Virgin of the Sea Series - The Virgin of the Sea #1

CHAPTER 10

1. THE VIRGIN OF THE SEA

TRAPPED

Simon Verbeeck stands motionless, holding his wife tightly in his arms, and a paralyzing helplessness courses through his body.

De Santos kicks the cabin door closed behind him. Then he draws the thin throwing knife from its sheath and plays with it in his hands. Simon Verbeeck turns ice-cold. He has heard stories about Antonio de Santos. In the inns by the sea where the men drink, De Santos is a legend when it comes to knife throwing. He is a master at it, and no man can surpass him. Besides, when Simon dove over the side of the Virgin of the Sea to swim after the pirate ship, he hadn't thought to arm himself. He is now defenseless before this cruel man.

"And who is this intruding stranger?" De Santos asks. "Who is the man who dares to come aboard uninvited and take my mistress in his arms?"

Simon speaks immediately.

"My name is Simon Verbeeck, and this is my wife, Maria. I have been pursuing you across the southern Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean to rescue my wife because she belongs only to me."

"Oh, she belongs to you," says De Santos with a crooked smile. "I thought she was mine."

"She is my lawful wife," says Simon. "Jeremiah Harding took her from me, and you took her from him, but her heart has always belonged to me, De Santos. Even if you live a thousand years, her heart will never belong to you."

De Santos tosses the glittering knife into the air and catches it skillfully again. He holds it by the tip of the blade and, with a meaningful gesture, aims it at Simon's heart. Maria swings her body in front of Simon's and holds her body protectively between her husband and De Santos. Simon grips her tightly by the shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Maria, that I will have to make you a widow today. This so-called man of yours has a good chest to receive my throwing knife. By the way, Maria," says De Santos with cruel humor, while with one hand, he straightens the ends of his black mustache, "I have good news for you. Last night, I returned from the King of Siam. He is willing to consider giving me the Ruby of Buddha if I can provide him with a Western woman who pleases him. We two will travel to the king's palace today. That is, after I first deal with this intruder." There is a sparkle in De Santos' eyes, like the sparkle of old wine. There is also the reflection of unstoppable cruelty and vindictiveness in De Santos' eyes.

Simon suddenly moves Maria aside.

"De Santos," he says. "Listen to me. I can give you more in exchange for my wife than the Ruby of Buddha will ever be worth to you."

A cynical smile spreads across the pirate's face. "How interesting," he says dismissively, "and what can you possibly offer me?"

"I can offer you details," Simon replies, "about Red beard's treasure. I know exactly where Red beard's treasure is located on the Cocos Islands."

"You don't know what you're talking about, my dear man," he says to Simon. "I have already searched the Cocos Islands thoroughly for Red beard's treasure. I'm telling you it is merely a legend, and even if you know where the treasure is, it is still not half as valuable as the Ruby of Buddha. Don't waste my time."

"You are making a big mistake, De Santos. The value of Red beard's jewels is immeasurable, and you know it. They could bring four Rubies of Buddha, and I bet it would still not be worth as much as Red beard's treasure. I am willing to lead you there, and if I don't lead you to the treasure, you can keep Maria. But if I can show you the treasure, then you must hand her over to me."

"Enough," says De Santos, raising his hand. "Enough of this pointless talk, stranger. Maria belongs to me, and I will do with her as I please. I have promised her to the King of Siam in exchange for the Ruby of Buddha and a number of other privileges. Don't tell me what to do. I have decided to deliver Maria to the king, and no one will sway me from that decision. It is final. Today, I will take Maria to the King of Siam." He steps a little closer. There is now a terrible venom in his voice. "Besides," says De Santos, "you seem to have forgotten something. Are you the captain of the Virgin of the Sea?"