Raider of the Lost Heart
Chapter 2:
A/N: Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing and for all of the alerts and favorites! I'm really excited to be working on this story and I'm so so thrilled that all of you are showing an interest in it!
Disclaimer: These characters are not mine; I didn't write the Twilight books, Stephenie Meyer did. Hope you enjoy it; suggestions, comments and constructive criticisms are welcome; In other words please do REVIEW! ;p
Warning: piracy, D/S themes, lemons, and corporal punishment/spanking will ensue;so if you don't like it, don't read it!
and now, without further ado, let the piracy continue…
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The late afternoon sun's golden rays danced on the pristine, blue waters surrounding the nameless ship. Captain Edward Cullen leaned back in his captain's chair; propping his black, leather boots up on his mahogany bureau. The day had been a glorious one indeed, his plunder from their latest raid had been plentiful, and he was contented with his life; for the moment.
He thought back to all that had taken place over the past six months; all that he and the crew had accomplished. They had become legends in the pirate world, almost overnight; known for their countless spoils and ample amounts of plunder. In addition to their tons of treasure, he and his company were now wanted criminals in several cities and islands; something they were shamelessly proud of.
In spite of their long reining glory, Edward remained astonished by their accomplishments, and had been proud to gloat over any and all who had doubted him in their success. One such nonbeliever was his First Mate. Emmett had point blank deemed the voyage doomed from the start of their expedition; saying that a ship with no name, thirteen crewmembers, and a woman on board was bound for devastation. However, now that they were all so victorious in their feat and now that Emmett was regularly accompanying Miss Hale in her bedchamber, he had no more qualms with his Captain's methods.
Edward's liquid gold eyes shot downward as he felt a peculiar sensation causing friction against his sturdy upper thigh. "Jake" Edward smiled, removing his feet from his desk top, and leaning forward to pat the head of the russet colored Labrador, who had been nuzzling his lap.
Jacob was the newest member of their company; one of the crew had found him drifting about in an abandoned rowboat a few months back, thus he had remained with them ever since. He was a loyal companion, a very clever dog, and ever since his joining the crew, the ship had had little to no rats; something that Rosalie had been most grateful for.
Out of the stillness a canon sounded with a loud boom, causing the nameless ship to rock most violently in the thrashing waves; both Captain and mutt jumped up in alertness. "What in the blazes was that?" Jake whimpered; ears perked up.
Then came a hasty wrapping on Edward's chamber door; he peered over at the door, spotting Peter through the opaque, glass portal. "Enter" Edward instructed; sensing the urgency in Peter's knock. Peter flung open the door and before Edward could inquire further, he blabbered "it's the Volturi Captain_" Edward's heart skipped a beat; what did they want with him now?
The Volturi were the royalty of the pirate world; they enforced the pirate codes, and ruled the seas with an iron fist. They were collectors of antiquities and raiders of art, jewels, and of course, gold. The last account, in which Edward had found himself in the presence of the three pirate kings, was when he and his crew had unknowingly trespassed on the Volturi's territory. Aro, the head of the clan, had then insistently requested an audience with him, in which he forced Edward and his crew to relinquish 60% of their treasure as payment for trespassing.
"Captain? Sir_" Peter hedged
Edward came out of his daze, "Yes of course" he stalked across his chambers and up to the deck; Jake and Peter at his heels.
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Demetri and Felix, two of the Volturi's brooding henchmen, stood before Edward; they were shroud in blackened frock coats with equally dark waistcoats, and breeches; their appearance, alone, was daunting.
"Gentlemen" Edward greeted them
"The pirate kings would like a word with you." Demetri sneered; motioning towards the Volturi's ship which was floating nearby.
"Naturally" Edward replied coolly.
Emmett and Rosalie, who stood at Edward's flanks, edged closer to him; wanting to protect their captain, wanting to accompany him onto the enemy's ship. But Edward gave them a stern look and a nod, signifying that they were to remain aboard the nameless ship and that they were not to question his judgment; after all he had yet to lead them astray.
The Volturi's henchmen eyed each other meaningfully at the trio's exchange, but remained silent as they escorted Captain Cullen onto their ship.
