Vampirates 4: Black Heart (19 page)

"That should just about do it," Lady Lockwood declared at last, setting the spoon back on the rim of the saucer.

Marianne pointed out to the swirling ocean. "You did that," she said, "didn't you?"

Lady Lola nodded, smiling. "It's a little trick I've grown rather clever at. I call it my storm in a teacup."

"But what's it for?"

Lady Lola grinned. "Watch and wait," she said. "Not much longer now."

18SPIDER ISLAND

The eighteen-foot skiff captained by Commodore Kuo was caught in the heart of the maelstrom.

"Captain, the sea's getting rougher and rougher," cried Zak.

"I know," called Commodore Kuo. "But we're nearly at the island now. I can see the fire beacon."

"The boat's out of control," Varsha shouted, gripping so tight on the ropes that her hands were red and raw.

"Focus!" commanded Commodore Kuo. "We've hit an isolated spot of aquatic turbulence, that's all. We can ride it out!"

Varsha's eyes were as red as her hands and stung from the constant assault of salt water. Why couldn't Commodore Kuo admit that they were in trouble? Big trouble!

"Captain, look!" cried Zak. "Ship to starboard!"

John Kuo turned. A moment too late. The eighteen-footer crashed into the hull of the pirate galleon. The vessel seemed to have come out of nowhere, perhaps due to the raging ocean and the thick sea-mist that hugged the waters close to the island.

"Pull her around!" Commodore Kuo cried.

"We're trying!" answered Varsha.

"Captain, look at the spinnaker pole!"

Three pairs of eyes glanced up at the pole, which had rammed into the ship. They had all watched from a distance as Captain Larsen's spinnaker pole had snapped and forced her out of the race. Now they watched as their own pole fractured before their eyes. They had lost any chance of finishing the race.

"Are you in trouble?" A woman's concerned face appeared at the side of the ship and called down to them.

"Yes," answered Commodore Kuo. "I'm sorry, but we've crashed into your ship. I don't think any damage has been caused to your vessel."

"Don't worry about that," came the soothing answer. "How about your boat?"

"Our spinnaker pole is broken. Other than that, I think we're okay. We got caught in a sudden maelstrom out there."

"Yes, we saw you. You fought it as hard as you could. Sometimes the elements are just too strong."

"Captain!" Zak said. "I think the skiff is sinking."

Commodore Kuo turned. The small boat was letting in water. The collision must have caused more damage than had first been evident.

"You had better all come up," said the voice from above. "Can you reach the ladder, or should I send help?"

"We can reach," said Varsha, her hands already stretching out toward the steel ladder that led to the ship's deck.

"But our skiff," protested Commodore Kuo, "the race."

"The race is over, Commodore Kuo," said Zak sadly, following Varsha onto the ladder. He watched as the skiff slipped farther into the dark water. Commodore Kuo was still holding on to his dreams of victory.

"Come on, sir," implored the voice from above. "Come up with your comrades, and we'll take care of you."

Shaking his head sadly, Commodore Kuo reached for the ladder just in the nick of time. The skiff ducked deeper into the ocean and swiftly disappeared from view.

As the three wet pirates climbed onto the deck, the ship's captain, flanked by her two deputies, hastened to meet them. "Welcome to the Vagabond," she said. "I'm Lady Lola Lockwood, and these are two of my crew, Marianne and Angelika."

"I'm Commodore Kuo, headmaster of the Pirate Academy. And these are my students Zak and Varsha. We're competing in a race."

"So you said," answered Lady Lockwood, nodding her head sadly. "What terrible bad luck that you got caught up in the freak weather out there."

"It's called the Captains' Race," said Commodore Kuo. "It runs every time the Federation appoints a new captain. All the captains who work at the academy command an eighteen-footer. Well, you'd know about all this, of course, being a pirate captain yourself."

Lady Lockwood smiled indulgently. "Oh, but I'm not a pirate captain, Commodore Kuo. This isn't a pirate ship."

"It isn't?" said Commodore Kuo, glancing up the mast and seeing that the flag did not bear, as he had first thought, a skull and crossbones, but instead a design not unlike a playing card. "What kind of ship is this?" he asked.

"A private sailing vessel," said Lady Lockwood with a smile. "Now look, you're drenched and your poor charges are shivering. Angelika, would you go and fetch some towels and blankets? And Marianne, I think we'd better have some more of your famous tea!"

"We don't want to impose," said Commodore Kuo.

"It's no trouble," answered Lady Lockwood, her voice as clipped as her vowels. "We like to look after our guests aboard the Vagabond, don't we, ladies?"

"Aye, aye, Captain," answered Angelika and Marianne in unison, before departing to perform their duties.

"Come," said Lady Lockwood, leading them to a seating area that was sheltered from the breeze. "Let's sit here and wait while the girls sort out your things. I'm sure they'll be back in a jiffy."

As Zak sat down, he saw more of Lady Lockwood's crew arrive on deck. "Captain, are all the members of your crew women?" he asked.

"Yes, indeed," said Lady Lockwood. "I'm afraid that you and Commodore Kuo are quite outnumbered!" She laughed lightly. "But don't worry. Though no men are allowed to join the crew, we welcome them as guests."

Zak smiled. He could think of worse things than being rescued from icy waters by a crew of beautiful young women, who even now were hastening to his side with towels and blankets.

But as Angelika arrived, Lady Lockwood raised her hand. "On second thought, Angelika, these two youngsters are soaked through. Why don't you take them inside and find some dry clothes for them?"

Varsha stood up gratefully, but Zak shook his head. "Thanks all the same, but I'd rather stay wet than put on a dress."

