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  Chapter Five – Azula

  Stirring awake from shouting above, the motion of the ship on the rough waters makes me feel sick. Wait, ship? I sit up straight, and press my back against the wooden beam I'm chained to. I appear to be in the hold of a ship. The stairs are on the far-side of the room, the only exit at the top of them.

  Looking around, I see there are a few others chained down here, too. Some appear to be sleeping or maybe unconscious, but one girl is staring right at me.

  “Cora?” I croak, my throat sounding rough and dry.

  “Azula.” She seems to breathe out my name like a sigh of relief. Cora is a girl that lives in the main town and is just a year or so younger than me. I don’t know her well, but I'm glad to see an at least somewhat familiar face. I try to speak again, but my throat is so dry. Cora sees my struggles, a sympathetic look taking over her face as she pulls out a flask and holds it up.

  “It’s water, can you catch it?” she asks, and I nod, holding out my hands. She throws it across to me, and I miraculously catch it, despite the chains rattling around my wrists. I greedily gulp down half of the contents before stopping myself from draining the rest. I take a few deep breaths, and find my throat thankfully feels less raw now.

  “Where are we? How long have I been out?” I ask, trying to get a grip of my surroundings. More shouts come from above. My head is pounding, and my once white clothing is stained with blood.

  “We’ve been traveling for at least a day or so. We're on the pirate ship, we were captured. How are you here? Your house is so far out of town, Azula,” she questions.

  “I went looking for—he's dead,” I croak, the reality of what happened slams into me. The blood I'm covered in is his. I feel sick, and it's not just the churning of the sea making me feel that way.

  “Who's dead?” she asks gently.

  “My father, he was shot,” I choke out.

  “Damn, I am so sorry, Azula,” she says. “I don't know if any of my family made it out. I'm not sure which is worse.”

  “I hope they're okay, Cora,” I reply, trying to wipe away my tears with my hands, but how I’m sitting, tied to the beam, my wrists won't lift high enough to reach my face. I lean my head down, so I can wipe my cheeks free of the tears. “Why are we here? Why not just kill us, are they intending to drink our blood?” I ask.

  Cora freezes, and considers my question, the fear apparent on her pretty face. “Maybe. I'm not sure,” she finally answers.

  A loud noise blares, causing a ringing in my ears. And then it happens again, and again. Shards of wood come flying across the hold. Shouts, screams, it's like the chaos of them attacking our town all over again. I can barely breathe.

  “What's happening?” Cora asks, shouting over the noise.

  “It must be another ship,” a man answers her, and we turn to face him. I don't recognise his face. He must have been sleeping or unconscious before the canon fire started. I notice several other men are sitting chained back there too, all silent as they look up, listening to the fight above.

  “What ship in its right mind would attack a vampirate ship?” I question.

  “This ship isn't crewed by creatures of the night, girl,” the man says.

  “What? But they're pirates!”

  “I ain't disputing that. They're pirates, for sure, but vampires they are not. They're one of the six human pirate crews still daring to set sail,” he explains. The sound of pistols firing makes me dig my nails into my palms. “Soon to be five, I reckon,” he adds.

  “PREPARE TO BE BOARDED!” I hear shouted from above and swallow.

  “But they had the vampire colours flying!” I argue, refusing to believe that a human could be so evil, so cruel as to attack our town and kill my father. I want a monster to blame.

  “Wouldn't you fly the colours that would drive fear into the heart of any man?” he responds calmly, as he leans back against a barrel. I don’t have an answer for him, not liking that he could be right.

  We sit silently, listening to the sounds of battle above. Clangs of metal clashing, shouts, and shots fired. We listen to them all, just waiting for the result of the brawl, not knowing who to root for. With the vampirate flag flying, who would attack this ship? They couldn't be anything good, to not be afraid of the biggest evil in our world. But surely it can’t get any worse?

  The door bursts open above our heads, and I see feet dangle down. Instead of climbing down the steps, they jump down, clearing the narrow, wooden stairs with ease.

