Chapter 30

CHAPTER 30

Carlos was carried back to the Sea Devil by two of the men, along with Fury’s body and Petey and Lob who had fallen in the fight, Callista was unsure of their injuries and didn’t have time to check. She ordered the pinnace into the water and she Connor and Mick got in and set off for the shore.

Perez’d had ample time to hide himself, but what could he do, the Island was a barren bit of volcanic rock, he couldn’t survive here. And he had Ana captive.

They beached the pinnace, dragging it above high watermark next to the one from the Esperanza. “Irish and I’ll go to starboard, Mick you go to port,” she said waving to her left. “Circle around and meet back here in an hour. If you find him, don’t let him see you. Come straight back here and wait for us, we’ll get him together. Understood?”

Mick nodded.

“Remember he has Ana, and he’ll use her as leverage to try to escape. We need to get her away from him and corner him. He’s not getting off this Island alive,” she said grimly, and the two men nodded their agreement.

She didn’t think about why she chose to do this with Irish instead of Mick. Nor why she had hesitated long enough when the Irishman was trapped by Perez’ men to let Perez escape when she had him pinned. There would be time enough to think about what was wrong with her later. For now, all that mattered was finding and killing Perez.

Connor followedCallista up the rocky shoreline, his heart still thudding with the adrenaline of the past hour. The wound in his upper arm stung and still bled sluggishly. There’d been no time to attend to it, and frankly it was the least of his worries at this point. She’d had Perez on the end of her blade and chosen to let him go to come to Connor’s aid. That meant something, didn’t it? Had she forgiven him? She wasn’t acting like it; she’d barely looked at him or spoken to him all day unless it was for practical purposes. Like saving my bloody life. I’m supposed to protect her! This whole thing is arse up!

He looked up, surveying the landscape; it was truly barren, is there anywhere here that Perez can hide? The ground began to rise as they moved away from the beach and more scrubby vegetation, clinging to the jumble of volcanic rock appeared. Jagged promontories of rock rose up to block their way along an escarpment of black and red rock, striated with sand and white strips. They moved along its edge, circling slowly back to the beach. The sun was hot on his back, and he was grateful for his old-fashioned tricorn hat. This was like looking for a needle in a haystack! Where could-

A female scream cut across Connor’s thoughts.

“Ana!” said Callista. He and Callista broke into a scrabbling run, hampered by the uneven ground, in the direction of the scream, some yards in front and to their right.

They rounded a boulder ten feet high and came face to face with, Mick who had obviously heard the scream too.

“Where?” said Mick, looking around. “She’s hurt!” He gripped his sabre, his teeth clenched.

Callista moved along the seam of the rock and stopped. “Here, there’s a break in the rock. A cave, come! We have to get Ana away from him. Once she is safe-”

“We will kill him!” said Mick.

Callista nodded.

Connor moved swiftly, pushing in front of her. “I’ll go first. I’ll draw his fire.” He held up his pistol.”

She looked at him and after a pause, she nodded. Shoving her hat on more firmly, she tightened her grip on her sabre and gestured him forward.

Connor edged into the gap in the rock, it was barely wide enough to fit his shoulders through, but high enough he didn’t have to stoop. The others followed behind him as they ventured into the dark. Very soon he was feeling his way as the daylight from the entrance faded. The ground was uneven and strewn with pebbles and rocks under foot and jagged to touch. It smelled of stone, dust and the acrid tang of bat droppings.

They had gone several feet when the ground began to slope downward and the roof also to descend. They were in complete darkness now, the only sounds their heavy breathing and the scuffle of their feet as they disturbed the stones underfoot. Forced to duck his head when he hit a lump of jagged rock, that broke the skin and made it bleed, he stifled an oath of pain and murmured, “watch your heads.”

He began to wonder if they had been mistaken, or perhaps there was another cave, and they had missed it in the dark? This felt like a dead end as the roof dropped even further, and he was forced to bend double.

