Numb

Jamie stood at the counter oblivious to her world. The customers came and went, never making a permitted impression on her. Large popcorn, small nacho; they all wanted the same.

In her mind dark thoughts painted with pain and longing kept her immune to anything anyone would say. She watched their mouths move, not caring for the words. Interesting is all she would think as she watched their lips push out and then pull back.

Weird. Her brows frowned. Do mine do that? She wanted to see, but she was already considered strange. Best for her not to do anything to make her co-workers think she was crazy.

Her body felt numb as she waited for the beat of her heart. It didn't come. I'm already dead, she mentally sighed, secure in the truth of the words. Standing in her spot she hid within herself, not wanting much but for the pain to end. The sky softened to velvet and she finally got to go.

But where, she wondered as she walked to her car. Keys in hand she honestly didn't know. Her stuff was scattered. She had no place to call home. Her men used her and her family smiled as they let her go.

I don't want to be here, she realized as the houses went by her window. It was all-fake. The world was fake. None of it mattered except for the life in the trees and the blood in the veins. But even that would pass. Her flesh felt cold.

She parked in her parents' driveway. Inside her mother slept, like always. She had given up on the world long ago, but not before it stole the strength she needed to finish the job. Jamie had the strength. She knew this world was bullshit. Filled with nothing more than lies and tears, and at nineteen she had seen more than her share of both.

She smiled at her cats as she walked to her room. She wanted to touch them, feel their soft fur one last time. But she wouldn't. Her fingers were numb like the rest of her. The thought of not being able to feel the few little beings that truly loved her was almost too much for her to take, so she decided not to think about it.

In her room, beneath her pillow, laid her savior. She had thought about this night for days, mentally preparing for the quick sting ahead. She didn't believe she would really do it. But after witnessing the mindless use of her body by others, and the neglect of her heart and mind she knew she couldn't stay in a world so cold. It was her choice, and she was making it.

One last shower and one last change, she was ready. The cold steel didn't penetrate the lonely cape she had wrapped around herself years ago. The red was beautiful against her creamy skin. A slight smile crossed her lips as she laid down to rest. Her soul was tired. The relaxing, forgiving music that was sleep filled her.

How much as she suffered at others' hands? How many fights had she gone through that wasn't her own? Too many; too much. This was her own. It was her choice and her doing. She left no note to explain. Why should she? No one had ever explained to her.

The beautiful music filling her soothed her mind as it healed her wounds. Yes, she had made the right choice. She was sure of it as she faded into the blackness filling her.

The blood soaking into her bed and sheets never bothered her as she mentally whispered her final goodbye to the world; the world that didn't care for the ones that lived in it. It couldn't, and if it couldn't then how could we?

Not Today

Janet stared into the unknown, wondering if she should go. No she would tell herself when the urge was too great. It may be dangerous. Someday she would care. Someday she would be brave and run out into the unknown to face the world she belongs to now. Someday; but not today.

Closing her window, she sat back on her bed and closed her eyes. She covered her ears. She became deaf and blind to all that was around her, and ignored the shame that filled her. This was her choice. Why should she be ashamed?

Feeling cold inside she wrapped herself in her blanket. This would warm her; heal her. It would make her feel strong again. This was all she could do to feel normal and right.

What had made her this way? She didn't remember. Had it been the lovers that had abandoned her after the harsh ways they used her body? Or was it the insults her family so easily threw at her in their drunken state? She really didn't know. But she did know that this was not the day she was willing to find out.

Ducking her head in the covers she closed herself off. Someday she would care. Someday she really would be brave and forgive, but that was not this day.

Awakening of the End: Chapter 1

Today

I have to find him, Dedra told herself. She was worried she wouldn’t find the guy she had been following as she looked down the street. It had to be him. I know it was. And I lost him; her reminded herself with disappointment.

The dirt bag she had been following was the last person to see Satet alive. Dedra recognized him from the description in the police report. When Dedra saw him for the first time what really caught her attention were his eyes. It wasn’t the fact they were hazel green, but that his pupils were outlined with a ring of bright emerald. She had never seen a human with eyes like that, at least not natural that way. That’s because he’s not human. He’s a bloodsucking leech, she told herself, halfway down the crowded street.

