" we very well could be entangling ourselves in something far more dangerous than we yet realize. . . "
Twenty-one year old Livina McAllister awakens one fateful morning aboard a ship; not just any ship, but the Jolly Roger, commanded by a young Ca...
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Prologue
KILLIAN JONES RAN A HAND through the dark stubble of his chin, eyes blue as the sea itself studying the sinking sun on the calm horizon. Resting a hand steady with experience on the sword hanging dutifully at his hip, he paces the length of the bow of his ship, over and over again, deep in thought, his dark brows knit together in concentration. Heavy masts flap in the warm night breeze above him, a sound that jerks him back into reality, reminding him that he is running out of both time and options. He turns on his heel suddenly, finally confronting the thirteen bearded faces that have been fixated on his every move with a dedicated curiosity. They watch their captain with unwavering loyalty as he smirks only slightly, wondering why he's ordered them to wait on the top deck as the sun sinks further into the lapping waves when really, they should be down in the galley right about now, enjoying a round of drinks to repay themselves for another day of hard work.
"Men. I have gathered you here this evening with a very important announcement." He pauses, ensuring that full attention is upon him, and as expected, it is. "I have chosen to abandon life here in this predictable, unforgiving world, upon an offer than I simply could not refuse. If any member of this crew does oppose this... relocation, please feel free to walk the plank at your leisure." Killian motions toward the wooden protrusion, daring any member of his crew to testify against him. Much to his chagrin, one member does have the courage to step forward, breaking away from the rest of the vulgar bunch too unwilling to question their merciless leader. He was the only member of the crew who knew Killian's full plan and the questionable intentions that came with it, and simultaneously the only member who had the guts to question his authority.
"With all due respect, Captain... we very well could be entangling ourselves in something far more dangerous than we yet realize. Don't you think we ought to think this through a bit further before we plunge ourselves into a world completely unknown? We don't even know if we can trust --"
"With all due respect, Smee..." The young captain's face has twisted into a sneer, the annoyance etched deeply into his eyes for everyone to see. "I am the captain of this ship. I make the orders, you follow them." Killian turns his now fiery gaze away from his first mate to scan the faces of the rest of his obedient crew. "My decision is final. We leave port at daybreak." A second crewman raises his hand, trying to get his captain's attention above the quiet murmurs that have broken out among the now intrigued crew. Killian nods to him with a leery glance, as if daring him to question his decision like his fellow crew member had before him. To his surprise, the pirate asks a simple question.
"To where exactly do we set sail, sir?"
The lips of Killian's mouth upturn in the smallest hint of a smile; this is the question he has been waiting for, and the answer leaves his lips smoothly, as though they were made for them, as though they had been trapped by the cage of his mouth, dying to be set free.
