A Pirate's Revenge (Legends of the Soaring Phoenix)

by ML Guida

  Solstice licked her face and wagged her tail. Mariah released her, and Solstice scampered over to Captain Knight and plopped down next to the chair.

  Hannah’s father scowled. “What the devil?” He pointed his cane at Solstice. “Get this beast away from me.”

  Solstice moved away so he couldn’t hit her. She lay down, her head facing Knight.

  William frowned. “How did she know who Knight was?”

  Mariah twirled her hair and put it in a loose knot. “She is my familiar. We understand each other.”

  William snorted. “Aye, I forgot.”

  Based on her scowl, he was certain she wanted to punch him in the face. He raised his eyebrow, and she released a large breath of air and turned away.

  “Get away from me, mutt.” Knight edged Solstice with the tip of his cane.

  Solstice got up, and rather than running away, walked in front of his chair and laid her head on his knees, her tail wagging.

  “Get off me.” He shoved the dog’s head off his lap. Solstice whined and backed away.

  “Father.” Hannah stepped forward, intent on intervening in her father’s bad behavior.

  Mariah grabbed her arm. “No, he will not hurt Solstice. This takes time.” She nodded. “Watch.”

  Solstice glanced over at Mariah and plopped beside Knight’s chair. Knight went back to staring off into the horizon. William didn’t see how a mutt could cure Knight’s withdrawn behavior. He’d been sullen and unresponsive for weeks.

  “She will stick to him, Hannah,” Mariah said. “Your father is deep in despair, and Solstice will slowly show him the way out. Trust her.”

  Hannah bit her lip. “But—”

  “His spirit needs to be mended,” Mariah said. “And Solstice can help. She knows how to take care of herself.”

  Kane folded his arms across his chest. “Mariah, now about showing my brother how to control his dragon...”

  William wanted to shove Kane down and slam his head on the deck repeatedly to knock some sense into him. A witch and a dog were not going to solve his problem. “She can’t help me, Kane. ’Tis folly.”

  “Oui, I can.”

  “You mean like what happened below?” He winced, regretting he’d said it. Kane would not forgive Mariah if he knew about how close she’d come to starting a fire in the crew’s quarters.

  “What happened below?” Kane demanded.

  “I conjured a spell,” Mariah said. “And—”

  “And what?” Kane razed her with his glare as if he wanted to slit her throat. “Did something go amiss?”

  “No,” Mariah said.

  William opened his mouth to argue, but Kane had his hand on his sword and the other on his pistol. William’s honor demanded he protect Mariah. Heaven knew why. “Nothing went a miss, Kane.”

  “Something happened,” Kane persisted.

  “I contacted my brother. He has not turned, and he is fighting it. We must act soon.”

  Kane put his hands on his hips. William stared out to sea to avoid Kane’s questioning gaze. Kane knew he wasn’t telling the truth. William would deal with his brother later.

  “S’il vous plaît,” Mariah said. “I need to know what happened.” She clasped Ronan’s arm.

  Ronan put his hand over hers.

  The slight gestured shot waves of anger through William. He wanted to say something, but instead of words, a slow menacing growl rumbled in his chest. ’Twasn’t human. Holy hell, the dragon? Was he turning?

  Kill him. Burn him. The commanding voice urged him to attack Ronan. Jealousy consumed him, and he battled to stay in control.

  No, he said to the voice, but William’s voice was too puny, too weak. The voice ignored him and kept chanting, “Kill, burn, maim.”

  He tried to take a deep breath and push his anger back. His body failed to obey. Muscles rippled beneath him, and his heart quickened. Blood pumped between his temples. Power surged through him. They all stared at him. William’s cheeks heated, and he avoided their wary gazes.

  Only Mariah gave him a knowing look. An unafraid look.

  She caressed his arm. “Breathe, sleep.”

  Her soothing voice was lyrical; the two words echoed in William’s mind. Each breath he inhaled, he smelled lavender. Soft. Alluring. Gentle. Muscles relaxed, his blood slowed. The growling stopped.

  Kane rubbed his chin. “Aye, lassie, you’re slowly convincing me.”