Satet’s body had been found in a field outside of town. There was no blood in her veins and no sign of how she was drained of it. The doctors and police working the case were at a loss, but Dedra knew what happened. It was her job to know what happened. This sap she was looking for had seduced Satet to join him on a ride out of town. He was probably laughing and joking until they were far enough away that no one would hear her scream for life. Then this monster, this leech, this vampire fed. Fed until it was satisfied, which ended up leaving poor, unsuspecting Satet dead.

What a pig, she thought as she eyed the people walking by her. She stopped when she spotted him. He was leaning on a building as he watched her with his un-nerving eyes. Her heart froze in her chest when she saw him turn to go down the alley.

She hesitated for brief moment before she pushed her fear aside to rush after him. As a vampire hunter she wasn’t going to let her doubts stop her from facing this beast in a dark, dead end ally. In fact, she preferred it. This way there would be no witnesses and she would have no reason to explain the way the world really was, and the coward wouldn’t be able to run from her.

She kept her eyes straight ahead as she avoided the trash that laced the ground. She could see the end of the alley was cluttered with beat up boxes and a dumpster. She slowed her pace when she walked by the dumpster in case he was hiding behind it. The rotten smell escaping the open lid knotted her stomach. God, she thought with disgust as she turned away from it. Not wanting to get dirty, she turned her attention onto the tall stacks of boxes. There were a few stacks he could hide behind. Her left hand hovered over her coat; ready to grab the stake in her belt.

From behind her came a male's voice singing "Dreams End" by Spiral Dreams. She felt her heart stop beating for the second time tonight as she silently cursed herself for being so dumb, she should’ve checked behind the dumpster. Damn her vanity.

How could I let him sneak up behind me? What kind of hunter am I, she wondered, as doubt suddenly shadowed her confidence.

Digging her heels in the ground she turned to face the vampire. He boldly stepped toward hers. She didn’t see any fear in him, though she was a hunter. Her pride pushed her chest out as she silently vowed to make him fear her.

He stopped singing to smile at her. It was a smile that meant trouble was coming. "Well Missy, it looks like you’ve gotten yourself into quite a mess here." He eyed the solid walls that surrounded them. "Doesn't it?"

"I guess it does," she coldly agreed, as she wrapped her left hand firmly around the stake.

She saw him look at her hand that was in her coat before meeting her eyes. His head tilted to the side as questions filled his eyes. "What do you have in your coat little one?" The smile was no longer on his face as a dangerous spark flashed in his eyes. He was a very deadly being.

Why am I here? She sometimes wished she could forget about her up bringing and not go after the kill. But vampires were predators that fed on her kind and it was her job to stop them, no matter how much fear they caused her. "Nothing," she replied, keeping her eyes on his. "I'm just having cramps. But you wouldn't know anything about that, now would you?"

He flashed her his dazzling smile again. He seemed to find her very amusing. "Actually no, I wouldn't.” He took a few long steps towards her tp fill in the gap between them.

Dedra felt her heart speed up. She was mentally preparing herself for the fight and the kill. I am the slayer, she reminded herself.

He let the smile slide from his lips as dark lust filled his eyes. "But I could help you get rid of them," he gently whispered, allowing the lit breeze to carry his words to her.

She eyed the dirt on his pants before looking at his face. She could see his canines had already lengthened as they slightly indented his lower lip. No matter how many times she saw them she couldn't get over how they looked. Sharp, yes they had to be, but they also looked delicate and thin. As if one gentle push from a finger would knock them out. But of course it took more than that, and Dedra knew that because she had tried it. Not all vampires she came across she killed right away. Some she experimented with; toyed with them for her own pleasures the way they toyed with humans.

He was so close Dedra could feel the body heat coming from him. "You're never going to have problems with them darn cramps again."

