Vampirates 5: Empire of Night (17 page)

Sidorio turned to his wife. "Tell me, my dear. What did you think of Obsidian Darke?"

Lola raised her eyes and chose her words carefully. "Cold. Lacking in manners or any residual human warmth. Charmless. Somehow disconnected. Potentially brutal." She smiled sweetly. "I think he's exactly the kind of leader we're looking for."

"I agree," Sidorio said. "And now that I've heard Stukeley's idea of acquiring ships from the pirates, I've come up with a gem of an idea myself. We'll put a different Vampirate in charge of each attack mission. That way, we'll not only make great progress at acquiring the ships, but we'll also see who's got what it takes to take a senior position in our organization. Obsidian Darke can lead the first attack. That'll show us what he's made of."

187

Lola shook her head. "No," she said. "
You
must lead the first attack. And then Stukeley and Johnny. It's vital that the rank-and-file Vampirates see the existing team demonstrating authority at this point. By all means, you can
then
get Obsidian Darke to step up to the plate."

"I think you're right, Captain Lockwood," Stukeley said. "If we develop the fleet as quickly as is our intent, we risk confusing the crew. It's a good idea to reinforce the command structure before we do so."

"That's settled then," Sidorio said. "I'll lead the first attack, then Stukeley, then Johnny. And then Darke! Is someone taking minutes?"

"Yes!" Nathalie cried from the other end of the table, her pen flying across the yellow legal pad in front of her, as it had been since the meeting began.

"Well, then," Sidorio said. "That's about it, I think. Unless anyone else has any other bright ideas?"

"Captains!" Jacqueline's arm shot up. "I want to ask about our plans to contain the pirate threat. It seems like they are getting smarter and more ambitious in their attacks on us. Look at what happened at your wedding."

Lola nodded, exchanging a quick knowing glance with Stukeley and Johnny, unseen by the others. "You're right to ask the question, Jacqui. Of course, we should be cautious at all times, but I tend to think that the incident at my wedding was a one-off." Once more, she glanced along the length of the polished table. "With Stukeley's plan to decimate the pirate fleets and build our own, the

188

pirates should have plenty on their minds besides attacking us."

Now Nathalie spoke. "But Captain, isn't Connor himself part of a Vampirate assassination squad? That's the rumor going around. Should we be at all concerned for our safety?"

Lola shook her head. "These are valid concerns, but you needn't worry about either Connor or Grace for now."

"It's just that we know they're dhampirs," Nathalie persisted. "And dhampirs have special powers to destroy vampires."

"Only if they choose to," Lola said, exchanging a glance with Sidorio. "We weren't going to get into this tonight, but since you've brought it up and I can see some of you are concerned..."

Sidorio took over. "A dhampir, being half-mortal and half-vampire, has a choice when he or she reaches adult maturity--the point at which Connor and Grace are arriving at now. They can either be a very powerful advocate for the Vampirate cause or, as you say, they could turn against us."

There were some anxious faces around the table. Lola smiled at them reassuringly. "Don't look so glum, everyone. We've thought this through, and we're on the case. Tonight, we began deviously feeding the twins blood. This will continue, without them noticing, for several nights to come. The blood will stoke their appetite for

189

more, and this hunger will bring them very firmly over to our side once and for all."

"What are Connor and Grace doing here?" Mimma asked. "I mean, they're surely not just here because they're curious about their parenthood?"

"I honestly think that's part of it," Lola said. "But you're right, Mim, to suspect there are other factors at play. Connor
is
currently attached to a boat of would-be assassins. Is he spying on us? More than likely. Does it matter? Not a jot. He's going to have a whole lot more on his mind by the time we've finished with him."

"And Grace?" Johnny asked.

Lola was visibly amused. "I rather thought
you
were the expert on Grace. Why do
you
think she's here?"

Johnny shrugged. "She's incredibly open-minded. I think she might well be here to get to know you both better." He paused. "But it is also true that she has strong attachments to members of the crew of
The Nocturne
. Lorcan Furey, for instance."