  The man stands up straight and then turns to face in my direction. His eyes are completely black, no whites showing at all in his chiselled face. If it wasn’t for the blood and the fear I’m feeling right now, I’m sure I would have described him as attractive. Understanding dawns on me as I stare into the black, soulless voids of his eyes.

  Who in their right mind would attack a ship that’s masquerading as a vampirate crew?

  Who would be fearless enough to attack, thinking that the deadliest of creatures are commanding it?

  The actual bloody vampires.

  “Now that, is a vampirate,” the man says, his voice wavering over the word. Vampirate. A real vampire is standing in the hold with us. I hear a whispered prayer from behind me, coming from one of the other men.

  “Great Sea Witch, please be kind and grant us all a swift end, and may—” his words cut off, as I hear a smack against skin. I can only assume someone hit him to shut him up. A part of me wishes someone would knock me out too.

  Here I was, thinking that things couldn’t get any worse. How damned naive could I possibly be?

  Chapter Six - Azula

  The whole room seems to collectively hold our breath as the vampirate steps further into the hold and closer to us. He smiles, his sharp fangs flashing from his lips. I notice my hands are fisting my dress nervously, and relax my grip, not wanting to show how terrified I am.

  He looks between us all, his black eyes settling on myself and Cora longest. The only women in the hold. This can't be good. He walks slowly towards where Cora and I are chained, each step against the wooden floor of the ship creaking loudly in the otherwise silence. A cold feeling takes over me, the chill spreading as he comes closer. I scramble to backup as far as I can, but I didn't need to bother. He heads in Cora's direction, stopping right before her.

  “Stand,” he says quietly. Not that he needed to speak loudly, as the word rings out as a command despite the volume, the cold, emotionless tone sending a shiver down my spine.

  Cora tries to rise, but is held down by her chains, which are attached to a ring on the floor of the hold. The vampire looks down, scowling when he sees them. He grabs the chains holding her captive and grips them in both hands. I watch curiously to see what he's going to do. He snaps his arms out quickly, the thick chains giving no resistance as they yield to his strength.

  Cora trembles as he places his hand around her throat and lifts her up into a standing position. She tries to back up into a stack of crates, but he follows her step for step, not releasing his vice-like grip on her.

  “How kind of the pretenders to leave such a delicious looking dessert down here for me,” he says as he trails a hand down her cheek. She makes a strangled squeak of a noise and attempts to shake her head in disbelief. He slides his hand into her thick hair, and tugs her head roughly to the side, baring her neck.

  Cora suddenly seems to realise exactly where this is headed, and her eyes widen as she screams in terror. The sound hurts my sensitive ears, still ringing slightly from the loud bangs of canon fire and shots from pistols. He covers her mouth, smothering her screams as he leans down, and covers her neck with his mouth. Her pupils dilate, and then her body goes slack against his.

  I struggle to try and get to her regardless of the pain in my wrists from the stupid chains holding me down as I yell for him to let her go.

  chains holding me down that stop me from fully standing. I pull forward, trying to find some give in the chains, but it's no use.
r />   He turns, looking over his shoulder, blood dripping from his mouth. His intense gaze freezes me in place, and I swallow thickly. “Why so eager, can you not wait for your turn?” he asks, and I stumble back, the fear slamming into me again in full force. A whimpering sound comes from Cora, making my eyes dart away to look past him and at her instead. She's gazing up at him with this strange look in her eyes. She reaches for his face and pulls him back down to her neck, closing her eyes and moaning as his mouth covers her skin again. Need...that was the look in her eyes. His hands begin to roam her body as he continues to feed. I feel sick and turn away, not able to watch anymore.

  She moans louder, and I can hear the sucking sounds as he drains more and more of her blood away. I know seconds ago she did not want this, no sane person would allow such a dark creature to drain the life from them. I've never heard of what these monsters do being enjoyable, and I certainly didn't hear any cries of pleasure from the deck above during their fight with the human pirates. I assume he is doing something to her, twisting her mind to find this gratifying, a make her a willing victim to drain.