He reached out to restraint her arms, and was surprised when she bought her left hand up to shove the stake cleanly through his heart. His hands tightened on her before going limp as he fell to the ground. His body was finally able to catch up to his age. She watched as his hair fell out, and his muscles shriveled up. His skin rapidly decayed, making him appear as if he had been dead for years rather than just a few minutes.

She smiled to herself as she stared down at him. "Damn, I guess you can't help me with my cramps. Now can you?" Watching a vampire she killed die always filled her with a sense of power and pride. She felt a sense of self worth as well. She was saving people everyday. She knew she was important, and that facing her fear was worth it.

As her eyes slid over her kill she saw a tattoo above his left collarbone and then it was gone. She stared at him a few minutes wondering if she really saw anything then decided it didn’t if she had.

The sound of clapping coming from behind her stunned her for a second. After she collected herself she turned, ready to fight. No one was there. She was faced with only the brick wall. Clap, clap, clap. She turned again, but again, no one there. She spun in a circle, no one. Clap, clap, clap. Then she knew where it was coming from.

Looking up she saw a handsome man standing on the fire escape. He had short, silky brown hair and two slits for sad brown eyes. His soft lips were pulled back in an amused smile, meant to taunt anyone e turned it on. He had on a pair of black jeans with a black button up shirt. Black was defiantly his color in Dedra’s option.

He jumped off the fire escape and landed perfectly in front of her. She took a step back and almost fell over the dead body lying there. His head tilted to the side as he looked down at the deceased vampire. "Good job," he told her in a flat tone, unimpressed.

When he looked at her again he took the time to look her over. She had straight mid-back brown hair with hints of red in it. Her skin was soft and tan, she had almond shape brown eyes, and he couldn't help but notice, her bottom lip was slightly fuller than her top.

"Thanks," she whispered. She couldn't explain why but her heart wouldn't slow down. It’s because he surprised you, she assured herself. She didn’t want to admit that it could be anything more.

His eyebrows bunched together in confusion as he looked at the sap again. “I didn't know it took so much out of a person to just stand still, and drive a stake through someone else." His eyes twinkled at her with amusement. "Unless you’re really, really out of shape."

“I'm not out of shape! You just surprised me,” she protested, feeling very offended by is words.

"That's bad."

Now it was her turn to be confused. "Why?"

"Because I could have killed you." There was a hint of disgust on his face when he looked at the stake sticking out of the corpse. “And aren't hunters suppose to be ready for anything at anytime?"

"I don't think people popping out of nowhere counts."

“People popping out of nowhere is exactly what you deal with on a daily basics and should not surprise you,” he corrected.

“How did you know I was a vampire hunter?" she asked as she crossed her arms over her chest. This man was cute but annoying.

His looked at her as if she were dumb. "I don't know, maybe the stake was a little hint." He pinched his fingers together. "Or is that the new rave, carrying stakes around to stick into random people’s bodies?”

Feeling dumb she let her chin dip with slight embarrassment. Change the subject, her mind quickly ordered. "Where did you come from?”

"I was planning on talking to David, about what he did to that girl Satet.” His amused smile returned to its place on his face. "But instead I got to have the pleasure of watching you kill him."

"You’re a vampire hunter too?" I thought there was only one, she thought in amazement. She slowly looked him up and down and found herself measuring him. How many vampires had he killed? How long had he been a vampire hunter? Why had she not known about him? “How many of us are there?” she asked as she met his eyes.

His eyes lowered as he snorted to himself. “I was not going to kill him, I was going to talk to him.”

“He deserved to die.”

“Everything deserves to die. It is why we are here.”

“Not me,” she said shortly. She pushed her nose up into the air as she refused to believe otherwise.

He shot her a cold look as something dangerous glittered in his eyes. “Even you,” he whispered. He saw her swallow her fear. He took a calming breath as he looked away. “I should be going.”

"Wait." She didn't want him to leave. She had never met another hunter before. He looked at her with a what-do-you-want look upon his face. Embarrassed, she looked at the tip of her shoes. "I don't even know your name," she finally said, trying to ignore the knot growing in her stomach. Why did I say anything? she wondered, feeling rather dumb at the moment.

