Chapter Thirteen

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live life in the present moment wisely and earnestly."
-Buddha

"Her name is Ivory Nisa," Knox explains. "And if I were you, I'd quit now. I wouldn't want to challenge her. If she's determined, she won't stop until everything in her way is defeated."

Yeah, like I haven't heard that before! It's said about every criminal in time, believe me. This woman does not intimidate me any more than anything else I've ever faced.

"It won't be a problem." Jack says from beside me.

"Listen to Mr. Confidence over here," Mercy says with a laugh.

We're all sitting comfortably in the small parlor in the back room of the tavern, having a drink and chatting about the mission. Jack and I are sitting on the divan, while Mercy sits most casually atop one of the counters, and Emmet resides in a large wooden chair to my left. I have kicked my worn boots off and my legs are cozily stretched across both the comfy cushions and Jack's thighs. One of those rough hands is rested on my leg, beneath the hem of my black skirts, and unconsciously massaging my ankle.

"Oh, you have no idea," I supply. "I never stop hearing about the ingenious Captain Jack Sparrow and how unstoppable he apparently is."

Jack raises an eyebrow. "Ye, darling, are just as conceited as meself, if not more."

A smirk forms on my pink lips. "Possibly."

Knox sighs, tired and bored. "Can I go now?"

My attention snaps back to the mission at hand. "No, you can't," is my response. "So why is this Ivory Nisa living underground?"

"It's all apart of the ritual."

"The necromancy ritual?" I inquire.

He nods. "She's been trying for months now, but she can't seem to get it right."

"Why is she doin' this in the first place?" Jack asks him.

"She was in love," Knox explains. "But he died. He drowned; I don't think they ever found who was at fault. In return, her grief has driven her mad."

"He was murdered?" Mercy asks. "What was his name?"

"Keaton Weiss, I believe."

"I remember hearing about that," Emmet supplies. "It happened about five months ago."

"Why would someone want to kill this guy?" I ask. Both Emmet and Knox shrug.

"Is everythin' ye do a bloody mystery within a mystery?" Jack questions me.

I inhale this for a moment. "Pretty much."

"Does it even matter why he was killed?" Emmet suggests. "It's the woman you're supposed to stop, not the murderer."

I nod. "Good point. But the little details are what matter most."

"Maybe Ivory has more she's hidin' than we thought," Jack remarks.

"You're probably right," I agree. "So Jack and I will investigate the murder why you look into the necromancy ritual." I instruct to Emmet and Mercy. They're used to helping me out with research and such. We've always made a great team. "Where's Chester?"

"He left," Mercy replies. "Oh, but he told me to give you something." With that, she exits the room in search for this something, the door swinging shut behind her swiveling hips.

I groan in obvious annoyance at my boss's sudden departure. "He always does this!"

"Where does he run off to?" Jack asks curiously.

"Robin isn't the only one who helps keep things in order," Emmet says. "He has others he needs to look after."

Jack raises an eyebrow. "Ye didn't tell me there were more."

"It makes me feel less special if I talk about it," I announce sarcastically.

Mercy returns, a small folded piece of parchment in hand. "He said it was important."

I sigh, but take the letter anyway. As I unfold it, all I can think of is the woman, Ivory, and how she is probably planning against us right now. This situation cannot get any more complicated.

...Or so I thought.

Andie,

I've recovered some information that will certainly not fair well on your behalf. Beneath that rundown cottage is a group of people planning on raising a man from his grave. I do not have time to get into details- I'm sure you will discover them soon yourself- if you haven't already- but I will say that Loyal is in immediate danger, and I've gone to England to warn him. Prepare yourself; I'll be bringing him back with me whether he agrees to or not. You'll be surprised at his involvement in the situation.

-Chester

I'm speechless. Loyal, my one and only older brother, is coming here? After the five years we've been apart? After all of those horrible things that were said?

"Robin?" Mercy asks, her voice most concerned.

I look up, still not able to say anything.

"Are you all right? All the color just drained from your cheeks," she points out.

Jack touches my thigh, surprising me with it's warmth to my cold flesh. When I look up, his eyes are questioning and burning into mine with concern. "It's Loyal," I manage to say. "Chester's bringing him here."

"Yer brother?" Jack asks.

I nod, swallowing in attempt to moisten my dry throat. "Apparently he's in some trouble. Chester said he has something to do with the mission."

Emmet frowns. "You don't think he's the one who killed Keaton, do you?"

"I don't know," I reply, and I slide my legs from Jack's lap and place them back on the floor. "But we're going to find out."

"Do you even know how to do that?" Mercy asks. "I mean, it's not like you can just go ask Ivory herself."

"She has a point, love." Jack agrees.

"Well, who says we can't?" I supply, looking completely serious. "I think it's a fabulous idea!"

But obviously, my friends disagree. Everyone jumps to argue, throwing out their own theory on my madness. Except for Knox of course, who sits miserably in the corner. A part of me feels bad for him; he was dragged into a situation that he obviously does not want to be involved with. But it will all be over soon enough. I hope so, anyway.

