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Home / Voyage of Death and Desire (The Vampires of Charleston Book 1) / 4. Bath, Food, and Pirates Not Necessarily in That Order

4. Bath, Food, and Pirates Not Necessarily in That Order

FOUR

bath, food, and pirates: not necessarily in that order

"Elsbeth." My mother's voice echoes through my mind. I fight to open my eyes, willing them to cooperate. "How is she?" she asks.

"She woke up yesterday and talked to me a little. Her color has returned," a deep voice answers. Yesterday? How long have I been asleep?

"Bless you, sir. You didn't have to stay with her the entire time. She could've come back to our room."

Heavy boots move across a wooden floor. "How long has she had these…these convulsions?"

"Since she was a baby," Mama answers.

"When she woke up, she told me the villagers thought she was possessed. Is that true?"

"Aye," Mama answers softly. "She was an outcast and forbidden to marry."

The sound of a deep sigh fills the room. "That's preposterous. She's no more possessed than anyone else on the ship."

"Aye. After…after her father died, we had no choice but to leave our home."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Abernathy."

"Aye, me too."

My eyes still refuse to open to join in the conversation that's all about me. "If you're okay with it, I'd like to keep her in here where I can watch her."

"What about your position?" Mama asks.

"Smith can handle it. Elsbeth is more important at the moment."

"Aye, she is. Thank you, Captain Rex." I hear the door close, taking what I assume is my mother out of the room.

Heavy boots move closer. "Continue to heal, acushla." I recognize the Gaelic term of endearment he uses for me. Why?

……

I have no idea how much time has passed when my eyes finally open again. Just as he promised, Thorne is still by my side, asleep in the chair. My father would sit with me after my fits. Seeing Thorne in the same position brings tears to my eyes and emotions I'm not prepared to deal with to the surface.

"Thorne?" I wake him.

"Elsbeth? "

"Aye. I'm better." I sit up, using my own strength. "How long have I been in your room?"

"Three days," he answers.

I stare at the giant man in front of me. A short beard has grown on his previously clean-shaven face. His hair is disheveled, and his clothes are a wrinkled mess. "Are you okay?"

A smile covers his face as he lifts one side of his mouth higher than the other. "Aye. Your mother has been by many times to check on you."

"She worries about me."

"She's not the only one."

I stretch my legs and slide them to the edge of his bed. "Thank you for taking care of me." I stand, wobbling on my weak limbs. Thorne is at my side instantly, helping steady me.

"How about some fresh air?"

"I'd love that." He wraps my arm through his, and we carefully move to a private deck off the back of the ship. The wind is just what I needed. I take a deep breath, filling my lungs with the sea air.

"Your mother told me you had to leave after your father died."

"Aye. Mama had no way to earn an income."

"I'm sorry about your father. I imagine that was hard."

"It was my fault." Thorne stares at me in silence. I close my eyes, willing the words to come out without tears. "I was working with him in the field near our home. It was something all the children did daily." I take a deep breath, clearing my mind. "That morning, my father and I were working on a new field he wanted to plant for the next season. My brothers were on the opposite field, planting seeds." I look over the railing, focusing on the sea below. "I began to convulse. I was tired and thirsty, which makes the spells worse. My father ran to help me. When he reached me, I was shaking so badly that he wasn't able to hold me. He fell backward, hitting his head on one of the rocks waiting to be cleared." I wipe tears from my eyes. "He died, and I couldn't do anything but watch him bleed to death as I shook uncontrollably. It was my fault. I killed him."

"Elsbeth, I'm so sorry. You have to know it wasn't your fault. You had nothing to do with his falling. It was a horrible accident."

"It was my fault. If he hadn't tried to help me, he wouldn't have fallen. I killed him."

Thorne wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to his side. "I'm so sorry." I don't answer. Instead, I bury my head into his shoulder. The warmth of his touch is almost more than I can handle. I've never been this close to a man, for that matter, never wanted to. Being this close to Thorne, I want more. Several minutes of silence pass before he pulls away, allowing the cold air to seep where we were once connected. "You need to eat."

My stomach growls on command. "I usually can't hold anything down for a while when this happens. "

"How about soup? I can ask the cook to make some fresh soup."

"I could use a bath. I feel gross."

Thorne smiles. "I can make that happen." He turns, pulling me gently behind his back into his quarters. He moves quickly to a long box against the wall, lifting the top off. I see the glimmer of a metal tub inside. "I'll have one of the women come to help you."

"Seriously? I can use your bathtub?"

"Aye." He smiles wide with my excitement. He guides me to the tub, pulling it from the cabinet. "If you'll excuse me, I'll go find the young woman for the water and see about that soup."

"Thank you." My words feel inadequate.

"You're welcome, Elsbeth." His eyes linger on mine for longer than necessary. "Excuse me," he whispers before leaving me alone in the lavish room. I don't know how to wait and feel awkward trying to figure it out. Thankfully, I don't wait long before the young girl I recognize from fleeing our stateroom enters the quarters.

"Hello," she says with a wide smile.

"Hello," I answer.

