Ice Queen - A Pirates Of The Caribbean Love Story

Chapter Two

The night air was cool. A million glittering stars shone in a black velvet sky. I wondered what it would be like to be up there, in space. Maybe, hundreds of years on, someone would manage it.
"That, love," Jack announced. "Is my ship."
I gasped. I had expected some small contraption. I was looking at a huge, majestic ship, with tattered black sails. She was beautifully designed, built for speed. I craned my head to read the name painted on the side. "The Black Pearl."
"That's right, love. Fastest ship in the Caribbean."
"I don't believe you," I said, without thinking. "They say the Interceptor is the fastest."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Tortuga is hundreds of miles from Port Royal, love. How do you know about the Interceptor?"
Darn, I thought. You let your guard down there, you idiot! Quickly, I said: "My brother works for the East India Trading Company. He tells me about all the latest developments."
Jack looked at me for a long moment. "Does he, now?"
I nodded. By now I even believed it myself. I find it's easier to tell convincing lies if you actually believe them yourself.
"What's his name?" Jack asked. I could tell he was testing me.
"William," I said, saying the first name that came into my head.
"William? Good strong name. No doubt named for his father, I assume?"
"Oh, yes," I said, not missing a beat.
"Your last name wouldn't be Turner, would it?"
"Do you know us?" I asked, carefully.
"No, not at all."
I could tell he was lying, but I wasn't sure why. I wondered what would happen if I said my brother was William Turner. Would it be a good thing or a bad thing? I never can resist curiosity, so I said: "Yes, William Turner is my brother."
"And your name?"
I never ever tell people my real name. As a bounty hunter, I'm known as the Ice Queen, because I'm cold and slippery. As a girl, I give a number of different names, a number of different identities. The last time anyone called me by my real name, I was seven years old and I can barely remember it.
I found myself wanting to give Jack, a pirate and an enemy, my real name, and I was shocked at myself.
I normally give people the names of different types of precious gems. I thought I'd be slightly different this time, and go for something else. "Pearl," I said. "My name is Pearl Turner."
"Pearl. Pretty name. And your father was William Turner, right? Did you see much of him, when you were growing up?"
"What is this?" I asked, snappishly. "An interrogation? I don't have to answer your questions, Sparrow."
"Captain," he said.
"What?"
"Captain Sparrow."
I sucked in a deep breath and tried to stay calm. Jack was worth more to me alive than dead, though nobody knows how close he came to being run through with my blade, there and then. "Captain."
"That's better. Now. Do you want to go on my ship?"
"I'd love that!" I gushed.
"Come on then!"
We walked up the gang plank and onto the deck. The Black Pearl was even more awe-inspiring when you were on her. I decided that when I had handed Jack in, I would keep the Pearl for myself.
"Impressive," I said, and I wasn't faking it. "Can I see the brig?"
"What do you want to see that for?" Jack asked, surprised.
I realized I'd been too abrupt. "It's just..." I said. "You're such a wonderful man. Amazing, strong, completely fearless... You must take such a lot of prisoners, and I'd like to see where the poor fools end up." He seemed to fall for my flattery, and said:
"This way."
He took me down to the brig. I pretended to look round and admire everything. "Ooooh, what's that?" I asked, pointing to inside one of the cells.
"What?" he asked.
"That!" I exclaimed. "It looks disgusting!"
"I don't see it."
"Go closer! How can you not see it?"
I waited until he stepped right in, then I slammed the door and locked it quickly. I brought out my pistol and pointed it at him. "Ha, Jack Sparrow! You're my prisoner now!"