A Pirate's Revenge (Legends of the Soaring Phoenix) (10 page)

William leaned against the door. “More foolishness.”  

Mariah hardened her face, hiding the hurt brewing inside her and marched past him, refusing to defend her craft.

In the hallway,
Grand-mère
gripped her cane. “You are right,
ma petite
. Lark’s going to need his wand and spell book. ’Twas fate that he did not have his wand on him when he was taken, or Natasa would have contaminated it and used it to control him. I have something else you need.” She coughed hard. When she stopped, she stuck her hand inside her dress and pulled out a chain with a white quartz shaped into a heart.

Grand-père
came up behind her, clasping her quaking shoulders. “Rest, Morgana. You need to sit down.”

“I am well, you old fool. Let me be.” She waved her hand.
Grand-père
stepped back. Dread filled his eyes. Mariah knew death was seeking
Grand-mère
. She had to hurry. Despite
Grand-mère’s
insistence she could do this on her own, Mariah knew in her soul that before this mess was ended, she would need
Grand-mère
.

“I shall rest when this is done,”
Grand-mère
said.

Mariah prayed she meant she would rest in a chair after they left and not dying.

“Now take this necklace. This represents Lark’s heart. It will remain white, but as he slowly turns, the color of the quartz will change.”

Mariah examined it closely, rubbing her thumb over the smooth stone, and frowned.

“
Oui
,”
Grand-mère
said. “’Tisn’t white. The color is darker, not pure.”

“What happens—” Mariah asked.

“When it turns black, you will know he has turned, and it will take all your strength and love to change him back to the brother you remember. Hurry,
cheriè
. Time is now your enemy.”

Mariah looped the necklace around her neck, and the smooth stone lay between her breasts.

“Wait,”
Grand-père
said. “You will need to be armed.”

William lifted one eyebrow as if he doubted what he heard. “Armed?”

“Magic is not the only talent she has. She’s a deadly shot. I taught her myself.” He disappeared and returned with a bag. “Packed it myself. It has shot and powder. You be careful,
chérie
.”

Mariah nodded.
“Je promets.”

Grand-mère
hacked again. Her eyes dulled, and her lips pinched tight. Mariah did not know if she should leave since
Grand-père
depended on her to help care for his wife.

“Do not worry about me,
chérie
. I shall not perish until I see Lark again.”

Mariah hoped she was not lying, just to convince her to leave.

“Listen to me,
mon chou
,”
Grand-mère
said, her voice tired. “You must give Lark his wand and spell book when the sun hides behind the moon.”

Mariah frowned. “But what if—”

“Silence! Together, you and the dragon must combine powers with Lark to defeat the demon.”

William aimed his frosty stare at
Grand-mère.
“Her? What of Zuto?”

But unlike Mariah,
Grand-mère’s
seemed unaffected by his intimidating glare. She laughed, but her laugh was short lived as a coughing spasm gripped her.
Grand-père
rushed to her and patted her back. “Morgana.”

Grand-mère
shook her head. “I am well,” she whispered, her eyes watering.  “Zuto’s part shall surprise you.”

William gritted his teeth, “Surprise me how?”

“You will have to trust him,
garçon
,” Morgana said. “Or Natasa wins.”    

William walked alongside Mariah, trying to ignore her lavender scent that teased his nose. Solstice herded them, running up with the others and then back. Why had Kane allowed the dog to accompany them, he couldn’t fathom. She was Mariah’s familiar. More magic. Magic he didn’t trust.

After she almost fell in the river, he insisted on carrying her bag. More than once he thought about tying her to a tree. But he wouldn’t go against his brother’s orders. Kane wanted her aboard the
Phoenix
, regardless of the looming danger.

The trees thinned, and Tortuga’s tall buildings loomed ahead. He caressed the hilt of his sword, ready to unleash it if angry townspeople ambushed him. Men repaired the broken window at the Green Parrot Inn; the hammering banged on his tense nerves. Women bustled along the busy street, and some stared at him curiously.

Men stopped talking and tilted their hats at Mariah. Some even gave her appreciative gazes. He pushed back the urge to slit their throats. Why was he acting this way? Were the people agitating the dragon? For the unsuspecting townspeople, ’twas dangerous, way too dangerous.

Kane, Ronan, and Doc quickened their pace, but Mariah lagged behind. Had reasoning finally hit her and she regretted her decision? He was about to ask when a woman with graying hair pulled high into a bun stepped out of a shop. She shoved a pair of scissors into her apron and spread her arms wide. “Mariah, dearie.”  

“Lydia.” Mariah smiled.

The two women hugged.

Solstice wagged her white tail.

Lydia held Mariah’s arms and rubbed them with her palms. “How is your
Grand-mère
feeling? The last time I saw her, she was a little peaked.”

Mariah gave her a small smile. “She is still not feeling well, but I am sure she shall get better.”

“I’m sorry.” She tilted her head and arched her eyebrow. “Hello, Solstice,” the woman said, rubbing the dog’s head. “And, who’s this?”

“Lydia, this is William O’Brien,” Mariah said. “William, Lydia is one of
Grand-mère’s
oldest and dearest friends.”

William bowed his head in greeting.

“Mmm, a stranger, eh?” She led Mariah a few feet away and spoke to her in a hushed voice. Normally, William would not be able to hear, but oddly, he heard every word. Another of the dragon’s abilities?

“You need to be wary, my dear. Yesterday, a dragon attacked us. Ate poor McGovern’s horse. The man’s still in shock. Something right out of Armageddon. Flew right out of the Green Parrot’s Inn.” She clicked her tongue. “No one saw the thing downstairs.” She tilted her head toward the dock. “I think it has something to do with that dreadful ship, the
Soaring Phoenix
. Every time she drops anchor, strange things happen. People get sick. And now a dragon.”

