A Pirate's Curse (Legends of the Soaring Phoenix) (29 page)

Kane
gritted his teeth. “Because the
Damsel
has been here.”

She edged closer to him
, wishing he’d wrap his arm around her, but he kept his hands to himself.

She looked ba
ck at the smoke on the horizon and swallowed the lump in her throat. Why didn’t he want to touch her? “What do you see?”

“The Scarlet Woman, a large gaming house and bordello burned. I’d been there many a times. Some of those people had been my friends and now, they’ve been attacked.”

She placed a hand to her churning stomach.
Closed her eyes. The acrid smoke burned her nose she could almost hear the screams. She knew what ’twas like to be attacked.

In her mind’s
eye, she could see the horror—the crimson flow of life force draining away, the wounded writhing in the pain, limbs being brutally loped off. She could hear the terrified screaming, the stampeding feet, the gurgles of the dying. She could smell the death around her—the coppery scent of spilled blood, the burning stench of gunpowder, the stark odor of sweaty fear. What a terrible, terrible shame. Remorse tasted like bitter nightshade. Deadly and unrelenting. ’Twas all her fault this endless carnage.

Kane lowered the spyglass and gazed at her. He gave her a smile. He wrapped his arm around her, and she melted against him. She leaned her head against his chest, inhaling his masculine scent, and tightened her arms around his waist, never wanting to release him. She stared up into his face, his eyes watched her. A look of possessiveness, determination reflected in them. Maybe she’d been wrong. At least, she hoped she was. 

“Hannah,
” he pushed a hair out of her face. “I want you to stay in the cabin while we go ashore.”

She stiffened and moved away
from him. “No, I’m not going to hide Kane. Besides, if they attack us, they’ll find me anyway.”

H
e gripped her arm and pulled her to him. “Hannah, you’re not going to put yourself in danger. You’ll do as I say.”

He towered over her, his eyebrows knotted and his face set in a tight line.
His fingers were like steel. Her heart thumped in her chest. She jerked, and was surprised, she broke free. Why had he released her? She refused to cower, wanted to prove she could fight. “Kane, I’m not going to hide in the cabin like a wilting rose.” His face clouded and there was no changing his mind, but she wasn’t done yet. “Fine. But I intend to practice using my cutlass.”

He lurched for her again, but she outmaneuvered him.
“Kane, don’t go back on your promise on teaching me to fight. A man’s only as good as his word.”

He swore under his breath.
“Don’t twist my words around.”

She glanced at the
smoke rising into the air. “I’m not.” She folded her arms across her chest. “You kill them by decapitation, don’t you?”

He grabbed her
shoulders and silenced her protests with a kiss, chasing away her doubts. He did want her. She dug her nails into him, pinning him to her. She sighed into his hard body. He broke off the kiss and whispered in her ear, “You don’t,
I
do.”

She studied his handsome face. “You can die the same way, can
’t you?”

His fingers clasped her chin.
“Mallory?”

“Aye, Capt’n?”

“Fetch ahead. We’re going ashore.”

Kane
leaned closer, his breath brushing over hers.

Hannah’s heart pounded, waiting in anticipation.

“Ease your helm to the dock, helmsman. Get her underway. I want to dock at the far edge of the city. Shorten her sail, mates.”

His
lips captured hers. Hannah held onto him, afraid to let him ago. What if the crew of the
Fiery Damsel
was hiding on the island? She explored his mouth, wanting to taste him.

“Captain,” Sean asked.

Kane slowly released her. “Stay aboard, Hannah.”

She searched his eyes.
He was walking into danger, leaving her aboard the blasted ship.

Kane wrapped his arm around her as the
Soaring Phoenix
sailed into the harbor, and docked. Men lowered the plank. She tightened her arm around Kane’s waist. How much human causality was on the island? Was her father among the dead?

Flames flickered over the city, devouring buildings.
Smoke filled the air, swirling like a gnarled hand. She wrinkled her nose at the gunpowder and charcoal polluting the sea air.