He smiled a genuine smile this time instead of the amused one he had used this whole time to mock her. She liked how it made him look, but she could still see the sadness lingering in his eyes. “Dionsus." He turned and left.



"Mom," she called as she entered the house. "Mom are you here?" She went into the kitchen and right away she noticed the note on the refrigerator.

Dedra,
I had to go to a dinner meeting. I'll be back later tonight. There's chicken in the microwave if you're hungry. Love,
Mom

Great, she bitterly thought as she put the note aside. Her mom was never home. She sighed to herself before she headed to the microwave to get some chicken, but then decided she wasn't hungry after all. As she was passing the phone it rang. "Hello," she said politely into it, in case it was someone important.

"Dedra, where have you been?" It was Geneva, one of the two good friends Dedra had. The other one was Eddie. "I've been calling for over an hour, and you and I both know it doesn't take an hour to walk from my house to yours."

"I know. Look Geneva, it's been a long night and I just want to go to sleep. So could this wait until school tomorrow?" She rested her head on her arm as she leaned on the wall.

"No, this can’t wait.” Dedra could hear the anger in her voice but didn't care. "I was worried about you Dee. So tell me, what happened?"

"I will. Tomorrow; goodnight." She hung up the phone before Geneva could say anything else. With her body heavy with sleep she went to her room to let it rest.


She felt herself slip into blissful sleep mode. She dreamt she was in a white room with light mist floating in the air around her. While she was walking through the mist a dark figure appeared. She slowly drew closer to it and saw it was Dionsus. He was dressed the same as when she saw him for the first time tonight. He even had the same damned, amused smile on his face.

A cold chill ran up her spine as she approached him. "Dionsus, where are we?" she asked in a quivering voice, never taking her eyes off his.

Why am I so scared, she asked herself, not sure what was going on.

"Nowhere.” He raised his brows as he admitted; "Everywhere. How am I supposed to know? It’s your dream." Suddenly she felt cold all over. Hiss face-darkened as he looked passed her. "Don't turn around," he warned her.

She couldn't help herself; she had to turn around. Behind her stood a beautiful average size woman with long curly hair. She had on black pants, combat boots, and a fitted white tank top. Dedra’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the wooden dragon on her necklace. Who wears wood as jewelry, a distance part of her asked.

Out of the corner of her eyes she noticed that in the woman's hand was an old fashion dagger, but before she could get a good look at the details on the hilt the strange woman in front of her smiled. "You should've listened to him." With a quick movement of her wrist she slit Dedra's throat.

Will of the Waves: Chapter 1

The Death of the Girl

The wall painfully met her shoulder as she crashed into it. She was sure it was going to leave a bruise. She grabbed the top of the oak cabinet, trying to steady herself. This storm was much wilder than expected. The door opened, stealing her attention. Sinn walked in. It took the weight of his huge body to shut it again.

“Sinn.” She stumbled towards him. “How be me father?”

He ran his hand over his wet baldhead to sweep the water off. His lips turned into a smirk. “Well, as always.”

Relief slumped her body. “And t' ship?”

“A sail be down.” He shrugged, showing he was not worried about it. “It be nothin' we cannot handle.”

“And t' crew?”

He laughed. His lids lowered, hiding his amusement. “I be happy t' hear you care.”

Gentina scowled at him, her hands going to her hips. A wave hit the boat and knocked her to the side. She threw out her arms to balance herself from falling. “I care.”

“Only after t' ship and your father.”

She playfully shrugged. “Of course.”

He shook his head as he lovingly watched her approach him. His muscled arms crossed over his chest as he forced his face to harden. ”What be you doin'?”

“Goin' out t' t' deck.”

His eyebrows rose with interest. “Oh, you believe you can better me?”

She stumbled some more. If only the damn boat would hold still she’d be fine. “Of course.”

His chest bounced laughter. "You be a arrogant one.”