Mariah glanced at William, trying to hide a smile. She was enjoying this.

“How dreadful,” Mariah said. “Where did the dragon go?”

Solstice walked around William as if to say, “Here he is.” William pushed Solstice away. Damn familiar!

Lydia pointed west. “To the mountains.” She gripped Mariah’s shoulder. “You and your family be careful, dearie. ’Tis up there lurking, waiting.” She raised a closed fist toward the mountain as if challenging the dragon. “But next time, we’ll be ready. The militia’s armed.” She lowered her fist. “Don’t you worry. We shall kill the beast,” she said, her voice cheery. 

Sweat trickled down William’s back, and he ran his hand through his hair. He was about to be a dead dragon. His head mounted over a fireplace. “Mariah.” He clasped her arm and moved her closer. “We need to get to the ship.”

Lydia looked between William and Mariah. “What ship?”

“The
Soaring Phoenix
.” He dragged Mariah away, leaving Lydia with a gaping mouth.

Mariah patted his hand. “William, you must forgive Lydia. She did not mean any harm. Since she’s aged, she speaks her mind and does not realize she is offending people.”

He snorted. Solstice ran around them again as if to slow William down, but he ignored the furry animal.

“You knew I could hear what she was saying?”

“Dragons do have superior hearing.”

“Were you enjoying yourself, lass?”

She rubbed her arm. “Lydia happens to be a good friend.”

“She’s a meddling fool,” he muttered. “Ready to have my head blown off.”

She covered her mouth, trying to hide a smirk. “You are afraid of Lydia,
oui
?”

“No,” he snapped. “Just her ability to summon the militia. I don’t relish having their weapons fired at me. When I’m a dragon, I can’t control it. Can you imagine what an angry dragon would do to this town? Now, let’s get to the ship.”

“
Je suis désolé.
”

He flinched as she cupped his cheek.

“Truly sorry.” Her hand trailed down his arm, sending chills tingling through him. “I sense the dragon is asleep, so we have time.”

He sighed, wishing she would touch him one more time. “Time? Time for what?”

“Time for me to teach you how to control your powers.” She tilted her head and smiled. “Trust me.”

He snorted. “You’re daft.” 

Solstice growled.

She braced her shoulders and marched down the street toward the harbor. “Come on, Solstice.”

He stared at her stiff back as she flounced down the street, fists clenched. Beautiful, but foolish. Very foolish.

“Mariah.” He hurried beside her. “Do you even know where you’re going?”

She pointed straight ahead. “To the docks.”

William walked alongside her, surprised at how fast she could move, being a foot smaller than him. He wanted to say something, but didn’t know what.

As they neared the docks, the ocean breeze grew stronger, along with the smell of fish. Mariah slowed as they rounded the last building. She studied each of the ships, obviously looking for the
Phoenix
. Several ships—frigates, schooner, ketches—were anchored in the harbor, but he stared at the
Soaring Phoenix
. She stood tall and proud. A square-rigged frigate, she carried forty-guns and had a keel length of ninety feet. She could out sail any ship in the harbor. 

“She’s the frigate next to the schooner.”

She blinked. “Reading my mind?”

He tossed his head back and laughed. “No, lassie, not hardly.”

Her frown disappeared, replaced by a lovely smile. He couldn’t help running the back of his palm down her soft cheek. “You were frowning and gazing straight ahead. I presumed you were looking for the
Soaring Phoenix
. I thought you’d like to see which ship was leading you into danger.”

She lifted her eyebrow. “That is an interesting way to put it,” she said, her voice husky.

He dropped his hand and tilted his head. “The
Soaring Phoenix
is strong, stronger than the
Fiery Damsel
. She sunk her foe once, but Palmer’s got a new ship, and he’s bent on revenge.” 

“Revenge?”

“Aye, Palmer won’t rest until the
Soaring Phoenix
lies next to the
Fiery Damsel
in a watery grave.”

“He has my brother,” she said, her voice low and menacing.

He could feel the hidden power in those words as if she cast a vengeful spell on Palmer. “I know.” He wanted to hold her and whisper everything would be well, but it would be a lie. She deserved the truth, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it. Her brother might be lost to her forever.

He put his hand on Mariah’s lower back. “Shall we?”

She flicked her hair behind her shoulder. “
Oui
. Come, Solstice.”

William led the way, maneuvering her down the dock with her silly dog trailing behind.

“Now, there’s a real beauty,” a man said, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Another man whistled and licked his lips, his gaze slowly appreciating Mariah’s curves.

Mariah glanced at the man but didn’t even flinch. She strolled past him as if she were out on Sunday walk.

William glowered at the two men. “She’s a lady. Leave her alone.” 

“Didn’t say she wasn’t, mate,” the man said.

The whistler shrugged his shoulders and went back to picking up barrels and carrying them up a plank to a schooner.

“You do not have to be so protective,” Mariah said. “I can handle a few whistlers. I’ve lived in Tortuga for sometime now and know how to handle a leering sailor.”

“Aye, but I don’t tolerate men harassing lasses.”

She flashed him a lopsided smile and laughed, dousing his anger.

Amadi leaned on a barrel as William approached with Mariah. “Trouble, lad?”

“Nothing I can’t handle,” he said.

Mariah’s eyes widened as she stared at Amadi. He usually intimidated people with his giant size, and she barely came up to his elbow. He wore a cutlass on his hip and a pistol inside his belt. His shirtless ebony skin gleamed in the sun, and his long, beaded braids were pagan and wild. William expected Mariah to huddle by his side, but once again, she surprised him and slightly bowed her head. “
Bonjour.
”