An Airship Named Desire (Take to the Skies Book 1) (26 page)

The Morlock broke our cautious circling and rushed in for a jab at me. My shoulders tensed as I followed his movements, waiting for the swing I saw coming. Too late, I caught the glint of a knife in his hand. He raised his weapon overhead, ready to slice it down deep.

A shot rang out.

The Morlock staggered forward and dropped his weapon, reeling from the shock of being shot. The bullet clattered onto the ground after passing clear through his upper torso. He took two more steps before he tumbled down. Blood pooled around him where he fell and stained the deck a deep crimson. Behind him, Jack stood with the pistol I’d passed him earlier, clutching it with shaking hands.

He gave me a slow quavering salute.

“Good shot,” I called over to him. “Maybe we’ll make a recon man out of you yet.” He tried on a fierce grin, but his attempt wilted into more of a puppy dog smile. His eyes careened up and down as the poor boy almost passed out.

Isabella whirled around Jensen several feet away, but he moved as fast. When one of her knives snaked out to slice into him, he’d dodge out of the way to the inch. Her knives slivered razor thin surface wounds across his biceps and forearms. Isabella’s tactics leaned to fast movement since against him she wasn’t matching strength. She might not have realized yet, but soon she’d reach a disadvantage. Those cuts wouldn’t slow a pro like Jensen who just toyed with her, trying to wear her out, and the two of them could do this dance for hours. Both knew every inch of the other’s body

I scooped up my stolen weapons from the ground where I’d tossed them earlier and tucked the semi-automatic into my belt loop. While my hand was wrapped around the sword hilt, anyone who tried to charge me would meet a pointed, bloody end. Mordecai stood on guard in front of Edwin and Adelle’s perch, fending off any who dared to come close—many didn’t, since that man could best most with a blade. Their barrel system made strides with disrupting Morlocks as they aimed it yet again to crash onto one of the men slinging a fist down on Seth. Seizing the moment, he fired a shot, and the Morlock crumpled to the ground seconds later. 

With weapons, most of my crew could best these men. Now that the fighting exploded amongst the rabble and my crew wielded weaponry, hopelessness no longer marched a parade across my deck. My heart surged at seeing my crew scrap against the Morlocks as they threw every ounce of spitfire and vinegar they had into the fight. We might yet take our girl back.

Spade kept a steady hand on the helm by the navigation bay. Though the Morlocks were ruthless and used cowardly tactics, they had a sense of self-preservation since they let the helmsman steer without interaction. If no one manned the ship, we might hit an air pocket or any of the other numerous disasters up in the skies, and we’d crash and burn. Until I stared in Spade’s direction, I hadn’t noticed the dark clouds collecting in the distance. By themselves, those roiling tufts weren’t an issue, but with the chaos on board amidst all the battling, they’d provided the perfect cover.

Breaking through the barrier of clouds, a gigantic airship sailed straight towards us. She was a sturdy thing with top of the line materials, well built, but with little thought to her aesthetic construction. Along the ropes leading to the balloon, a too familiar Union Jack flag rippled through the breeze.

The British merchant ship.

Chapter Twenty Five

My chest twisted. Even from here their dozens of cannons glinted from the side of the ship. We’d be sunk if they started firing the heavy artillery. Our only chance was to hoist the white flag and take our vessel back from the Morlocks. At least peace talks might buy us some time. Humidity settled over us with a clammy embrace, and the tumult around me slowed in lieu of one clear thought: rally the crew. I raced over to Spade and clapped a hand on his back. He offered me a grim nod.

“Over to me,” I bellowed. “Jack,” I continued, pointing towards the ropes. “Hoist the white flag!” I brought my hands to my mouth so my voice carried. “Crew! Rally to me, Captain’s orders. Cease fighting. Enemy ship on the horizon!”

In the distance, the monolithic ship pressed closer.

Condensation hung heavy in the air and spiked my nerves. What I wouldn’t give right now for a pint of grog, but even absinthe at this point wouldn’t pull me back from the brink. At the sound of my cry, many of the crew dropped their weapons and raced over to gather around me. Bodies of the Morlock invaders scattered across the deck of our ship, but enough of the live ones still battled to give pause. Jack hung from the cables by our flags. He threw his back into the pull and hoisted the rungs of the white one into the air. The slate balloon of the British merchant ship hung overhead and carried the oaken beast towards us.

Isabella joined my side, clutching several knives in either hand. Jensen had vanished out of sight, but though she’d stained her blades, she hadn’t finished him off. As much as I wanted to hunt him down, we couldn’t waste time when that massive ship prepared to ram us clear out of the skies. Many of the Morlocks stared openmouthed at the approaching airship and began to cluster in one solid mass at the forward end of the Desire while we rallied.

They’d never bargained for the British military when they signed onto this mission. Throw in a wee bit of danger, and the Morlocks already tucked their tails between their legs. Unfortunately for them, their tiny airship hovered on our side of the deck, and the helmsman didn’t have the smarts to loop around and carry them away.

My crew huddled around me with somber looks painted on every single face. Some days the sunshine was a long time coming, but we hadn’t sentenced ourselves to dark days forever. 