Once more Lola smiled. "It's your job, darling, to break those attachments. Just as it is Stukeley's to work on Connor." Lola made sure she had everyone's attention before continuing. "Connor and Grace have the power to destroy us all. We need to eliminate that threat before it arises by convincing them that they belong here with us." She raised her head imperiously. "Does everyone understand?"

"Yes, Captain," came the answer from all around the table.

190

"This meeting is over," Lola said. "Good work, everybody. Now back to business! Seize the night!"

It took a matter of moments for the deputies to clear up their various papers, charts, and product samples and exit the cabin.

When they had gone, Lola poured two fresh glasses of blood, extending one to Sidorio and taking the other in her own hand.

"That went well," Sidorio said, sipping from his glass. "We have an unbeatable team."

Lola swallowed a mouthful of liquid. "In the main," she agreed. "But, darling, you must keep an eye on those two deputies of yours."

Sidorio frowned. "You've never liked my boys, Lollipop, have you?"

Lola shuddered. "Don't
ever
call me that," she said. "And it's not a question of like. I simply don't trust them. I'm not asking you to choose between them and me...."

"I'd choose you," Sidorio said. "Always you. Over anyone. Even my son and daughter." His voice was raw. She had no doubt that he was speaking the truth.

"No one is asking you to choose," she said in soothing tones. Then her voice grew sharper. "Just keep those two busy."

191

19 CONTACT

Connor broke into a jog around the edge of the deck, finding an easy rhythm. His body had been crying out for exercise, and the afternoon sun was pleasingly strong on the back of his neck. Though his footsteps were light, still they echoed on the metal floor. He thought of the Vampirates sleeping down below and hoped the sound wouldn't wake them.

He was surprised that he felt
so
awake. By the end of a day's labors aboard
The Tiger
, he was normally so in need of rest that he was capable of lying down and sleeping on bare deck boards if necessary. Yet here, on this ship, he didn't seem at all tired. Quite the reverse. Right now, he could feel his body pulsing with energy. He realized that he might also be having trouble adjusting his rhythms of waking and sleep. He wondered if Grace was experiencing

192

similar issues aboard
The Vagabond
. But then, he reflected, she had traveled on a Vampirate ship for so long that he imagined the exchange of day for night--and night for day--must come easily to her now.

As he ran around the perimeter of the deck, Connor's eyes took in the expanse of the ship and the emptiness around him. Its size seemed the perfect symbol of his mission. He felt dwarfed by it. How on earth could he, working solo, hope to effect change here? The key thing was to keep Sidorio, Stukeley, and the others firmly on his side and build their trust.

That part of his mission seemed to be going well so far, but it occurred to Connor that the Vampirates might also be working hard to build
his
trust. He knew there was a good chance that
they
might be spying on
him
. So be it. Uppermost in his mind was the fact that he still had no idea how he was supposed to keep Cheng Li informed of his progress. She had promised him a contact but left him in the dark regarding who it might be and when he or she might arrive.

After three circuits of the deck, Connor paused to catch his breath and wipe away the beads of perspiration on his forehead. The sun had already dropped close to the horizon behind him, causing the ship's shadow to stretch across the surface of the ocean. He had hoped the run might tire his restless body but, if anything, he now felt even more energized. Perhaps it was the adrenaline, induced by the importance of his mission and the need to

193

be alert 24/7. He turned and glanced over the edge of the ship. It was like looking down a sheer black cliff. It surprised him that he didn't feel any sense of vertigo. If anything, the sparkling turquoise water seemed to beckon to him. A cooling dip would be a great way to burn off his excess energy.

He untied his shoelaces and peeled away his sweat-soaked tank top, leaving it beside his shoes at the deck rail. Then he climbed over the side of the ship, his feet reaching for the metal ladder that led down to the ocean. It was a long way down, but, where once he might have hesitated, Connor felt his body moving down the rungs feeling calm and confident.

