Vampirates 4: Black Heart Read Free Page B

can you offer me, I wonder?" Lady Lockwood's bright eyes twinkled.
    "Whatever it takes," said Trofie, unflinching. "Whatever it takes for you to let my son and husband go free with their lives."
    "Well," Lady Lockwood said, raising an eyebrow. "You really do believe in family values, don't you?"
    "Above all else," said Trofie.
    Lady Lockwood reached out a hand once more to Trofie, but this time her fingers landed on the ruby necklace that dazzled like flame about Trofie's swan-white neck. "What a beautiful necklace," Lady Lockwood said. "And I'm quite sure it's unique."
    "Yes," said Trofie. "Unique. Flawless. And worth a mint. If you want it, it's yours."
    Lady Lola shrugged. "Why not? It's a little gaudy for my taste, but I know someone on my crew who would adore it."
    "If I give it to you, will you call them off?" Trofie asked.
    Lady Lockwood folded her arms. "I'm afraid it's going to take a little more than that. But the necklace is a good starting point. Do you need any assistance unclasping it for me?"
    "No," said Trofie, finally losing some of her poise. "No, I can manage." She lifted her hands up to the back of her neck. As she did so, her golden fingers and ruby nails glimmered in the candlelight.
    "Ah!" sighed Lady Lockwood. "There it is! The fabled hand of Trofie Wrathe!"
    Hearing this, Trofie momentarily froze.
    "Do you see it, ladies?" Lady Lockwood asked. "Why, isn't it a beauty? Such fine gold. Such perfect gemstones. It truly is a marvel. More fabulous even than we were led to believe! One of a kind."
    Trofie unclasped her necklace and extended it in her golden hand to Lady Lockwood. But rather than taking the necklace, Lady Lockwood circled her fingers about Trofie's wrist where the flesh gave way to gold. "Give it to me," she said, her eyes flashing with excitement.
    "You want my hand?" Trofie said incredulously.
    "Yes, my dear." Lady Lockwood nodded, as if to a stupid child. "I'll take the necklace -- it's a pretty trinket -- but your hand is the real treasure."
    "But what do you want with it?" Trofie said, bewildered. "It's no use to anyone but me."
    Lady Lockwood still held the golden hand within her own. Now she loosened her hold. "I told you before," she said. "I collect things. Pretty things. Unusual things. Sometimes I pass them on to my friends. And sometimes I keep them for myself. And this" -- she caressed the golden fingers -- "this I shall most definitely be keeping for myself."
    "We have other treasures," said Trofie. "Let me show you. Come to our treasure store and take your pick."
    "No, thank you," said Lady Lockwood. "I'm not as greedy as all that. I'll go home tonight with the necklace and the hand and count myself a lucky girl."
    "But it's my mom's hand!" protested Moonshine. Angelika giggled and ran her fingers through Moonshine's hair.
    Trofie kept her cool, her eyes fixed on Lady Lockwood's. "If I give it to you," she asked, "will you leave us? Do you give me your word?"
    "I give you my word," said Lady Lockwood.
    "Mom, you can't just give her your --"
    "Be quiet, Moonshine. You've seen what Lady Lockwood is ... what she is capable of. It's a small price to pay."
    "It's your hand!" shouted Moonshine.
    But Trofie's mind was made up. She reached across and released the catches with which the golden hand was fastened. It came free from her wrist. Trofie gave a nod. "It's yours. Take it."
    Smiling, Lady Lockwood took the hand in her own, sliding it out from Trofie's sleeve. She lifted it to her lips and kissed it, then drew it into the folds of her cape. She clapped her hands in delight.
    "Ladies, let the prisoners go. We have what we came for."
    As Marianne and Angelika reluctantly released Moonshine and Barbarro from their clutches, Trofie stared at Lady Lockwood. "You wanted my hand all along, didn't you?"
    "Perhaps," said Lady Lockwood with a smile. "Well, toodle-pip. Enjoy your midnight feast." She tapped the top of the domed platter she had carried in, turned, and pushed open the door.