“Captain,” Isabella spoke for everyone. “What do we do now?”

“Attempt a parley with the redcoats. No cargo is worth the price of my crew.”

Seth gave me a long stare. He knew, like I did, what that box contained. If I gave it to the Brits, old Germany wouldn’t see the justice she deserved. I jerked my head no, and he glowered. Under most circumstances I’d do anything to keep it out of their hands, but not if it meant any more of my crew would fall. “Make sure Jensen doesn’t leave this ship alive,” I continued. “That traitor is mine.” The words escaped me with a growl. Our white flag fluttered in a reckless breeze that swept the deck in gusts.

“What about the Morlocks?” Edwin called down from his perch atop the navigation bay.

“Throw them overboard, I don’t care. Just get those men off my ship.” I walked over to the back end of the Desire sectioned off by a steeper ledge and rails. The British ship sailed forward at a steady pace approaching for collision. I stepped to the edge and placed my hands along the smooth railing where beyond me, the sky stretched out, aged and tumultuous. The wind whipped around, carrying with it the sharp scent of ozone. My aviator cap clung tight to my head, but the stray curls underneath blew past my shoulders, and I clutched the rounded pommel of the Morlock blade. The British monolith pressed onward, quickly closing the gap between us.

I held my breath and prayed our white flag flew high and clear enough that they’d notice. If not, this would be the final horizon any of us would see.

On the brink of being unable to halt, the British ship swerved to a grinding stop. Everyone aboard the Desire remained while we watched. Aboard the British merchant ship, members filed by rank. The entire airship, from the polished oak exterior to the pin straight masts, screamed organization, nothing like the rugged bumps and uneven floorboards of the Desire. They marched onto a side boat with at least five officers and their accompanying guards before sailing straight towards us.

Their boat aimed like a rifle shot due to the small propeller whirring in the back and the small sail overtop billowing in the wind. We didn’t bother trying to ready any weaponry because within minutes, they’d already lined up with us. I placed a hand over my heart in relief. If they were willing to parley, perhaps we could hand over the box, dump the Morlocks overboard, and sail off in different directions. As if it would be that simple.

“You’re giving them the box?” Isabella kept her voice a low whisper as those dark eyes glittered with disbelief. Her words pained me more knowing what the cursed cargo held inside. Seth and Mordecai wouldn’t forgive me, but I had to protect my crew over this treaty. Sentimentality gave trouble we couldn’t afford.

“If it comes down to it, yes. I’ll not lose another member of this crew.”

Isabella stepped back amongst the deckhands and saluted. “We’re with you until the end Captain.”

“On your order, ma’am.” Seth’s lip split, and a wicked smirk crowned his face. He didn’t enter the battlefield as much as he used to, but when he did, his fight from those military days showed. The understanding in his eyes gave me the courage I needed, and I took a deep breath.

“We’ve lost too many.” I glanced over the deck before addressing our crew. “But no more. Whatever we do from here, we have to watch out for each other. That includes the Desire. She’s been our home for so long, and no Morlock filth or pompous redcoat will take her and run us overboard. I’d go down fighting for every last one of you. I consider you all the only family I’ve known, and around here, we protect ours.”

“Apparently I signed onto the right ship.” Mordecai slipped me a wry grin.

“We’re behind you Captain, say the word.” Edwin’s fluted voice came from the perch above the navigation bay. Little Adelle saluted me, and then waved with a small grin on her face. 

“As are we all, Cherie.” Isabella passed me a fierce feline smile of her own and placed her hands on her hips. “I was wondering when I’d get a good scuffle. Looks like my birthday came early this year.” 

The British boat pulled next to the stern side of the ship where we stood. A charged slate sky spanned behind them, and darkened clouds suspended overhead. Without any acknowledgement, not even a glance our way, those high and mighty officers and guards filed out of the boat and onto our deck. One of the redcoats stepped up from the lineup of the others. All were armed with one-handed cavalry swords and muskets strapped onto their backs, their weapons glowing from polish. The guards standing behind them didn’t wear such official pieces and bogged down their holsters with a mismatch of semi-automatic pistols and sinful looking knives.

“May I speak to the captain of this ship?” The redcoat refused to deign us with a look and instead stared off into the distance with a bored expression on his face.

“Aye, that’s me.” I swaggered up to him past the rest of my crew. His eyebrow elevated with reserved judgments, but he didn’t utter a word.

One of the guards jabbed a finger at me. “Her and the tall man, I remember them. They’re the ones that nabbed the box in the first place.”

The officer ignored him. “We’ve come for our stolen cargo. Either you hand it over, or we’ll commandeer your ship.” He cast an eye over to the Morlocks. “And if your deck is any representation, a takeover shouldn’t be difficult.” Irritation scraped my skin like rough rusted metal at hearing him talk about the Desire that way, but I swallowed my conceit.

“We’ll hand the box over,” I started. A smug smile rolled across the officer’s face until I continued. “On one condition.” His brows shot up in shock that we’d even think of bargaining. “We give it to you and then you clear off. Allow us to sail away. My crew and my ship are important to me, and I won’t have either harmed.”

