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  I switch my pistol out for another that’s already loaded. They’re a damn pain to reload, which is why we leave these two ready in here in case of an emergency. I look back up, staring Mr Burcham down. He sees my determination and steps out of the way. Only James blocks my exit now.

  “Please, James,” I plead, tightening my grip on the sword.

  “Zu, I can't...” he says weakly, trailing off, but he stands firmly in my way. His body is standing strong where his words are not. His pale-grey eyes are filled with sadness and remorse. I hate that I’m about to make it worse, but there’s no time for another option.

  “You chose this, not me,” I say, as I raise my sword. He stands completely still, convinced I wouldn’t hurt him. That belief in me is what I use to make my escape. I dart forward quickly, slicing the side of his arm. I make sure not to cut deeply; I don't really want to cause him harm. A crimson line bleeds through the slice in the white shirt, staining it. James jumps back, clutching at his arm and looking at it in disbelief. Before he can regain his senses and realise how shallow the cut is, I sprint out the front door and down the white stone steps. My boots pound into the ground loudly as I run down them, rushing to get away.

  I hear a voice calling my name repeatedly. I ignore it at first, but then it occurs to me that it's not James or his father, it's a woman's voice. I turn and see a maid running after me, leading a horse by its reigns.

  “You will be faster by horseback, and you may even catch up with him on Blue,” she says as she comes to a halt next to me.

  “Why?” I ask gingerly.

  “Your father is a good man,” she says simply, and I nod briskly. She crouches, offering me her hands clasped together to lift me up. I don't normally ride Blue, as he is my father's horse, but he’s the fastest we own, so I appreciate her thoughtful choice. I place my weapons down on the ground and then I swing onto him, using her offered hands to help me get up.

  “Wait,” she calls, just as I’m about to move. She hands me a man's jacket, and I pull it on. I shiver, not having realised just how cold it has gotten tonight until pulling on the jacket. She then hands me the pistol, which I pocket. Glad to now have a safe way of carrying it. “Had I known you were going to be carrying a sword, miss, I'd have gotten you a scabbard and belt to carry it,” she says weakly.

  “You've done more than enough, thank you. Forgive me, but I don't know your name?” I ask her.

  “Tulu,” she whispers, her face shocked that I asked for it. I suppose the astonishment is well deserved. She has been working here for a long time, not that I have ever paid her much attention. Her pretty, brown eyes now tell so much in the silence between us as I watch her for a moment. She tucks a strand of pure white hair behind her ear.

  “Thank you, Tulu. I will repay you for this,” I promise her. She nods and steps back from my path.

  “Ride fast,” she says simply. I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile and set off. I head in the direction of the town, guessing that would be where my father would look for me first. Biting my lip, I turn my head as I begin to ride, and see James standing in the doorway. He gets smaller and smaller as the distance between us grows further.

  An uncomfortable, empty feeling settles in my stomach, but I turn my head around again, facing forward. I need to be focusing on the challenge ahead.

  I will not let my father die trying to find me, I couldn't live with myself if I did.

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  Chapter Three – Azula

  As I reach the town, the sounds of screams, gunshots, and general chaos meet my ears, and I swallow the lump in my throat. I direct Blue into the line of trees, slowing his canter down to a trot so we can remain hidden in the greenery, as we skirt along the edge woods. I can see flames through the gaps in the trees, and I feel tears rolling down my face from the destruction these pirates have brought to our small island.

  They burn buildings down, forcing the owners into the street where they can then attack them. The vampires are not able to just come into your home, they must be invited. Businesses seem to be different, they can enter without invitation. Nobody is quite sure of the reason why, but my nanny used to tell me stories of the vampirates, the blood suckers that sail the seas. She would tell me that the Sea Witch cursed all vampires to keep them from the land during the day, and to keep them from our homes in the night. I don't much understand why a Sea Witch would care for those of us on land, but I have always taken comfort in the fact the vampires can't enter our homes. But now, here I am out in the open, the screams and blasts ringing in my ears the closer I get to the centre of town. I must have gone mad.

