Page 52 of Enchanted By a Pirate
Blackbeard's eerie voice rang out again. "I am not a fool, O'Brien, but if you think so, invite me onto your ship so I can see for myself."
Dang it. She barely dared breathe as she listened to the men speak. She slowly realized why Anton hadn't wanted her to go with Chris. He wasn't only worried about him and his crew, but also the other dangers on the sea — especially the rival band of pirates.
"Before I invite you onto my ship, you will see the sun rise in the west, Blackbeard. Now get out of my way or you and your miserable crew of rats will regret speaking to me."
Anna closed her eyes. She listened for the answer, her hands trembling. She believed she had missed the reply when the deep voice rang out, "If you want it that way, O'Brien, say goodbye to your Fortuna. We will sink you into the sea along with her. ATTACK!"
"ATTACK!"
She heard something strike the planks. With a loud bang, the two ships rammed each other and the impact sent Anna falling to the floor. She immediately rose, the knife firmly in her hand, and listened to the sounds of the battle. Sabers clashed and screams interspersed with orders rang out. Her pulse quickened with every stroke. The seconds felt like years, the minutes an eternity. If only she could help in some way! The men were fighting because of her. How could Anton have doubted them? They fought even though it would have been so easy to hand Anna over for the reward. She would never forget it. They were all risking their lives for her, especially the captain, who tirelessly shouted orders and rallied his crew.
"Loosen the grappling hooks!" Chris shouted. The ship lurched and the next moment the hatch opened. Relief overwhelmed her and she quickly ran toward the opening when a strange face peeked inside. Even though she had only met thecrew that afternoon, she knew immediately that this man had not been among them.
"Blackbeard! I have something here that you should take a look at." The strange voice sounded revolting to her. Had he discovered her? Anna tiptoed backward, deeper into the hallway. She kept the knife ready to defend herself against the buccaneer.
"Where are you going, darling?"
Oh, no, he had seen her. Anna tensed up and gripped the knife in her right hand. How could she have ended up in such a situation? She didn't want to attack someone with a knife!
"Get lost or…" Or? Or what? How could she threaten a ruthless pirate?
"Or what, darling?" He was in front of her in two steps, his saber raised.
Her heart sank when she saw the pirate's yellow teeth flash. The smell of old sweat and rum filled her nose. Nausea crept up inside her, but she fought it back. She needed her strength, her full concentration. If she truly was a fairy, she had to transform now. Now! Please! Magic, where are you? Come to me if you're truly inside me.
"Or what?" he sneered again. He grabbed her wrist, but Anna yanked free. She tried to take a step back from him, but there was nowhere to go, as her back was already against the wall. She resolutely raised the knife and held it under the pirate's nose.
"You better get lost unless you want to wear an eye patch from now on!"
He laughed, and it sounded like tin cans rattling. "I think you're overestimating yourself, darling." He tried to grab her again when he was jerked backward.
"Don't touch her or the fish will feast on you for dinner!" She heard a thud and the pirate fell to the ground, unconscious. Chris appeared behind him. Anna could barely see his dark eyesin the pale light, but there was a fire and a desperation to defend Anna burning in them.
"Did he hurt you?"
"No, I'm unhurt."
"Lucky for him." He grabbed him and hoisted him effortlessly over his shoulder. The smelly pirate hung on top of him like a wet sack, his arms hanging limply and his head swaying passively back and forth. "Did he recognize you?"
"I don't know. He called me darling."
The captain grumbled. "We'll lock him up with the others for safekeeping so he can't escape and tell Blackbeard what he and probably everyone else has long suspected."
"That I'm on your ship?"
"Aye."
An uneasy feeling spread through her. What did the situation look like on deck?
"Are the men… hurt?"
Chris waved his hand. "Just a few injuries you don't need to worry about."
"But they have them because of me."
"No, because of them. They knew what they were in for when we started to fight for the disappearing fairies. They deliberately decided to stay by my side and therefore by your side. We have since sailed into enough ports where they could have left. No, they all fight for what they believe in."
Anna understood what he meant, but she was the one the men had defended. "I feel responsible."
