Dawn of the Dark Side
Chapter Eight.
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Hello again! I haven't written much recently, I wanted to have a little break. But, I'm back now. Don't expect super fast updates; as I'll be trying to make longer chapters.
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Connor led Jasmine to his spacious cabin. At the far end of the cabin, was a round, large porthole, which let strong rays of the sun through. For that, the young dhampir was greatful. After being cooped up at sanctuary, with no windows in any room, it was a relief to be back where he belongs, somewhere less claustrophobic.
Jasmine sat herself on the edge of his bed; her glassy green eyes roved the room, as her hands rested on her lap. Just like her cabin, his was sparsely decorated. Time seemed to tick by slowly, as she waited for her boyfriend to compose himself. Lately, their relationship had become strained and it was as if there was no chemistry between them any longer.
Finally, Connor sat himself down beside Jasmine. "I guess I should apologise, I have been off with you recently." At that, he heard a barely audible huff. He sighed and racked his hand through his auburn hair. "I do like you, Jas. A lot. I've just had the most devastating news of my life so far." Taking a deep breath, he summoned his iron will to continue. "As you overheard earlier, my Father is… Sidorio". Jasmine listened intently to the disorientated young lieutenant. "The worst of it is that the man that brought me up wasn't my biological father. I thought he was, up until I got that letter from my Mother, Sally…" He left out how he got the letter, and how his Mother had appeared. It would be too much for her to take in all at once.
"I am so sorry," the ebony-haired young woman gasped. "I can't imagine how that must feel, Connor. But I can try to understand, and listen to whatever you have to say." She said, sympathetically.
Connor felt a red-hot flash of anger, directed at her. He didn't want her pity. What did she know? She has parents. They aren't nocturnal bloodsuckers, like his own Father. In comparison to him, she had it all easy. But the anger soon dissolved as fast as it had come. It wasn't her fault that his life was so screwed up.
Shaking his head, he pulled his knees up to his chest. "Thank you…But as much as I would like to believe that you will at some point understand, I can't. My life is really complicated, Jas. And I have to face the facts sooner or later. I'm not like you and everyone else. For now…I think it's best if we break-up. I need time and space, just to think and clear my head." The silence took hold of two pirates' again, but this time it was free from the awkwardness it was once laced with.
"Okay, Connor. I understand. But I'll always be here for you, if you want to talk..." The young lieutenant said sincerely, as she rose to her feet. Pushing down her sunglasses that had sat on top of her head, to shied her eyes from the sun. Jasmine sauntered toward the door, leaving to prepare for their epic rescue mission.
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"Okay! Calm down, Gracie." Johnny said, raising both of his hands in surrender. " I aint gonna say nothin'. Ol' Johnny isn't meant to be here, anyways." He shook his head in exasperation. He had known from the start that this would end badly. But his hermano had a way with words, so here he was. He was the missing the feast too and his hunger was so strong now.
"Then, what are you doing here, if you are 'not meant' to be here?" Tami's inquired, curiously. Her hands were set firmly across her chest, as she bent her head back to look up into the dark eyes of the tall vaquero. Grace too, was intrigued but she kept her silence. Her dazzling jade eyes bore into Johnny's warm brown orbs intently.
Scowling, Johnny glanced down at the teen vampire, with mild irritation. "I'm doing a favour for my hermano Stukeley." The Lieutenant of The Blood Captain pursed his lips tightly. Grace raised her eyebrows inquisitively; she had known Stukeley for a brief time before his death. But back then, he had been known as Jez. Connor, Bart and Cate had all been close friends with him and they were distraught when he had died in the duel, aboard The Albatross.
Tami pushed on, unperturbed by Johnny's burning eyes, which bore into her. "Well, there is certainly more to it, than what little bit of information you gave away." She ploughed on determinedly. "You have to have a solid motive, other than doing your friend a favour, for coming here." She tapped her foot impatiently on the wooden floor.
For a moment, the vaquero said nothing. The air in the room had turned tense, and Grace was sure it could be cut with a cutlass. After what seem like an eternity, the lieutenant finally relented. "Fine. But don't you lil' ladies go tellin' anyone this." He said, keeping his voice low. "My hermano has had a feelin' that somthin' isn't right, here, aboard The Vagabond. He thinks Lady Lola Lockwood is up to somthin' and it turns out he's right." He gazed pointedly at Grace, "she has a reason for havin' you here, Gracie. I don't know why or what Lady Muck is plannin' but if I were you, Gracie, I'd keep my guard up." Suddenly, his face changed. His face contorted into one of pure thirst. His eyes were black and burned with fire; his lips drew back, revealing his fangs that were lengthening fast. Grace was once more aware of the danger she was once again landed in. There was no way to escape.
Tami hissed and narrowed her astonishing azure eyes into slits. She stood protectively in front of her newfound friend, bearing her own sharp incisors'. "Get out of here, now!" She snapped, bending her knees, readying herself to attack. "Go feed your hunger elsewhere; you won't be sinking your teeth into Grace, not if I can help it." Snarling, she stared up at the elder vampire. Externally, she seemed to be handling the situation rather well. But inwardly, she was a wreck. She couldn't take on Johnny, if things did take a turn for the worse. But she would protect Grace; her only real friend.
