Chapter 19 Danica
Danica
Iwake up to a world of pain, my face feeling like it's been used as a punching bag by a heavyweight champion.
That red-haired bastard really did a number on me.
As I slowly sit up, gingerly touching my face, I realize my nose is definitely broken.
I feel like I've been run over by a truck, backed up on, and then run over again for good measure.
Defeated and disoriented, I survey my surroundings.
I'm in a room on a ship, but it's unlike any ship's quarters I've ever seen.
The room is surprisingly spacious, with ornate wooden panels lining the walls.
A large, intricately carved desk sits in the corner, its surface covered with maps, charts, and various navigational instruments.
The bed I'm sitting on is a grand four-poster affair draped with rich, velvety curtains in deep shades of red and gold.
Plush carpets cover the floor. It's all opulent and luxurious, a far cry from what I would expect on a pirate ship.
Suddenly, the door swings open, and in walks the red-haired asshole himself, a smug grin plastered across his face. "Well, well, well, look who's finally come 'round," he drawls, his voice dripping with mock concern. "Three days—You took quite a beating there, lass."
Three days?
I jump up from the bed, ready to give him a piece of my mind, but immediately regret it as the room starts spinning like a carnival ride. I stumble, grabbing onto the bedpost for support.
"Sit down," he barks, his tone sharp. "Yer in no condition to be movin' about just yet."
I shoot him a nasty glare, my anger rising. "Yeah, well, your face is killing me. Whoever pummeled it must've taken pride in their work because you're rocking that Pug look hard. Did you pay extra for that, or was it a special 'beat me senseless' discount?"
He huffs and begins to pour himself a drink.
"Who are you, and what do you want with me?" I seethe, with contempt.
He only smirks, like he's enjoying some private joke at my expense. "Captain Bloodbane at yer service," he says with a mock bow. "Ye be sailin' with the Crimson Brotherhood now, lass."
Oh, yeah, that just clears everything right up, doesn't it? He finally parks his ass in a chair, leaning forward like he's about to share some juicy gossip.
"Now, let's get down to business, shall we?" he says, his eyes gleaming with malice and amusement that makes my skin crawl. "I've got big plans for ye, lass. It seems the sea witch has caught wind of yer arrival, and she's just dyin' to have a little chat with ye."
I feel my blood turn to ice at the mention of the sea witch. Well, shit. This can't be good.
"She's put a nice bounty on ye, and I intend to deliver." he finishes.
I have no idea what this crazy bastard has in store for me, but one thing's for damn sure—I'm not going down without a fight.
I may be bruised and battered, but I'm far from broken.
If this red-haired asshole thinks he can use me as a pawn in his twisted little game of chess, he's got another thing coming.
I lean forward, meeting his gaze with a defiant glare of my own.
"Listen up, Captain Douchebag, I don't know what kind of sick, twisted plan you've got cooking up in that pea-sized brain of yours, but let me make one thing crystal clear: I'm nobody's puppet—you want to dance with the sea witch? Be my guest. But leave me out of it."
He laughs, the sound grating on my nerves. "Ye don't have a choice, lass. The sea witch wants ye, and what the sea witch wants, the sea witch gets."
I instinctively reach out to Rhyland through our bond, my mind desperately seeking his comforting presence. The moment his voice rumbles inside my head, I jolt a little, the whiplash of his immediate response catching me off guard.
"Thank the gods…Where are you? Are you okay?" His words are laced with concern, and I can feel the tension radiating through our connection.
I almost melt at the sound of his voice. The relief of still having him with me, even if not physically, is overwhelming. "I'm on a ship with this Bloodbane asshole," I spit back, my anger and frustration boiling over. "No clue where we are, nautically speaking."
"Okay, just hold on, baby. I'm right behind you. I'm with Gideon, and we're coming to get you. Just hang in there, sweetheart." His words are a lifeline, a promise of salvation in this hellish situation.
Thank Jesus! It's about damn time. I thought I'd have to stage a one-woman jailbreak on this floating cesspool.
"What's taking so long? I've been knocked out for three days, Rhyland. Three. Days." I push back, my frustration getting the better of me. I know it's not his fault, but damn it, I hate being the damsel in distress.
