No, it’s the five people kneeling on the ground.
“Tell me where it is.” A deep voice thunders through the air as someone large looms over the trembling group.
Silence.
The male cocks his gun, the sound echoing through the night. “Will anyone here speak?”
There is no response.
“You leave me no choice.” Five seconds pass, then ten, before a gunshot fills the air. The four remaining victims scream as the fifth falls to the ground, lifeless. The victim’s blood seeps out from under them.
The male with the gun kneels before the second person, who is sobbing. “Tell me.”
“Never,” the male on the ground says bravely.
Another gunshot. More blood. Screams.
“How about you?”
Silence. Deafening, absolute silence.
Then, a whisper. “It’s in the safe. I know the code. I’ll take you there myself.”
“Good.” The male wielding the gun turns and walks through the blood. He glances up at the security camera and winks.
I swallow, shutting my eyes.
“Quite the show you put on there, eh Pirate of Death?” Thorn sounds pleased with the video.
“They were flesh traders,” I grind out. “Children. Human and Angels.”
Thorn shrugs, pressing a few buttons before the projection disappears. “They had bills to pay. So do you.” The Vampire’s callousness sends shivers down my spine, but he doesn’t notice as he continues to speak. “As soon as you know where you’re going, send us a message. We wouldn’t want to lose track of our best pirate, now would we?”
“Of course not.” I wave my FaePhone in the air, hoping that somehow, Helena didn’t see the video the Vampire had projected. “I’ll send you a message the moment I know.”
“Good man.” Thorn hums, pressing a few buttons on his phone before he shoves it in his back pocket. A few moments later, his chopper dips towards the ship. I watch as the Vampire takes a running jump before launching himself into the air and landing perfectly in the center of the open door.
Damn Vampires and their inhuman agility.
The chopper’s blades are exceedingly loud, the sound drowning out everything around me. I fight the urge to block my ears. Instead, I force myself to watch as the black helicopter rises higher and higher.
Once the chopper is little more than a speck in the sky, I sigh and rub my hand over my neck. My shoulders ease as I continue to study the swirling blue sea all around me, the waves crashing against the side of the ship. With each passing moment, life begins to return to normal around me. The crew starts chatting again, their laughter filling the air as they continue their day. Everyone is more at ease now.
Except for me.
Because I have a princess to deal with.
Taking a deep breath, I try to compose myself before turning around to find Helena. I don’t have to look far. She is cavorting with a small group of sailors, her shoulders shaking in silent laughter as they seem to share a joke.
The sight infuriates me. The leash on my temper snaps, and I see red. Clenching my jaw, I stomp over to her. Instantly, the mood in the air shifts as everyone takes a step back. My men gaze at the floor, avoiding me, but it’s too late.
I saw them.
“Get back to work,” I snarl.
There are murmurs of assent as the sailors suddenly find somewhere else to be. Their voices are overly loud as they talk about changing the course slightly so we can make it to the Gates of Hell a day early. My sights are set on the female before me.
Reaching out, I grab Helena’s wrist and pull. Hard. “Come with me.”