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“All right, Ruby!” Alvin whistled triumphantly, waving at the other ship. Moon waved back, face green and still not looking well. He held on to Ruby, who had her eyes closed and was deep in concentration.
“Marko…”
“On it, Captain.”
Swords and gunshots went for them as Marko made his exit, but the sheen did a good job of absorbing them all. More men made their exit until only Isaiah, Wheeler, and Arty were left to form their small circle of protection.
“What’s taking so long?” Wheeler asked.
“Patience,” Arty said.
“I’m patient. It’s still taking long.”
“Then they might not have made it.”
“Hey! Don’t underestimate them like that. We—”
“Quiet, you two,” Isaiah warned just as the first body threw itself into the sheen, only to be pushed back. But more came, every man nearby taking their turn before they decided to push simultaneously. The sheen gave way, bending slightly until the three squeezed into their corner. The pirates climbed on other pirates’ shoulders and threw their bodies at the top until the sheen gave way there, too.
“They are going to suffocate us,” Arty deduced.
The sheen bubbled forward, re-pushing the opponents. A howl from their ship had Isaiah’s body tightening.
“Holy crap. Moon.”
Moon was transforming into his shifter form even with no moon present. But he was also actively fighting it. Their crew divided themselves between trying to push Moon below deck and shielding Ruby, who sensed what was happening and was shaken. In turn, her concentration was gone, leaving the sheen retreating more than it was expanding.
“Go,” Isaiah ordered. “Help them.”
Wheeler and Arty didn’t budge. When one of the pirates spotted the rope and scrambled for it, Wheeler cursed and cut the line.
“No choice now, we are staying with you,” Wheeler said, managing to sound cheerful.
“This is suicide,” Isaiah barked out, getting angry. “You could have made your exit.”
“No. This is teamwork. We don’t let them down.”
Them.Their two companions that were still missing.
They were prepared to protect every single crew member, even if it meant death. Isaiah braced his body at the knowledge, just as prepared to give his life. The sheen grew closer and closer, pushing at them from multiple ends and cutting off the last means of escape when they were taken to their knees. In his mind, he sent a call to Nicola.
I love you.
Please be alive and live your life well.
A piercing cry splintered the air. Then chaos scattered the throng. The pushing force against them abated, allowing the sheen to breathe and them to stand up again. His eyes darted around to take in the creatures moving in all directions, a variety so wide that he could only stare in awe. Then Maddox was there, quick on his feet, and headed for them.
“Ruby needs help,” Isaiah said.
That was all the half-vampire needed to stand on the railing and shout until another rope was tossed. Then Maddox was on the other ship, where he bodily dragged Moon until the teenage boy was out of sight. The sheen hummed with a new surge of energy as Ruby found her concentration again.
The three watched the scene unfold before them, a terrifying sight of creatures furious at being imprisoned and basking in their freedom. Some instantly dove into the sea, never to be seen again. Others flew to the skies and hovered over them while the rest stayed on the ship. Those heavily wounded crawled around and made the most hysterical sounds. Those who weren’t injured….
“Holy shit,” Wheeler said, stepping forward to help a pirate that was being ripped to pieces. Arty pulled him back just as a spiky tail slammed into their bubble shield with enough force to shake it. “I hate them, let’s be clear, but that’s brutal.”
Another creature dragged a man across the deck, death in its dark orbs. The man begged for mercy, and something moved in between the two. Isaiah’s heart stopped.
Nicola kicked the creature back enough to rattle it and let go of the man, who scrambled back below deck. She was gone before the creature could retaliate, running to help another man and knock down a third who tried to sneak up on her. Then she jumped from one creature’s head to another, a visceral force pulsating with grace and capturing the throng’s attention. That was intended, too, as she gestured at the remaining pirates to leave and essentially had them grateful for her saving them.