By the time he'd gotten halfway down, he couldn't resist another glance at the cool, glittering waters below. Once more, he anticipated a wave of vertigo but, again, there was none. Instead, as he glimpsed the waters below, he felt only adrenaline.
I really am changing
, he thought, as he released himself from the ladder and pin-dropped down into the chill water, feeling the thrill of exhilaration.

He entered the water cleanly and, as his body ceased its motion, he realized he had gone quite deep. It was so quiet and peaceful here, another world entirely from that above the surface. For a moment, he felt sheltered from all his worries. He lingered for a time, his lungs feeling full and strong. Then he began a calm, slow ascent.

Breaking through the surface, back into the air, he

194

found himself in the shadow of the vast ship; but the shadow was already less defined as the day's light began to fade. He began swimming along the edge of the creaking hull. As he swam, he had the sensation of something slipping past him in the water. He hesitated, treading water for a minute or two, searching for signs of a fin. There was none. Connor realized he was getting too close to the barnacle-encrusted metal and kicked out, intent on putting some distance between himself and the ship.

He turned back to face
The Blood Captain
, treading water once more. The ship looked even more gargantuan from this perspective, dominating his view like a killer whale. His thoughts returned to his mission. Was he really up to this?

Suddenly, his gnawing anxiety was banished by a more pressing concern. Something--or someone--had grabbed onto his ankles and was dragging him underwater. He only had time to mumble "What the... ?" before his head was pulled beneath the surface.

Connor instinctively kicked out with his legs, trying to throw off whatever it was that had latched onto him. The grip around his ankles felt human and, if this was the case, then a kick seemed as good a defense as any.

His vision underwater was limited. As he was dragged further down, his movements and those of his assailant created a screen of air bubbles. Through them, he could just about make out a tail fin. It didn't make sense to him. He knew that the hands that had moved from his ankles

195

to his waist were human. Confused, he managed to wrench himself free from their viselike grip. He didn't wait to get another look at the fin. He swam hard back up to the surface. His instinct was to gasp for air--but, strangely, he didn't seem to be out of breath. Whoever or whatever had attacked him couldn't be far away. He'd have to swim fast to avoid a second attack. He began a powerful freestyle toward the ship and safety.

Something swam past him again. Then a shimmering tail arced through the water's surface and disappeared again below. Just ahead of him, a head pushed up through the surface into the air. Connor froze. It was a girl's face. He was immediately struck by her rare beauty. She had intense eyes, which seemed to shimmer all the colors of the rainbow, and close-cropped, bright-blue hair.

The girl smiled warmly at him. "Connor!" she exclaimed. "Long time no see."

"Who are you?" Connor asked, wincing as a draft of saltwater sank down his throat.

She laughed. "I was just having fun before, trying to get your attention."

Connor pushed the hair back out of his eyes and took a good look at the strange girl. "I asked you a question," he said, on his guard. "Who are you?"

They stared at each curiously for a time, until the girl broke the awkward silence.

"You really
don't
remember me," she said, "do you?"

He shook his head.

196

"Hmm," she said, somewhat deflated. "Then I'm going to have my fair share of explaining to do." As she spoke, a shimmering tail rose from the water.

Connor realized with a jolt that it belonged to the girl. He gazed at her in wonder. "Are you... some kind of mermaid?" he asked.

"I'm a fishtail," she said. "My name's Kally. I won't pretend I'm not disappointed that you don't remember me." She shook the water from her spiky hair. "But first things first! Captain Li sent me. I'm a fellow agent of the Pirate Federation, and I'm going to be working with you on this mission, carrying messages between the two of you." Kally winked at him. "Guaranteed same-day delivery."

Connor studied Kally in wonder. Cheng Li had promised him she'd find a safe way of keeping the lines of communication open between them. Even in his wildest dreams, it hadn't occurred to him that it would be via a mermaid--he corrected himself--via a
fishtail
.

He noticed that what was left of the day's light was almost gone. "We don't have much time," he said.