Lady Lockwood laughed again. "Very amusing! But don't worry, my dear. I'm sure Angelika can find you something suitable. As I say, we've welcomed men as guests onto the ship many times before."

"Okay then," said Zak, following Varsha and Angelika, who were already setting off inside.

"I'm sorry, Commodore Kuo," said Lady Lockwood. "I'm sure we can find some clothes for you, too, if you'd like?"

He shook his head. "I'm fine, thank you, Lady Lockwood. But it's kind of you to look after the students. I'm afraid they are a bit shaken up by what we've been through."

"Of course," said Lady Lockwood. "Quite understandable. But a man of your years and experience is made of stronger stuff. It takes more to rattle your cage, I'm sure."

"Well, yes," said John Kuo with a smile.

"Look," said Lady Lockwood. "Here's Marianne with our tea. Thank you, my dear. You can leave it and I'll pour. Now, let's see. Do you prefer milk or lemon, John?"

"I drink my tea black," he said.

"Very good," said Lady Lockwood, lifting the tea strainer in one hand and the pot in the other.

Commodore Kuo watched her as she poured. "You know my name," he said.

"Yes." She passed him the cup and saucer. "You introduced yourself to me earlier."

"I introduced myself as Commodore Kuo. But you just called me John."

Lady Lockwood laughed. "Well, perhaps that was a little informal of me. Though you are quite welcome to call me Lola."

"You misunderstand, Lady Lockwood." Commodore Kuo scanned her face. "How did you know my name was John?"

Lady Lockwood blushed. "You've caught me." She raised her hands. "Mea culpa! I knew who you were. The exceedingly famous Commodore John Kuo, former captain and now headmaster of the academy and leading light of the Pirate Federation. And if I'm not mistaken, you're carrying your legendary sword, the Toledo blade." She nodded her head toward the hilt of the sword, which poked out from its scabbard. The distinctive stingray bindings on the hilt shimmered in the moonlight.

Commodore Kuo was wide-eyed. "You knew all this?"

"You're a very famous man," she said. "I've seen pictures. Though, if I may be so bold, they don't quite do you justice."

Commodore Kuo smiled. "I'm sure I'd say the same if I'd seen a painting of you," he said. "How come I haven't heard of you, Lola?"

"I'm a very private person, John. I've led quite a colorful existence, so I suppose now I naturally migrate to the shadows."

"Hmm," said Commodore Kuo, sipping his tea. "A rare bird of prey such as yourself should not be caged up, shrouded in darkness."

Lady Lockwood smiled, stirring her teacup. "Are you flirting with me, John? How sweet!"

Commodore Kuo grinned and took another sip of his tea.

Suddenly, he noticed that she hadn't touched the tea herself.

"What's wrong? Why aren't you drinking?"

"Oh, I had a cup not long ago," she said. "Besides, tea's not my drink of choice."

"No?" he said, his interest piqued.

She shook her head. As she did so, he saw her eyes change. It happened in a moment. At first he thought it was the fire beacon reflected in her dark brown eyes, but turning, he saw that there was no beacon in range. The fire was in her eyes, as if it burned in a very deep well. For once in his long and illustrious career, Commodore John Kuo was speechless.

19MERCY

"This tea," Commodore Kuo said. "You put something in it, didn't you?"

Lady Lockwood nodded. "A mild sedative. Something to take the edge off your troubled mind."

"My mind wasn't troubled. But now it is. You're a vampire, aren't you? This is a Vampirate ship."

Lady Lockwood smiled. "Names, John. I was christened Lady Lola Elizabeth Mercy Lockwood, but I've been called many names over the years. Adventuress. Highwaywoman. Pirate. So yes, why not add Vampirate to the list?"

"What do you want from me?"

The fire burned in her eyes once more. "It's quite simple," she said. "I want your blood. I'm sure it has a powerful flavor. Full-bodied and dry would be my guess."

Commodore Kuo blanched, then stammered. "You w-w-want my blood?"

"That's right, John. You'll fill a half case. And it will be highly prized, you being such a famous pirate and headmaster and leading light, and so forth."

"You're mad," he said, though words were no longer easy to come by. "You're quite mad."

"Say what you will, John. As I said before, I've been called many things."

Commodore Kuo slumped in his chair. The sedative was taking a deeper hold on him. He had little fight left, but with an obviously great effort, he pulled himself upright again. "What about the students? Zak and Varsha."

"What about them?" asked Lady Lockwood. "Oh, look, here they come now!"

Sure enough, Angelika was leading them back across the deck. They were dressed in dry clothes and were laughing and joking with Angelika and a couple of other members of the crew.

"Spare them," Commodore Kuo said, his voice filled with urgency. "Do what you want with me, but let them go free. I've had my years of glory. Theirs are still ahead --"

"Yes, yes," said Lady Lockwood, cutting him off in midsentence. "Of course I'll spare them if that's what you wish. Besides, young blood is a little too coarse for my palate, though others of my crew might disagree."

"Others ..." The words died on Commodore Kuo's lips as he saw Angelika's eyes burn with the same hellfire as Lady Lockwood's. Thankfully, Zak and Varsha appeared oblivious to this.

"Are you all right, Commodore Kuo?" Varsha asked.

"You look a little pale," said Zak. "Maybe you should change clothes? Look at the sharp suit they found for me."

Utterly oblivious, thought John Kuo. In spite of everything he had taught them about zanshin -- the samurai warrior's heightened sensibility to danger in every situation. But then, he himself had been slow to identify the danger here. And now he would pay the price.