The Buccaneer(116)

Lilith waved a note at Lucian. "He took her. Good Lord, he took her."

Lucian snatched the note from her waving hand.

Come get her.

Lucian handed it to Abelard. "Charles has arrived."

"Oh, dear," Lilith gasped, and Dulcie rushed over, placing an arm around the woman in comfort.

Captain, a ship dropped anchor last night off the west side of the island, but didn't signal to land. We've kept an eye on it but nothing happened and it sailed a short time ago," Bones nervously informed him.

"Get the Black Skull ready. We sail immediately," he announced, and sprinted up the stairs.

Lucian returned in minutes, his guests taking several steps back in fear as he descended the stairs.

Lilith gasped and clasped her hands to her chest.

Dulcie crossed herself and mumbled a hasty prayer.

Abelard glared wide-eyed not at Lucian his son, but at Lucifer the infamous pirate.

He wore all black — boots, breeches, and shirt that lay open to expose a broad chest heavy with muscles. His long hair looked as though he had raked through it with his fingers; wild and untamed it framed his face. A face so handsome he could steal a woman's heart with one look and icy eyes that could freeze a man to the bone.

The marquis took a shaky step toward his son. "I'll not be left behind on the island like a helpless woman while you rescue my daughter."

"And I'll not waste precious time arguing with you," Lucian insisted. "If you go, you follow my orders without question."

"Agreed," Abelard answered hastily.

The men took off after Catherine while the women offered silent prayers for her safe return.

The Black Skull sliced through the water like a demon bent on revenge. Within the hour they were close to catching Charles's ship and the crew sounded a boisterous cheer.

"I don't like this, Santos," Lucian said, standing on deck, studying Charles's ship as the Black Skull came closer to overtaking it. "We caught up too easily."

"You think he planned it this way?" Santos asked, nervous himself that the chase had gone too smoothly.

"He's up to something. Make certain the crew stays alert."

"Aye, Lucian. Every man stands ready to obey your order."

o0o



Catherine stood on deck at the railing in her nightdress, feeling awkward and vulnerable in the thin material. She watched as the Black Skull gained solidly on Charles's ship. She could almost make out the men on deck and she craned her neck searching for Lucian.

"Soon, Catherine," Charles assured her. "Soon Lucifer will watch you perform a most amazing feat."

Fear crawled over her flesh. "What do you mean?"

He laughed. "I wish to bait the chase. Fill Lucifer with rage. Make him lose control."

Catherine took a step back, his crazed wide-eyed look frightening her.

He grabbed at her wrists, she struggled but her cumbersome shape hampered any chance of defense. With her wrists firmly locked in his grip, he shouted for rope.

Her heart plummeted and fear tightened her throat.

Two brawny men roughly took her from Charles and tied her wrists so tightly that the hemp cut into her skin.

"Are you a good swimmer, Catherine?" Charles asked, but gave her no chance to answer. "Not that it matters."

"Charles." She had to attempt to reason with him, but the only words she found herself uttering were, "My baby."

He looked indifferently at her. "Don't throw her overboard; lower her slowly so Lucian can watch her descend into the sea.

Catherine froze from the dreadful thought of being dropped into the sea, swallowed alive, unable to breathe. She'd never survive.

"He's close enough to see clearly, lower her," Charles ordered, and stood by the rail to stare across at the Black Skull.

The men grabbed her and sat her on the balustrade and then with strength and skill they lowered her slowly, easing her away from the side of the ship.

She grasped the rope above the knot that locked her hands together. She wouldn't look down. She looked up at the clear blue sky and swallowed the lump in her throat. She sent several silent prayers to the heavens above and attempted to recall all the lessons Lucian had given her on swimming and breathing properly.

She gave a glance at the Black Skull hoping to see Lucian one last time, hoping to shout her love to him. Her eyes were too blinded with tears and fright to see him, but she called out her love to him hoping he'd hear her as the water grabbed at her feet and pulled her under.

Lucian watched in horror as Catherine was lowered into the sea. He heard her call to him. Heard her fear. Heard her love for him. Shock and disbelief at what she was about to suffer froze him for a second and then his scream of outrage pierced the air and sent a rush of terror through every man on the Black Skull.