Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own any PotC-related things. (sigh)

A/N: Yes I know the last chapter was really short and cliffhanging so I tried updating as fast as I could. Please review, I appreciate it wholeheartedly!

Everyone but the twins froze. Too late, I realized I had involuntarily backed into the stone wall of the cave when Emera had approached me. I was more than trapped. Aryza reached out a hand and held me to the wall. They were stronger than I was, but I wouldn't have tried to move anyways.

Jack cleared his throat, his eyes taking the twins' every move.

"Perhaps," he said slowly, his voice carefully controlled and his eyes never leaving me, "you can let Elizabeth go, and we can negotiate."

Aryza's hold on me tightened.

"I have my faults," said Jack quickly, "but I must say that this won't do you any good. I can't conjure any payment right now, nor can you two stand there holding Elizabeth forever, and killing her won't give you you payment or revenge, savvy?"

Emera pressed the dagger harder, and I gave a gasp of pain. I could feel a tiny trickle of blood run down to the hollow at the base of my throat.

"Lizzie!" said Ana while Gibbs started to rush toward me, but stopped when Emera stroked the dagger's handle. I stared pleadingly toward Jack. Surely he can help... he has to help me...

"If you kill her," said Jack, "I guarantee you that you will have no benefit from it."

"This is revenge," Aryza snarled viciously.

"Listen, neither of you died. And you didn't have to see anyone die, either."

"It doesn't matter what kind of pain that's experienced," said Aryza in a dangerous voice. "It was pain, and you'll get it too! You love her."

Jack stared at Aryza blankly.

"And you don't deny it," Emera added.

"I didn't acknowledge it."

"No," agreed Emera. "But you don't have to. Whether you deny it, acknowledge it, or say nothing, it's true."

Jack sighed. "Listen, I've already told you that you can't hold here there forever. Name your terms."

"We want," said Aryza immediately, "our rightful payment, as you know."

"Which is...?"

"Something that can help us live here," said Emera. "Or something of value. Like, say, your compass."

But he swore never to let that go, I though frantically.

"Or something else," added Aryza with intensity. "And you owe us something more--we helped you out of a nasty situation and you left us to die! You owe us a blood debt, according to pirate law!"

"You aren't pirates, though," commented Gibbs.

"Pirate blood runs through our veins," said Emera in a dangerous whisper full of pride. "And we're witches, just as our mother was. She was a prophetess, we are conjurers. We can make a ship from air and a crew from dust. Then... We. Are. Pirates."

I had been hoping for this. If they were pirates, they had pirate law as well. I opened my mouth a little.

"What?" snapped Emera. I gestured awkwardly with my hands, indicating the dagger at my throat. Reluctantly Emera pulled it away, watching me as I took a few deep, relieved yet fearful breaths. I rubbed my neck a little, and my lips moved but made no sound.

"What?" said Aryza impatiently. I coughed a little, and managed to say it in a choked whisper.

"We haven't got all day to finish this... negotiation!" shouted Aryza.

"Parley," I said at last. There was a short pause.

"Ah," said Jack. "Yes. We are... parleying in a way..."

"Well," said Emera, pushing me to the stone wall again and pressing the dagger. "Those are our terms. You'll have... three days to bring us something in payment, and that blood debt remains still. You're bound to save us one day..."

"Can we have Elizabeth back please?" asked Ana quickly.

"'Course, but she's under a spell, so if three days are over, well she'll be gone before you can figure that out."

"If I can bring you enough payment for two times of your helping me," mused Jack.

"Perhaps, we'll help."

"Agreed," said Jack. "Let Elizabeth go."

"No," said Aryza in a voice like poisoned honey. "We'll keep her for a day or two, before we start counting the three days. Just to make sure you know exactly what you're planning to bring and how to get it."

"You didn't say that!" protested Jack furiously.

"Consider this, Captain," said Emera. "You are indebted to us and you are still asking for more help. Do you think you can really afford to be arguing?"

"This isn't fair!" said Ana.

"Pirate," hissed Aryza.

"All right," said Jack after a long moment's decision. "But you'll do her no harm, or I promise you'll get nothing, or worse than nothing."

The twins smirked at him but nodded.

"Well, get going," said Aryza. "We only have room to accomodate the captive."

"I'd like to speak with Elizabeth, if you please," said Jack as the Gibbs and Ana reluctantly headed towards the boat.

"No private exchanges," sneered Emera. "We can't lose such a valuable prisoner..."

Jack ignored her and strode over to me. Emera took the dagger from my throat and walked a few feet away, watching.

"Listen," he said. "Don't do anything dangerous or life-threatening, all right, love?"

I nodded.

"I'll get you out of here in no time."

I nodded again. He took my hand in his.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "It's my fault, but I didn't know they became so vicious. I'm sorry, I shouldn't put you in danger like this."

"Just get me out soon," I said pleadingly. The thought of spending "a day or two" with the twins seemed to be uncomparable torture.

"I will. Trust me. You have to trust me, all right?"

"I trust you," I said shakily.

"Good. I'll see you soon, and promise you won't do anything dangerous and don't let them do anything to you... and try not to get them in a bad mood."

"I promise."

"All right. Be safe."

I nodded.

"Trust me," he said again. "I'll get you out."

I stared at him. I felt something strange, somehow. I couldn't describe the feeling, but I knew I wished he didn't have to leave. I smiled weakly.

"I trust you."