Braithwaite dropped to his knees, whimpering like a child scared of the monster beneath his bed, only the monster was real and angry.
Captain Jensen regained his balance quickly and drew his cutlass, ready to do battle.
As quickly as he’d ascended, Rafe fell back into the water, taking the old man with him. He held the man above the water, skimming the surface all the way back to where his ship hid among the lesser islands surrounding Mystique.
He roared with his approach and a rope ladder and spare rope dropped over the side of the sloop. Crew members climbed down the swaying ropes to the water, displaying only mild concern over the fearsome monster. Having dealt with Rafe for the past few months, they knew he posed no threat to them as long as they remained loyal to him and the rest of the crew of the Serpent’s Curse.
One sailor reached out and snagged the limp man beneath his arm. “Let us ’ave ’em, yer lordship. We can take it from ’ere.”
Rafe gave over his hold of the injured native and slipped back into the depths until he completed the transformation. Each time he sank deep into the ocean, his body shifted and shrank. Bones redeployed to different locations until his legs divided and his gills disappeared. Once the transformation was complete, he had only minutes to reach the surface and breathe.
When he breached, he swam to the rope ladder and hauled himself aboard.
“Good te see ya, Rafe.” Murphy met him at the railing and pounded his back in a hearty greeting.
Seumus met him with a pair of trousers. “Thought ye might have run into a wee bit o’ trouble in Siren’s Cove.”
“As a matter of fact, I did.” A siren by the name of Melodie. Rafe slid damp legs into the trousers provided and then strode barefoot across the deck to the captain’s quarters.
Murphy followed. “As ye showed up as a serpent, I assume you didn’t kill the witch.”
“No, I didn’t kill the witch. Somehow she knew I was coming.”
“Did she send an army of natives to stop you?”
“No. Only one.”
“He must have been a big, brawny sort to put a halt to your plan.” Murphy circled him, inspecting his bared skin. “I see no battle wounds.”
His skin heated, not so much from embarrassment over being bested by a female, but because of what had deterred him from his goal. Hot, passionate sex with a virgin sacrifice. “Not a man. A siren.”
Murphy’s eyes widened. “Bless my soul.” Then he was pounding Rafe’s back again, his face wreathed in grins. “And you lived to tell about it? You are one lucky man.” He rocked back on his heels and smirked. “Perhaps I should attempt to find this Siren’s Cove. To kill the Obeah woman, of course.”
A flash of rage overcame Rafe so quickly, he grabbed Murphy by the throat and raised him from the wood flooring. “You will stay away from Siren’s Cove, do you understand?”
Unable to speak with a fist wrapped around his vocal chords, all Murphy could manage was a slight nod.
“Let ’im go, Capt’n.” Seumus laid a hand on Rafe’s shoulder. “He was only temptin’ yer ire.”
For a moment longer, Rafe held Murphy until rational thought returned. Then he dropped his friend and shook out his hand.
Murphy rubbed at the marks on his neck. “A bit touchy, are we?”
“Don’t.” Seumus gave him a warning glare.
Rafe’s eyes narrowed. What had come over him that he would attack a loyal friend over a taunt? Had it been the image of Melodie splayed naked against the rocks, her legs wide, her pussy wet with passion? Or the image of Murphy as the next man to partake of her sweet offering?
He shook his head to clear the wool gathering in his mind. Melodie was a distraction who’d set his mind adrift. He had bigger problems than protecting her from one of his own. “Braithwaite prepares to launch his own attack on Siren’s Cove in two nights.”
Seumus nodded. “I suspected as much. He wants whatever Busara is hiding in the cove. Must be fantastic treasure for him to want it so much. Did ye at least discover what that might be?”
“No.” What had he accomplished by his night’s sojourn? Nothing. He’d failed miserably. But he wouldn’t let it happen again. “I’ll go back tonight and find Busara and either she lifts my curse or she dies.”
“Are you sure you don’t need a little help?” Murphy asked.
Rafe’s blood pounded in his ears and his hands clenched into tight fists, but he held his calm. “I’m quite certain.”
Seumus nodded. “This time, plug yer ears with cotton or wax to avoid the lure of the siren’s song.”
“I will.” He wasn’t as concerned about the song luring him from his destination but the woman herself. Having tasted her honey he was drawn like a bee to return for another sip. Not tonight. He had to break free of the spell in order to fight Braithwaite on his own terms and free the island of his tyranny.
“Kanoni, I’m so glad you’re here.” Melodie hurried toward the Obeah woman’s hut, her belly tied in knots, her body afire with memories of her pirate’s tryst. “Where is Busara?”
“She’s away tending to a sick man in the village.” Kanoni rested her hand on Melodie’s forehead. “Your face is flushed. Are you well?”
Melodie pushed her hand away. “No, I’m not well.”
“Then sit. I’ll gather mother’s herbs.”
“You can’t cure me with herbs.” She spun and walked a few steps away, wrapping her arms around her belly. “My stomach and chest hurt so bad I think I shall die.”
“Did you eat something bad?”
“No.” Tears welled in her eyes and she turned to her friend. “It’s him!”
Kanoni’s brows dipped into a fierce frown. “A man? Did he hurt you?”
“No. Yes. Oh, I don’t know,” she wailed.
Her friend propped her fists on her narrow hips. “If he hurt you, Kanoni will do terrible tings to him.”
“No, no, he didn’t do anything to me I didn’t want him to.” Melodie’s cheeks flamed and she shied away from her friend’s knowing look. “He touched me in the most glorious places.” Her voice faded off as her mind recaptured the magic of his hands and tongue.
“Is that all?” Kanoni let out a relieved sigh. “For a moment you had dis girl worried.”
“Is that all?” Melodie flung her arms wide. “He wants to kill your mother!”
The Obeah’s daughter shrugged. “Dat will never happen. She has de magic about her.”
“He is a very determined man, Kanoni.”
“Determined
