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Chapter Twenty-Three

Author: Mandi Martin
last update Last Updated: 2022-06-11 20:09:34
Lloyd swore under his breath as he plucked the wiry splinters from his chafed hands. The sharp fragments of the rope had embedded themselves snugly under the surface of the skin.

It was times like this that Lloyd cursed himself for biting his nails as the blunted fingers struggled to pluck at the protruding ends.

"Soak your hand for a while." Thomas glanced over as he walked past, hearing the grumbles. "That will bring them closer to the surface. One of the crew also swears by putting a thin layer of paste or something sticky on them. Then they pull out."

"That sounds worse than waxing your legs." Lloyd forced a smile. "Something I swore I'd never do again. I took half the skin off."

"It won't do that. Not if you're careful. We'll be sailing again soon, so you'd best sort it out before then. Try a potato. Press it for a while and it can draw them higher."

The crew had slowly returned. Their faces set like stone as if they could feel no enjoyment anymore. The fascination of the e
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  • Dark Water   Chapter Seventy-One

    The crew might have despised the dawn. Their hearts resented the bloody pink stain that wept through the blackness and stifled the stars. The ruby sheen of the sun was a curse, drawing the freedom of the moon away from them.For one woman, alone on a distant shore, it was a blessing.Her haggard form was a stark contrast to the youth in her eyes, but in those depths was a knowledge that all respected.Especially Nathaniel and Lloyd.She sensed a disturbance, however far away it was. She had sent part of her soul with Nathaniel, and the spirit that dwelt in the amulet reflected an aura to her.'They are in trouble. The discontent is rising, and soon it will hit them like a Leviathan from the depths. The dead are restless, especially those who have been recently wronged.' She rocked on her bare heels, unable to feel the sharp shingle that bore into her feet. 'I have to help, even though I swore it was up to him. His heart has changed since then, and that warmth is why my resolve has mel

  • Dark Water   Chapter Seventy

    Abraham was one of the only men on board who could read with some eloquence. His Bible was worn out from his constant perusal, and the old prayer book he'd once had was in pieces.That night, what was required was not his reading skills but his openness to the darker forces of human nature. "I was thinking," he said when the handful of men had assembled, perching like ungainly beasts on their bunks or sitting stiffly on the floor. "I think we need to ask someone who's done this before. I've read enough in the Bible to distrust demons."The soft candlelight illuminated the severity in his eyes, the long lines seeming to be etched deeper beneath them, and looked like ragged tracks dug into the dark circles."Blake's still here. We just need to see him. His errors will be the key to our success.""How'd know it's him?" One of the men frowned uneasily. "I've seen a few things around 'ere that ain't been what they seem. And we've tried before.""We chance it. And I ain't thinking of doing

  • Dark Water   Chapter Sixty-Nine

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  • Dark Water   Chapter Sixty-Eight

    The power of the demon is harnessed to my very soul. I feel it is gnawing on whatever purity resided there. With each passing day, the shadows spread, but the gleam of gold keeps them at bay. I know of hidden treasure beyond the wildest dreams of other men; all the spoils are within my grasp.The crew has been silent, but I see their greed and desire grow. Their blood is intertwined with mine, and my victory is theirs.Yet, behind this, I sense some are not happy. Their souls were pledged without consent, but the riches were too tempting to refuse. They will reap the benefits, and whatever blood must flow will do so in rivers. We were bound for Hell regardless of this bargain, but the path there will be paved with gold. They should be grateful. If not, their blood can run in rivers. Whatever power the demon has, I shall match. Have I not caused the King's Navy to tremble and villages to quake as though the earth itself shifts beneath their feet?With such might behind me, I will rule

  • Dark Water   Chapter Sixty-Seven

    Lloyd's eyes fixed on Higgin's as he silently flicked the peelings off the potatoes. The skin curved smoothly in pleasing spirals, removing sprouts and eyes before dropping to the floor with a soft splat.The pot was slowly filling with the bumpy vegetables, and the water was simmering quietly, making them bob on the surface as if trying to escape.Lloyd wondered where they all went. Since he'd been here, he'd barely seen anyone except himself eat. But day after day, Higgins performed his duty or coerced him into doing it.Nathaniel drank. There was always an ornate bottle or flash containing the sharp rum he favoured, and barrels of ale or homebrew were stacked below stairs to provide an endless source of refreshment, except for water. They had to work hard for that by filtering brine or rain.Lloyd could understand their laziness in turning to the good stuff. He smiled, the expression rippling the edges of his lips.People said that when the soul left, it remained as it had been. If

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    Lloyd debated returning to Nathaniel's rooms but decided against it.The papers had been hidden for a reason, and he wasn't sure the man would appreciate him digging them out. And he had enough of darkness and gloom. Even when lighting the lamps, the shadows swelled and twisted like ghouls.'Alas, I am but a weak mortal,' he smiled. 'I can't exist without natural light. I don't know how vampires manage. I'd go mad. Not to mention, I'd freak at being stuck in a closed coffin.'As he reached the deck, he avoided the eyes of the other men, keeping his gaze low and humming unmusically. He glanced about him, checking Nathaniel wasn't around. If the papers had been hidden, he didn't want them read, and Lloyd was sure he would receive the sharp end of his tongue, if not worse.He chose a place in the shadows, hoping it would shield him from prying eyes. He swallowed nervously, squinting to read the faded pages, the ink smeared from the damp beneath the board. Even so, his blood ran cold as

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