"Captain Rex asked me to bring you hot water for a bath."

"Thank you," I answer, still not sure what to say.

"My name is Cora. What's yours?"

"Elsbeth. How old are you?"

"Seventeen. "

"Are you alone on the ship?"

Cora laughs. "No, my father works for Captain Rex. I'm allowed to come with him."

"You like being here?"

She shrugs. "I guess. Can I help you undress?"

"No." I shake my head for extra emphasis. "I can manage. Can I help you with the water?"

"I'm going to heat it over the fire. It shouldn't take long."

She pulls a heavy pot from a spot I hadn't even noticed and hangs it on a hook in the fireplace. I watch as she moves toward the tub, pulling a dressing screen from the wall and spreading it in front of the tub area. "This will give you some privacy." She pulls a few items from the cabinet, setting them next to the tub. "Here is some lye."

"Thank you, Cora." I slip behind the screen and slowly pull my gross clothes away from my body. I smell like a sailor who's been at sea for a year. Lowering into the tub, I wrap my arms around me, feeling exposed.

"Coming in," she warns, bringing the hot cauldron with her. "It doesn't take long in this pot. Pull your feet back so ya don't get burned."

I do as she suggests, and she pours the water into the tub. The moment the heat hits me, my muscles relax almost instantly. The water stops at my waist. "I'm going to get a bit more," she says, disappearing from behind the screen. I lie back in the tub, relishing the heat as it passes through my body.

Cora returns quickly, pouring more water and bringing the level to my neck. "Thank you."

"Aye, you keep saying that." She laughs as she speaks.

"It's because I'm grateful." I laugh with her.

"I'll give you some privacy. Captain Rex requested soup for ya. I'll bring it back after you're clean."

"Than—"

"Don't thank me, Elsbeth. It's my job." She disappears, leaving me alone in the room. Sinking into the tub, I lower my head under the water. It takes three scrubs with the soap before I begin to feel like my hair is clean. I scrub the rest of my body, not surprised that the water turns cloudy almost instantly.

"I brought you some soup and a clean dress," Cora announces, coming back into the room.

"A clean dress?" I've worn the same dress for the past month.

"Aye. It's got a few mended holes, but it's clean and smells better than the one you're wearing." She sets the clean clothes behind the screen. "You'll find a cloth to dry yourself with there as well."

I climb from the now cold water and find the clothes and drying cloth she left for me. The fabric of the cloth is rough but feels good against my skin. The dress is worn but she's right. It smells good and is soft. I put on the different layers, relishing the cleanliness. Several minutes later, I slide back the screen, finding a steaming bowl of soup waiting on the table.

"It's not much," Cora says, picking up the rags of my original dress. "I hope you like mushrooms."

"It smells wonderful," I answer, taking the spoon into my mouth. After a hot bath and a warm meal, I feel better than I have in a while.

"I'll leave you to it," Cora says, leaving me alone again.

I finish the soup, making sure to clean up the mess from my bath. "You look beautiful," Thorne says, coming back into the room.

"Thank you. I smell better." I laugh.

"Shall we go for a walk on deck, Miss Abernathy?" His thick Scottish brogue turns into formal English as he offers me his arm.

"Aye, I'd like that."

He loops my arm through his, and we exit the main door, heading toward the helm. "Captain on deck!" Smith yells from behind the wheel. I watch as the men stop what they're doing and salute Thorne.

"Do they always do that?" I ask.

"Aye. It feels a little too formal to me, but it's required, so I deal with it."

"Captain?" Smith says from the helm. "The lookouts have spotted a ship in the distance."

"What kind of ship?" he asks.

"Too far away to know. She's got four sails." The two men share a look .

"What does that mean?" I ask.

Thorne turns back toward me. "It's too early to know. Most likely a cargo vessel on its way back home." He turns back to his first mate. "Keep me informed."

"Aye, Captain." We walk toward the bow of the ship, allowing Thorne to get a better view of the approaching vessel.

"Should we be worried?"

"We'll soon find out. They're clearly moving in our direction."

"Are you concerned?"

"Nothing to be concerned about at this point." The tone of his voice betrays his words.

I stare into the sea, trying to get a better view. Other than the sails, I can't see much. Movement below grabs my attention. "What was that?" I ask, pointing at the water.

"I don't see anything. What did you see?"

"I'm not sure. Something large breached the surface."

Thorne peers over the deck. "Most likely a dolphin. My men caught an injured one a few weeks ago. Sometimes they like to swim with the ships."

I stare into the water, seeing the movement again. This time something that looks like dark fabric surfaces before disappearing again. "Do dolphins wear clothes?"

"What?" he asks, following my line of sight. "What did you see?"

"I'm not sure, but it looked like fabric." Together, we look over the side. When the creature surfaces again, it's obvious that it's not a dolphin. "What was that, Thorne?"

"I don't know," he answers. He turns toward the helm. "Smith, do you see anything in the water?"

"No, sir!" he yells back. "Spotters!" Smith yells toward the men on top of the lookout post. "Is there something in the water?"

