Blacksouls

by Nicole Castroman

  “Of course,” the man said, clearly affronted.

  “I already have a first mate,” Teach said, pointing to John. “And I wasn’t aware the governor was in a position to make such changes. Last I heard, he’d taken ill.”

  The sergeant’s face showed surprise. “Where did you hear that?”

  “From me,” Alastair said, coming up from behind. The soldiers parted, allowing Alastair to approach the plank. It was clear they respected the tavern keeper. “I was with the governor when he took ill. What are you doing here, Kitts?”

  “That’s Sergeant Kitts to you. The governor wishes to have a word with you, Alastair.”

  Teach shot a glance at Alastair, but the Irishman appeared unruffled.

  “As I said, I just spoke with him. I can’t imagine what else he would like to discuss with me again so soon.”

  Kitts smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Nevertheless, you’re to be escorted to his house.”

  Alastair motioned to the men on the docks. “I’m sure I won’t need that much of an escort.”

  “As I was just telling your friend here, part of my men will sail with him. The rest of his crew will remain here. For their well-being, of course.”

  Teach shifted, torn between wanting to set sail as quickly as possible and making sure Alastair and the rest of his crew were all right. “It could take weeks to find Easton.”

  The sergeant stepped forward on the ramp, coming nose-to-nose with Teach, a clear threat in his posture, his wide-set eyes intense as they locked on Teach’s. “In that case, your men will be well-rested when you return.”

  Sucking in a deep breath, Teach drew up to his full height, but Alastair gave a slight shake of his head. “I’ll make sure they’re taken care of, Teach. I’ll speak with the governor myself.”

  It was too risky for Alastair to stay, made clear by the burning of Alastair’s ship. Alastair staying in Nassau was precisely what the governor wanted. And Lord Pelham too.

  Cara and Benjamin joined them. The sergeant’s eyes raked Cara from head to toe, and Teach’s hands curled into fists.

  “Were you planning on one last visit before you set sail?” Kitts asked Teach. “That might be allowed elsewhere, but there’s no room for whores on this trip.”

  Alastair moved quickly, grabbing the sergeant by his collar and planting a fist in his stomach. Kitts toppled into the choppy waters below. Two other soldiers scrambled to pull their comrade up to safety. Teach’s crew laughed, joined by some of the men in uniforms. Apparently Kitts didn’t have the respect of all his men. Teach motioned for the men to come on board.

  “I wish you hadn’t done that,” Teach muttered beneath his breath.

  “Why?” Alastair asked, coming to stand by his side on deck.

  “I should have been the one to hit him,” Cara said.

  “You’re my niece. I won’t allow anyone to call you that.”

  “He deserved much worse,” Teach said.

  Cara nodded. “True. Plus he’ll be in a devil of a mood when they fish him out.”

  “Which is why I should have done it. He’s sailing with me, remember? The last thing you need is more trouble with the governor.”

  “I’ll handle the governor. And Pelham. You just make sure you find Easton and bring him back as quickly as possible.” Taking Cara’s hand in his, Alastair helped her onto the plank. “This is your last chance. Are you sure we can’t take Anne with us?”

  Looking at the sputtering sergeant coming out of the water, Teach wasn’t exactly sure he’d made the right decision. There was no question their mission to go after Easton was dangerous. And with the soldiers on board, Anne would be forced to stay in the captain’s cabin. She was essentially a prisoner.

  But it was also clear the governor no longer trusted Alastair, and the minute they discovered Anne was missing, they would search for her. The island wasn’t large enough to hide anyone in Anne’s condition for an extended period of time. “I’m sure.”

  “Some of her cuts are deep. She’ll need to be sewn up,” Cara said, her voice apologetic as tears filled her eyes once more. “There was no time.”

  “I’ll see to it,” Teach said.

  “What about you, Benjamin? What do you wish to do?” Alastair asked.

  Benjamin looked between Alastair and Teach, before taking another look at the port of Nassau. At night it looked practically harmless, with lights flickering in the windows of the taverns and houses, giving it an almost cozy atmosphere, as if the rain washed it clean. But Teach knew the hazards and perils lurking in the shadows, and the man entrusted with keeping peace on the island was the greatest threat of all.