  Shaking my head to clear the thought, I continue on, peering through every gap in the treeline for sign of my father. It’s not long before I realise that I will have to leave the safety of the trees to search for him. Sighing, I bring the horse to a halt. I jump down, bending my knees as I land on the mossy ground, being careful not to slip. Checking my pocket for the pistol, I'm glad to see it's still in place, despite my having reservations about using one. I look around helplessly for something to use to tie Blue to a tree, as his reigns aren’t long enough. Looks like I am leaving my father's prize horse untied, able to just run off. If the vampirates don’t kill me, he surely would.

  Steeling my nerves, I step out from the trees and look upon the havoc that has descended upon my town. The buildings are burning, and the people are running around screaming. I can see men in the distance, the vampirates, carrying off the belongings of our townspeople. Fear strikes into me at the sight of them, but I try not to think about it too hard. I have to find my father, he must be here somewhere, looking for me. How can we miss each other, when we’re trying so hard to find each other?

  Throwing caution to the wind, I race straight into the throws of chaos. Darting between terrified people, burning fires, and thieving pirates, I quickly notice that I'm running in the opposite direction as everyone else. Knowing my father, I’m sure he did the same in his search for me. As I delve further into the thick of things, the more carnage I see. People with torn and bloody clothing, bodies littered on the floor, people just running right over them. I’m not sure how many are victims of the pirates’ attacks, and how many are victims of the panic the pirates caused. Their bruised, crumpled bodies have been trampled too much to tell the difference, and I quickly step over them, trying to ignore the bile rising in my throat.

  A small figure huddled by a burning building catches my eye and I freeze. I debate in my head between continuing to look for my father and tending to the child. Sighing, I turn off course and head for the kid, knowing that I may or may not find my father, but I can definitely help this child. As I get closer I notice it's the tavern owner's son, Marco. I'm sure he's only nine or ten. He’s close in age to James’ cousin, Lela, if I remember correctly.

  “Marco?” I call as I get closer, when he looks up, his eyes are wide and wild.

  “Zula?” he squeaks out. His tiny frame is trembling so hard I don’t know how he manages to speak.

  “Close enough,” I reply, smiling as I grab onto his hands and pull him upright. A piercing scream rings out into the night. My hands instantly gripping Marco’s tighter, I turn my head, and spot a woman being carried off by a pirate. “Come on, we need to run!” I urge Marco, pulling him along with me. He stumbles, but he manages to keep up as I drag him away from the chaos.

  At first, I'm not sure where to take him, but then an idea clicks. Please don't have run off, Blue. I need you. We reach the trees I had exited only minutes ago, despite it feeling like hours, and I quickly tug Marco into the cover they provide. I whisper a quiet prayer to the gods that Blue hasn't gone far. We pass through the trees, and there he is, waiting exactly where I left him.

  “Do you know how to ride a horse?” I ask Marco, hoping to the furthest lands and back that he does.

  “I rod
e one with my daddy,” he says nervously, as we draw closer to Blue. The tall stallion is definitely not an ideal choice for such a small child to ride alone, but our options are limited, and Blue is fast enough to get the kid to safety.

  “Can you ride him yourself? If I lift you up?”

  “You're not coming with me?” he asks, his eyes growing even wider. There’s a bit of accusation amongst the panic shining in them, and I try not to let it pierce my heart.

  “I still have to find someone, but I couldn't just leave you there,” I explain, already moving to lift him onto Blue's back. There’s no time to waste.

  “I don't know how,” he cries, thrashing slightly as I lift him.

