Vampyre Through Time by Stephanie Ayers

Author:Stephanie Ayers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: steam punk, vampire, paranormal, paranormal romance, time travel
Publisher: Crazy Ink
Published: 2022-04-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

The Painted Mary trembled under heavy footfalls. Viola’s eyes held awe as she took in the man in front of her. His massive girth was as wide as Captain Dedlock and Viola together. His black hair hung in thick dreads past his shoulder. A gold hoop hung from the center of his thick nose. Bushy eyebrows as dark as his hair buried his one black eye beneath it. His other eye had been replaced with a large, gold-edged monocle. A scar ran the length of his face from the eyeglass, and she could see hints of metal within it, as if the skin refused to stretch across completely. A black linen shirt stretched across burly arms, one of which ended in a metal hand, and a large belly hung over blood-red breeches. Two metal cylinders took up the length of his back. Flames shot from the bottom of them, and steam hissed into the air above them. She trembled despite herself.

“Captain Obediah Jeremiah. What an interesting surprise,” Captain Dedlock said, scoffing. “We meet again. To what do I owe this visit?”

“I am here for the lass, Josiah.” His voice sounded as metallic as he appeared.

Captain Dedlock squinted. “No. I am under orders to release her to none save Lee. You are not Lee.”

Metallic fingers curled together. They disappeared into a pocket and pulled out a paper filled with fancy script. He handed it to Captain Dedlock. Viola was close enough to read it.

Dear Josiah,

Thank you for your service. Your debt to me is paid. I am unavailable to meet you at this time, so I have sent Obediah to collect the girl in my stead. He has the key to loosen the watch and release you from my custody. He will do so once he has secured the girl.

Until we meet again,

Desmond Lee

“Show me the key!” Captain Dedlock demanded.

Captain Jeremiah pulled a small key from the same pocket. It was secured to a small gold chain, which he let dangle enticingly in front of Josiah.

“It is yours in exchange for the girl.”

The look on Captain Jeremiah’s face was devious.

Captain Dedlock hesitated. “And if I refuse?”

“Today would be your last day as captain of the Painted Mary. Your ship and crew will become mine.”

Josiah scowled. A fist curled at his side, and his other hand gripped the telescope at his waist tightly. His eyes fell to the ground.

Viola saw the defeat on Josiah’s face. “Release me, Captain.”

“No, lass, the only defeat today is mine. I cannot give me crew to this monster, and I have no proper means to defeat him. He is more machine than he is man. Not even your kind can subdue him.”

A spyglass shot out from Obediah’s monocle. Viola struck a pose and let a coy smirk light up her face.

“Her kind?” Obediah chuckled as he let his eye linger on her body. “No, lass, feminine wiles do not work on me.” He banged his chest over his heart with his fleshy hand. It rang hollowly. “I have no heart, not even a cold one for you to warm.

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