She fell but caught his arm before she hit the ground. Her smoky eyes met his. “I be me father’s daughter.”

He had never heard truer words spoken at sea. “True,” his eyes softened as he pushed his chin up. “But you be still not goin' out thar. Your father will feed me balls t' t' shakes as he nails me feet t' t' wood meant t' weight me down.”

She laughed because she knew it were true. “You be silly.” She held onto his forearm as she swayed with the ship.

“Am I,” his brows wrinkled with disapproval.

Her face sobered. She knew her father just as well as him. “Why be you not gettin' knocked around?” She inched closer to the door.

“It takes more than our precious sea t' get t' better o' me.” His lips pinched together in stubbornness as he noticed she was still trying to get out.

Her hand settled on the knob. She felt Sinn’s presences close behind her. “I just want t' glance outside once. I want t' know how it be t' truly be a pirate, instead o' a protected lass.” She stared at the door. She wanted to open it, but wouldn’t until he said she could. Her feet were spread, holding her steady for the moment.

“Okay,” he softly gave in. “But only a look.”

“Only a look,” she promised, turning the knob. The wind threw her back into him.

His strong hands grasped her shoulders, determined to keep her safe. The rain attacked her face. She slightly turned her face away from it, but refused to turn completely away.
The sky was gray and ugly as the waves battered the ship, tossing it left then right. A few men fought to control a loose sail. They didn’t want to lose it since it was the center one.

Her father stood with his back to the rail as he shouted orders. She saw Jove slip on the wet deck. She took a step forward, wanting to grab him before he slid off the ship. He saved himself by grabbing the rail. He feet were off the ship but thanks to his hold he was still onboard. Her father was the only man to look at him and see what had happened. The others were too busy trying to save the sail. Jove’s left hand slipped.

“No,” she screamed, unaware when she did it. One of the men was going to fall to their death, and all she was allowed to do was stand here and watch. She struggled against Sinn’s hold to no avail; he was much too strong.

Her father’s eyes met hers. Her brows lowered in distress. His face was a stone. He knew what he had to do for his daughter, if for no one else. He braved the slippery deck for another man’s life. "Continue with that sail," he yelled to the crew.

She calmed as she watch her father play hero. Jove had a hold of the rail with both hands again. His feet slid and kicked off the side of ship. It appeared as if he was going to fall. Her jaw set in worry as she watched her father only slightly struggle to pull him up. Both fell back onto the deck of the ship. She smiled, resting her body on Sinn’s.

“Let us close t' door,” he said over her head as he stared out the opened door.

“Just a moment more,” she said, a hint of a plea in her voice.

His eyes drifted down to her. She was seeing her father as a hero, a way no pirate should ever be seen. Except, perhaps, by a daughter, his mind whispered. “A moment more,” he caved.

Her father shouted at Jove, chasing him away. He proudly rose to his feet as he watched his men. He knew they would beat this storm, as they had done many times before. He met his daughter’s smoky eyes through the rain and gave her a small, reassuring smile. She was the best thing in his life; no pirate should ever be as lucky as him.

When he broke their eye contact she chanced a look at the sea. It had clamed. Her feet swayed less. We have won, she mentally told it. Her lips smugly curved.

If she had heeded the past warnings of her shipmates she would have known better than to tempt the sea. She was a moody bitch. In the distance the water gathered beneath the surface. When none expected it, she struck.

Fear closed Gentina’s throat as the wave rose out of the deep blue sea. Her father turned as the wave crashed down on him. She almost collapsed as she watched in horror as he was knocked off his feet. If Sinn hadn’t had a hold of her she would have fallen, possible being tossed around as the sea raged on.

“No,” she screamed when he father disappeared over the rail. Sinn’s fingers dug into her flesh as he held her back from running onto the deck. “Father!”

The crew froze. One of them let go of the rope as he stepped towards the rail. “Our captain,” he mumbled, feeling and looking lost.

“Let me go,” she screamed, her throat pinching in protest.