"I'm kidding, calm down," I laugh. This time I do consider my options for a long moment. "Well, there are investigators here, right? Soldiers, police? They have to know something useful."

Knows scoffs loudly. "What makes you think that they will tell you anything?"

I raise one dark shapely eyebrow. "Don't sound so unfaithful, mate. There are many ways of getting information besidesasking them. They hold files and such. Besides, if I were to ask, they'd be telling me anything I wanted them to. Believe me."

Jack chuckles from beside me, but doesn't comment any further on the subject.

I reach for my boots, slipping them on and lacing them up. "I'm going to get something before we leave," I tell Jack as I raise to my feet.

"Like...?" he questions.

"Weapons. Just in case." And with that, I slip past them and cross the room to embark up the long narrow staircase to the attic. But after the first few steps I climb, I hear other footsteps coming up behind me. I know it's Jack, but I choose to ignore him. I know what he wants and I'm not willing to talk about it.

I swing open the door to my old room, going straight for the closet where I keep the weapons. They are exactly as I had left them.

"Love?" I turn to see Jack leaning back against the wooden doorframe, arms crossed over his chest.

"What?" I ask, bending to pull a small chest from the dark corner.

"What happened with yer brother?" he asks firmly. "And don't say 'nothin'' 'cause I know you'll be lyin'."

I sigh. "He left, Sparrow, I told you that."

"Aye, but why did he leave?"

Frowning, I reply, "Why do you care? It's none of your business anyway."

He catches me roughly by the arm. "If he has somethin' to do with this mission, then it concerns me. Yer supposed to be protectin' me, am I right?"

I lower my eyes to his hand, gripping the skin on my forearm firmly. "I'm not so sure anymore."

"What?"

"I think you're supposed to be helping me," I reply. "Stop this mad woman, that is." I stand, leaving the trunk open and unoccupied. "Or that's how it seems to be."

"Either way," Jack declares. "I still wanna know what happened."

I watch him for a long moment, realizing by his rare serious tone that he's not going to let up. Taking a deep breath, I prepare myself to discuss a subject I've never told anyone before. "I told you that Loyal left, but really, I was the one who fled. I have a job to do, you know? And because of it, he thought I was crazy." I sit down on the bed, and a moment later, Jack joins me.

"How so?" he asks.

"I was sneaking out at night and keeping secrets. Loyal was my best friend, so when he questioned me about it, I told him everything. About the curse, about the Signs of Athena." When I look up, Jack's watching me with soulful brown eyes. "And from then on, we were completely different people."

He inhales this. "And that's why ye left?"

I frown and shift on the bed, attempting to make myself more comfortable. "Not exactly."

Jack tenderly pulls me into his lap, and strangely, I suddenly realize how much I've been yearning for the feel of his warm skin beneath my fingertips. "Tell me," he says quietly, brushing loose strands of my long hair from my eyes. He's eager just to know about me. About my past, attempting to find out who I am. And deep down, it's feels pretty nice.

"Back in England, I wasn't exactly a peasant, Sparrow. My father had security around our land, although they were easy enough to get by. But one night when Loyal caught me sneaking out, he called one of the guards on me. The soldier was not much of a threat, and was unconscious in twenty seconds flat," I explained most conceitedly. "And Loyal tried to stop me as well, but I was having none of it. I was just so tired of sneaking around and living a life I didn't want to lead. So, I told him if he couldn't except who I was, then I was leaving."

One of those sailor's hands slid behind my neck, gently massaging the tense muscles there. This man really knows how to use his hands, I'll tell you that! "So ye left?"

I nod, but say nothing. The look in those chocolate depths is sending my stomach into a frenzy. Without even realizing it, I'm leaning forward and kissing him, forgetting all of my problems. His lips are soft and his taste is salty.

The moment his fingers begin undoing the ribbons and ties on the black bodice of my dress, I break away from him. "You have to stop going this," I accuse him.

He grins, trailing butterfly caresses over my skin. "Doin' what?" Jack asks innocently.

An abrupt gasp leaves my lips as he pulls me forwards by my hips and his teeth begin nipping behind my ear. "Distracting me," I explain.

His only response is a muffled, "Mmm," from between his busy lips.

"The Fort," I say, pulling away from him and doing my best to scramble to my feet.

"Right," he responds, rising to his own. "The Fort."

"The Fort," I repeat quietly, my mind still not on the mission.

Sighing, I go back to the closet, pulling out a small knife to keep hidden with my garter. I'm breathing deep in attempt to calm myself down.

Jack's already waiting at the staircase, his eyes still as dark as night. I walk past him quickly, not even willing to look at him.

I'm about to push past the back doors with Jack in toe, when I hear Mercy yell, "Be careful!" from down the hall.

"I always am," I smile in return.

The evening air feels fabulous on my heated skin. There's a cool breeze lofting about my long hair and tickling my neck.

"How long do ye think this will take?" Jack asks from behind me.

I risk a glance at him. "Not long."