  “I wish to leave this place,” Benjamin said. “I wish to start new.”

  Nodding, Alastair clasped Benjamin’s hand in his. “I was hoping you’d say that. There’s no future for any of us here. But this isn’t good-bye.”

  Benjamin smiled. “No, it’s not.”

  “I’ll see you again soon, my friend,” Alastair said. Reaching into his pocket, Alastair pulled out a familiar tortoiseshell comb. He handed it to Teach. “Give this to Anne.”

  “I will. Make sure the crew of the Deliverance are cared for.”

  “Aye, I will.” The rain subsided as Alastair joined Cara on the dock. A handful of soldiers quickly surrounded them.

  Teach hated to leave them behind, their safety uncertain. But he wasn’t in a much better position. And neither was Anne.

  The sergeant stood dripping on the wharf, shouting in Alastair’s face and calling for one of the soldiers to place him in irons.

  “Kitts!” Teach called out.

  The sergeant whipped his head around, scowling.

  “If you don’t wish to be left behind, I suggest you come on board. I’m still captain of this ship, and unless you want to explain to the governor the reason for our delay, we need to sail now.”

  With a jerk of his head, Kitts instructed the soldiers to lead Alastair and Cara away. John gave a low whistle, coming to stand at Teach’s side. “This should make for an interesting journey.”

  Teach pictured Anne below in his cabin. His friend had no idea. “I’m sorry we couldn’t bring the rest of the crew with us. I should have known better than to trust Webb.”

  “It’s not your fault, Teach.”

  “But it is my fault that you started that fight. I wouldn’t have asked you to do it, but I needed your help.”

  “None of us blame you. From the sound of it, Webb had this planned all along. He just didn’t tell you about it. Let’s just hope there aren’t any more surprises.”

  What would John say when he found out Anne was on board? Teach would have to tell him sometime. “As soon as we hit the open sea, I wish to speak with you in private. But for now, we must profit by the wind, John. It’s time to make sail and put as much distance between us and Nassau as possible.”

  John grinned. “I thought Kitts was your new first mate.”

  “I saw no papers. The governor said I could choose my crew. Sound the call.”

  Turning, John reared back and shouted, “All hands, prepare to make sail!”

  The men scrambled to prepare the Triumph as the moon came out from behind the clouds. Steam rose from the deck as the crew rushed about, climbing to the yards, canvas in hand.

  Kitts stalked up to Teach, reminding Teach of a drowned rat. His once impeccable uniform now hung limply from his thickset frame. “The governor said I was to be first mate,” he snapped.

  “Then you can take it up with the governor when we return.”

  The pilot took the helm, prepared to guide the Triumph away from the full quay. On John’s orders, the men let some of the sails fall, the sheets unfurling in the wind. A gentle tug brought the Triumph away from the dock, followed by another. Once they were clear of the other ships, the pilot quickly handed over control of the Triumph, climbed down the Jacob’s ladder, and untied the small skiff being pulled alongside. Once he was aboard his own cutter, he waved a la
ntern in his hand, signaling the go ahead.

  Another shout from John and more sails opened up. The Triumph made her way, eventually picking up speed, and cutting through the waves leading out of the harbor.

  As the lights of Nassau grew smaller in the distance, Teach should have felt relief. Instead, it was as if a yoke had descended on his shoulders, with a heavy load harnessed to it. He was finally captain of his own ship, but the price he’d paid had been a steep one. And unless he succeeded in bringing Easton back to Nassau, the weight of innocent lives would be added to that burden.

  CHAPTER 23

  Anne

  Pried from the numbing cocoon of sleep, Anne slowly opened her eyes. She lay flat on her stomach on a table or desk of some sort. Two of the table legs were attached to the cabin wall. A large piece of canvas stretched out on the other side, ready to catch her if she fell.

