The Princess And The Vampirate

The Darkness is Better Than the Light

It was terrifying, not knowing if I was dead. Cold, dark blackness enveloped my senses, soon replaced by slight tingling and twitching. The feeling of nothingness was overbearing, soon overpowered by muffled voices. Soft and smooth, I wondered if that is what angels sounded like, or even worse, demons. 

 "She's awfully pretty." The first voice was much muffled as it spoke.

"Yeah, what do you think we should do with her?" Another inquired, his voice was scratchy and high pitched.

"I don't know. She looks good enough to drink." Said a new deeper voice.

I felt pain on my right side where I was kicked. Close to being dead is better than being dead. I groaned and turned over onto my stomach, less pain this way. As I did so the voices hushed suddenly. Once settled and breathing better the talking started again. 

"I disagree. I think the captain should handle this," the first voice spoke again. I could make it out now, soft as silk and was soothing. An angel I presumed, the others, demons? The silky voice calmed my nerves, reminding me of one suitor who I became really close too, but he changed for the worse. I hope he is alright but in reality, I hope he's dead.

A ringing in my ear and light spots in my blackened vision made me note I was awakening. Not dreaming, not dead, just knocked out. As all my senses awoke I made out distinct details about my surroundings. The sharpness of salt water in my nose. The gentle harmonious crashing of waves beating wood. The ever so lullabying swaying of a ship out at sea.

"What do you mean the captain, I say we split her!" The sudden rumble of the deep voice dragged me out of my thoughts.

"Do you really think we should do that? Look at her!"The soothing voice overtook the deeper. Silence enveloped the scene, me trying desperately to wake up, to get away. "Her dress is ripped in the front and on the side, she is black and blue all over, and was unconscious when we found her. All of these say that she was beaten, very bad too," the silky voice was rough and protective, different than the suitors of the past. "Plus she looks special," the muttering of those words, from that voice, it made my heart flutter. I tried to comprehend the meaning of those words, trying to remember.

"What's wrong with you? You normally would drain a person the minute they step on the ship. She may be 'special' but all that I can think of is her blood. It smells so good, better than normal." Said the scratchy voice, accompanied by the grunting agreement of the deeper voice. Blood, drain, smells good? The realization of danger struck deep in the pit of my stomach. I have to get out of here. 

"Fine, if you want her you'll have to go through me!" I could hear them start to growl at each other, and the unsheathing of swords. The adrenaline and anxiety kicked in, the fight for my life was about to take place.

I tried to open my eyes but they would not budge. My eyelashes were coated with lead, and my body, stone. I heard the stomping of boots and a big booming shout of a new voice.

"What in the devil's name is going on here?" The growling decreased and the booming voice asked. "Ocedan, what it's going on?"

"We found this fine lass on the floating on a raft badly hurt and knocked out. We brought her aboard thinking we could help her, but these two idiots wanted her blood. I was wondering what you might want to do with her, captain?" the silky voice was soft again but now had a name to it, Ocedan

The "Captain" seeming to ponder this paced about, then spoke, "she will become your donor starting on Friday. Mostly because you saved her from these bastards." What the hell does he mean by donor and Friday! That's in a few days, or at least I think it is.

"Ocedan you take her to her new quarters. It will be the room between mine and yours, there she will be safe. As for you two," his anger was directed towards the other two men I presume, and they knew it wasn't going to be nice. "To the kitchen to work for the next three months, god forbid I don't give you a severe punishment but I think dishes 24/7 for three months should do the trick" The other two groaned and then walked away grumbling. 

The Captain spoke again as, I assumed Ocedan, picked me up gently in bridal style. Even though I was blushing I so desperately wanted to squirm and break free from his grasp. The Captain came over and moved hair out of my face. I could feel him looking at me, almost with fatherly love/protection. "You saved this fine lass now you must still protect her from the other dangers of this life."

I felt Ocedan nod and at that moment my eyes decided it was officially time to wake up. I opened them stared for a moment, as my eyes strained to adjust. Not being accustomed to the pitch black my anxiety got to me and all of a sudden I screamed. Stupid Claire, why would you do that? Ocedan immediately dropped me and I landed hard on a wooden floor. I scrambled to get up and I saw that my dress was ripped. Great they can see most of my skin, but who cares, time to run for my life. I started to run but didn't get far when I felt hands grab my arms, jolting me back and holding me in place. A lantern was lit and I saw a person's face. It was round and red and had a scar that went from just below his right eye, across his nose and ended at the top of his lip. I yelped as the hand's grip tightened around my arms, making them burn like fire.

"Let go of me you bastard!" They decreased their strength but still held tight. I looked through my hair, all of it was in my face. The scared face man was studying me and I stared back at him. He chuckled thinking to himself.

"Ocedan, take her to her room."

"Yes, sir!" He then muttered under his breath very quite, "She is special!"

"I don't want a stinking room, I want to go home!" my voice was scratchy but still laced with confidence. The Captain stopped and stood in front of me and said almost sobering,

"You have no choice, my dear." He gave me with a studious look but also with protectiveness. He grabbed my chin to get a better look at my face, moving hair out of my face. Most people can tell who I am when they see my eyes. Black around the edge, royal blue in the center with light blue around the pupil. They have streaks of green, gray and gold in them. I didn't want them to know who I was yet so I shook away and kicked his groin as hard as I could. As he doubled over I kneed him in the head. I smirked as he collapsed, training in the many arts of fighting helps, doesn't it? Ocedan tightened his grip on me and dragged me to a room, shutting me in there and left. The turning of the lock echoed. I banged and yelled for what seems like hours before I fell down with exhaustion. "Please let this be a dream. I want to go home, old mighty sea god, hear my prayers," I curled up and fell asleep against the door shivering of fear and of the cold.