William walked over to them.
He had red-rimmed eyes and a shadow beard. “The men await your orders, Captain.”

Kane nodded
. “Meet me at the bow.”

William headed back to the crew.
The crew stood at attention in the middle of the deck waiting for Kane.

Hannah
gripped Kane’s bicep.

He sighed,
“Aye?”

“Please come back
,” she whispered.

His arm encircled her waist,
pressing her to his body, and his hand gripped her buttock. A fast heat paralyzed her, fanning through her body with unsettling precision. His hungry lips were demanding, moving hot and sure over hers, ravaging them with a fierce insistence that left her weak and breathless.

“
Ahem. Captain?”

Breaking off the kiss, he
whispered in her ear, “I’ll be back. I promise.”

She nodded, but tensed as Kane moved away and headed to his men.
A dark premonition filled her. She glanced into the heavens and murmured, “Please let him return to me.”

Kane
stared at Tortuga and the rising smoke swirling into the sky. Palmer. He was sure of it. He glanced over his shoulder at Hannah. His beautiful Hannah. He wanted to lift her up off her feet, carry her back down to his cabin and kindle the passion deep within her. Damn. Why hadn’t he sent her back to England where she would have been safe? Now, she was trapped. There was no ship fast enough to out maneuver the
Fiery Damsel
when she was in pursuit. Only the
Soaring Phoenix
could out run her. He should lock her in the cabin, she’d be safer. He gritted his teeth. There would be hell to pay. With her powers, she’d break free and try to use her blasted cutlass.

He
returned his focused to his men. “Let’s go. I want any news of Palmer. See if anyone knows his plans. Spread out and meet back here at sunset.”

He strolled down the plank to the dock.
A grizzled old man put his hands on his hips. “You canna not dock here, sailor. We doona know you and the last unknown ship nearly destroyed us.”

Kane cocked his eyebrow.
“Barney, you don’t know me man?”

Barney
scowled slowly his face broke out into a grin. “Captain Kane O’Brien. I’ve not seen you for sumtim.” He glanced at Sean and slapped his hand on his forehead. “Sean Mallory. I’m sorry mate. I guess with all the mayhem tonight I didna recognize you.”

Kane tilt
ed his head to the burning smoldering black and gray smoke, spinning into the sky. “What happened, Barney?”

Barney
shook his head. “The devil himself sailed into our harbor a few days ago with his blasted crew.”

Sean and Kane exchanged glances as
Barney recounted what had happened and confirmed their suspicions about Palmer and his crew savaging the town.

“I seen the bats land back on the boat an’ the ship sailed out of the harbor,” Barney said. “They sailed back to hell.”

“Thank you, Barney,” Kane shook his hand.

Barney’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not thinkin’ of going after ’em devils, are you?”

Kane clapped him on the back and winked.
“Thanks again, old man.”

His crew moved pas
t him and made for the smoldering buildings. The stench of burned flesh turned Kane’s stomach. He grimaced at flies buzzing around human carcasses littering the street. “Christ. Nothing but empty shells.”

“Aye, Capt’n,” Sean answered.

Kane stared at the blackened bordello. The top
two floors had collapsed, but an oak staircase survived. Bits of charred wood blew in the wind. The remnants of brass beds and chairs were thrown onto the street. How many people had perished inside?

Divinity, a prostitute
Sean often visited when they docked in Tortuga, rushed into Sean’s arms. Between sobs, she retold the harrowing nightmare of how she hid in the carriage house in a bale of hay. Palmer’s men had dragged one of her friends into the carriage house and tortured her, leaving her for dead. Sean hugged Divinity and promised she’d be all right before parting ways.

D
own a narrow street, an old woman with a multi-colored striped shawl sat on the stones steps in front of a small white washed church. Gold hoop earrings dangled from her ears and bangle bracelets banged together on her wrist as she pointed a crooked finger at them. “I know what and who you are.”

Kane stopped and frowned.
Chills scurried down his back. A memory stirred within him, but he couldn’t recall. Why? What was wrong with him? He tried to think, but fog rolled into his mind, clouding his thoughts. What was happening? Was it her? He couldn’t remember. 