  “You can do this, just hold on tight to the reins. Blue knows the way home. You'll be safe there,” I plead, trying to calm him so he doesn’t spook the horse, and thankfully, he stops struggling. I help him scramble up onto Blue, and then I adjust the stirrups and get Marco’s feet into them. Finally, I wrap the reins tightly around his little hands, swallowing hard as I contemplate the risks of what I’m doing. He gives me such a frightened look that I almost change my mind and go with him, but the sounds of canon fire in the distance make me reconsider. I must find my father, before it’s his body I find instead. I smack Blue on his hind. “Home,” I say firmly. The horse doesn't need telling twice, and takes off in the direction of my home.

  Turning around, I can’t help but notice that the sounds of screaming have begun to die down. Why does that not feel like a good thing?

  Clenching my fists, I head back towards the town centre; no people are in sight anymore, all have fled or are in hiding. Buildings burn all around me, and I can see where canons have hit the edges of town that face the sea.

  Blasted wood and debris are scattered everywhere, gaping holes in some of our largest buildings. In the harbour, I can see a ship with black sails, and a black flag hoisted high. A flag with a crest of white teeth, that has pointy fangs descending, dripping trails of blood down the rest of the flag. Vampirates. There is no mistaking those colours. Human pirates stuck with a variation of skull and crossbones, and vampirates used the fangs. Everyone knows that. Not that there are many normal pirates anymore, the sea isn't safe for those of us who don't bite. Sailors get compensated well for moving people are cargo between the islands, but even then, it's not enough to sway most men. Only the brave, the foolish, and those who seek to make a lot of money. Most will only sail to their nearest neighbouring port, cross the land by other means, and then sail between the next two nearest ports. Risking open waters for too long is only tempting fate against you. I worried whenever James or my father went away from Carysi.

  Spotting figures up ahead coming in my direction, I dart behind a building. Thankfully, it’s one of the few not burning down to embers. I can hear voices, but not the specific words. The roaring flames from the other ruins left of my town, and the waves battering against the shore are dampening out the sound of the voices.

  Pain slams into the back of my head, and I stumble. Hands grab my arms, and I feel rope wrapped around them. No! I wriggle, twisting out of their grip. I pull my pistol out and pull the trigger, pointing at their head without blinking. Nothing happens, just a dull click. Fuck, misfire. One of the main reasons I prefer a sword. The pirate grins, showing ugly, yellowed teeth. I can’t see sign of fangs, but the blood spread across his face tells me enough, and I don’t intend to wait around to see them descend. I feel bile rise in my throat as I stumble back, right into another body.

  I scream, thrashing, as arms close around me.

  “Azula!” my father’s voice shouts, and I freeze.

  “Daddy?” I turn to face him. He smiles, resting a hand on my cheek. Suddenly, a bang rings in my ears and blood seeps through his shirt. No! He falls, and I drop with him, pressing my hand to the wound on his chest.

  “Zu, you need…” he wheezes, trailing off, his eyes already closing.

  “Shh, I’m here. J-just don’t stop talking, just stay with me. Please.” I choke out.

  “Run.”

  “I can’t just leave you,” I cry, and he opens his eyes, somehow managing to give me a stern look, as if nothing is wrong at all.

  “There’s nothing left to leave, run. Go now, and don’t let them catch you, Azula. You can’t die like she did,” he stumbles over his words, forcing them out slowly, and I grip his hand tightly in mine. I keep my other hand keeping pressure his chest trying to slow the bleeding, but the blood just keeps coming. Wait, he can’t mean what I think he does?

  “What do you mean?” I ask quickly.

  “I love you, sweetheart. Run,” he whispers, as his eyes draw closed again.

  “No, I can’t!” I say, shaking him, as I’m will him to open his eyes again. They stay firmly shut, and I lean down, hovering my head over his mouth. No breath. Tears fall down my cheeks, and I taste the salt on my lips as they seep into the corners of my mouth. Standing, I wipe the blood from my hands onto my white underskirt. I look around for the vampire who tried to grab me before, but he’s vanished from sight.