  Mariah gave William a triumphant smile.

  “Kane,” Hannah said. “Mariah’s right. Back on the Fiery Damsel, before William came down, Lark helped me when he was weak. He used his voice. I felt him tap into my power and make me stronger. Don’t you see?” She gazed at each one of them. “Palmer couldn’t completely limit his power.”

  “Oui,” Mariah said. “’Tis true, the spell proves it. If we find the Fiery Damsel, I can use my power to tap into his and break the yari.”

  Fear pooled in William’s gut. Mariah would be facing Palmer, and if he got his hands on her…“Why can’t you do it from the ship?”

  “The black magic is too strong. I would need to touch Lark.”

  “If you’re wrong, you could end up a prisoner like Lark,” Ronan argued.

  “I will not. You must have faith in me.”

  A lump formed in William’s throat, and he swallowed hard. He wanted to believe in her, wanted to believe she could save her brother, but all he could see was her lifeless violet eyes staring up at him. “Your bold faith could get you and your brother killed.”

  Chapter Eight

  Zuto strolled along his beloved beach. The waves rolled in, swirling the sand between his toes. An ocean breeze blew across his face, and he inhaled, smelling the sea and tasting salt on his lips. He wanted to push out the stench of Coaybay, of burnt lava and death. He stilled.

  Natasa gripped his arm, her nails digging into his flesh. “You’re mine, Zuto.”

  He put his hand on Natasa’s and shoved it off him. “’Tis over between us, Natasa.”

  She laughed and stepped in front of him. “I don’t think so. It will be over when I say ’tis over.”

  Her long, red hair blew across her face, and her breasts strained to escape her velvet corset. There was a time when he would have ripped off her dress and buried himself inside her, riding her hard, listening her cry out in ecstasy. But her betrayal had killed his passion. He bit back a smile. Revenge would be sweet. All he had to do was lure the wench into his web. “Get out of my way, Natasa. Maketabori said we had to work together. Nothing else.”

  She put her hand on his naked chest, and he shrank from her touch.

  “Do you think I care if you loathe my touch?” Natasa asked. “All that matters is that I crave yours. What you can do to me, what you will do to me, what you will beg for me to do.”

  “Natasa, Maketabori wants—”

  Long fingers cupped his chin and squeezed tight. “I know what our master wants.” She stared at his lips. “I want you,” she whispered.

  He shuddered, not wanting to feel her wicked tongue, coated with lies, twirling in his mouth.

  Zuto pressed his arms to his side to keep from beating her to death. Not that he could. Maketabori protected the bitch. “Stop playing these games.”

  She released him. “I know what you want, Zuto. Remember, I was with you for…” She frowned. “’Twas a long time. Long enough to remember what you liked in the bedroom.”

  “You know nothing of what I want.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. You want your freedom. To live among the humans.”

  ’Twas a feat not to react, not to give any indications to the truth. “You know nothing of my dreams.”

  “Ah, but I do.” She ran her fingernails across his chest. “Maketabori told me your request. You’ll fulfill his orders, then what? You actually think he’ll grant your freedom after you’ve failed him?” She laughed.

  He shut down the urge not to spit into her smug face.

  Chills snaked down his back. H
e stared at her slender neck and ached to squeeze the last breath out of her, cutting off her biting tongue and silencing her laugh forever. “I didn’t fail him. Palmer did.”

  “If you didn’t, then why am I here?”

  Zuto hustled past her. “I tire of this. We’ve got to—”

  Natasa grabbed his hair and yanked. “Don’t walk away from me, darling.” She cupped his buttock and squeezed. “We’re not finished yet.”

  Revulsion rushed through him at her intimate touch, and without hesitation, he whirled around and backhanded her. “Don’t touch me.”

  She dabbed at her bloody lip. “You always did like to play rough.” Her voice turned husky.

  It reminded Zuto of sweeter times long dead.

  “I’m not your slave, Natasa, and you won’t treat me as such.”

  “Oh?” She smiled. “I don’t think that’s what our master thinks. You’re my slave and shall do what I want.”

  “No, I won’t.”