Volterra was a magnificent ship; it was massive and exuded the very meaning of elegance. Though Edward doubted that their ship was faster than his nameless one; after all, his ship was built with speed in mind, and this ship was far too bogged down to reach such high speeds.
Edward was showed into the kings' chamber; it was not much grander than his own chamber, save for the three, gold leaf and mother of pearl embellished thrones which were placed in the center of the richly lavish room. Aro, Caius and Marcus were seated in the thrones; they too were dressed in dark clothing, though each of them sported a magnificent tricorn hat adorned with a large white feather.
"Aaahhh, Captain Cullen, so pleasant to see you once again. I am presuming that you are well?" Aro spoke with an air of importance; he drummed his thin, spindly fingers against one another, causing his jewel incrusted rings to glimmer and reflect the surrounding candlelight.
"Yes, quite" It was best to keep ones responses short whilst with the kings; never mind the pleasantries, they wanted something of him, and he was determined to find out precisely what it was.
"We have a proposition for you young sir," Caius hissed
"I'm intrigued" Edward bluffed; in truth, he wanted nothing more than to return to his company in great haste.
"We have been observing you over the past several months Cullen," Marcus explained calmly "and we have taken an interest in your work."
My work? Edward thought to himself, what could they have heard of my work? "What do you know of my work sirs?"
"Calm yourself Captain Cullen," Aro reprimanded, "we mean you no ill will; we simply wish to extend an employment opportunity to you. That is, if you desire to join us amongst our company?"
Edward blinked; he was nothing short of astounded by their offer. He, Captain Edward Anthony Cullen, would have nothing to do with those villains; not if he could help it. They took piracy to levels of heinousness that even he could not condone; murder, rape and the trafficking of young women were not on his agenda. Swindling and swashbuckling was all well and good, but the Volturi's brand of piracy was something that Edward disagreed most vehemently with.
"Well?" Caius prompted; edgily "What think you?"
"Patience Caius," Aro reasoned softly "let the young man deliberate on our proposal." Aro turned back to look at the young captain who stood before him. "We have incentives of course; you would captain three ships in our fleet, have an equal share in our riches and…" Aro waved a hand at the chamber door which opened to reveal: two of the Volturi's henchmen restraining a beautiful young maiden who was dressed in men's clothing; her face was downcast and tousled tendrils of her brunette hair shielded her face. "A gift we picked up on route" Aro explained casually; as if giving a woman as a bribe was an everyday occurrence.
Edward was appalled. He didn't want to become a member of the Volturi, but he could not leave this poor young maiden with the kings; who knew what unspeakable terrors would await her there. "Such generous offers my Kings; I shall have to consider this matter with the utmost attention."
"Excellent Captain," Aro nodded pleasantly "We shall have her sent to your chambers" he then clapped his hands twice and the struggling maiden was taken from the room.
Captain Cullen's eyes followed after her; he was at a loss for words. This was all too much, he couldn't stand it any longer; he had to get off of this godforsaken ship! Thus, determinately, he fought to find his voice, "Well then, if there will be nothing further...?" he slowly started backing out of the chamber.
"Yes that will be all, my dear boy. Good bye" Aro grinned
"We shall call upon you in due course; look for our sails come autumn that is when we shall require your response to our offer." Caius warned
"Farewell" Marcus offered as Edward left the chamber and made his way back to his nameless ship.
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"Captain what in the name of Neptune is going on?" Emmett interrogated him as he reached the safety of his own ship.
Jake was barking, jumping and licking his master; he was overjoyed by the Captain's return. "Down Jake." Edward hushed the excitable beast.
"Yes, what has happened?" Rosalie urged.
They were all closing in on him now; the entire crew was staring at him, all frozen in various poses. Sensing his crew's apprehension, and not really feeling up to explaining every single detail of his meeting to them, Edward excused himself; he needed time to regroup."Your Captain is weary from his meeting with the Volturi." he announced, while pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. "Questions will be answered only after he has dined."
Although the crew was evidently peeved by their Captain's response, they nodded, unfroze and continued on with their work. Edward made to leave his troop, but was halted by his First Mate. "Oh and Captain; one more question," Emmett leaned in close, dropping his voice to a whisper. "Why is there a maiden waiting for you in your chambers?"
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SOOOO?
What think you lol?
Are we sailing in the right direction? ;p
REVIEW and I shall continue!