“Should we go back?” he asked quietly.

“No keep going a little further, I thought I heard something,” said Callista placing a hand on his back. The warmth of her touch invaded his skin and relaxed his tense muscles.

He pressed on and then he heard it too. The faint sound of running water and with it the smell of dampness and moss.

“Hear that?” he murmured.

“Yes, keep going,” she urged.

In another couple of steps, he fancied the impenetrable dark was getting lighter, the sound and smell of water was definitely stronger. The loose stones beneath their feet seemed to have disappeared, and they were walking on flat smooth ground. The roof was also getting higher again.

The light got stronger, and soon he could see the rock around him and his own hands as he moved forward.

A gap up head was limned in light.

“Papai! você o matou!”

Ana’s voice told him they had found their quarry. Connor didn’t understand the flood of rapid Portuguese that followed, but he gathered from the tone that Ana was angry with Perez, and he was trying to placate her. She kept saying Papai, which he thought must be Papa. So, she was blaming Perez for her father’s injuries?

The passage widened just in front of the gap and a lump of jagged rock jutting out of the side of the passage offered some cover for them to hide behind.

Connor peered around the edge and took in the cavern with a pool of water and a small fall of water cascading down the wall from a hole in the roof. The source of the light. On a platform of rock beside the pool sat Perez with Ana between his legs, her back against his front. He had his arms round her and she was sobbing and struggling in his embrace.

His pistol, sword and dagger lay on the rock beside him in easy reach of his hand.

Connor considered if he could get a shot at Perez without endangering Ana and decided it was too risky. Besides he reflected Callista would likely never speak to him again if he killed Perez for her. She had made it clear he was hers.

Connor gestured his plan to go first, and the others nodded their understanding. He stepped out of the shelter of the rock, his pistol trained on Perez. Callista and Mick followed him, each with their pistols drawn.

Perez looked round as the three of them converged on him. He went to reach for his pistol.

“Stay put Perez,” said Callista advancing on him with her pistol aimed straight at him.

Perez ignored her and hauled Ana closer at the same time as he grabbed the knife which was nearest. He laid it to Ana’s throat.

“One step closer and she gets a red necklace.”

“Stop hiding behind a woman’s skirts, you pathetic worm and face me like a man!” Callista spat contemptuously.

Perez face tightened and with a growl he flung Ana away and grabbed for his pistol, rolling to his feet. He raised the pistol towards Callista and Connor took careful aim and shot it clean it out if his hand.

Perez howled with shock holding his bloodied hand and rounded on Connor. At the same time Ana stumbled away from him, sobbing hysterically and Mick ran forward and grabbed her hauling her further away from Perez. Ana clung to him sobbing.

“Mick take Ana back to the ship. Take Perez boat, he won’t need it.” Mick nodded and scooping up the hysterical Ana he left the cavern with his burden.

Connor shoved his pistol in its holster and withdrew his sword from its scabbard. Callista still had her pistol trained on Perez who was regarding her with black glittering eyes.

“Hands up Perez, it’s over,” said Callista calmly, cocking her pistol.

Perez, who had been in the act of lunging for his dropped knife, stopped and slowly raised his hands. One of them was bloodied, he appeared to have lost part of a finger. He was smiling however, his eyes fixed on Callista as if it were only her and him in the cavern.

“You don’t give up do you?”

“No, I don’t. Now kick the knife into the water.”

Perez shook his head, widening his stance in defiance. Or maybe getting ready to spring?

Connor advanced closer and brought the tip of his sword up to Perez chest, just over his heart. “Do as the lady says, or I’ll spit you like the pig you are!”

“Connor kick it into the water and pick up his sword,” said Callista, an edge in her tone.

Connor gave Perez a smile and obeyed her, not taking his eyes off Perez while he did it. The dagger plunked into the water and sank, the sword made a bit of splash as he tossed it in, and it also sank. The running water was the only sound in the cavern other than Perez harsh breathing. He must be in a good deal of pain. Blood from his hand dripped onto the rock.