“He be gone.” Sinn bowed his head in respect. Lost in thought he wasn’t ready for the pain that exploded in his shin. “Shit,” he mumbled, holding his leg instead of the girl.

She slipped and stumbled to the rail. The wind tried to push her back, but she tightly held onto it. Below, her father was nowhere to be seen. Her warm tears merged with the rain, hitting her face. Her anger rose like the wave that stole her loving father. She violently reached down snatching a piece of wood from the broken mass to throw it into the sea, wishing to hurt it as it had hurt her.

Her fingers painfully dug into the rail as she fought to get her breathing under control. Her eyes burned with tears that hadn’t fallen yet. She was a pirate no matter what anyone else said, and pirates didn’t cry. They cut their loses and moved on.

Sinn stayed back as he gave her the space she needed. She squared her shoulders, as she got ready to face the others. When she turned he saw a difference in her. Strength, not there a moment ago, a distance any one could cross. A mist formed over her eyes, closing her off from everyone.

“Get back t' work,” she yelled at the men. She took a step and slid a few feet. She refused to acknowledge it and continued forward. “Hank, get t' rope and help t' others get control o' that sail. If it be lost it will be on you!” She clenched her fists at her side as she dared him to challenge or disobey her. He did neither.

Sinn stayed where he was, watching the girl become the woman before his eyes. The wind sent her brown hair this way and that, but it could no longer toss her. Watching her father die had steeled her back. She could do this.

The sail was tamed and tied to the mass. It was secure. “Go down below, except you, Pevake. You will stay with me at t' helm.”

He obeyed. They all obeyed only Chicory, who paused to look at her. He stared at her with narrow, angry eyes. “Is somethin' amiss?” Sinn asked, stepping in his way so he couldn’t watch Gentina.

He forced himself too look away from her to look into the bigger man’s eyes. He pushed his resistance aside, now was not the time. ”No Sinn.” His feet shuffled as he went below deck with the other men.

She braved the rest of the storm, as a good captain would do, at the helm. Sinn stayed as well and was amazed that she held herself together. She had never been so hard. What happened within her he could only imagine, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to.

The stars slowly came out to fill the sky. Her skin goosed as the cold settled around them. She swallowed. “All is calm,” Pevake told her, feeling awkward. He glanced uneasily at Gentina. “Captain.”

Her eyes dropped at the sound of the title. Her father was captain, not her. Your father is dead, her mind reluctantly reminded her. A knife twisted in her chest. “Good,” she replied.

“Captain,” he turned towards her. “You can go rest. It has been a long day for all o' us, but especially you.” Her fiery eyes snapped to his face in warning. He dropped his chin to look at the deck. “Sorry ma’am.”

Her eyes drifted to the calm sea that now appeared like glass. Now it was beautiful when before it had been terrifying. She suddenly felt sick. “Are you sure you will be okay?”

“Positive.”

“If you need any help then come and get me.” Though she wouldn’t know what to do. He father hadn’t taught her much about running a ship.

“Do you want me t' come?” Sinn asked as he took a step towards her.

“No,” she said softly. “I can take care o' meself.”

She went to the cabin her and her father had shared. Her bed was in a small private room, while his was in the main one. Everything looked different to her after she lit the candles. His stuff was everywhere.

The bed she chose for him in Italy. The table he had forced someone to carve for her in France, so she could decorate herself the way all girls do. Her eyes drifted to the top of the table. The diamond-laced necklace he had taken from a Spanish ship shined up at her. A strained smile touched her lips. The jewels were cool against her hot flesh when she picked it up. She carried it with her to the bed, his bed.

With her free hand she gently brushed the blanket as she slowly circled the bed. Her feet stopped when there was no more room to step. She stared at the pillow, the pillow his head had been on every night before this night. The pillow he would no longer use.

Her knees gave way as she slowly sank onto the bed and stared at it. The mattress was curved to match his body. She caressed the silky fabric of the pillow surrounded by his scents. His pipe smoke laced the walls. He had enjoyed his tobacco.

She raised the necklace to her chest, to her heart. Her brows met with sorrow as she rested her head on his pillow, staring at the wall he had always stared at.

