Part 32
She knew however that it was all too real. She watched in a haze as they neared the other ship. She watched as Max shouted orders to the sailors that stood near the ready cannons, armed with their own swords and guns. They gleamed in the bright sun, making the sharp blades look even more deadly.
Liz swallowed, as an unbidden image of them stained with red blood. Infact, too many horrifying images were clouding her mind and she could do nothing to stop them. She was too panicked. Liz thought she was surely going to be sick. This was a nightmare!
"You can't do this!" she burst out. Max turned and raised an arrogant brow at her.
" And who are you to tell me what I can or cannot do?" his voice was threaded with steel.
Liz flushed angrily at his words. It was true that in respect she was just the prisoner with no rights. But curse the man, he was making her so afraid!
"Why?" she demanded desperately. It was a stupid question to ask a pirate, because they don't have reasons for plundering a ship, but somehow-and she didn't know how- she knew Max was different. There was something too unusual about him, things that didn't fit right with who he was supposed to be. That was why she was asking. Because for Max, there had to be reason.
Max's expression turned unreadable and his eyes hardened. " That" he bit off " is none of your damn business."
Liz's eyes widened and she stared at him, surprised at the anger in his voice. All because of a simple question. And the way he had answered that question was all Liz needed to know that this was no attack on a whim.
This was planned.
And ofcourse, she didn't know why. Or how. Infact, she didn't know anything at all! Nothing but the fact that she was stuck here with a pirate that hardly acted like one and harbored dark secrets. She felt so helpless!
"Please!" she made a mad grab for his arm, gripping it and eyeing him imploringly. She just had to be told something or she'd go mad! This was all so terrifying to her. She knew what happened in attacks like these. Guns were fired, swords were drawn and blood was spilt. People died.
She couldn't even stomach the thought, let alone see it happen in truth. And the fact that the man standing beside her, the man who made love to her and made her feel so many turbulent emotions that she couldn't even understand, was about to instigate the entire thing made it even worse.
That wasn't the only thing however. The one thought that stood out as clearly as the sun in the bright blue sky was the fact that while the crew could kill and be killed...so could the captain.
Max could die today.
And get what he deserved! the voice of justice spoke inside her head. But it was impossible. She just couldn't see Max as a fallen man. A dead man. While he was a pirate and had stolen and killed and kidnapped her...she didn't want him to die.
The thought stunned her, and confused her. Because if she didn't want him dead, then she didn't hate him so much. She was supposed to hate him! It was her right! The only kind of feeling she should have toward him. Hate.
But she didn't want him to die.
Max looked down into her eyes. They seemed to melt and soften as they moved over her. As if he finally understood her misgivings.
" Sweet Elizabeth." He whispered, as if to himself. His hand reached up to caress her cheek. Liz didn't stop him. She knew then that he would not offer any explanation as to his actions, but his touch, and his next words gave her unexpected reassurance.
" Worry not sprite. My day has not come, neither has any other man's. " a soft, butterfly's kiss landed on her forehead, and Liz almost cried at the tenderness. It was ridiculous to feel so, especially at such a time...but she couldn't help it.
It embarrassed her greatly. The tears built up in her eyes, ready to burst, and she didn't want that to happen in front of him. Her insides were in upheaval and her throat was choked up. She didn't know why it was difficult to speak.
He was a pirate for heaven's sake! She was not supposed to feel this way. They tore at her, these mixed emotions that she could not identify. She wanted to be free of him and go home, but she also did not want to lose him. Not to death.
The turmoil shone brightly in her eyes, glassy from the unshed tears. Without a word, she turned from him, wishing to make a good escape. She could not face this now!
A strong hand wrapped itself around her arm. She knew who's it was and she struggled against it.
" Let me go!" she could barely choke that out. She was afraid he would twist her around and force her to meet his gaze. Force her to see what she should have realized the moment their eyes met, full of stormy emotions, that first night.
But to his credit, he did not. He only brought her back hard against his chest, his lips near her ear. " Go below to my cabin and lock the door. Stay there until it I come for you. Close your eyes and ears my sweet sprite." his head moved, and he buried his face in her hair, inhaling. "Christ Liz! You're so innocent, so tempting.." his voice was muffled.