“You are the likes of the ones who were here last night
—Vampire.”

Sean hissed.

Kane’s blood froze. The woman must be mad. “You’re mistaken. We’ve just docked today.”

Sean
sneered, gripping the butt of his pistol. “What do you mean by that old woman?”

“Just what I mean,” she said.
“Vampire.” 

Sean narrowed his eyes.
“Why do you call us vampires?”

“Because I know a vampire when I see one.
I’ve the gift of sight. I see you’re like the ones of last night but not. I know you don’t kill your prey nor do you enjoy feeding on the innocent. You’ve been cursed.”

Drawing his sword, Kane crept up the steps and pointed it at the woman’s heart. “How do you know this
old woman? Speak. Tell me or I’ll slit you throat.” Was she a trick? Were they about to be ambushed? “Have I met you before?”

She laughed.

The hair on the back of Kane’s neck pricked.

She stopped.
“I’m no trick.”

Kane edged the sword closer to heart,
yet the woman didn’t flinch.

She stared
expectantly. “As I told you, I’ve the gift of sight, but my grandchildren’s powers are greater than mine.”

Kane studied the alley waiting to see if anyone else appeared, ready to cast a spell or a
mbush them, but nothing happened.

“No, they’
re not here,” she said. “My granddaughter’s somewhere safe, but my poor grandson, Lark, was taken aboard the
Fiery Damsel
, he’s imprisoned along with your friend, Ronan Macmillan.”

Kane lifted her
chin with his sword. “You seem to know a lot about our business.”

She
glared. “Listen to me and listen well. I’d no intention of getting into this fight between you and Quinton Palmer until he took my grandson. Yes, I’m a witch, a very powerful one. I’ve seen the cards and much to my chagrin, our families are intertwined Captain O’Brien.”

“Witch,” Kane cocked his eyebrow.
“What do you mean, crone?”

Sean cocked and aimed his pistol at her.
She waved her hand at the pistol. It flew out of his Sean’s hand and fell at his feet. “Meaning, you can’t defeat Palmer or Zuto without our help.”

Kane pressed his sword deeper.
“I don’t like riddles.”

“You think you’re all powerful, vampire.
I don’t think so. It’s not just Zuto you have to face, but his god, the God of the Underworld. To defeat him, you’ll need us. Lower your sword or I’ll tell you nothing.”

“
’Tis a trick, Capt’n,” Sean argued.

Kane studied the crone.
He needed answers and lowered the sword.

“Very well, Capt
ain,” the old woman said. “My name’s Morgana Fey.”

Kane sucked in his breath.
“Bloody hell.”

Morgana
waved her hand. “Not
the
Morgana Fey. She was my great-great grandmother. I’m a descendent, but her powers grow strong within me. My granddaughter’s even more powerful than I am, but ’tis my grandson you should be worried about.”

Kane gripped his sword tighter
. “Stop talking in riddles.”

“You must free my grandson before his powers are tapped by the demon, Zuto, or Palmer tricks him into doing something stupid. Lark does not know the depths of his powers, and I hadn’t finished his training when he was taken.” 

Sean bent over to retrieve his pistol.
“His training?”

“Yes, you dolt.
He’s the power to command the winds and the seas. What do you think Palmer would do with that?”

Sean snatched his pistol and aimed it at her, but this time, she sat still as if she had no fear.
Kane’s stomach clenched. This kept getting worse and worse.

The witch lowered her voice.
“Zuto thinks Lark kept them from destroying the city, but ’twas my granddaughter, Mariah. She’s a more powerful witch than he is.”

Sean frowned.
“What do you mean witch? He’s a man and thus is a warlock.”

The woman slapped
him on the thigh and Sean blinked. “You fool! Both men and women are witches, but if a male witch is turned to the dark side, he becomes a warlock.”

Kane
lowered his sword. “How do we know Lark won’t turn on us?”

She
shrugged. “He’ll fight, but I sense his resistance is failing. The cards have told me one more thing. You’ve another problem, Captain. Justin Knight.”