Never again will he lay here. Her face crumpled as her strength left her. No more on this night would she be the woman she had to be. She would be the girl one last time, one last time to grief for her father properly. One last time to weep for the love she has lost. One last time before she buried that side of her for good to embrace the strong, brave, possibly cold, being she was going to have to be to make it at sea.


Sinn woke her the next morning with a heavy heart. He wished he could let her sleep. He wished he didn’t have to watch her go through all she was going to have to go through. He wished he could do more for her than hand her, her father’s old deadly sword. He wished for many things, but at sea all that meant nothing, except weakness. The strong never wished because they took what they wanted as she was going to have to learn this day.

“Come young one, it be time t' prove yourself worthy o' this room.”

She wiped the sleep from her eyes as she pushed herself up. “What be you sayin'?”

“Our captain be gone. He left no first mate.” She stared up at him with blank eyes. He rolled his eyes as he looked at the wall above her head. “One has voiced a challenge against you t' be captain. You and him must settle this before t' crew does.”

She rose to her feet to stare him, still not taking the sword from his hand. “Who would do that? I am rightfully captain!”

His eyes burned into hers, with s fire she didn’t understand. It was the pirate’s fire; she didn’t have it yet. But she will, his mind purred, if she lives long enough. ”Chicory believes he should be captain.”

“He would,” she whispered, pushing her hair off her forehead. “T' others?”

“Are choosin' t' stay out o' it. Not all agree you should be captain, but all have too much respect for your father, and all he’s done for them t' betray you.”

She nodded to herself. “So if I take care o' Chicory I will not have t' worry o' them?”

“Probably not, but no one really knows t' mind o' another man. No matter what he says.”

She sighed as she dropped her shoulders in disappointment. “I suppose I have t' go out thar.”

“I suppose you do.”

Her eyes slid up to meet his. A sheepish smile touched her lips. “No matter what, you will stand beside me?”

“I stand beside whoever has t' ship,” he said with curved lips.

She raised her chin with pride as she took the waiting sword. “That will be me.”

“Then I be beside you.” He inclined his head as he bowed like her servant.

She bucked the belt around her waist as she walked to the door. Before walking out to face Chicory and whoever else wanted to stand against her she took a deep strengthening breath. “Father, be with me,” she prayed.

“He is,” Sinn whispered, standing close behind her.

She nodded to herself as she turned the knob. Outside the sun was bright and harsh on her just awakened eyes. When the crew saw her they parted just enough so Chicory and her could see each other

His feet were spread and his hand rested on his sword. A cocky smile touched his lips as he watched her approached. She slowly, calmly walked towards him. She eyed the crew as she did. Their eyes fell with shame. She placed one foot in front of Chicory and then the other. Her chin rose as she looked up to meet his eyes. “Chicory,” the name was crisp coming from her lips. “Do you disagree with somethin' that you would like t' brin' t' me attention?”

His lids lowered with distaste. “No, perhaps you do since I be now captain.”

Her brows rose as her head inclined to the side. "Oh really, how so?”

“No one knows this ship and crew better than I.” He eyed the men with a confident smile. His hand was still resting on his hilt of his sword. “And I can sail.” His eyes fell on her. “Can you?”

“Me father was captain!”

“And?”

Her brows fell with dismay, she felt herself sinking. “What?” Her brow smoothed as she collected herself. “What o' last night?”

His smile dimmed. “What o' it?”

“No one but I took control. No one but I was able t' lead us out o' t' storm.”

“I,” he started to protest.

She cut him off with her own cocky smile. “Were starin' after me father like a lost child. If not for me brains t' sail would have been lost.” She crossed her arms as she leaned back on her heels. ”See Chicory,” she spoke as if he was a child. “If thar be nothin' here,” she tapped her skull. “Then t' sailin' really be pointless, be it not?” Her eyebrows rose and fell in acknowledge me that she had won. Her point had been made. She eyed the crew, only their thoughts mattered. They looked at her with acceptance and him with distaste. She was captain.