“Thank you, Connor.” He tensed, keeping his sword point pressed delicately to Perez chest. What was she going to do?

“I’ve thought about how I would do this so many times Perez, now that I’m here I’m torn. How would you like to die? Cleanly with a bullet, bleed out slowly with a knife wound or agonisingly with a stab to the gut?”

“Blood–thirsty little thing, aren’t you?” panted Perez.

“You killed my parents, seduced me and destroyed the lives of hundreds of slaves, you don’t think you deserve to die painfully and slowly?” she asked.

“I don’t think I deserve to die at all, querida. I had reasons for everything I’ve done.” He paused wincing, his hand was obviously painful. “Your father stole your mother from me! She was mine before she was ever his. She paid for her betrayal and so did he.” He jutted his chin contemptuously.

“As for your seduction. Is that how you remember it? I don’t. You came to me Callista. You were so eager, couldn’t wait to find out what all the fuss was about. And the slaves? I’m a businessman, slaves are a commodity.”

Callista’s face grew red. “They are human beings, and you are a monster!” She took a firm grip on the pistol. Her hands were shaking now. “Step away from him Connor.”

He obeyed and watched as she took aim at Perez torso and without warning, pulled the trigger. Perez’ body jerked and fell sideways as blood bloomed in his belly. He screamed, writhing on the rock and Connor flinched, feeling sick. He looked at Callista’s face. It was stony, expressionless. The pistol hung from her fingers.

She continued to watch as Perez wriggled about like a snake with its head cut off, screaming in agony. She must have perforated the bowel with her shot. He had no doubt her choice of spot was deliberate. He shivered. He’d done his own share of killing in his time, but he’d not seen anything as cold-bloodedly ruthless as this.

Then she took her dagger out of her boot and stepped up to the writhing body. Bending over him she stared down into his eyes.

Perez’ screams choked off as he stared up at her and she brought the knife up and with one swipe of her arm she slashed his throat. His body jerked once and was still. His face stiffened in a rictus of death as the life left his eyes.

She straightened and kicked his body with one boot. He flopped over and she nodded. Then she turned back to the exit.

“Coming Connor?”

He swallowed and followed her. By the time they emerged into daylight once more, Connor had a cold lump in his belly. It was hot in the sun. Callista had stopped to lean against the wall. Suddenly she leaned over and retched.

He held her in silence until the spasms stopped then he led her away from the spot to some shade under a nearby tree and gave her his flask to rinse her mouth.

She was pale and shaking visibly and there were tears on her cheeks. Not so ruthless after all?

He folded her in his arms and held her while she sobbed. Finally, the sobs subsided. “Thank you.” Her voice was thick, but there wasn’t a hint of a quaver.

He offered her his neck scarf and watched her try her face and blow her nose. She was pale still with red blotches. Her hair had come loose in tails from its usual neat plait; her clothes were grubby and torn. Bloodied, exhausted and sick, she was not looking her best, but he didn’t care.

He held her and let her breathe. His chest felt full to bursting with his feelings, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, how must she feel?

After a bit, he cupped her face with his hands and forced her to look at him. Holding her gaze with his he said, “I love ye Callista Montmayne. I’m sorry I hurt ye. I’m sorry I let ye down. I was an arrogant, arse. I thought in my hubris I could make ye love me. Instead, I fell in love with ye, so hard I’ve still got bruises.”

He smiled slightly, and she blinked her beautiful turquoise blue eyes at him. But she didn’t say anything, and he ploughed on determined to make a clean breast of everything. “I don’t know if ye can ever forgive me, but I hope ye can, for I love ye with all my worthless heart Callista.” He stopped his throat clogged.

“Yer the bravest most magnificent woman I’ve ever met. Yer a brilliant Captain, a true leader, a passionate lover and so beautiful ye tear the heart from me chest just looking at ye.” He took her hands and dropped to his knees.