“You do realize you’ll have to turn yourselves in. You stole property belonging to the British crown. Such a crime is punishable by death, but I suppose with cooperation we could be willing to reduce such a sentence to imprisonment.”

My tongue dried, and I found myself unable to reply. We’d get our lives, which was a better fate than we faced at the moment, and as it stood, I couldn’t afford to sacrifice any more over my fool decisions. We’d already lost the Captain and Geoff. I glanced back to my crew.

Seth’s shoulders heaved up and down from the fight, but already, he bandaged his bloody knuckles and smacked them against his palm. He’d keep swinging until the end. Isabella twirled one of her knives between her fingers while keeping her gaze sharp on the Brits. I didn’t envy being on the receiving end—her look promised death. Mordecai’s hand strayed on the pommel of his sword, since the professional was ready at a moment’s notice. Edwin and Adelle stood on top of the navigation bay with their arms shaking and knees quivering but by the Gods, ready to hurl that barrel at the nearest foe. A caged life wasn’t worth anything.

“A wise man told me the day he joined up here was the day he finally started living,” my words rang loud and clear. “If refusal of imprisonment makes us pirates, fine. Airship pirates we’ll be.”

The officer’s face twisted with an ugly frown. “Poor decision. You’ll face execution here then.” He signaled the guards on us. “Get them.”

“Crew,” I screamed, and my voice scraped against my throat. “Time to protect what’s ours. Show them what the Desire’s worth!” I threw my hand forward and led the charge with my sword.

The moment the parley dissolved, the Morlocks made a run for their ship as the deck exploded into chaos. However, they wouldn’t get far—Edwin and Adelle stood atop the bay with their barrel poised.

The leading redcoat drew his cavalry sword and met my raised one with a clash. My steel held steady, although my own cutlass would’ve served me better. By his straight stance and the confidence emanating from it, I could tell the British officer would best me in swordsmanship. He surged forward, feinting a thrust. I almost fell for the trick but at the last second pulled my sword back to guard. With a fast and fluid swing, he brought his blade down, needling towards my right arm. My response time faltered, since I’d already taken a beating, but I lifted my sword in defense before he lopped off my limb.

Not hesitating, he tapped down with his edge twice before circling the sword around to the other angle. His taps threw my cutlass off balance, but I heaved my sword around to greet his next attack. The moment the tip of his blade ripped through my pants and cut into my thigh, I shoved the sword away before it bit further and became a more serious wound. Ignoring the sting from the gash, I focused on keeping up with the redcoat. He’d taken a strict offensive, and given my injuries, the man danced circles around me.

I parried another strike from him, and my arm ached with the effort. The flat edge of my cutlass stopped the point of his blade when he jabbed a sharp thrust towards my stomach. Our motions turned mechanical while the officer waited for me to do something stupid. I wasn’t about to give him the opportunity. We circled one another, and the tense air settled around us.

Until Jensen reemerged onto the deck.

With the box in his hand.

Chapter Twenty Six

My jaw tightened and pain from my injuries sparked up into my cheeks. He would not escape. Not after all the betrayals he’d committed and the blood staining his hands a traitorous red. This fight no longer mattered. Jensen hurtled through the chaos around deck like a juggernaut, shoving aside anyone who stood in his way. I met the British man’s eyes. He might have perfect form and better swordsmanship, but I had one thing on my side that stacked the deck in my favor—I was absolutely crazy.

Tossing aside our stupid dance, I charged in with a yell so loud he almost jumped out of his little red coat. My cutlass moved with me, but he didn’t matter. He stood in the way of my real goal. Even though his cavalry sword whipped against my arm and stung, I drove my blade straight through the ribs and kept running. Hot drops of blood spattered onto my face, but I didn’t care.

Jensen charged for the Morlock ship hovering by the ledge. Any poor soul who got in his way would be trampled. The second he reached the vessel, he tucked the box under one arm and grabbed the rope with his other. I had less distance to cover, but he could outrun me any day. My decision wavered in my mind for a second before I tossed the sensible option to the breeze. A Morlock stood in my way, but I didn’t give a damn. I shoved the man over and hurtled towards the rope. Like hell he’d escape my ship alive. The wind picked up, and the first warning drop hit my face.

Rain.

Dark clouds rushed at us containing a furious storm. As if shifted by the strong breezes, the horizon transitioned over to charcoal shadows. I gripped onto the rope and hoisted myself up. Jensen scaled it fast but climbing wasn’t easy while defending precious cargo. I knew. My right arm burned with the fresh slice I’d received, and my stabbed leg throbbed with a renewed ache. A steady trickle of blood trailed down my calf. I ignored the pain and made my way up the rope even faster.

Jensen climbed an arms reach away, and if I stretched out, I could grab him. He glanced down and tried to kick me off. His boot crunched onto my knuckles, causing them to throb in pain. I clung on with dogged determination. He continued scaling the rope until he reached the ledge of the ship and tossed himself over. I followed right behind him and landed on my rear.