“Fine. If words will not prove my point then this will.” He drew his sword. He bowed as he spoke his next words; “See little sea princess, brains do not matter with pirates if thar be no fire. And I do not believe you have it.”

The sight of the un-sheath sword had startled her but she quickly regained herself. Slowly she drew her own. “We do not have t' do this,” she calmly told him.

He wickedly grinned at her. “You mean, you do not want to?”

She held her sword to his with her eyes darkening. “But I will.”

The crew stepped aside. The winner would be captain, and the loser would be whatever the captain chooses. This was a deadly dance meant for two. He tried to lead, but was not strong or swift enough. Her father had not taught her to handle a helm, but he did teach her how to handle a sword. All women should be able to defend themselves, especially at sea he had said.

She blocked his sword with her own. Putting her body weight behind hers she pushed him back a few steps. His anger took charge of him, making him act without thought. He raised his sword and opened up his mid section. It was only for a second, but that was all she needed. She stepped aside and lashed out with her blade. It cut the skin above his ribs.

His chin dipped so he could look at it. She cut me, he realized as the blood appeared on his shirt. She used the tip of her sword to raise his head so she could meet his eyes. “Drop t' cutlass,” her voice held no emotion.

His wide eyes stared into hers with disbelief as he dropped his sword. His hands rested at his sides. “Now what?” He breathed a soft mocking laugh. “You kill me?”

Her lids lowered as her hand tightened on the hilt of her sword. “Step back.” His thick brows frowned in question as he did as he was told. “And another.” She kept her sword to his throat and added pressure to keep him going. He stopped when the rail pressing against his back refused to budge.

His throat pushed into her point and his skin was cut when he swallowed. “Now what?”

“Climb.”

He cocked his head, not understanding what she meant. “What?”

She pushed the tip deeper into his flesh. Her eyes were cold. “Climb,” she repeated.

He eyed the others for help. They weren’t going to help. At sea you were on your own. He straightened his back before doing as he was told. Holding onto the rail he looked at her because he didn’t want to look over his shoulder into the sea below. He had seen enough of his fall during the climb. “Now what?” he whispered.

She flicked the sword to the ocean. “Take a walk.”

“We be miles from land. There be sharks in these waters,” he pleaded, his pride now forgotten. Her eyebrows rose, un-amused. He had never seen her this cold and uncaring.

“Then I suggest an early start and as for t' sharks,” she smiled a heartless smile. There was no hint of her old self in it. “Walk quietly.”

Their eyes held as he tried to find mercy in hers. Finally, he smiled. “All be well, sea princess, I will walk. But when we meet again, I will be takin' back this here ship.”

“Never,” she promised him in a heavy voice.

He took a breath before, releasing the rail. She looked down to watch him hit the water. She didn’t lower her sword until he was swimming away. She forced herself to not care about what was going to happen to him. I am a pirate, her mind commanded of her.

She turned to face her crew. Sheathing her sword, she rested her hands on her belt. “Anyone else disagree that I be captain?”

“No,” numerous shouts said as their head shook.

She nodded. “Hank, take t' helm. Pevake, you can go rest.” She walked along the deck, her deck, to Sinn. She eyed the crew as they eyed her back. Her face relaxed as she rolled her eyes. “T' rest o' you get t' work. There be a fallen mass that stills has t' be removed from this ship and Hank cannot sail this ship by himself.”

Feet ran as they got to work. Sinn and her stood next to one another. “Well done.”
She licked her dry lips. “Thanks.” She didn’t feel like she had done a well job.

“Now what?”

“Now,” she stared into the horizon. “We continue on t' way me father would.” A smile touched her lips. “Did he not say t' Spanish treasure ship would be on route soon?”

His lips curved in return. “Aye, I do believe he did.”

“Then let us go make our names.”

He loudly laughed, glad to see she seemed okay and up to the task of being their captain. “You heard her men, time for another lootin'.” Howls of encouragement filled her ears. I can do this; she knew deep inside herself that these words were true.