88888

The moment the Fort is in sight, I speak up, informing Jack of the plan I've been thinking up the entire walk here. "All right, so I'll distract the guard while you look for any papers or clues on the murder."

"What if there aren't any?" Jack replies.

I consider this. "We'll then we're screwed, aren't we?"

"What about a signal?" he asks. "For when I find what we need?"

"Hmm," I scratch the back of my neck with long thin fingers, a gesture I seem to do when I'm contemplating something. "Knock on the door three times."

The Fort is quite a large building, with dark bricks and a somewhat rustic appearance. It's old, that's for sure, possibly by hundreds of years. There are at least four floors, although I don't know what they are all used for. And I would fill that curiosity if only we had enough time.

When I reach the door, I turn to say something to Jack, but he isn't there. I really need to put a bell around that pirates neck!

The door of the large ancient building cracks open, and I confidently step inside. I instantly see a guard, tall, with shaggy brown hair.

"Can I help you, miss?" he asks politely.

"I'm sure you can," I mumble, but he doesn't hear me. Instead I smile my best smile and say, "I'm sorry to bother you, sir, for I know a man of your power has plenty to do," I waltz towards him, swinging my hips demurely. "But I saw you while I was passing by, and I just had to say hello." I press closer to him and sweetly play with the collar of his shirt.

He looks most surprised as he raises his brow, looking down at me, or rather my scantily clad bosoms. "Well," he says, clearing his throat, "I'm glad you did."

I smile. "You must be so brave to deal with such horrible criminals every day." My lashes flutter and I lean into him, my fingers now stretching up to caress his neck, gently, seductively.

One of his hands come to rest on the small of my back, just above my backside. I suddenly feel so strange, so uncomfortable, which feels even more uneasy in itself. I love men, and that fact is certainly not a secret. This bloke isn't that bad looking, either!

"Indeed," the soldier says, "Sometimes it's a handful, but I seem to manage all right." he smiles, and I have to force one of my own as his hand travels lower, towards my backside.. "Someone has to keep the miscreants off the streets. And I do it to keep the women like you safe."

"Oh, it sounds so exciting!" I fake in exaggeration.

Come on, Sparrow, hurry up. Where the hell are you?

Unfortunately, the guard is quite tall, and I need to stand on my tiptoes in order to even look him in the eye. He seems interested enough, so I lean forward, pressing a kiss to the corner of his lips. I lean back to catch the expression on his face, and just as I expected, he's looking quite fond of himself. With that, I lean forward to kiss him again, the knot pulling even tighter at my stomach, when I hear a quiet knock at the door. Not a second later, another. And then another. The signal.

I pull back. "Unfortunately, sir, I must be leaving."

The look on his face is pained. "But-" I don't stick around to hear his reaction. I turn on the ball of my heel and waltz quickly to the door, swinging it open, when the man catches me by the arm. "What's your name?"

"Sadie Black," I lie. Let her deal with him later on, if he chooses in hunting me down. She deserves it, anyway!

I close the door quickly behind me, trying hard to keep from laughing, as Jack is waiting for me at the right of the building. The feeling in my stomach still has not loosened up.

"I see ye had yer fun," Jack observes.

"Not really," I say, "But he sure wishes I did. Sadie should be getting a visitor quite soon, if we're lucky."

Jack chuckles. "Ye gave him her name, didn't ye?"

"Of course!" is my response. "So, what did you find?"

The pirate captain holds up a couple pieces of parchment, one torn at the edges. I take them from him, my eyes glued to the flyer that reads, "WANTED!" from the top left corner to right. A sketch of Loyal's features, dark hair and smooth face, completed with that small scar above his eyebrow, are evident on the paper.

Wow, it seems like forever since I've last updated, although it's only been a week or two. I've been so busy with my highschool's Broadway Classics Review that I haven't had much time to work on this chapter, which is why I feel it reads rough. But tomorrow we have two performances, and then we're finished, so I can get back to working mucho hard on the next chapter!

By the way, I love reviews.

A Depp Girl, LoLoMo: A lot of people liked the 20 questions thing, & for some reason, I didn't think people would. . .

Supermonkey289: You think the last chapter was different from the others? How so?

Down2MarsGirl: I get the quotes from quoteland dot com.

Terradaina: Enjoy, darling!

CaptainMarySparrow: Yeah, Jack does seem to give the others a lot of headaches, doesn't he? Well, that's okay. He can give me a headache any time he wants!

FunkyFlamingo: Aww thanks, dear!

Lyra Potter: Haha, yeah, they probably should give Knox a break, but Andie is the kind of girl who would never let that go. I decided that I like Knox as well. He's kind of the cute lackey-type.

Sabrina: Thank you!

Silver-Solitude: You think I could be a published author? Thank you, you're sweet! And I liked your idea about the wounds connecting her to Jack. Although I won't use it in this story because of the way Andie obviously heals, I may use it in another. It's really clever.

Sereture: You're right, she did say that loving him was possible. And I love romances as well :). Haha, that's fine about taking the idea for the profile thing; I don't mind.