21. Why Me?

TWENTY-ONE

why me?

"He escaped in a pirate ship?" Francis asks, for the fourth time. "A real pirate ship?

"Aye," Thorne answers. "The same one he had three hundred years ago." Francis has been asking him questions since we returned to Charleston a few hours ago.

Pictures of Kragen's ship have been plastered all over social media, as people follow the journey of the pirate down the Outer Banks of North Carolina. To humans, it's a spectacle. To me, it's a threat.

"He's coming here," Luna says, watching the latest news broadcast featuring the ship. "He's going to park the damn thing in Charleston and come for a visit."

"This is so exciting," Francis exclaims. "I get to be part of the action."

"Would he seriously be dumb enough to come here?" Micah asks.

"Yes," Thorne and I answer in unison .

The doorbell rings and Francis scurries towards the door, returning moments later with the three vampires from the Outer Banks. "It seems you have some friends," Francis says, bringing them into the room.

"Abram, Elias, Samirah," Thorne greets the vampires with a nod. "Thank you for coming."

"Abram suggested you might need our help," Samirah answers, nodding toward the man with striking features. His skin is coffee-colored, while his eyes are pale blue. The contrast between the two is beautiful together.

"We're here to see this through," Abram answers. "That was the most fun I've had in decades." He smiles, moving closer. "Abram Davis." He holds his hand toward me. "I'm afraid we weren't properly introduced before."

"Elsbeth Abernathy," I answer, shaking his large hand.

"How do you three know Thorne?"

The other man, Elias, smiles before answering. "It's a long story."

"It seems we have plenty of time," Francis answers, pointing at the slow-moving ship plastered across the television.

"We're from Savannah."

"Oh, what a beautiful city," Francis interrupts. "I've been there many times."

"It is," Elias continues. "Several years ago, we had a bit of trouble with a young vampire. The young man became obsessed with a young lycan female who didn't return his affection."

"A fatal attraction type thing?" Luna asks.

Elias smiles, clearly not understanding her famous movie reference. "The young woman was the daughter of the Alpha and didn't want to be with the vampire."

"To make a long story short," Samirah interrupts. "Nothing personal, Elias, but we all know you enjoy the sound of your own voice." She winks at the blonde vampire. "The vampire didn't take it well and threatened to expose both communities to the unsuspecting humans. Thorne helped us resolve the issue."

"That sounds familiar," Luna adds, nudging Thorne with her shoulder. "Maybe that's where you came up with the idea?"

"No matter the reason, thank you for your help. I'm not sure we could've done it without you," I answer.

"What is that vampire to you?" Samirah asks from across the room.

"My maker," I answer truthfully.

"He's the asshole that kidnapped her three hundred years ago off my ship," Thorne adds.

"He kidnapped you?" Samirah questions.

"Yeah. I escaped a hundred years later and have been on the run ever since."

"That's horrible. I'm sorry that happened to you," Elias answers for the group.

"So, let's go storm the pirate ship and kick his ass," Francis says, standing behind the vampires .

"You're human?" Elias asks the elderly woman, already knowing the answer.

Francis stands a little straighter. "I am." She looks at Thorne. "He's my great-great-great-grandfather."

Samirah smiles widely. "Is that for real?"

"Aye," Thorne answers, matching her smile. "I am."

"Is there a plan for the ship and Kragen?" Abram asks as he sits on the overstuffed couch.

I share a look with Thorne. "No," I answer truthfully. As far as we know, Kragen and Bertram are the only two aboard. Whoever tries to step foot on board will be killed."

"But you think he's coming here?" Samirah asks.

"Aye," Thorne chimes in.

"Why? What's so special about Charleston?" Elias joins the conversation.

"It's not the city," I answer. "It's me. He's chased me for nearly two hundred years."

"Please don't take this the wrong way, but what is so special about you ?" Abram asks the question I've wondered for centuries.

I shrug. "I don't know. I've asked the same question through the years."

Thorne moves to my side and pulls me close. "He's not going to get to you again."

"Maybe she needs to go to him," Samirah volunteers.

"Hell, no," Thorne interrupts.

"What do you have in mind, Samirah?" I ask .

"I found something while you were gone," Francis interrupts. "It didn't make much sense until now." She moves toward a large book on the edge of the dining room table. "This is one of the books that have been in the house for centuries. I don't know where it came from, to be honest, or what made me look through it while you were gone, but something grabbed my attention." She opens it to a paper sticking out of the end and begins skimming over the page. "Here." She points, reading out loud.