  The strange room swayed. She could hear low voices, but she didn’t have the strength to turn to see who spoke. Her limbs were heavy, and she was dressed in a large tunic at least two sizes too big. The skin on her back burned as if on fire.

  Her throat was dry and scratchy, and she closed her eyes against a wave of dizziness.

  I’ve died and gone to hell.

  Except she’d expected hell to be louder, with heat and smoke and the moans of the damned rising up. In the background, all she heard was the rhythmic splash of water, accompanied by the familiar scent of the ocean.

  She was on a ship. A trickle of fear ran down her spine. “You’ll fetch a good price for her, Governor.”

  Anne’s fear spiraled into panic as she remembered the scene at the fort. The last thing she recalled was watching the governor and his wife walk away. After the whipping. Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried to picture what had happened next, but she couldn’t. Her mind was a fog, her memory blank.

  The door opened. Anne’s muscles clenched. She wanted to move, to turn to look, but she was too tired. Too exhausted. Her spine blistered with bruises and her back was scorched.

  Footsteps approached the table where she braced herself. A hand moved gently over her head, massaging her scalp, and she opened her eyes. “Teach?” The word came out as a mere whisper as Anne leaned into his comforting touch with a soft sigh.

  Teach knelt beside her, his green eyes locked on hers. His face was pale beneath its tan. “I’m here,” he said, his voice low and shaken. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t stop this. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to protect you.”

  Anne swallowed, rolling her tongue over her cracked lips. She tried to rise, but the tight skin on her back protested against the smallest movement.

  “No, don’t move. You’ll open the wounds again.” Teach leaned a flask against her lips, and she lifted her head a fraction so she could drink. Brandy trickled into her mouth and down her cheek. Teach paused and put the flask down, and Anne held still as a damp cloth moved over her skin, erasing the liquid trail.

  Still thirsty, her gaze found the flask where it lay near her head. “More.”

  After he placed a rag under her cheek, Teach complied. It seemed as if most of the brandy stained the fabric rather than find its way into her mouth, but what did manage to go in helped to mute the pain in her limbs. When she was finished, Teach removed the rag, and Anne laid her head down once more. She touched his face, wondering at the feel of him under her fingertips.

  Teach watched her for a moment, the strain around his eyes noticeable. He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. “I’ll see that they pay. I swear to you they’ll pay for this,” he murmured, almost to himself. Desperate fury gleamed in his eyes.

  Cara. Coyle. Alastair. Benjamin. Were they aboard Alastair’s ship? Had they already met up with Teach’s crew? Anne’s lids were heavy and she found herself giving in to the weariness that once more overwhelmed her. It simply hurt too much to stay awake. Closing her eyes, Anne gave herself up to the dark.

  • • •

  She slept fitfully. When next she stirred, shadows filled the room. Teach stood at the windows lining the back of the wall, looking out at the darkening sky. The gentle rise and fall of the ship lulled her back to sleep before he turned around.

  Unaware of the passage of time, she dozed and woke again, searching the cabin, and only going back to sleep once she knew he was there.

  • • •

  Fingers of light crept into the room when at last she roused, her head resting on her arms. It must have been early morning. A pink tint of sunlight streamed through the windows.

  Teach sat by her side, reading Alastair’s copy of Dampier’s book. His hair was mussed, and his shirt was rumpled, as if he’d been there for quite some time. A brown leather baldric hung from one shoulder across his chest, holding three pistols. One of them was hers. In his left hand he toyed with her pocket watch.

  Someone shouted overhead and Teach glared up at the ceiling.

  “Alastair?” she asked.

  Teach glanced at her, and closed the book. “No.” He held a skin of water to her lips and Anne welcomed the cool rivulets that escaped and ran down her neck.

  Something heavy dropped on deck, causing the windows to shudder.

  Closing her eyes briefly, Anne tried to take a deep breath, but a hollow pain unfolded inside her chest. Beth. Beth was gone. Although she hadn’t said the words aloud, somehow Teach had heard them.

  “I’m sorry about Beth,” Teach murmured. “If I could go back and do things differently . . .” His voice trailed off.

