Swept Away (The Swept Away Saga, Book One)

Chapter Nineteen

It became clear the next morning, after Father Torres made breakfast for the crew, that they much preferred the ship's new cook to the old. With each muttered compliment to himself, and every jab to the previous man, Alfonso's smile widened, until his face looked like it was ready to split in half. Keeping to myself, my hat covering my countenance as always, I enjoyed the morning with him, happy to know he felt so validated.

It was in the afternoon when the cry came, pulling all attention to the ship that had appeared on the horizon behind us. It was like all the excitement and happiness of the morning melted away as we watched it gain ground. The captain was shouting things to the crew, Father Torres hastily translating to me under his breath.

"Stay calm, it may not be pirates," he translated, eyes on the same target as everyone else. "If it is, we will not go down without a fight! We are proud Spaniards! Let them try and take what is ours from us!"

"Why do they insist on fighting?" I groaned quietly, trying to ignore the racket from the crew as they agreed with their leader. "If they would just surrender, the pirates would let them go and only take the goods with them."

"Capitán thinks it is dishonorable," he explained. "He will not lay down and let himself be robbed without fighting back."

"Perfect."

Suddenly, a black flag began to rise on the ship we were all watching—it was a pirate vessel and they were coming for us. A roar of elation mingled with fear rose from the crew as they began to scramble about, readying themselves for battle.

"Come, señorita." Grabbing my hand, Father Torres hurried us across the deck and into our room, locking the door behind us. Fumbling, he pulled out the gun and sword he'd been given, motioning for me to follow suit. "If it takes a turn for the worse, the crew will hide in a hold below deck. The pirates will know to look there. We will be able to defend ourselves here, where only a few would look. If they take the ship, they will come in searching for goods. That is when we need to be worried."

"You know a lot about pirates and their boarding habits," I added nervously, my hands shaking as I gripped the gun tightly.

"We will be all right, señorita," he said encouragingly. "Remember, you are a man. No fear!"

Laughing in spite of myself, I settled down into the corner, pointing the flintlock towards the door. I wouldn't be seen immediately from this angle, whereas Father Torres was standing in front of the entrance like a bull ready to charge, gun and sword held in position.

It didn't take much longer for the vessel to catch us, shots being fired from our side as they neared. For an instant, I was brought back to when I'd hidden in the hull of the Adelina, wishing I knew what was happening. Now that I was on the other side, I kind of wished I was back in hiding.

The ship jerked as the pirates came up along side us, the wood of both vessels scraping across each other with a grating sound. The men on board our side were shouting and firing their guns, but I knew the pirates wouldn't be deterred.

Something hit the deck hard and the world was suddenly much louder on all sides, as the thieves boarded our vessel with speed and ferocity. Metal was meeting metal outside, screams of death and triumph raining down on my ears. Somewhere in my mind, I registered that the red liquid running under the door was blood, but my adrenaline was picking up, readying me for whatever was about to come through that entrance.

Father Torres was an unmoving block, his gaze trained on the latch of the door, waiting for even the faintest hint of movement. It occurred to me he was ready to give his life to protect me, and I didn't know why.