Hunting Souls: Taking Flight (2)

Aida-8

"Princess," Skye said shaking my shoulder.

"Yes?" I shot up and held my head as the dizziness swept through.

"There's something going on above," she whispered nervously.

I listened to the voices above and heard one that was not recognizable. "Who is it?" I mouthed to Skye.

"Blackheart."

Blackheart... The name sent shivers down my spine. He was notorious for many wicked things, and him being on the ship wasn't a good thing.

Footsteps on the deck grew louder as they made their way down the stairs.

I pushed Skye behind me as the door opened.

My knife was in my hand as Scoundrel glanced at us. I lowered it carefully and beckoned him to come in.

"Caleb needs you both to come up top."

"Is Sampson still up there?"

"Aye Madam. That is why I need you both to follow me."

"Scoundrel," I caught his arm gently and made him look at me, "is everything okay up there?"

"Let's just head up there, Caleb will explain."

Well that didn't help much I gulped as we headed up the creaky stairs and towards the deck.

Caleb and the others stood with their swords drawn as we appeared. More of Blackheart's soldiers had crossed the plank to our ship.

"Jewel?" I questioned as Blackheart bowed in a mocking manner.

"Your highness, so glad to meet you. I see you are the true owner of the Ring of Shadows."

"What is it that you want Blackheart? I'm very limited on time," I ordered.

"You sound just like your mother but even you can't fool me. I know you are weak and fragile."

I restrained myself from pulling out my own dagger and casted an expressionless face, "If that's what you choose to believe you are sadly mistaken."

"I beg your pardon, mi lady, but there is something I want."

"Then speak of what it is you're wanting," I snarled losing my patience.

"The Ring should be mine with such a fitting title it's been given."

"You seem to not recall that my father had this Ring so as it should be, I would inherit it."

Blackheart looked taken aback and looked at Caleb and Patch. "Well then, this is interesting. Tell you what Princess, I'll make you a deal. Either I get the Ring or Souls."

"What!" Jewel yelled unsheathing her sword.

"I will not give you the Ring, it is mine."

"Then I'll take Souls, he hasn't been put in his place yet." He casted a look at Souls with eyes that seemed to be the gates of hell. I tried to hold back a shiver or from moving to stand by his side and defend him.

"That won't be necessary seeing as we outnumber you..." I tried to think of a safer solution but I didn't want a war to erupt.

"If I give you the Ring, I would have to join."

"Alanna," Caleb cursed and stepped forward.

"Hmm.. A Ring and a Princess."

"What will it be Blackheart," I turned to Caleb and he frowned in my trade.

"If I took you and the Ring I know Caleb would come to your rescue so I'll hold off, boys get Caleb."

I turned and ran at Caleb before the crew had time to think as I threw ourselves into the dark water below.

He shot me a thankful look as we resurfaced.

"Alanna,"

"I had too."

"Shoot them!" Blackheart cried as they ran to their sip and brought out a harpoon.

I dove under with Caleb as it rushed into the water after us.

Red tinged the water as I saw Caleb float up to the top and felt pain in my tail.

"Caleb!" I screamed and tried to pull us up against the ship to prevent them from shooting is again.

Patch threw a rope down instead and started hauling us up.

"Patch help him," I cried seeing the red on his shirt.

"Aida," someone said and threw a towel on me as I fell and screamed in pain from the harpoon wound that was covering my side.

"He protected you," Skye murmured mortified and tried to work on my wound.

"He.. he loves me," I cringed as Skye bandaged my side.

I crawled over and laid my Ring on his chest as I tried to stop trembling. A small light illuminated over his wound and started to heal it.

"Incredible," Blackheart said as he looked at us. "You can't be this powerful."

"I am, and it would be wise if you and your crew left." I threatened as they had retreated to their ship.

"We may leave you alone for now, but mark my words Aida, we will kill you if it's the last thing I have to do to get what is rightfully mine!" He screamed into the wind as their ship took off with incredible speed that no ship alone would have on its own.

"Damn magic," I murmured and turned my attention back to Caleb.