Blacksouls (Blackhearts) by Nicole Castroman

Author:Nicole Castroman [Castroman, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: 2017-04-10T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

Teach

Thunder rumbled in the distance as heavy pewter clouds rolled across the evening sky. Although they weren’t unfurled, the sails of the Triumph shuddered in the wind. Teach secured the knot of the mainmast, blinking against the raindrops beginning to fall from the sky.

He’d already secured the lines once, but his muscles and fingers twitched, determined to find some task, some kind of release for his frustration. A handful of men clambered over the ship behind him, part of a skeleton crew the governor had allowed Teach to assemble until they were ready to depart. Then he and his men were free to go.

Teach glared at the fort on the other side of the harbor. He shouldn’t have listened to Alastair.

“It’s not in Anne’s best interest to have you go storming in and causing an uproar,” Alastair had said. “Wait and see what I can do first. Wait for me at the Triumph.” He’d instructed Teach to prepare the ship and act as if everything was normal, but nothing about Teach’s stay in Nassau had been normal.

“Teach!”

Exhaling loudly, Teach turned. Coyle stood behind him on the deck, his eyes weary, his mouth turned down at the corners. Teach’s chest turned hot with fear.

“Where is she? What’s happened?” Teach demanded.

“She’s still at the fort.”

“Where’s Alastair?”

“He’s at the tavern.”

Teach strode across the deck, but Coyle grabbed Teach’s arm, halting him. “Let him rest. He’s done all he can for now.”

Jerking out of Coyle’s grasp, Teach rounded on him. “While he’s resting, Anne is still locked up in that bloody place. And so are my men.”

Coyle’s eyes flashed with their own fury. “You’ll see your men shortly. And at least they’re still alive. In case you’ve forgotten, Beth is dead. Let the man have a moment to mourn.”

Teach felt a sharp stab of guilt and tried to draw a steadying breath. Dragging a hand across his face, he gave Coyle an apologetic grimace. “I’m sorry. I truly am, but unless we do something now, I’m afraid I’ll experience firsthand what he’s going through. I can’t allow that to happen. I won’t allow that to happen. With or without your help, I plan on getting Anne out of the fort tonight. I take it the governor didn’t believe Alastair?”

“He didn’t get a chance to speak with him.”

“Then I’ll go and speak with him,” Teach growled, but Coyle stopped him once again.

“Would you listen to me? I know you’re upset, but rushing off without a plan won’t save Anne.” Coyle ran his hand through his hair. “Alastair was with the governor when he collapsed. He didn’t collapse from hunger or fatigue. The man was spitting blood when they dragged him away. Alastair saw it with his own eyes.”

“Then that should prove that what Beth told Anne was true.”

Coyle shook his head. “Nobody believes the story. They say Webb’s in ill health because he’s obsessed with finding Easton. The governor’s wife claims ignorance of the entire thing. Says she never set eyes on Beth.”

“But her driver—”

“Nobody can find him.

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