Stormy Seas Read Free Page B

into the hallway. There
were doors on each side and then steps that ascended. “Keep up,
won't you?” He growled with the hint of a laugh. A swift jerk and
her head slammed against the wall as he pulled her body up the
stairs.
Kira abandoned the urge to fight and let her body
fall limp as they reached the deck. The pirate left her in a
deflated pile on the floor, then commanded her to stand. Kira felt
a warm tear make its way down her cheek but she refused to give in
to the temptation.
Kira kept her head down, covered by the wildness of
her hair and willed herself to stop crying. A quick swipe of her
hand removed the offending droplet and Kira steeled herself to face
them.
She stood, straight and quietly defiant. She looked
up to see the men from the dock, staring at her with hungry,
soul-less eyes. A large one on the end smiled avariciously, making
no attempt to hide his desire. A few others exchanged knowing
glances and snickered to themselves.
A queasy feeling gripped her, making her stomach
ache. As Kira searched the boat for any sign of hope, she was
shocked to find her mind returning to the lusty blonde sailor. She
had been so afraid then, but now she wished he were standing on the
deck with her. She felt certain that the evil that was here, on the
ship, was something different than she had ever felt before.
    “ Now, take a good look, boys,” he
started. “The brave princess of the docks is here to grace us with
her presence.” He threw a slight smile in her direction, as if he
thought he might affect her with his roguish attempt at
charm.
He stepped towards her and slid his rough hand
gently down her face, letting his eyes fall artlessly to the collar
of her dress. “You think you're strong, darling?,” he whispered
into her ear. “Let me show you what real power looks like.” A
chorus of guffaws followed as the crew cheered him on.
His hands slid down her torso, gripping her hips as
he pulled her towards himself. Kira screamed, trying desperately to
rip his iron grip from her body. She wrestled against his powerful
grip but could not escape.
Her arms flew in all directions but they seemed to
have no effect at all. The other shipmates seemed delighted at this
development, shouting and making indecent suggestions.
The pirate continued to wrestle her until she was
pinned to the floor of the ship. She could feel her shoulder blades
bruising on the hard wood and the weight of his powerful body
holding her down. Kira screamed once more, turning her head to
escape the sight of his covetous eyes staring through her.
Suddenly, one of the ship hands shouted violently.
“Ship! Starboard side!” In a flash, the menacing captain released
her and raced to the side of the ship.
Kira could hardly move, her sides bruised from his
punishing hands and her heart racing in fear. She could hear the
murmurs of the crew, a nervous energy moving across the bow of the
ship. Still, this temporary respite did little to relieve her
terror.
Kira managed to lift herself up enough to look out
at the ship that the pirates were fixed on. A commanding vessel
floated in the water just yards away. Kira searched the deck of the
new arrival, hoping for a glimpse of something, anything to give
her hope.
Her heart continued to pound. She could not decide
if this was cause for hope or more alarm. Should she scream and
risk inflaming the pirates' ire? Worse yet, who would come for her
if she did?
The crew mumbled amongst themselves while the
brutish captain shouted a few commands here and there. The men
seemed to be arming themselves in a frenzy. “The girl, Captain!?,”
a sailor shouted, and all eyes were on her once again.
Kira suddenly noticed one of the sailors barreling
towards her. He grabbed her and pulled her into the stairway,
closing the door and leaving her in darkness. She settled on a step
by the door, wishing she could see what was happening.
Sounds of boisterous shouting seemed to come from
the other ship, then she heard the