Liz had no time to react before she was spun around and his lips came crashing down on hers. She had no fight left in her and so she surrendered to his embrace, giving back with everything she had. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but wonder if this was to be the last time she would be held in his arms, willingly or not.
It had her wrenching out of his arms and nearly tripping on her feet, as she hurried away from him, to find solace somewhere, anywhere else.
Max watched her go, his eyes glowing with a fiery emotion that was never there before. He raised his hand to his cheek. His fingers touched the salty wetness of her tears.
" She's trying to outrun us." Michael observed casually as he stared at the ship, labeled with the name "Morning Lark"
Max shrugged. " I enjoy a good chase." The light of battle danced in his eyes.
Michael watched with narrowed eyes and clenched hands that were more than prepared for battle. " Do you think it is armed?"
"I doubt it. It's a cargo ship. While they might be adequately armed for some kinds of situations-"
"Ah like pirates set to plunder their fortunes?" Michael's voice was amused as he raised his brow.
" Indeed," Max went on with a straight face, " there is that..." his tone held a confident dismissal that Michael didn't doubt. Come hell and fire.
The next few minutes went by in a blur. They caught up with the ship. It fired one cannon that didn't reach it's target. The pirates shouted their battle cries, drawing their weapons, ready to pounce onboard the other ship. The two ships crashed against each other.
Max raised his rapier high in the air, playing the role of 'pirate' perfectly. " Let's get at them men!" He shouted heartily and with a slash of his weapon against the glinting sun. The blade sliced through thin air.
And might yet slice through flesh.
The Morning Lark had a few passengers aboard, some men, some women. It wasn't a big vessel but large enough to carry precious cargo. For a certain man. Which Max, was about to thwart.
The women screamed and uttered rapid prayers in their terror. A little boy clutched fearfully at his mother's skirt, looking about to burst into tears. The men tried to look courageous, but their trembling hands gave them away. They were scared. And rightly so, since they were being taken over by pirates. Who by reputation are to be ruthless killers that raped the women, murdered the men and stole the treasures.
The Morning Lark fought as valiantly as it could, considering it's inexperienced sailors and lack of military support. Swords clashed and clanged. Grunts of male efforts filled the tension filled air. Passengers cowered, and sailors of both ships littered the deck,fighting and cursing in the same breath.
With Max's crew overtaking the Morning Lark's meager one, and their own slightly superior strength and experience, there was no question as to who would win. That was what scared a woman, who saw that she was doomed, and who raced across the deck, in full panic, to clutch at one of the pirate's shirts.
"No!" she screeched, " Please, please don't kill us! I beg you. Have mercy, spare us!"
The pirate turned to look at her with leering eyes, looking her up and down. His sword lowered and grabbed at her to take her in his arms. "Well well, lookie what a pretty thing we 'ave here. All ready to do anythin' to live." His voice was suggestive.
A thump, and then the man's hand was snatched away from her in a blink of an eye, and his arm twisted behind his back until he cried out with pain. The woman looked wide eyed as she stared at what just happened. She also couldn't help but notice the very man who handled the current situation.
Max twisted the man's arm a little tighter before letting go abruptly. " I told you no one is to be touched. I meant it." his soft words spoke volumes, and the sailor nodded frantically and got away, afraid he'd be in for a whipping later.
Max turned slowly to the frozen woman and smiled charmingly. He made sure his rapier was hidden from view as he bent over to gently grab her hand and raise to his lips. That seemed to jolt her somewhat, because she jerked, her eyes grew wide an she gasped. But not with fright it seemed, because she was too much in awe.
" My apologies dear lady for my sailor's reprehensible manners. I try to keep them in line, yet some seem to insist to be lead astray, and cause distress such as to a lovely woman like yourself." He spoke smoothly and attached a beguiling grin that has captured many hearts of women. This one was no exception.
He noticed that she wore a black dress of some fine silk. It was very appropriate for widowhood and her elderly features. What contradicted that, were the sparkling rings on her fingers and the pearl necklace.
She blushed and immediately demurred. "You are too kind sir. And please do call me Mrs. Crofton. I am a widow," she hastily added, just to be sure he knew he need not worry about a jealous husband. She looked up at his through her lashes. " And what do you call yourself good sir?"