  “Ah, do you care for the women on your island?”

  Her words sent dread boring into his bones. “You’ll leave them alone.”

  “And what are you going to do about it?”

  “Natasa,” he warned.

  “Natasa, what?”

  “Leave them alone. They aren’t involved in this.”

  “’Tis your fault they are involved, lover.”

  He bristled. “I’m not your lover.”

  “No, not yet.” She strolled around him, her nails scraping his flesh. “If you don’t do exactly as you’re told and only please me, I’ll visit each woman in her dreams. I’ll cast a spell and drive her mad. Each woman will take her own life in a most unpleasant manner.” She stood in front of him and tilted her chin, her eyes blazing red. “Deny me, and they’re dead. Your choice.”

  “You bitch.”

  “Tsk, tsk.” She shook her finger. “Do we have a deal?”

  “Go to hell.”

  “So is that a no?”

  He sighed and turned. The native women had pleased him each night, and he delighted in their human bodies. He was drawn to their pure souls. No dark deeds marred their thoughts, and he could indulge with them without fearing betrayal. They gladly gave themselves to him. He didn’t have to command or demand them. If they were virgins, he left them virgins, not wanting to steal their precious gift. If not, well, that was a different matter. “You’ll leave them alone?”

  “Yes, I will.” Her eyes gleamed with anticipated triumph.

  Forcing the words out of his mouth and lowering his head, he said, “Then I’m yours.”

  “Kneel,” she ordered.

  Zuto seethed, but obeyed. He sunk into the sand, and the water washed around him.

  His new mistress spread her legs apart. “Please me.” Dominance reflected in her hard eyes. “This is the beginning, lover. You’ll pay the price for leaving me, and you’ll do exactly as I say, or I’ll kill your precious women one-by-one. Do you understand?”

  Despite the hate boiling in his veins, Zuto managed to whisper, “Yes, mistress.”

  Chapter Nine

  No one had ever doubted Mariah’s abilities until William and the crew of the Soaring Phoenix. Only Hannah smiled and gazed at her with acceptance. Mariah missed Grand-mère, Grand-père, and Lark. Her heart lay heavy in her chest, and she missed their encouraging words, their blind faith, their love. Here, she was alone.

  Solstice lifted her head, and Mariah gave her a small smile, trying not to cry. The dog left her charge and hurried to Mariah’s side. She nudged Mariah’s palm, and her soft, cold nose took away some of Mariah’s pain, giving her strength. “I am well.” She pointed. “Return to Capitaine Knight. He needs you.”

  Before the dog left, she licked Mariah’s hand and wagged her tail. She trotted back to Knight, then curled next to his chair.

  “There are no words I can say that will have you believe me.” Mariah glared at William. “Only my deeds can be measured.”

  “Aye, shall we start with your shooting ability?” William said.

  She nodded and smiled.

  “I think you will be sorry, William,” Hannah said

  Mariah pulled out her pistol then loaded and primed it.

  He lifted his eyebrow as if surprised by her familiarity. When she cocked the weapon, she asked, “What target do you want me to shoot?”

  “Kane, pick a target,” William said.

  “William, we’re sailing out to sea. ’Tis not the best time.”

  “Do you want answers?”

  Kane glanced between William and Mariah. “You’re determined?”

  “Aye,” William said. “Pick a target.”

  “You two will be arguing about this all day,” Hannah said. “ I will fetch some cups.”

  The Soaring Phoenix sailed out of the harbor, her sails flapping over head. Mariah stood at the railing. Water sprayed into the air, salt staining her lips. She watched her home slip farther and farther away. The lump in her throat widened, and she could hardly swallow.

  Hannah returned with two metal cups. She placed one on the railing away from the ledge. The cup slid along the railing with the rocking of the ship. “Now, William, since you are so sure of this, you go first.” She backed away, holding the other cup.

  William scoffed and rolled his eyes. He aimed at the cup moving back and forth and fired. The cup clanged, jumped into the air, and fell into the churning water below. Smug satisfaction beamed across his face, and he bowed. “Mariah.”

