14. The Place Between Dreaming and Awake #3
Metal clashed around them as the Lost Boys fought the crew. His brother’s once-familiar eyes were no longer recognizable. He was a brat. His outlook on life was so skewed by money and ego, he’d forgotten how to feel for others.
“Entitlement has ruined you.”
Even with a blade to his throat, Peter refused to shrink. “Do you think I care what someone like you thinks of me?”
“You should care.” It was stunning how far apart they actually drifted. “We’re brothers.”
“I have enough brothers.”
James glanced at the Lost Boys. “They’re your brothers by circumstance. I’m your brother by blood.”
“You’re nothing!” Peter hurled him backward, and they were both on their feet, blades pointed at the ready. “Look at you. Look at the undignified life you lead. Did you honestly think we were the same? Did you think you had a shot keeping her?” He laughed. “Pathetic.”
“You can’t force her to leave if she wants to stay.”
“ Ha! Force her, did you say? She’s going to walk off this rotted pile of jetsam willingly.”
“She won’t.” James had doubts, but in his soul, he believed he knew her best. “She’s not the woman you think she is.”
Peter laughed again. “She’s exactly who I know her to be.
Good God, man, she’s a complete priss—a daddy’s girl.
She’ll return to her boring life in London and marry whoever her father tells her to.
Then, she’ll spit out half a dozen babies, ruin her figure, and accept her dull life because that’s exactly what she’s expected to do.
And in between feedings and pregnancies, she might occasionally think of you.
She might think of how, for one short moment, she played in the slums, but she’ll never forgive you for what you did. ”
“No!”
“Why? Because you won’t allow it? You have no authority outside of this ship. You don’t exist to them, just like you don’t exist to me. And soon, you won’t exist to her.”
James seethed with insurmountable rage. He wanted to slash the nose clean off his brother’s face. “It won’t happen because she won’t allow it.”
“Unfortunately, she’s not going to have a say. Her father keeps her on a tight leash, and she’ll do exactly as she’s told.” He tsked. “Can you imagine her getting fucked by some wealthy prick?—”
The blade of his tourné slashed down Peter’s cheek. “One more word, and I cut out your tongue.”
Peter roared and charged forward, swiping his dagger fast and leaving a deep cut on James’ arm as he pivoted away, deflecting his advance.
Metal sparked as their blades clinked, matching each advance with another as they mirrored every swipe and dive.
Only when James withdrew a longer blade did he get the upper hand and force Peter against the rails, but Peter ducked and lunged, driving James back again.
Despite their differences in height and age, they were equally matched in a fight.
A female scream cut through the chaos, and James turned, recognizing Wendy’s voice. His eyes widened when he spotted her on the main deck and not locked in his quarters where he’d ordered her to stay.
“Wendy, get back!” Peter’s blade sliced a deep gash into his arm. “Ah!”
“James!” She raced from the stairs, putting herself directly in the path of danger.
“Get back inside!” Peter swiped again, shredding his pants to ribbons and lacerating his thighs.
“Peter, don’t!” She raced forward, ignoring James’ orders.
Peter lifted his blade, focusing only on cutting him down to size. James threw himself in the line of danger and yelled for her to stop. “I told you to stay inside!”
She staggered, and her eyes went wide just as blood rushed into his mouth.
“No!” She screamed.
Pain seared through his back, and he fell to his knees.
“James!”
He swayed as Peter withdrew his blade from his back, drowning in the blood flooding his lungs. He tried to speak, but only choked.
The Lost Boys rushed forward, catching Wendy by the arms. She kicked and fought like a feral queen, breaking free and running toward James. “Let go of me!”
James held out his arms to catch her, and time slowed.
“James…” her voice faded like a distant echo, and her mouth opened on a silent scream. Blood rushed to his ears. For a moment, there was no pain besides that which played across Wendy’s stunned face and the stab wound in his back. Then, a searing sense of vacancy cut through his bones.
“ Noooo!” Wendy fell to her knees in a pool of blood.
He toppled forward, landing painfully on what was left of his arm. A dark-haired man kicked away what was left of James’ right hand.
“What have you done?” Wendy’s screams were all he could hear as they dragged her away.
Blood pulsed from his wrist, the violent rhythm mocking the steady beat of his still-pumping heart and the air burning his exposed bone and sinew. Looking up at his brother, he had no choice but to plead for mercy. He couldn’t bear her to witness what would surely come next.
James sputtered and choked out one final request, “Take her away. Don’t let her watch.”
Peter glanced at his men and flicked his hand.
“No! You can’t do this! James! Please!” Wendy’s screams grew more and more hysterical until they finally disappeared.
The pain swallowed him whole. It was a cruel ending and one he probably deserved. His brother’s black shadow fell over him, blocking out the light. He kicked the severed hand aside. “Now, you’ll never lay a hand on her again.”
James rolled to his back, staring up at the sky as he choked on the blood flooding his lungs. His mind raced over his regrets, but none were associated with Wendy. Knowing her had changed him in more ways than a weapon ever could, and her sweet touch would be the last thought he had.
The sound of fighting faded as his men came to his aide. “Cap’n!”
The world narrowed to a white-hot pinhole.
“Sir, stay with us!”
“He’s losing too much blood!”
Shutting the concern of his crew out, he closed his eyes, imagining her hands on him again. James… I’ll never leave you…
“Sir, stay with us.”
James smiled, picturing her sweet blue eyes looking up at him.
“Sir, can you hear me?”
A white light blocked the sound as his body went numb. “Hush, darling…” He let out a long, wheezing sigh. “To die…would be…an adventure.”