Max hid the amusement in his eyes. He sketched a formal bow, then turned, allowing his long sword to gleam into view. " The Hawk, madam, at your service..." His teeth showed, straight and white as he grinned , " Or should I say...you at mine..."
While she was still speechless he brought a hand caressingly up to her neck. She did not even have time to feel his touch, because too soon he took it away.
" I'm much obliged Mrs. Croft." and without a word walked off into the silence. The fight was over. The Morning Lark was now the Cruella's prisoner. It was up to Max now, to decide what to do with that.
Mrs. Croft still stood astounded, watching his back. She brought a hand to her neck in a flutter. And not only discovered that it was bare...but so was her hand.
Max walked over to the elderly man with the captain's uniform. His head was high and his shoulders thrown back as if prepared for yet another battle. His sword bound to his hip.
Max nodded toward him. " Captain."
He gave a stiff jerk of his head in acknowledgement.
" Captain Bradley at your service sir." He introduced himself and his voice was flat and toneless. But his eyes were flashing with fear and hatred.
Max knew that a scared and angry man was a dangerous man to deal with, so he attempted to sooth him as best as he could and be calm about the whole matter.
" I am sure you understand then Captain Bradley, what I'm doing here?" He asked formally.
The man gave another nod. Max saw his hand clench and move mere inches toward his sword. " What do you plan to do?"
"Well first," Max nodded toward his sword, " You, as the Captain are going to surrender the ship to me-"
"And then? Will you steal and kill us all?" He cut in impulsively. His hand clenched and moved again. Sweat began to form on his forehead.
"Only," Max said, his eyes hard, his voice soft, " If you force me."
Bradley swallowed. His pupils dilated. Slowly he moved his hand fully onto the grip of his sword and began to carefully take it out. Max watched his every move. When it was out, Max made to stretch his hand and take its grip.
It was not to be however when Bradley did not relinquish it, but raised it and took aim to strike Max.
Max saw it coming, and his own sword was out like lightning, easily deflecting the blow. But Bradley was not intimidated yet. He continued to send blows that Max parried without any difficulty, considering the man was half hysterical.
" I won't let you win you filthy pirate! You'll die before you touch anything! I'll kill you!"
Max wasn't troubled with those remarks. But he was getting tired of this game. He aimed a crushing blow at Bradley's sword. It stunned everyone, especially because it snapped the metal in half. The man stood frozen in place. His entire body trembling in violent reaction. His unbelieving eyes fixed on the broken blade. It dropped with a resounding clatter to the floor. The knowledge that he was beat hit Bradley and created mixed feelings. While he was terrified, he was also totally unbalanced in that feeling, making him rash. He was too scared and figured that now he would receive his punishment from the damn pirate for attempting to kill him. So he had nothing to lose.
Bradley charged at him. Max tried to stop him but ended up being pushed back along with the momentum. He stumbled and they both fell. Michael and the rest watched on, trying to decide whether to interfere or not. But in the end he didn't, knowing that Max could handle himself. And besides, it was his fight.
Bradley managed to land the first blow to Max's eye, but Max soon recovered and took charge of the situation. He didn't allow Bradley to even graze him with his hand. They rolled around on the deck, each trying to get the upper hand on the other. Max was surprised to see that the old captain was stronger than he realized. Quickly he aimed his first at his mid section to knock the wind out of him. While he clutched at his stomach in reaction Max managed to stand up and grab Bradley by the collar, dragging him up as well.
" You have done yourself a great disservice sir, by tangling with me." He growled menacingly, enough to make any man shake in his boots. It looked like the captain wanted to.
Instead he appeared to gather all his courage and look unafraid. " Did you think you damn pirates will just be able to steal from us and leave us stranded? I think not! We will fight till the end!"
Max was very amused, his anger forgotten. " be at ease old man. We won't leave you stranded." and laughing he turned away, ready to get on with the day's business.
But it appeared that the Morning Lark's Captain was not ready to be dismissed so quickly, because, before anyone would detect, he had withdrew a gleaming knife that was hidden in his breeches and threw it at him. Max sensed it before he turned, but he wasn't fast enough and it grazed his side. Blood flowed from the wound and immediately stained his shirt. He grunted and bent to pick up the knife that had fallen at his feet. His eyes raised to Bradley, smoldering with absolute fury.