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The moon still hung high in the sky; its bright silver rays illuminated the cliffs and the sandy beach. The sea was calm and the waves lightly lapped against the sand, before receding again. Lady Lola looped her thin arm around her fiancées thick bicep. "I have enjoyed our outing tonight darling." She said, in her clipped English voice and beamed up at him. Sidorio towered above her, his normally angry face was peaceful and his eyes shone.
"And I did too, Lola." He smiled, his gold fangs glittering in the moons rays. They sauntered along the beach in a comfortable silence, basking in the enjoyment of each others company. Their crews' were still feasting, and loud, hoarse screams were still carried by the wind.
"Our crewmembers seem to enjoy our joint feasting; the merging of our crews will only make us stronger." Lola commented, her smile as genuine as her voice. "I do love spending time with you, darling." With her spare hand, she removed her shoes from her delicate feet, and held them in her hand. Her small feet sunk into the damp sand and the water gently washed over them.
"Soon, you'll be the Queen of the Vampirates and I your King'. The captain of The Blood Captain said softly, as he turned to his equally evil lover. Scooping her up into his bulky arms, and laid a soft kiss on top of her forehead. "Dawn is only hours away, it is time to return to our ships." Lola nodded as her brute carried here towards her own ship, though it wasn't as large as his, it had its advantages.
"I presume you're lieutenants with sound the siren?" The captain of The Vagabond asked, as she stood at the side of her ship. Her silky hair spiralled down her back, in tight curls, as she tiled her head upwards to gaze into Sidorio's eyes.
"Stukeley will do it. No one has seen Desperado tonight." His face twisted into one of confusion. "Something isn't right, here." The Captain had thought his other lieutenant had acted strange earlier that night, when he had interrogated him. "The pair of them are up to something." He snarled angrily, his good mood washed away along with the receding waves.
"Don't worry about it, darling." Lady Lola Lockwood whispered, wrapping her small hand around his thick wrist. "Don't let them spoil our wonderful time out. We do not have proof that they are doing anything wrong; maybe the Mexican cowboy is feasting on his own tonight?"
Sidorio nodded, finally letting the rage drain from his face. But he couldn't quite let go of that feeling that there was most definitely something going on, something bad. But he'd let it go, for his beautiful Lola. After sharing a goodnight kiss, the King of the Vampirates watched as she climbed the rope that had been left hanging down the side of her ship.
Turning, he scoped the beach, hoping to find his remaining lieutenant. "Stukeley!" He roared, as his eyes fixed onto the dark-haired man. The lieutenant jumped, visibly startled. He ambled towards his captain, not daring to make him wait.
"Yes, Captain?" He now stood beside Sidorio, but his mind was somewhere else entirely.
"Sound the siren!" The captain bellowed. "Dawn is only a few hours away. I want everyone back aboard, and fast!" He was in no mood for games, that much was evident. Stukeley nodded, scrambling aboard The Blood Captain. He quickly sounded the siren and waited anxiously by the mainsail. Where are you, Johnny?! He thought, his apprehension rising as the crewmembers' piled on board the great galleon.
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Bo Yin pulled cutlass from its scabbard, the blade glittered in the evening sun. Cate stood before her, her epée drawn. The sun was starting to set and the two were going to fit in some practice sword lessons. Cate, Bart, Jacoby, Jasmine, Connor and Cheng Li would later set off on their rescue mission, to save Grace. Bo Yin, however, would be staying at the academy, where she would be safe from harm.
The two blades clashed and quickly separated. Bo Yin stood her ground, knees bent, her eyes sizing up her opponent. Cutlass Cate, she knew, was tough and she was smart. Bo Yin could not act recklessly; she wanted to show Cate, to show everyone, that she would make an excellent pirate. This was her chance.
Once again, the swords collided; the two pirates stood their ground. Bo Yin was well aware that Cate was going on easy on her, but that didn't make her any less determined to prove herself. She focused energy into her right arm and gave a mighty push and sent Cate back a few steps. She swiped at the deputy of The Diablo again, continuing to driver her back with each blow. But Cate wasn't going to let the young girl get too over confident and reinforced her attempts. She sent Bo Yin stumbling to the ground, with a magnificent counter attack.
Bo Yin stared at the tip of the sword, which was pointed at her heart. She knew when she was beaten. But the twelve-year-old wasn't disappointed or upset. She had done her best, and she was improving, she could feel it. The ebony-haired girl accepted Cate's hand and pulled herself up. She beamed up at the deputy, "That was fun, Cate! I nearly beat you, there." She grinned. "I think I could replace you, sometime." Her grin only widened.
Cate laughed heartily, shaking her head. "Don't get overconfident, Bo." She wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. "Come on Bo, it's time for you to see your room at the academy."