The men above stare down, searching for what we just saw. When the creature breaches the surface for the third time, it's obvious there is no creature, but a man. "What the hell?" Thorne whispers. "Elsbeth, get inside."

"She stays," the voice I heard from the water days earlier whispers. A man emerges from the water, fully dressed. He climbs the bow of the ship, scaling the wood unlike any human I've ever seen.

"Elsbeth, get to safety, please." Thorne pulls a long sword from his belt, holding it between me and the creature.

I turn, ready to follow orders, when the man jumps onto the deck several feet in front of us. "Maybe you misunderstood me," he hisses. "I said, she stays." He's wearing black pants and a loose-fitting black shirt. His dark hair is tied behind his neck and tied with a black cloth.

"Who are you, sir?" Thorne asks.

The man moves closer. His movements remind me of a predator on the prowl .

"Who I am is of no concern. Give me the girl."

"You are in no position to demand anything of me, sir," Thorne retorts. "You are trespassing on my ship, and I demand you leave."

The man laughs, showing two sharp teeth in front. Chill bumps cover my skin. "I don't believe you are in the position to demand anything." He looks around the ship, spotting the sailors awaiting their leader's command. "Your men will be no help to you."

"Those men will kill you on my word."

The creature moves so fast, I can't track him. A scream sounds from my right. I turn, finding a young sailor lying in a pool of blood and the creature behind him. "How efficient are your men now?"

"What the bloody hell?" Thorne asks.

"Should I kill a few more?" the man responds. "Give me Elsbeth." His words are slow and calculated.

"What do you want with me?" I ask. My voice is no louder than a whisper.

He stalks closer. "Your pain calls to me. I can help you. I can fix the convulsions and make you live forever. Free of your pain. Free of the demonic possession that fills you."

"I am not possessed."

The creature laughs. "You don't truly believe that. You didn't believe that after you killed your father."

"How…how do you know about that?"

He smiles, showing the sharp teeth again. "I have my ways. "

"I don't want to live forever."

"Surrender yourself, or everyone aboard this vessel will die."

Thorne moves closer to the man. "You'll have to go through me first."

"I like that idea," he responds.

"No. I won't allow you to die for me." I turn back toward the creature. "If I go with you, do I have your word that you will spare the rest of the ship?"

"Yes," his voice slurs.

"Elsbeth, you can't possibly be considering this. He's not a threat. My men will take him."

"Your naivety is amusing." He turns toward the oncoming ship. "That ship contains many of my kind. You won't win. We will slaughter every soul on board, starting with you and her family." He licks his lips, turning toward me. "They're below, aren't they?" He lifts his head to the sky. "I can smell them from here."

Thorne raises his sword high, charging at the creature. The man moves seconds before Thorne makes contact with him, sending the captain into the railing. He turns quickly, finding the creature on the other side of him. "How do you move so quickly?"

A deep laugh echoes off the sea below. "It's simply what I do, boy." He turns back toward me. "Come now, Elsbeth. Is his death worth it? Are their deaths worth it?" He motions to the crowd gathered around, swords held at their chest.

"Elsbeth?" a familiar voice says from behind me. I turn, finding Charles standing in the doorway to the stateroom hall. "What's going on?"

"Go back to the room now!" I demand.

The creature lifts his nose high in the air once more and smiles. "Your brother is calling you, Elsbeth. He is your brother, isn't he? I smell the family bond."

"Elsie?" Charles continues.

"Charles, go inside."

"Yes, Charles, go inside," the creature mimics my words.

"Captain, the ship is close!" a man yells from the lookout.

"Oh, look. They're here." He turns back toward me. "Come, Elsbeth."

Thorne raises his sword high. "She's not going anywhere with you."

"Are you going to let him make decisions for you? I thought you were stronger than that."

"I'm not going with you."

I blink, and the creature is gone. Fear fills me. I turn, finding my worst fear coming true. Charles's eyes are huge as the monster stands behind him with long fingernails pressed against his throat.

"No!" I scream. "Leave him alone."

Charles closes his eyes, hoping to hide the tear that just escaped. "Take me instead," he whispers.

"How sweet. The relationship between siblings isn't always so loving."

The creature's mouth contorts, and the fangs from earlier grow even larger. He bites into Charles's neck. Seconds later, his lifeless body lands with a sickening thud on the deck.

"Vampire," Smith whispers from the helm.

The creature turns toward the first mate and bows dramatically. "One of the many names my kind are called."

"Charles," I cry toward the lifeless body of my brother. Blood surrounds his remains. Memories of my father's body, lying in a similar pool of blood, flood into my mind.

"Come, Elsbeth," the creature says, reaching his hand toward me.

"No!" Thorne warns. "I won't allow it."

"Clearly, you are in no position to allow anything." He turns toward me. "Once that ship reaches this one, everyone will die. Come with me now, and I'll allow them to live."

"Everyone?" My voice is shaky.

"Everyone," he echoes.

I slip my hand inside of his and close my eyes. "Good girl," he says before lifting me into the sky.

"No!" Thorne's voice is the last thing I hear before the world goes dark.

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