“Don’
t play games with me wench, tell me.”

“He told Palmer about
Hannah’s ability. He already suspected she had a concealed power. Now, he wants her, too.”

Sean glanced at him.
Kane tensed. What if the bastard planned to sneak back and kidnap Hannah?

His jaw twitched. He lifted his sword at her again.
“How do you know this?”

“I saw him do it.
I have the gift. He was sputtering like a witless fool about her power.”

“Bloody idiot,” Sean said.

“You both don’t understand. Palmer hates witches. The only reason Lark’s alive is because of the demon, Zuto. They need him to counter Hannah.”

“Meaning?” Kane lowered his sword.

“As soon as Zuto no longer needs Lark, Palmer will kill him along with your woman.
Everything the man does is based on revenge, just like you Capt’n.”

Refusing to give into the pa
nic rising inside him, Kane asked. “Do you know where he’s headed?”

She
nodded. “He’s gone out to sea, but he’s waiting for you Capt’n. You two will meet very soon. To protect your woman, you must free my grandson, Lark. Without him, you’ve no chance in defeating the demon.”

Kane grimaced.
That’s all he needed—a warlock to add to his troubles.

The woman began to disappear
. Kane whipped out his sword. A loud bang hurt his ears. Suddenly, the air crackled with lightning. The atmosphere grew heavy and tense, the air thin, the temperature plummeted. Goose bumps broke out on Kane’s arms and he shivered. Kane labored to take a breath. Dizziness swept over him. His legs trudged along, but each step he took was like walking through angry waves. He gripped his weapons tighter as a strong wind tried to whip them out of his hands. Swearing, he motioned for Sean to move. They backed out of the alley. When they reached the end of the street, the air lightened. Kane breathed normal. “Sweet Jaaysus.”

“
Criminy, a witch!” Sean muttered. He pulled out his sword and held his pistol in his hand.

Drawing his pistol out, Kane nodded. “Bloody hell, I think, mate, we need to watch our step.
I’m not sure what’s going on, but this does not bode well.”

“D’ye believe her?”

“Aye. Palmer does not like being used as a slave. Hannah’s father is a pasty codfish. Spilled his guts to save his own skin.”

“But are we gonna trust a warlock? I mean a
witch.”

Kane stared.
“Do we have any choice?”

“Gr
and, we’ll get turned into something worse than vampires,” Sean grumbled.

Kane
cocked his eyebrow. “What could be worse?”

Sean shrugged. He
pulled a hand down his face, his eyes bleary, his shoulders sagging. He slowly turned and glanced down the alley. “What the plague happened down there, Captain?”

“I don
't know, but let’s get the hell out of here.” They ran back to the ship. As they approached the dock, their pace slowed. 

“
Capt’n?”

Kane focused on the ship.
Hannah better be there or he’d lock her in the brig. “Aye, Mallory?”

“How we gonna free Lark?”

He clenched his fists. “I’ve no idea, but if we don’t, Palmer’s gonna try and steal Hannah.”

Swords clanged
. Kane ran up the plank. Hannah was engaged in swordplay with one of his crewmen. He exhaled. She was safe.

He ran over to her.
“Hannah.”

Hannah
turned and smiled. “You’re back.” She frowned. “Anything wrong?”

He grabbed her and kissed her hard, needing to know she was here
and safe. Her scent of jasmine and her feminine taste stirred a deep hunger in him. He wanted to drag her down to his cabin and love her, but not with the shroud of Jacques hanging over her. He didn’t want to force himself like Jacques. He slowly released her.

Desire swirled in her gaze and she
licked her luscious lips.

If he didn’t get away from her, all would be lost.
“Where’s William?”

She panted, “In the galley.”

He released her and forced himself to leave the temptation of her lips and find his brother. William sat alone in the galley with a bottle of rum and a glass. He poured himself a shot and lifted it high to a toast. “To your new pirate lass.”

Kane folded his arms across his chest.
“What are you doing, William?”

“
What does it look like I’m doing?” He downed the rum.