"Those cursed by Eudora are bound to walk the earth and sea for all eternity."

"What's a Eudora?" Micah asks.

Francis flips through a few more pages to an image of an older woman, surrounded by raging seas, with her hair and clothing blowing in the wind. "Eudora is a sea witch. This is her."

"A sea witch?" Luna interrupts. "Like from the Disney movie? The one who stole Ariel's voice?"

"According to what I've read, witches take on many forms and elements. A sea witch lives in or near water," Francis answers, ignoring Luna's question. "Some are stronger than others, and a few wield powers from other worlds."

"Yep, like the Disney movie." Luna folds her arms over her chest .

"Meaning that Eudora must be very strong," Samirah adds.

"Aye. A person bound to walk the earth and sea for all eternity sounds like a vampire," Thorne says what I'm thinking.

"What does this have to do with Kragen and his obsession with me?" I ask, not sure where this is leading.

Francis continues reading.

"Those cursed by the witch can only die through the hands of a female offspring."

"What does that mean?" Elias asks. "A female offspring? Vampires can't have children."

"No, but they can create them." Thorne fills in the blanks. He turns toward me. "Besides you, did Kragen create any other female vampires?"

"Not that I saw, but a lot could've happened in two hundred years, or for that matter, before I was made."

"There's more," Francis says, interrupting.

"The cursed or those cursed by him will not be permitted to harm the female."

"In other words, Kragen or any of his creations cannot kill you," Abram translates.

"That's all well and good, but what's to keep someone much older than him from ending his life?" Micah asks.

"Nothing," I answer. "What are the chances of finding a vampire that is older and is willing to kill Kragen?"

"Slim," Thorne answers. "Viktor was ancient, but he's no longer on Earth. We have no idea how old Kragen is."

"I do," I whisper to the crowd in the room. "He told me once." I look up to see every pair of eyes patiently waiting for me to continue. "He was born in Brittania during the first century."

"The first century?" Micah repeats. "That makes him over two thousand years old."

Thorne turns toward me. "I mean no offense, but how could you overtake someone that strong?"

"I couldn't," I answer truthfully. "I can't."

Luna stands, moving to the center of the room. "Okay, am I the only one who needs a recap?" She takes a deep breath. "Kragen is old, like old as fuck." She turns toward Francis, "I'm sorry, Ms. Francis." Francis waves her hand in dismissal. "Kragen is old," she continues. "The sea witch who turned him into a vampire cursed him so that only one of his female creations could kill him? Does this sound right so far?" The room nods in agreement. "Then why would he marry you off to that French asshole? Why not just hire someone to kill you? I doubt money is an issue for him. It seems out of character for him to bring you onto his ship just to marry you off."

Luna's right. It doesn't make any sense.

"Maybe he doesn't want to kill her. Maybe he wants to be the one to die," Francis says from behind the large book. "Maybe he's ready to die, and Elsie is the only person on Earth capable of doing it."

"That's insane," Elias argues. "I've heard stories of this lunatic forever. I've never met a vampire who wanted to die."

"You've never met a vampire as old as he is," Francis argues.

"Then why all the theatrics?" I ask the room.

"Everything Kragen does is for attention. Why would his death be any different?" Thorne answers.

"He knew you'd come to rescue me." I put the puzzle pieces together. "The ship was all part of his plan. He wanted things to happen just the way they did."

"Then we need to keep up with his plan," Micah says. "No doubt he's waiting for you to come looking for him. You need to oblige him," Micah repeats Samirah's words from earlier.

"They're right," I agree. Thorne rubs a hand through his hair, sighing deeply with my words. "If he's ready to die, I need to give him what he wants."

"What if everyone's wrong? What if he kills you? You don't stand a chance against him if he puts up a fight."

"He's not going to," Francis says, sitting down. "I may not be chronologically the oldest person in this room, but I'm in the oldest vessel. I know what it's like to want to die. I know what it's like to have nothing to look forward to or live for." She pauses before continuing. "If Kragen's truly ready to die, then he's not going to fight. Hell, he's bringing a damn pirate ship with him as he comes. It's not like he's sneaking down the coast. He's not hiding anything."

Thorne sits next to his granddaughter. "I'm sorry you've felt like that in your life." He wraps an arm around her shoulders.

"Let her go to him," Francis continues.

Thorne closes his eyes in response. "What if?"

"No," she interrupts. "There are no what ifs. I'm right about this."

He looks up at me, tears welling in his eyes. "Are you sure about this?"

Am I sure about this? No, but I don't dare answer truthfully. "Aye," I lie instead.

