Before I could process Jack’s dire warning, realization hit me like an anvil.
Who lit the lantern?
The light grew brighter as I turned slowly to see who was behind me. Before I could register who shared the hellish space with Jack and me, a booted foot kicked my hand hard. My dagger flew across the cargo hold and landed with a clatter.
“I thought you dead when China Joe throw you overboard?” A wiry Chinese pirate I didn’t recognize loomed over us. He unbuckled the latch of his britches and eyed me.
I rubbed my hand and glared at him.
“Strip,” he commanded.
Jack growled and began to push himself to his feet. Another fierce kick from the Chinese captor put him down again. “You,” he barked. “Watch.”
He sat the lantern down and glared at me. “Now.”
I looked at Jack and sucked in my lip. He is no help. This fight is all mine.
The brief thought of making a dash for my dagger swirled in my mind. Or, I could try and strangle the wiry pirate when he comes close enough—he doesn’t appear to have a blade—
Jack returned my pleading glance before looking back at his captor.
“No,” my husband whispered. He shook his head infinitesimally. “Don’t.”
The skinny pirate let his pants fall to the deck, exposing his want. From inside his stiff, grungy shirt, he drew Jack’s jeweled cutlass. He crouched like an animal and held the blade to Jack’s neck. The lantern light lit his slanted eyes. They were filled with hate.
His mouth twisted up into an evil smirk. “Do it. Or Jah-ky dies.”
I looked at Jack, hoping he could feel my apology. My eyes trained on my husband, I did as the skinny pirate commanded and slipped one arm out of my shirt.
A feminine cough came from the shadowed recesses, just outside the ring of light offered by the lantern. The sadistic smile melted from the pirate’s face as he turned his attention toward the sound.
This is it! Your chance!
I leapt at him and felt the jeweled end of the cutlass as it pressed into my back. I wriggled and arched as we fought for Jack’s fantastic blade. Finally, the pirate bested me and sat astride my hips. His grin returned as he held the blade aloft. I glanced about wildly, but the weight of the pirate had me pinned.
I kicked as much as I could and flailed my arms. A sudden whoosh, like wind through the canvas sails on a still night, and the lantern light went out. We were cloaked in darkness once again.
I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for the sharpness of the silver to take my life.
Will it hurt when it slices through my skin?
Will he kill Jack next?
“Umph.” Hot, foul breath slapped my face in a puff. The sound of a blade scraping bone as it was yanked from a body filled the dank silence of the cargo hold. The weight of the skinny pirate fell atop me.
The lantern illuminated again, revealing the stoic face of a woman.
“Hazel!” I pushed the pirate’s lifeless body off me as she sheathed her blade with her free hand. I struggled to my feet. “You saved us.”
“Us? You mean Jack ain’t dead?” She shone the light in his direction.
Jack waved with a finger.
Hazel wrinkled her pug nose. “He sure looks it.”
She sashayed over and squatted next to him. “Hear you’re married up with now. Guess I’m not your favorite girl after all.”
Jack groaned and tried to speak.
Hazel pressed a finger to his lips. “Hush up, Russian Jack.” A pained smile contorted her freckled face, made almost innocent in the soft lantern light. “I never much liked servicing married men, anyway.”
She stood and looked at me. The her lantern-lit face and revealed emotions I was sure she didn’t want me to see. “Bon wants you up on deck. Him too, I reckon.”
Bon’s voice echoed from the stairs. “No need, I’ll come to you guys.” A smile, a touch too wide to be real, spread her lips. “Can’t find China Joe. Could be that he jumped ship when he realized he was without a crew.”
A hand tightened around my throat. I let out a squeak and from across the hold, Bon’s eyes widened.
“China Joe no run from boat of whores.” I recognized the malicious voice as it slid over his teeth and out his mouth. From the corner of my eye, my fear was confirmed. China Joe, and he was wearing Jack’s hat. “No more play.”
Bon started toward us. “Let her go, Joe.”
“Stop!” he shrieked. Something sharp pressed into my back.
I tried to pull the air into my lungs, but China Joe’s hand was like iron. I yanked on his fingers, but they didn’t budge. The world grew fuzzy, but I kept my focus on Bon’s face. For the first time since I’d come to know her, she looked scared.
“Ahhhh!” China Joe cried.
That’s it. The death cry.