  Hannah placed the second cup on the railing. Once again, the cup twitched back and forth. Mariah leveled the pistol at the sliding mark. If she missed, William would spout that she was a liability. Her hand shook. Sweat broke out on her lower lip. She lowered her hand.

  “You don’t have to do this,” Kane said. His words failed to match his stern face that was riddled with doubt and anger. She had to make this shot.

  She drew on her magic, staring at the skating cup. Her heart fluttered, tingles swirled over her body, and warmth spread into her chest. Her hair flew behind her, and her vision grew sharper. She aimed at the shifting cup, remembering Grand-père’s words.

  Keep the pistol to the left of your target, chérie. Keep your arm and hand steady. Keep your eye on the target.

  Mariah fired the weapon, and her arm jerked. Smoke swirled around her pistol.

  The cup was gone. Hailing brought her attention. Excitement reflecting in her brown eyes, Hannah ran over to her, clapping and whooping. “Mariah, you did it. You must teach me how to shoot.”

  “Hannah,” Kane warned, his arms folded across his chest.

  She waved her hand at him. “You have been promising me for weeks to teach me to shoot and never have. Now, I have someone who can.”

  “’Twas a lucky shot,” William grumbled.

  Mariah glared and shoved her pistol back into her belt. She had shot as well as he had, but he still refused to acknowledge her skill. She turned to Hannah. “Merci.”

  Kane tapped his chin. “How old were you when your Grand-père taught you to shoot?”

  “I have been shooting since I was ten. I can outshoot Lark, and he is the best marksman in Tortuga.”

  “I see,” Kane said. “Is this due to your magic?”

  “Oui. I cannot turn my magic on and off. It runs through me.”

  “Can you move objects with your mind?” Hannah asked.

  “No, I need to cast spells, and I have to draw on my power. When I do tasks like shooting, I usually it do well.”

  “Your brother had grand faith in you, lass,” Ronan said. He rubbed her arm, admiration or something else glinted in his eyes.

  William hissed.

  Mariah ignored him. She didn’t understand him. Why was he angry when someone believed in her ability?

  “He dinna request your Grand-mère or Grand-père,” Ronan said. “Only you.” He dropped his arm and turned to Kane. “She speaks true, Capt’n, or Lark would not have spoken of her so highly.”

&
nbsp; “You believed Lark?”

  Ronan’s eyes darkened. “I trust Lark with my life.”

  Kane grabbed the back of William’s neck and clasped his arm, in an older brother torment hold. “Your first task, Mariah,” Kane said. “Is to teach my stiff-necked brother how to control his animal.” He released William.

  William mumbled something under his breath, but Mariah couldn’t hear him, and it was probably good. Because it was obviously another snub about her abilities, and she was tired of hearing them.

  Kane’s smile lessened, and his light tone turned serious. “Our lives depend on it. I can’t have him gobbling half my crew.”

  “He will not. Je vous le promets,” Mariah said. “But he has to do exactly what I say.”

  He nodded his head and pulled out his spyglass, staring out to sea. “William, you will follow her commands.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me, William.”

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “Aye, I am.”

  Hannah smiled and squeezed Mariah’s arm. “I am going to thoroughly enjoy this.”

  Tension built between Hannah and William. No doubt William wanted to throttle her, and Hannah tilted her chin, daring him to defy her. She was Kane’s woman, his love. And untouchable.

  “You see, Mariah,” Hannah said. “When I came aboard this ship, William took it upon himself to be my personal jailer, threatening to lock me in the brig if I tried to fight with the crew.”

  “I didn’t want you to be hurt,” he mumbled.

  “He didn’t trust in my powers. Now ’tis your turn to learn to trust in your powers and convince others you have mastered it.” She peered up at William. “Kane is right. You must listen to her.” She put the back of her hand on her forehead and swayed.

  “What’s wrong?” William asked.

  “’Tis her power. It makes me light-headed.” Her voice faded.

  “What?” All three men said at once.

  Kane spun around and seized Hannah’s arm, flinging her behind him. He stuffed the spyglass into his belt and yanked out his pistol. William and Ronan closed ranks, blocking Hannah’s escape.