A Curse to Break; Chapter 9

I sit silently in the corner of my cell pleating and unpleating the fold of my skirt, trying not to think about where I was being taken or why I had been taken. I had no way of telling how long I had been down here. Lanterns were my only source of light and none of the crew had come down as far as I knew of. And there was still the matter of the captain's scowl. Why had he been scowling at me? Was I not what he had been expecting?

I'm so caught up in my thoughts, I don't hear the approaching footsteps. The movement in the corner of my eye is my only warning I'm no longer alone. By the time I look over, the captain is already standing before my cell, hands clasped behind his back with a slight frown in place as he studies me. Liam stands silently behind him.

"You're sure you grabbed the right girl?" The captain drawls, eyes flicking to the side as if he can see Liam behind him.

"Of course, I am. I wouldn't have risked the mission if I wasn't sure."

The captain's eyes come back to me, once more studying me silently for a moment. "You're awfully quiet for a noble's daughter."

My whole life I had been shoved out of sight. Complaining only made things worse. I doubted pirates would be more indulging than my family. And it wasn't like my attempt to do anything had ended well.

I let my eyes drop from his gaze.

"No trouble, indeed," the captain muses.

From the edge of my vision, I can see him turn on his heel.

"And the ransom note?"

My head snaps up at his question, but the captain is already gone from view, Liam diligently trailing after him.

"We should have word of their agreement to the meeting shortly after our arrival," Liam responds primly.

The captain replies, but between the distance and the creaking of the ship, I can't make out the end of their conversation.

Ransom. So that's what this was about. They thought I was worth something to my family. A sinking feeling starts in my chest. If word got out about what happened that night, they'd probably agree to the meeting, just to save face. I doubt they'd be willing to pay whatever amount the captain wanted. What would happen to me when they realized I was worthless?

xXxXx

I try to work up the courage to ask Liam why I had been targeted for this. To ask what will happen if my family won't even meet to discuss the ransom. I never find it, but not that it matters; I never get the chance to ask him. Since the captain came down to see me, I haven't seen him or Liam. I only see anyone when I'm being brought my food, and it's a different crew member every time.

Based on the number of meals I've been brought, I don't see Liam for three days. It's sometime after my lunch when he appears without warning.

"Hello, Miss Levine," he says with a smile as he stops before my cell door. "I've brought a surprise for you." He lifts a pair of shoes to show them off. "Hope you feel up to a walk."

I can feel my heart sinking. We had reached our destination. I know resisting is futile, so I slowly rise to my feet as he opens the cell. He comes closer to hand me the shoes, waiting patiently while I slip them on.

Even without putting them on, I can tell they're not made for hard use. They're hardly more than slippers. If I tried to run, they'd fall apart. At least they aren't making me walk barefoot where ever they're taking me to wait.

Once the shoes are on, Liam catches my arm, leading me along. Thankfully, the hatch above the ladder is open, letting the sunlight pour below decks, giving my eyes a chance to adjust before I even reach the ladder. Liam ushers me up first, following after.

I recognize the man waiting at the top. He was one of the ones that had brought me here with Liam. He catches my arm until Liam is back on his feet with his own hand on my arm again. Without a word, Liam begins to lead me along toward the gangplank, a small group of his men following after him.

"Liam," the captain's voice carries across the deck, sounding almost resigned.

Liam pauses, sighing. He holds out his free hand and one of his men passes him a rope. Releasing my arm, he gives me an apologetic smile.

"My apologies, Miss Levine. My father is a bit more of a stickler for procedure than I am."

I suppose I shouldn't be so shocked to learn that Liam is the captain's son- they did have a striking resemblance after all- yet it stuns me. All I manage is a small 'oh' even as my hands are once again bound. Hands bound, Liam resumes leading me along.

I'm not sure what to make of this place, but I am sure I'm glad for the presence of Liam and his men. The docks are crawling with men and women, all bustling about, yelling, hauling cargo, throwing things about, laughing, and chatting loudly. I don't miss the weapons they all carry. The streets are no better, in fact, I think they're worse. At least on the docks, people would duck out of the way. In the streets, we're pushing around people more than they're moving for us. No one seems to care though even though those who get shoved out of the way gripe or snap at the men to watch out, they don't actually try to start a fight. I also can't shake the feeling of all the eyes on me. I don't like it. I hate feeling so seen.

I feel relieved when Liam finally leads us towards the doors of one of the establishments; one of the few two-story buildings in this place. Going through the doors reveals the building to be a tavern. Though considering the keys behind the bar, I can only assume the second floor serves as either an inn or a boarding house. The few patrons sitting about only glance over at us, more interested in their card games and food than our passing. The barmaid, on the other hand, watches our approach.

As we draw nearer, she turns to the key rack, plucking one up before turning back to us. She's holding it out to Liam before we've even stopped.

"Room seven," she says, voice oddly scratchy. "Madame is already here."

Liam nods, taking the key. "Captain will be in shortly." He nods over his shoulder to the men playing cards. "Make sure they're presentable."

The girl nods back as Liam pulls me towards the stairs. Surprisingly, his men don't follow. All things considered, it was probably because the captain, his father, also owned this establishment. What better place to stash a prisoner than where you held complete power?

At the top of the stairs, Liam turns left. When he stops to knock on a door, I assume we've reached room seven. A moment later, the door swings open and I find myself looking at an older woman. Her skin is nearly as dark as the curly hair framing her face. She crosses her arms, expression darkening.

"You expect me ta do mah work wid her hands bound?" She demands in an accent I don't recognize.

"Captain insisted," Liam responds calmly, hands already working the knot. "Now Miss Levine, I'm going to leave you in Madame's capable hands for a bit. Do continue to be on your best behavior. I have men stationed beneath your window and I will be waiting out here, so please, don't get any ideas." He pulls the rope free with a flourish, gently pushing me along towards the open door and Madame.

Madame hmphs, grabbing my arm to pull me along into the room. "And boy, if yer fader comes 'round, you tell 'im I said scat. I will be done when I am done." She lets the slamming of the door be the final emphasis to her words.