Rhyland sounds weary, like he's been running on fumes and caffeine for the past seventy-two hours. "We've had nothing but issues keeping up with Bloodbane's ship, baby. I think the sea witch knows we're coming and is messing with the tides just to screw with us."
Oh, well, that's just great. Not only do I have to deal with Captain Asshat and his merry band of dickwads, but now the sea witch is hell-bent on keeping me on course—sticking her crusty tentacles in the way.
I sigh, my anger deflating like a popped balloon. I know he's doing everything he can, and it's unfair of me to take my frustrations out on him. "I'm scared…I don't know what this witch wants with me, but I doubt it's for a tea party and girl talk."
"I know, baby. But you're strong, stronger than you even know. You can handle whatever that sea hag throws at you. And I'll be there soon, I swear it. I love you, Dani. More than anything in this world or any other."
I feel tears prickling at the corners of my eyes, but I blink them back. I can't afford to fall apart now, not when I need to be strong. "I love you too, Rhyland. Now hurry up and get your sexy Viking ass over here before I have to start cracking skulls on my own."
Rhyland chuckles, the sound warm and comforting even through the bond. "That's my girl."
"So, lass, what'll it be? You going to come nicely, or do I need to chain ye to the bed until we arrive at Blood Reef?" The captain's words are a harsh reminder of my current predicament.
Blood Reef? Where the hell is that?
"He's taking me to Blood Reef, Rhyland," I quickly shoot down the bond, my mind racing with the implications of this new information.
I can feel Rhyland's anger and determination surging through our connection, a palpable force threatening to consume me. "I am going to rip that motherfucker apart for laying a finger on you. Just hold on.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I know Rhyland will move heaven and earth to find me, but I also know I can't just sit here and wait for rescue like some damsel in distress. I have to find a way to fight back, to buy time until help arrives.
I look up at Bloodbane, my eyes narrowing with defiance. "I'll come nicely. But if you think for one second that I'm going to make this easy for you, you've got another thing coming, asshole."
The captain smirks, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "We'll see about that, lass. We'll see."
"Where the hell is this Blood Reef?" I ask, trying to keep the fear out of my voice. I've never heard of the place, but if it's where Bloodbane is taking me, I doubt it's some tropical paradise with fruity cocktails and cabana boys.
Bloodbane grins, the expression more predatory than amused. "It be another day or two's sail from here, lass. Blood Reef is a hidden an' treacherous place, surrounded by jagged rocks an' fierce currents that make it near-impenetrable to those who don't know the safe passages."
He leans forward, his eyes glinting with a cruel sort of glee.
"It be the perfect hideout for pirates, smugglers, an' other unsavory types.
The waters 'round the reef have an eerie red hue…
" The captain's voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper.
"Legend has it that the red tinge be the blood of all the poor souls who met their end on them jagged rocks.
The reef claims lives like a thirsty beast, always lurkin', waitin' for its next victim. "
I try to push down the rising sense of dread in my gut. Blood Reef sounds like the pirate equivalent of a supervillain's secret lair. And if it's as hard to get to as he claims, Rhyland will have a hell of a time trying to rescue me.
"Once we reach the reef," Bloodbane continues, "we'll make our way to the hidden cove known as Pirate's Haven. It be a bustlin' den of thieves an' cutthroats where anythin' can be bought or sold for the right price." He gives me a knowing look.
"An' at the heart of it all lies the Blood Reef Black Market, a wretched hive of scum an' villainy where the most notorious pirates in all the realm come to trade their ill-gotten gains."
I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. This just keeps getting better and better. Not only am I being dragged to some godforsaken pirate stronghold, but I'm also going to be paraded through a black market like a prize heifer at the county fair.
But I'll be damned if I'm going to let this bastard see me sweat. "Sounds like a real charming place. I can't wait to see the tourist brochures. 'Come to Blood Reef, where the water's red and the pirates are plenty!'"
Bloodbane throws his head back and laughs, "Oh, you've got spirit, lass. I'll give ye that. But trust me, by the time the sea witch is done with ye, you'll be beggin' for the sweet release of death."
I clench my jaw. Like hell I will.