shadows by the French doors behind Kuo’s desk. Now he turned around and surveyed them. He was wearing a steel-blue uniform. Even as he stepped out of the shadows and into the light, it was hard to determine his age. His face was curiously unlined, but he had a mustache and a goatee. Across his left eye was an eye patch. The pupil of his right eye was a deep shade of violet.

  “Captain Li, Mr. Connor Tempest, may I introduce you to Commodore Ahab M. Black?”

  Connor knew that Cheng Li was as surprised as he was by this turn of events, but as ever, she took it in her stride.

  “Commodore Black. How do you do?”

  “Captain Li,” he said, shaking her stiffly by the hand. “I’ve heard good things about you.”

  “Thank you,” she said. “I wish I was able to return the compliment, but I’m afraid I’ve not come across your name before. Are you new to the Federation?”

  Commodore Black gazed at her but said nothing. It was left to Captain Grammont to step forward and explain. “Commodore Black was John’s senior line of report within the Pirate Federation. The fact that you have not heard of him until now is a result of the Federation’s desire for anonymity at the highest levels.”

  Commodore Black nodded. “That’s about the sum of it. Thank you, René.” He did not smile as he addressed the elder captain once again. “You may go now. I’ll take this solo from here.”