“Can ye forgive me love? For I’ve realised I canna live without ye. Will ye have a worthless Irishman to husband sweetheart, I’ll swear any oath ye like, but I promise to love ye and only ye till the day I die, for if ye don’t love me I fear I’ll die sooner than later from a broken heart.”

Her face cracked then, and tears streamed down her cheeks. “Stop it you daft man, you’re making me cry. I think I fell for you the moment I laid eyes on you, you wretch. But I wouldn’t allow myself to think it. You’re too charming for own damned good!”

“Will you marry me Callista?”

“Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you Connor Mor. And if you break my heart, I’ll murder you.”

He rose and enveloped her in another hug. “Ye’ll not have to do that, for I won’t I swear. And I’d appreciate it occasionally, for the sake of my poor manhood, if ye’d let me protect ye just once in a while?”

“I don’t need protecting Irish.” she protested.

“Yes, ye do, just not in the way ye think.”

She swallowed and stroked his cheek. “You might be right about that, but it might take me a while to let you. Will you be patient with me?”

“Aye, if ye’ll not mind my being a bit possessive of ye.”

She sighed. “I can see what’s going to happen. Everyone is going to think you’re the captain of the Sea Devil from now on and start treating me like I’m invisible.”

“No, they won’t because I won’t let them. It’s yer ship love, I’ll not take it from ye.”

“You don’t want to go back to London?”

“Not without ye. I’d like to pay a visit though, to let some people know I’m alive. They might be a tad worried about me. Disappearing without a trace like that. But if ye mean, do I not want to keep sailing with ye, I’ve learned to love the sea. I’m even getting used to the damned rigging. I’ve developed a taste for this adventurous life and I’m happy to pursue it with you. Besides woman, you promised me a trip to Jamaica.”

She laughed. “I’ll take you to Jamaica just as soon as we’ve off loaded all these slaves to Freetown and got the Esperanza refitted. Well, no, we’ll go to London first and then Jamaica, how’s that?”

“Perfect. How soon can we be married?”

“We can probably do that in Freetown. And we’ll need to drop Carlos and Ana off on the way to London.”

He nodded, “got it all planned out, haven’t ye?”

She stroked his face and bit her lip, which made him groan. “Can I kiss ye love? It feels like it’s been forever?”

She smiled and wrapped her arms round his neck, “Of course Mr Mor.”

“Connor, call me Connor, or Con, not Irish or Mr Mor.”

“Connor,” she said offering her mouth. Which he took full advantage of.

A little while later he said hoarsely, “that bit of ground looks comfortable over there, do you think we might-”

“God yes,” she panted, pulling at his clothing.

In a few minutes they had shed their clothes and made it onto the ground with the clothes under her to protect her. The sun beat down on his back and a light breeze cooled the sweat on his skin. “When we’re married,” he said with a groan as he eased inside her, “I’m going to do this slowly.”

“Yes, yes, just not now!” she said urgently, moving under him.

“No,” he panted. “Not now. Oh, fuck Callista I love you.”

“I love you too!” she said arching up into him.

When they returnedto the ship just on sunset, Callista felt scoured out by the events of the day, but also at peace and happier than she could ever remember feeling. Her heart was full to overflowing with a love she didn’t think she would ever be blessed to have.

The slaves, freed from their collars, by McTavish and joyous with their emancipation, set to with a will to clean up the slave ship and convert it into a habitable vessel for the trip to Freetown. She put Coats in command of the vessel with Adebayo as his bosun. There were a large number in bad need of medical attention and Dr Liang and Mr Chetwynde were very busy.

Ana was recovering in her father’s cabin, and she found a bandaged Carlos and Mick sharing a flask of grog in celebration.

“Is he dead?” asked Carlos as soon as he saw her. Please tell me he’s dead?”