Together, the pair padded through the academy grounds. The sky was a mixture of deep reds, vibrant pinks, fiery oranges and bright yellows, as the sun continued to set. The moon would hopefully be out tonight, to guide the Vampirate assassins' through the dark oceans. With the help of Robin, the group should have no problems at all, navigating through the shadowy waters, to where their target was moored. They were completely unaware of what was coming their way.
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Cheng Li glanced at the map that was sprawled across her desk. It would take just under seven days to reach the set island, where they would meet up with the Vampirates from The Nocturne. Her dark eyes roved over the map, taking in all its detail, storing it safely in her mind. As a loud knock sounded through her cabin door, the captain of The Tiger tore her attention away from the map. "Come in," she called, in a loud, booming voice.
Connor stepped into the spacious cabin and closed the door behind him. "Can I talk to you, Captain Li?" He asked, seating himself on the wooden chair that was placed in front of her desk. His head was buzzing with thoughts and he needed an outlet for them.
The captain looked up, and clasped her hands together. "What is it, Connor?" She asked, a smile twisting at her lips. She rested her head on her hands gently, and her sharp eyes took in the way her lieutenant fidgeted in his seat.
Running a hand through his auburn hair, Connor bright green eyes darted across the room, distractedly. "I'm worried, Captain." He confided. "I'm worried about how we're going to pull this off. I don't trust that Robin, there is more to her than what she is letting on." He always got a deep sense of foreboding when he was around her; there was just something about her that he couldn't quite put his finger on. She had a sly way of evading questions and she would clamp up if asked about her motives for wanting two of her crewmembers destroyed.
Rolling up the map that had covered her desk, Cheng Li placed it into her desk drawer. "I do understand Connor. I don't entirely trust the vampire, either. But she is the only one that can lead us directly to your sister, Grace." She stood up from behind her desk and padded over to Connor and put her small hands onto his strong shoulders. "We're doing this for Grace, for her only." She gave his shoulders a light squeeze, before giving him a brief hug. "Try not to think too much about the situation at hand." Connor nodded and drew himself up to his full height. He already felt much better, for voicing his concerns.
"Is that all you wished to speak to me about, Connor?" She asked in a soft voice, as she sat on the corner of her desk.
"Yes, Captain Li." Connor nodded, smiling.
"In that case, you're dismissed. I have some things to go over, before we leave tonight." The captain of The Tiger announced with a sigh. With nod and small wave, Connor darted through the cabin door and closed it behind him.
Jacoby fell into step with him and gave him a hearty punch on the shoulder. "'Sup! Bro?" A broad grin swept over his face as he shoved his hands into his khaki pant pockets.
"Nothing much to be honest." Connor answered, trying to keep the note of shock and suspicion out of his voice. He wasn't sure if Jacoby was being genuine. "You seem pretty happy, Jacoby." Maybe, just maybe the deputy of The Tiger had forgiven him. Connor had always felt bad for what had transpired between them.
"Oh, that's because I am happy, mate!" He beamed. "And I'm really excited too, about this mission we're gonna set off on tonight." He punched their air enthusiastically. "Man, I'm keyed up!"
"So you're not mad at me anymore, then?" The prodigy couldn't help but ask. He was curious. The pair had now reached the deck of The Tiger and the sky was a masterpiece of dark blues, purples, and greys. A full, shining moon hung in the sky making everything underneath it glitter and shine like stars.
The blonde stood in quietly for a moment, seeming to consider the question before turning to face his companion. "Mad? No, I'm not mad at all." Relief washed over Connor in waves. He could finally lower his guard and go back to being friends with the deputy.
Suddenly, out of the blue a bell tolled. Crewmembers filed onto the deck as the bell continued to toll. People muttered and murmured to one another, wondering why they'd been summoned. Connor frowned, "I thought it was only a group of us going tonight." He whispered into Jacoby's ear.
The deputy of The Tiger nodded. "I thought so too, mate. Maybe there was a last-minute change of plans, maybe?" He shrugged casually. But what he didn't let on was that he knew exactly what was going on because he himself had planned it.
Cheng Li stomped onto the deck, her eyes blazing. "What is the meaning of this?!" She hollered. This invoked yet more hushed whispers and murmuring among the crew. "Don't make me repeat myself! Whoever set this up, step forward, now!" She barked out viciously, her narrowed eyes roving along the rows upon rows of faces below her.
A young man stepped forward, from behind the bell. He was much taller than Cheng Li though he was around her age. His ginger hair was streaked with black and his golden eyes were wide with confusion. "You didn't know about this, Captain Li?" He asked, completely nonplussed. The furious captain gave him a cold, hard stare. The young man, also known as Ember because of his hair colour, took Cheng Li's silence as a no. "Well, then….Jacoby Blunt told me to sound the bell, that is was a direct order from you, Captain." All eyes fell into the deputy in an instant.
Cheng Li face flushed red, whether from rage of shock, Connor didn't know. "Jacoby Blunt! Explain yourself!" Cheng Li growled angrily as she descended down the stairs. She came to a stop in front of her deputy, he face set into a mask of fury.
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