  The sound of her body hitting the floor pulls me from my thoughts. I glance back, staring at her limp, lifeless body crumpled at his feet. I want to be consoled by the fact she didn't feel any pain, but in a way, I think it's worse. Her death feels more unjust. Cora was unable to put up any resistance, any fight. She had that option stolen from her by him. He not only took her life, but he took her dignity as well. To take either is unforgivable, but both is even worse.

  I don't look up when I hear him step closer to me, I keep my eyes firmly on Cora. I will not allow him to corrupt my mind as well as defile my body. I swear to myself right then: I will leave this world as I surely came into it, kicking and screaming. When his hand clasps my left arm, the chill of his skin on mine takes me by surprise. He’s like ice to the touch, much colder than any living person. Is it possible that these monsters are truly dead like the tales say? He moves closer, and I play helpless as he runs a hand through my blonde hair.

  “So soft,” he whispers in an almost husky tone. He reaches down and snaps my chains, allowing me to stand from the uncomfortable, hunched position I’d been stuck in. Swallowing my pride, I feign a whimper and make an attempt to appear weak. I need him to underestimate me, not see me as a threat.

  Just a little closer… As if he can read my mind, he moves that little bit closer that I need. I quickly slam my knee up into his groin, though I grimace slightly from the underhanded move. But you never know what your opponent is willing or able to do, so I was taught that to fight fair is to lose.

  My father's words ring clear in my head, as clear as the day he said them, and I use them as motivation as I jerk my leg up, kicking the vampire in the gut.

  He stumbles back, and I immediately lean forward, grabbing the sword from his belt. The rounded blade of a cutlass is not my chosen sword, but it's a lot damn better than nothing. I point it at his throat and stare into his black eyes. He looks back at me unblinking, and then suddenly he’s a blur of movement. In less than a second, the sword is knocked from my hand, and I'm held up by my throat against the side of the ship. Damn it to the fucking depths!

  “Such a fierce little warrior, perhaps I should keep you?” he drawls, and I thrash harder in his grip. Being kept by him does not sound like a better option to me, not one little bit.

  “Wrath, put her down and step away,” a stern voice says, coming from someone out of my sight.

  “Must I?” Wrath questions, as he grips my throat even tighter. I struggle for breath as he lifts me higher, my feet no longer touching the ground.

  “You must,” the voice answers simply, and just like that, I'm dropped. Hitting the floor, I feel a small wave of pain wave through my body at the rough impact. Scrambling back against the wall, I stay crouched low as I look around and spot a tall, broad-shouldered pirate striding towards us. He has four pistols strapped to his chest and a sword at either hip. His long, dirty-blond hair is worn down, and it messily frames his angular face. His eyes aren't all black like Wrath’s, and I wonder if he is a vampire, with eyes so different from that other monster. His eyes are an ocean blue, a shade reminding me of my cove back home. A sharp pang of regret stabs me as it makes me think of James.

  “Of course, Captain. Finally find someone you fancy taking a sip from?” Wrath asks, making me reconsider my thoughts of him not being a monster.

  “No one will be taking a sip from... What is your name, girl?” he demands, turning his full attention to me. I keep my mouth shut, not wanting to tell him anything. He smirks and leans down meeting my eyes with his. “I said, tell me your name,” he orders again. The words feel different, almost like they reach right into my mind and down into my soul. I have no control over what comes from my mouth next.

  “My name is Azula,” I answer him. My eyes widen in shock, and I bite my lip harshly, furious that my own body betrayed me like that. He chuckles, the rich sound of it only serving to infuriate me more. I'm not sure if I am angrier at him for using whatever power he did over me, or at myself for being susceptible to it. For being weak enough to control.

  “Nobody will be biting Azula,” the vampirate captain states firmly.

  “And the rest?” Wrath asks, gesturing at the men who have remained quiet the entire time. Just leaving me and Cora to our fates, hoping that they would be overlooked and survive.