“He is,” she swallowed and swiped the flask for a quick swig. Her stomach still had a tendency to heave with the memory. “How is Ana?”

Carlos looked sad. “She would do nothing by cry and ask me to forgive her. I never forgive myself!”

Mick cleared his throat and said, “the doctor examined her. She’s taken no lasting physical harm beyond a few bruises, but the other kind of damage-” He stopped, his face working. “I’m glad he’s dead but it doesn’t stop her pain.”

“Any other casualties?”

“Fury took a hit, not sure if he will pull through, Petey and Lob both got cut up but are fine,” said Mick, swallowing more grog.

Callista nodded, “I’ll visit Fury in a bit.” and looked at her boots. She was conscious of Connor on the other side of the deck talking to Chen and Adebayo about supplies. The extra supplies they had collected at Flores could now be used to feed the freed slaves. She felt guilty for how happy she was and itched to have him closer. They had discussed when to announce their engagement and decided to wait until they reach Freetown. Which meant continuing the charade of their pretended indifference to one another.

Perez’ crew that had survived the boarding (only half a dozen, found hiding in the hold of the ship), were all under lock and key and would remain so until they reached Freetown, when they would be turned over to the Commission for charging.

She wondered what else she needed to worry about. It all felt a bit anticlimactic after Perez death. His murder. The voice in her head prodded her. He murdered my parents! She prodded back and shut the voice up with a mental shove.

Later in her bunk,she rolled into Connor and rubbed her cheek on his bare chest.

“Happy love?” he asked stroking her bare shoulder.

“Yes,” she said. “But I feel strange.”

“How so?”

“There is a Perez sized hole inside me. I obsessed over him for so long, now he’s gone I’m not sure what to do with myself.”

“That’s easy,” he said pulling her closer. “You can obsess over me instead.”

She slapped his chest with a laugh. “Be serious.”

“I am being serious.” He rolled to prop his head on his arm and look at her. “Do ye want children?”

She opened her mouth and shut it again. “I don’t know. Not yet, maybe someday?” She swallowed a throat gone too tight. Finally, she managed to say, “Do you?”

“Aye. I do.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t sound so dismayed, I can wait,” he stroked her cheek and lifted her face towards him. “I can see it’s upset ye, me asking.”

“I don’t know how to be a mother,” she said softly. “I never had one.”

“Oh sweetheart,” he said softly pulling her close. “I lost me mam and me dad when I was five. I know what it’s like to be alone.”

“All on your own at five?”

“Aye, I grew up tough. Same as you.” his arms tightened round her. “We’ve got each other now. And our children will have us, yes?”

She nodded dumbly against his chest. Closing her eyes and she sighed. “This happiness business is going to take some getting used to.”

He chuckled and pulled her closer. “Aye my darling, but I’m up for it, if ye are.”

“Hmm,” she murmured nuzzling into him.

On board the Esperanza,Afia and Omari helped her father to spread the word about Freetown and organise the able-bodied to assist with clean-up of the ship. Her heart was still aching with the news of the loss of her mother and little sisters, but there was no time for grief right now, there was so much to be done. The Chinese doctor and her male assistant spent hours treating the sick. And the crew of the Sea Devil brought food and water to feed everyone.

They would sail for Freetown in Sierra Leone in two days, when the repairs to the hull were completed.

A shout made her pause in the scrubbing of the deck. She got to her feet and went to the rail to see what the noise was about. Omari joined her, and they watched as sea creatures jumped out of the water and plunged back in a graceful arc.

“What are they?” asked.

“Dolphins,” said her father stopping behind her.

“They’re beautiful,” she breathed.

“Yes, daughter, they are.”

Omari slipped an arm round her waist and hugged her to his side. “We survived Afia. I said we would.”

“Thanks to Azaka,” she murmured.

“Aye, thanks to Azaka,” said her father, his hands on each of their shoulders. Together the three of them watched the dolphins leap and play as the sun sunk into the horizon, throwing orange light across the sea.