Blackbeard balanced himself on the end of the board that rested on the edge of our ship. Killian's look was dark and dangerous, blue eyes turning into more of a dull grey.
"I thought we had an accord? I let your men go free, you never bothered us again." He referred to something that had transpired before I had filled my position as Quartermaster with a chilling anger in his voice.
"Aye, that we did, but ye see that was before we learned about your little magic wench and the offer the sorceress, Cora, gave us, well, we simply just couldn't refuse." Blackbeard answered almost nonchalantly but a threatening tone edging his words.
Killian pushed me behind him hook poised menacingly toward Blackbeard. The hand that had pushed me moved to his sword's hilt. My knives that had been previously strapped to the sides of my thighs were already in my hands.
Blackbeard observed our reaction, disappointment creeping into his stare. I gave our crew a quick glance before focusing back on the pirate scum and his crew. Our entire crew had the hands on their own weapons awaiting a signal.
"Now, you could hand her over and we wouldn't have to go through with this bloodied trouble, even give ye part of the bounty." Blackbeard reasoned darkly.
My hands tightened on my hilts but the toe of my boot nudged the back of my Captain's telling him to take the offer if he felt necessary. Killian pulled his heel back pushing my toe away in refusal.
"Not a bloody chance in hell." He growled his stance ready for a fight and effectively blocking me.
The flashback became distorted, surroundings turned black until it was just Killian and I. He turned slowly to face me before collapsing, I heard a girl screaming, his eyes were shut tight and he was thrashing and yelling out every so often. A vicious woman's voice crept into my head, already packed with screams from some girl and now Killian.
"How does it feel Earla, to lie to the man and yourself?"
The girl's screams became louder and I realized they were mine.
"Look at him he suffers from loss already and you just added to a burden you had the silly hope to diminish. You are evil, my dear, it's inscribed in your nature, maybe I shouldn't have sent those fools to kill you, it may have been easier to take you in myself, you remind me of… me. Don't worry about the pirate a useless pretty face with a dark heart thanks to the final touches you added, although he did try to protect you, shame, he wasn't aware he should have been protecting himself from you."
My screaming hadn't ceased raw pain was rolling throughout it in waves, he continued to writhe an yell out something I couldn't distinguish but my screams only heightened in volume.
I shot up instantly regretting it as my stiff muscles ached in protest, professing how terrible that sleeping position had been all night. I rubbed my eyes before scooting into a more comfortable sitting position.
"At least I know how to breathe again." I muttered to myself and then wincing at the scratchiness in my voice, apparently I hadn't just been screaming in the dream.
I had heard the woman's voice before and guessed that it belonged to this Cora woman, although I had never met her, magic works in mysterious, terrifying ways. My cell lay next to me, evidently having slipped out of my pocket from my twisted arrangement. I clicked the power button and saw the time read "10:34". Good thing Rumpel's not here. I eased up into a standing post, leaning against the wall for support. I inhaled before letting out a tried sigh, maybe I should just take the day off. What, so you can hide? Damn conscience. I smelled salt and leather, turning my attention to my clothes hanging my hand brushed over the items hidden in the far back. Black, worn leather trousers, a dark, laced up, man's shirt, dark grey vest made of reptilian material, black hat with a decorative buckle residing in the front above the brim, the large equally black overcoat, a captain's coat, and then dark brown-grey scabbard, made to strap across the front of the person and hold the blades in the back, it was empty. I snatched my hand away and ignored the pricking in my retinas as I grabbed dark, knee-high, lace-up, heeled boots and dark jeans, trying not to think of the reason I was choosing jeans over shorts, a charcoal, sleeveless button up as well as a rich brown leather jacket accompanied the pairings before heading for the shower.
I rubbed my eyes for what must have been the millionth time that afternoon, bloody contacts, damn inability to sleep properly. I couldn't stop the dream from replaying over and over again. I loathed the sight of him in pain and hearing his pained yells. I focused back on the list "Vintage Diamond Eternity Ring, Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring, 18k Gold and—".
My contacts began to slide. "If I don't fucking kill someone by the end of the day—"!
A malevolent no chuckle interrupted my brooding as well as more eye rubbing, causing me to jump. How the hell does he still do that, no one else has ever been able to sneak up on me. I lifted my head from holding it while leaning forward over the inventory book my eyes trailed up his torso. Damn, why is he so good-looking? I glared at him once we made eye contact.
"I thought I made it clear that you should leave me alone." I growled standing up to full height at least I'm as tall as him in these shoes, the same shoes that actually had my daggers strategically tucked in either side of them so that if I leaned slightly sideway I could easily pluck one out.
"You look tired lass, too busy thinking about what I said last night? Or too busy dreaming about what I said last night?" His arrogant smirk resided on that delicious mouth of his, I really wanted to reach over the counter and slap it off, I wonder how it would taste—you are so twisted, you'd slap him, focus.