"Tomorrow then," Thorne stands, moves to my side, and pulls me close. "Tonight, the lycan need to rest."

"And the human," Francis adds.

"You're not going with us," Thorne starts.

"Like hell, I'm not. Even if it's to watch from the banks of the Ashley River, I'm going. I may never get another chance to see a sight like this again. Putting my eyes on an actual pirate ship is a life goal. You can't deny me that."

Francis stands, turning toward her guests. "I know you don't require a place to sleep, but there are rooms upstairs with fresh linens if you'd like to lay down, and I have some clothing that's been left here throughout the years that might fit a few of you if you'd like to clean up a little."

"Thank you," Samirah answers for all of them. "That is very kind of you."

Thorn wraps a protective arm around my shoulders, leading me upstairs to the honeymoon suite. He opens the door, and the familiar scent hits me quickly. I was only here for a few days, but it became more of a home than anywhere I've been in my life.

"This was my room when I built the house," Thorne says, touching the fireplace mantle.

"Francis told me." I move behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist. "I'm going to be okay."

He turns, facing me. "You don't know that."

"No, I don't. But I refuse to think otherwise."

"I can't lose you again, Elsie."

"You won't." My lips crash into his in a frenzy of emotion. He matches my intensity, thrusting his tongue toward mine. The combination threatens to throw me over the edge. Strong hands reach behind my ass, lifting me and pulling me closer to him.

I wrap my legs around him as he carries me toward the bed without losing contact with my lips. Laying me on my back, he pulls away only long enough to take the filthy shirt he's wearing off.

"Get the pants while you're there." I smile with my words.

He follows directions and returns the smile. "You're kind of bossy."

"You know you like it," I retort.

"Aye." He stands in front of me completely naked, and I can't stop staring at the grand prize. Thorne reaches up, wrapping his hands around my thighs, and pulling me closer until the softest part of me meets the hardest part of him with my butt hanging off the side of the mattress. "Why are you still dressed?" he asks, teasing me with his touch.

"Because you were my top priority in the undressing department."

"We'll just have to fix that." He rips the leggings I found in Brittney's minivan with one pull, laying them next to me on the bed. "That's better."

"I liked those." I sit up, pulling my T-shirt and bra off.

"That's even better," Thorne says. His pupils are dilated, and his eyes are full of heat.

I wrap my arms and legs around his neck and waist, slowly lowering myself onto him. We sigh at the contact. Thorne moves his hands to my ass, urging me to move faster as the connection between us grows. "Damn, you feel so good," he whispers into my ear. His words bring chill bumps to the surface .

Without warning, he lowers me to the bed and steps away from the edge. Lifting my legs onto his shoulders, he kisses me in a place that's never been kissed before. Plunging his tongue deeper, he touches the part of me begging to be touched.

An embarrassing sigh escapes as the combination brings me to a full-fledged orgasm within seconds. My body begins to shake with his motions, begging for him to both stop and continue at the same time.

"Oh, my God," I sigh, coming down from the high.

"I'm just getting started." Thorne's words are sexy as hell as my body continues to relax. I want to make him feel as good as I do. As soon as my body settles, I don't ask permission. I lower to the ground, kneeling in front of him, and take every inch of him into my mouth. I slowly begin working my hands in conjunction with my tongue, massaging and sucking at the same time.

Thorne grabs the back of my head, pulling me closer. He begins to move faster, matching the pace of my hands, moving deeper and deeper into my mouth. "You better stop, or this is going to be over quicker than both of us want." He pants.

I pull backward, releasing him from my grip. He bends down, and his mouth finds mine in an instant as he lifts me in front of him again, this time walking with me in his arms until my back touches the wall. Wrapping my legs around his waist, he lowers me slowly, taking his time to allow each inch of him to fill me with desire.

His mouth never leaves mine as he continues to slide in and out slowly, exploring every inch of my body with his tongue and hands. In the three centuries I've been on this planet, I've never felt so alive or loved.

My breathing picks up along with his pace as he continues pushing into me. The smell of copper fills the air as my nails pierce his skin, hoping to pull him even closer to me.

The sensation begins low in my core, filling me even more. "Deeper," I whisper.

He follows directions, pushing until there's no room left to push. Our breathing matches pace as we continue moving in our choreographed dance until we cry out in unison. The overwhelming sensation filling my body is a mixture of love, tears, pain, hunger, and desire.

Thorne continues to shudder as the two of us stay connected. "I love you, Elsie," he breathes into my mouth.

"I love you, too, Captain."