  “We lost one crew member, Mr. Clancy. He must be replaced, but remember to choose wisely. Do what you please with the others,” the captain answers, turning and heading towards the exit. A man drops down the stairs, followed quickly by two more. They pass by their captain, joining Wrath, and the vampirates begin stalking towards the men at the back of the hold. With renewed vigour, the men try desperately to break their chains, panic causing them to cry out. “Are you coming, Azula?” the captain calls from the bottom of the stairs. I look between the terrified men and the vampirates closing in on them, and the captain, standing with his hand outstretched.

  I stand, walking past the captain and up the steep steps, ignoring his hand. I don't want to touch that monster. As I step onto the ship’s deck, I almost gag from the gore surrounding me. Nearly every inch of the wood is drenched in red, blood splattered and pooling across the entire surface of the ship. The moonlight shining down on us casts it all in an eerie glow. I step past a young-looking man's body, his throat roughly torn out. The jagged edges of his flesh stick out from his neck and chin, a sliver of bone showing through the gap. The bile rises in my own throat, and I rush to the side of the ship, throwing up over the edge and into the sea.

  “My ship is this way, Azula,” the vampirate captain calls from across the deck. I turn and notice the other ship alongside this one, slightly bigger, but not by much. “Come on now, unless you'd like to go back into the hold?”

  At that, I quickly make my way across the ship, stepping over bodies and trying not to dwell on the fact that fresh blood is soaking my leather boots. I keep my eyes on the captain, ignoring the feeling of being eyes on me. The rest of the vampire crew seem to be staring at me. Is this not a normal thing for their captain to do?

  As I reach him, I realise what he intends to have me do. Looking at the wooden beam that stretches out between the two ships, I shake my head. He cannot be serious.

  “You can either cross the runner yourself, or I can throw you across onto my ship. Which would you prefer?” he asks plainly. I turn to look at him, meeting his sea-blue gaze and seeing the seriousness of his words in them.

  “I'll walk across,” I answer through my teeth. Anything to keep his hands off me. Nervously, with my entire body trembling, I climb up onto the beam. I make my way across slowly, keeping my gaze ahead as I concentrate on keeping my balance against the motion of the sea. About halfway, I can't help but look down. Seeing the rough waters churning below, I freeze. I hear a deep sigh from behind me, and then hands grasp my waist. They push me forward at a brisk pace until I reach the othe
r side. The hands lift me, as he effortlessly jumps down onto the deck of his ship with me in tow.

  “Now, was that so bad?” he whispers in my ear from behind me, his hands still at my waist.

  “Get your hands off me!” I snap, wriggling away. He lets me go without hesitation.

  “Calm your hysterics, I have no time for it. Now, come with me.” He walks away, not even waiting for a reply. I look around, seeing a burly man sitting on the other side of the deck sharpening a large broad sword. He notices me watching and smiles, flashing his bloody fangs. I gulp, and then quickly scamper after the captain.

  Chapter Seven - Azula

  He slams the door of the cabin behind us, and I look around curiously at what I assume to be his quarters on the ship. I make the assumption purely based on its location and size, not that I can see a bed anywhere in sight, thankfully. There's a large wooden table with a large, plush chair on the far side that could easily fit two of me in it. There are four simple wooden chairs lined up against the right side of the cabin, and a large red curtain covering the entire left side of the cabin. I step further into the room, glancing down curiously at the navigational charts on the table. I turn around, leaning my back against the table so I can face the captain who still stands by the door. He watches me curiously, but I have questions of my own.

  “Why am I here and not having my blood sucked out?” I ask, breaking the silence.

  “I couldn't let them drink from you; you should know what kind of difficulty that would cause,” he answers plainly. I frown, not understanding his meaning at all. “I can't have my crew craving a fix they will never find again. It's unbelievable enough to have come across you, let alone chance of finding others,” he adds, clearly reading my confusion, not that it clarifies anything for me. “I mean, I could just throw you into the sea, but I don’t want to risk them asking questions about why we can kill you, but not drink from you. I’ll need to come up with an excuse for why you must live, one that will be believable.”