Without acknowledging anything around him, he strode toward him and grabbed him by the neck, barreling him backwards until he cried out in pain when his back hit the rail. Max's hand almost squeezed the breath out him of, and he began chocking and turning red and blue in the face. The bloody knife now aimed directly at his throat. This time, there would be no chance for misses.
" Noo!" Max heard the voice, but in his haze of rage, it took him a while to decipher it. And then he didn't have to. Because a soft but urgent hand was grabbing at his, trying to pull him away. The same voice pleading for him to stop. When Max turned, his eyes suddenly cleared and he stared, incredulous at Liz. Her hair was disheveled and her eye wild with fear.
Max dropped Bradley to the floor fast and without regard to anything else gripped Liz by the arm and marched her away before turning her around to confront her. " What the devil do you think you're doing here?" he bit out furiously. " Did I not tell you to stay in the cabin?"
Liz shook convulsively. " I couldn't. I had to come." her words made no sense.
" No you didn't! I wanted you safe!" he almost shouted.
" And I couldn't let you die!"
They came out before she could stop the words. And now they both stared at each other, she trembling, he so still one would think he was made of stone. Then he whirled around and swore beneath his breath.
Liz tried to fill the silence that followed. With a change of subject. " Please. Please don't kill him Max. Please."
Max looked back at her pleading tone and she waited with an anxious breath as he stared at her broodingly. Then, so slight she almost didn't see it, he nodded. Liz was so relieved that she didn't question the desire to rush to him and wrap her arms around him. Max grunted as she touched the wound but didn't care. He only grunted
" Well that is indeed a first." Bradley's voice sneered from behind him. Max set Liz from him and turned to face him. When he said no more, Max raised an arrogant brow questioningly at him. Bradley bristled.
" It appears that you are a weak pirate, to be so easily swayed by the whims of your whore." Liz gasped and Max's teeth ground together and a nerve ticked in his cheek. His eyes darkened, but he said nothing. He only beckoned Michael to order him to start unloading the cargo. As he walked towards him Max turned to another sailor and called to him.
" I want you to take Miss Elizabeth back to my cabin Danny. And make sure she stays there." He was looking straight at her, the order that she not argue with him clear within their depths. Liz held her tongue. Nothing else mattered now. Now that she knew that he was safe, and that the man he was fighting with wouldn't die.
Maintaining eye contact for as long as she could she began to walk away, over to the plank that had been placed between the two ships. The one she had crossed, unable to withstand waiting in a closed cabin. Just wondering. Then he turned and sent a fist flying right against Bradley's nose.
" Never," he hissed," speak about her that way."
Bradley suffered greatly from the force of the blow. But when he turned to look back at Max, his nose spurting blood, his eyes glittered.
Liz could hear the chaos going on above on deck from where she sat waiting below. Waiting impatiently for Max's return. She really hoped everything went well and no one got hurt. Never did she even think, to ask the other ship for help.
And then suddenly she heard something. Words. Urgent. Some swearing.Michael was bellowing left and right. Asking for a doctor.
A doctor!
Liz's feet were flying below her as she struggled to the deck, instinct taking her where she should be. She looked around frantically. And then she stopped dead, her breath frozen in her lungs.
Max was being carried by Michael and another man. His body limp, His shirt was ripped open, and blood oozed out in great volumes across his chest. There was a ringing in her ears, an unearthly calm over her body, she did not even blink. She registered nothing but the fact that Max looked utterly lifeless. He couldn't be dead. He couldn't be dead!
" NO!" she screamed , her body jerking in movement as she propelled herself forward. He couldn't be dead.
She saw Michael look up at her. Maria appeared, opened mouthed with wide eyes at the sight. She too was in shock.
The sailors stepped out of her way. He couldn't be dead.
Liz didn't even hear her own running steps, or Michael's shout to stay away and to get a doctor, anyone to help. Whatever had happened was of no consequence. Just a few moments ago she had left him, arrogant and sure of himself. And safe. Alive. Breathing, his amber eyes open and full of swirling emotions that always left her enthrall.
He couldn't be dead. He couldn't be dead. Couldn't be dead...