  Anne lowered her head and pressed her cheek to the back of Teach’s hand. None of this was his fault. The blame lay solely with the Webbs. “Where’s Cara?” she asked at length, still finding it difficult to speak.

  Leaning forward, Teach stroked her hair back from her face. His eyes were grave as they met hers. “We’re not on Alastair’s sloop, Anne. We’re on the Triumph.”

  Anne puzzled over his words. Something must have happened to Alastair’s sloop. “Where are they?”

  “You should rest—”

  “Tell me,” she croaked, wishing she sounded more firm.

  “They’re still in Nassau. The governor destroyed Alastair’s ship, and they were forced to stay behind. We had to get you out of there.”

  Shaking, Anne attempted to sit up, but her back screamed in protest.

  “Don’t move. You’ll rip the stitches. Alastair knows what he’s doing. They’ll try to find passage on another ship,” Teach said, but she noticed the hint of uncertainty in his voice.

  “I dreamed Alastair came to me. He promised me he’d get me out of there.”

  “That was no dream. Alastair did visit you. Together we planned your escape.”

  Anne pictured the governor and his wife as they’d stood over her, remembering Mrs. Webb’s words. That man is too powerful by far and needs to be taught a lesson. Alastair and the others were in danger. Anne’s hand shook as she reached out. Teach looked down, placing the gold pocket watch in her palm.

  “No,” she said, shaking her head. As much as she cherished the watch, it no longer brought her the comfort she sought.

  Next he handed her Dampier’s book, but she rejected that as well. “The pistol.” She pointed at his chest.

  With obvious reluctance, Teach handed her the Queen Anne’s pistol.

  “You won’t need it aboard this ship,” he said. Anne wanted to believe him, but there was an unfamiliar tension in the lines of his mouth, as if he was trying to convince himself.

  “I’m growing to like it,” she whispered, fingering the smooth handle where it lay wedged between the hammock and the desk.

  “Well, perhaps you’ll like this one more.” Teach withdrew another Queen Anne’s pistol from the baldric across his chest. It was the same shape and size as the one Alastair had given her, but it was not as ornate. The brown wood grain of the handle was polished to a sheen. “I thought to give it to you for your birthday, but it never hurts to be prepared.”<
br />
  Anne smiled slightly, her cheek tugging at the hammock beneath her. He was learning, and really beginning to understand her. Knowing that he had promised to protect her was a lovely sentiment—and she knew without question that he’d give his life to save hers— but with this simple gift, he’d finally recognized her desire to protect herself. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.” Anne closed her eyes briefly, her limbs still weak. “How long have I slept?”

  “Two days.”

  Anne nodded, not surprised by his answer. She felt as if she could sleep for another two. “Isn’t it too early for my birthday?”

  “It’s never too early to celebrate.” And with those words, he removed the gold ring from the small leather pouch that hung around his neck and placed the gold band on her finger.

  CHAPTER 24

  Teach

  “Aren’t you going to eat with the men?” Kitts asked, blocking the way as Teach attempted to leave the galley. The ceiling in the hallway was low and cramped and Teach had to hunch his shoulders so as not to hit his head on the crossbeams. The Triumph had been at sea for over twenty-four hours.

  Balancing the plate of bacon and biscuits in one hand, and the full bucket of water in the other, Teach didn’t bother hiding his annoyance. “No. It’s not common practice on a ship for the captain to eat with the crew. And I’m fairly certain it’s the same on a naval ship.”

  “But aren’t you going to address the men?”

  “We all know why we’re here.” They were essentially privateers, tasked with searching for and apprehending a pirate. Teach couldn’t help wondering what his father would say if he could see him now. With a disgruntled shake of his head, he attempted to step past Kitts, but the sergeant remained where he was.

  “Your men are insubordinate and don’t listen to me.”

  “That’s because when I’m not on deck, John is in charge. Not you.”

  An angry flush surfaced Kitts’s cheeks. “But it’s your duty as captain to gather the crew and discuss the nature of the voyage. It’s up to you to make the rules of conduct perfectly clear.”