My eyes narrowed further oh you're in my dreams but its more pain than pleasure. "Hardly." I muttered, not able to really come up with a better remark because of that damn facial expression, why was he affecting me like this, what happened to all that control I built up?
His grin only seemed to grow wider as he glanced over the counter at my legs. "I think I liked the others better." He nodded in direction of my jeans.
"Really, funny I much prefer these." Well that was a lie, I was way too hot in these and a jacket, I'd actually been tempted to remove the jacket but knew I'd feel extremely uncomfortable under his gaze should he appear out of nowhere again.
He raised an eyebrow, skepticism showing through his arrogant demeanor. "Where's Rumplestilskin?" His azure eyes slowly becoming more somber.
My hand that had been resting on my hip slid down and hung next to my side, my fingers practically twitching for my dagger just strapped a few inches below it. He broke eye contact with me and fixed his eyes on my hand. I swallowed, shit. He slid underneath the pull up separator and around the counter, shit, shit, shit! He approached me slowly like I his prey or something, I couldn't help but notice the slight limp still in his step. I dug my nails into my palms, not moving a step back I was not going to give him the satisfaction of me backing away scared.
"Out." It came out a bit more breathlessly than I wanted it to but it still held that intimidating edge.
He continued to stalk forward I sucked in a quiet breath, before his scent reached me, and held it. The hand he had been holding his side with moved to hang by his side as he reached me. Still unaware of peoples personal space I see. His face was less than inch from mine, I was not going to be able to hold my breath for much longer his own breath was cool and slid across my lips. My nails sunk in deeper, I was pretty sure they'd cause bleeding fairly soon. His lids drooped slightly, enhancing the seductive gaze he held mine in. I stifled the fear and lust that was welling up in me and fixed a cold expression to my face.
His mouth tipped upwards on the side. "Now, what is it with you and thinking you can hide your weapons from me?" His eyes skimming own my torso, briefly resting on my hips, and then continuing on at an agonizing pace to the top edge of my boots.
I quickly reached for the dagger but his reflexes were cunning as ever. His hand gripped mine and I had to exhale, no longer able to breathe. I forced myself to ignore his callused fingertips glided from wrist to knuckles and down to my nails, as I was only force to inhale another breath, his wonderful scent of rum, sea, salt, leather and him, was intoxicating. I caught myself from trying to lean into it. He was examining my nails, rubbing the tops of them and then running his thumb on the edge to test how sharp they were. I tried to pull my hand away but his grip tightened. His stare met mine again as I took another small uneasy breath.
"Do most women prefer to paint their nails black in this realm?" He sounded skeptical but teasing.
"I like black." I was avoiding the question without lying to him, I like black, hate my nails which were just another sign that I was dark magic.
"Where has he gone?" He questioned further.
I tried to tug my hand away again but his hold held firm. A frustrate huff escaped my lips.
"Don't know."
"Ah lass that's a lie, try again and maybe I'll give you your pretty hand back." He retained eye contact with me an arrogant as well as mischievously sensual glint flickering in his eyes as he lowered his head and brushed his lips against my knuckles.
Bloody-fucking-hell that was sexy! My free hand slid down and gripped the hilt of my dagger, hard.
"He went out." My voice was strained and the flatness I usually added to it was gone, I knew he heard it.
He raised his head again, his expression becoming hostile, this time I yanked him around by the hand he was holding onto and held my other dagger under his throat.
"Get. Out." I filled my voice with as much menace as I could manage.
He pressed backwards and knocked me into the window, spinning back around and effectively pinning my arms above my head, his mouth a mere breath from mine. I swallowed the urge and kneed him in the gut he caved in enough for me to free one arm and elbowed him in the back of the head knocking him out. I stumbled away from his unconscious body catching breaths of fresh air, clear of his scent. I flinched when I caught sight of him, out cold lying down and quickly shook my head as if I could dislodge the memories of the dreams. Sliding the dagger in my hand back into the sheath resting in my boot, I crouched cautiously next to his form on the floor. He lay on his stomach, head turned sideways, I could still see a cut underneath his brow, already battered mentally and physically and here I am deepening those cuts as if I enjoy it. Does it even matter whether or not he knows who I am? I'm still dragging him down. Aye, it does he's closer to Earla, she'd pull him down faster, you have the chance to remain distant and keep that from happening.
"Sorry, Captain." I found myself whispering in apology before grabbing his ankles and lugging him back around the counter and finally out of the shop.
I locked the door and even magicked an extra holding after some struggle, as well as pulling the blinds down to hide the transformation process. I rolled my neck and cracked my fingers, my body obviously trying to adjust itself to the old, familiar use of magic. That's it, I don't know why but the effect he's having on me is stronger than anything else any other male has caused me to have, I'm hiding. So I headed to Snow's house hoping she had some extra cheeriness today to spare.
If anyone has any suggestions on improving some aspect feel free to review. Thank you for reading.