  I peek around the edge of the building, and I see him and another heading back towards me, rope in hand. Damn it. I turn and run, hearing them chasing after me. I trip over a body on the ground, going flying across the dirt. I smack down hard, knocking my head on a rock. Despite an attempt at resistance, darkness wraps itself around me, and pulls me struggling into the abyss.

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  Chapter Four – James

  Staring after Zu, I keep expecting her to see sense and turn back. I wait for the fear to hit her, as I stand clutching the shallow cut on my arm. It's probably already stopped bleeding. Of course, Azula would never hurt me. I feel foolish for ever doubting her for a second. The sharp sting from the cut had taken away my sense, but I'm not sure what has taken Zu's.

  Watching her get further and further away, understanding slams into me like a wooden plank. She's not coming back. Suddenly I'm running, not even aware of having made a conscious choice to run after her. I can hear my father's shouts, but I know he wouldn't dare come after me. He fears the monsters of the sea more than most.

  As I reach the bottom of the stone steps, I consider just running straight after her, but logically, I know that I cannot hope to catch up with her and Blue on foot. I turn, sprinting towards the stable. It takes far too long to saddle a damn horse. Precious minutes that I resent losing. Finally, with the horse ready to go, I pull myself up, and race out the stable and towards the town. I push the horse to go faster, as fast as it can go with my weight on its back. I look around wildly for signs of Azula or her father, but there are none.

  Reaching the town, I’m shocked by the pandemonium. I’ve been on an island when a raid happened before, on Eska. But I’d stayed inside a home on the outskirts of town for the duration of it, hidden from the true level of devastation. It had been bad enough to see it the next day, but seeing my own home island ravaged and in ruin is so much worse. Buildings are burning, people are screaming and pushing each other in an attempt to/at escape. I ride right through them, forcing them to clear a path.

  The people gradually thin out, everyone running in the opposite direction than I’m heading. There is barely anyone around, other than dead bodies, by the time I’m near the centre of town. I ride through, heading closer to the docks. I pull the horse to a halt when I finally see Azula in the distance. Her light blonde hair, and white, torn clothing are unmistakable, even when thrown crudely over a pirate’s shoulder. He carries her onto a small row boat on the beach. They’re taking her back to the ship.

  I push the horse to race the last distance between here and the shore, but it’s too late. They’re already rowing back to the ship, a huge ship with black sails, and the vampirate colours flying. I jump down, standing on the beach as I watch them take her away. Looking around, it appears that was the final boat he
ading for the ship. They’ve all left, and they’ve taken her with them.

  My fists are clenched and shaking at my sides, and I feel a steel determination set in as I try to form a plan. Standing there, I promise myself that I will find her and bring her home safely. I will sail across the whole sea if that’s what it takes, and I will drive my sword through anyone who has harmed her. And when I bring her home, I will never let her go again. Not alone. I shouldn’t have tried to stop her; I should have gone with her, protected her.

  “I’m coming, Zu,” I whisper out to the sea. I turn, knowing there is nothing more I can do until the morning. I need to find a ship leaving for Eska, and from there, a way to Azula, wherever they are taking her. A sinking feeling of dread fills me, there are few places they would take a beautiful girl like her, and none of them are pretty. I remind myself that Azula is strong. Stronger than anyone I’d ever met, and I know she will survive anything thrown her way until I can save her. The face of an old friend flickers in my mind, and the pieces click together. He will know where to find her, and he will help me get to her. He owes me, and I’m finally ready to call in a debt I swore I never would. I didn’t help him so he would be obligated to me, but I’m grateful for it. Right now, I know he is the only one who can and will help me. My father and brothers, I can imagine their reactions now, and I know they won’t approve of my rescue attempt. However, not a fibre of my being gives a fucking damn.

  I turn back, casting one final look at the ship taking her away, and I know that I will never forget this image. It’s the sight of everything I have ever wanted just sailing away from me, moving further and further out of reach, until I feel hopeless.

  I won’t let it happen again, not without a fight.