Cadan chuckled.“I believe you have underestimated me,mon ami.I am not the boy you once defeated.”He absently touched his clipped earlobe and gave a nod toward the trees.
Heart tight as a drum, Gabrielle clung to Matthew in one hand and to Omphile with the other, hoping…waiting for the remainder of Cadan’s men to emerge from the trees and surround Allard and his men.
“Are you not?”Allard lowered his blade and leaned on the hilt, that ever-present smirk on his thin lips.
No men appeared, none from the trees and none from behind Allard, where Gabrielle assumed Cadan had ordered them to approach.Something was wrong.Terribly wrong.
She felt Cadan tense behind her, could hear the slight outtake of his breath.
Rustling brought their gazes back to the trees.The two pirates finally appeared, but not with blades drawn and bloodlust in their eyes.Nay, with scowls of defeat and shame as they were brought out at blade point by four of Allard’s men.
Terror scraped across every nerve.Her breath caught.Her knees wobbled, and for a moment Gabrielle thought she’d faint.As if sensing her fear, Omphile drew an arm around her waist for support.
A scraping sound sliced the air, chilling her to the bone as Cadan, Smity, and his two remaining men drew their blades.
“Come now, Cadan.As you can see, I have your menandthe advantage.You are four.We are nine.Do you wish to die this night?”Damien hesitated, shifting his gaze to her.“All I want is the woman, my child, and the clue.A fair price for your life and the lives of your men.”
Cadan moved to stand before her, leveling his cutlass at Allard.“Omphile, take the lady into the church,” he ordered.
“You would fight us?”Allard chuckled.“But you will die, and I will have her regardless.”
“Let us play this game and find out.”Cadan’s tone held no fear, only a misplaced arrogance, coupled with hatred.
Omphile tugged her away.Nay.She would not be the cause of this!Halting, she faced Cadan.
“Captain.Please.I will go with him.I do not wish anyone to die on my account.”And, oddly, she did not wish to see him die either.
“Ah, my sweet.”Damien’s silky voice hissed.“You see, she wishes to be with me.”
Nausea bubbled in her stomach.This can’t be happening!
“Take her now, Omphile!”Cadan shouted.
With more force than the little mulatto appeared to have, Omphile took hold of Gabrielle’s hand and dragged her to the church.
Tears burned in her eyes.Why, Lord, why was this happening?Had she not caused enough pain that she now would be the reason these men would die?
Omphile nudged her against the back wall of the church.The cold stones sent a chill down her as she gripped Matthew close.
Thumps and groans filled the air, and Cadan’s men who’d been at blade point, instantly swerved.One of Allard’s men fell to the ground, gripping a bloody wound.Two others swung about to face their attackers, while the fourth hurried to find the weapon that had been knocked from his hands.
Cadan’s men quickly pounced, and the fighting began.Wasting no time, Cadan heaved his blade down upon a surprised Allard.
But the villain raised his rapier at the last moment.Their blades rang together in a bone-scraping sound that would likely raise all the dead from their graves.
Releasing Cadan, Damien rushed blindly at him, but the captain quickly dipped his cutlass in defense.Behind them, Pell and Durwin emerged from the trees, where they had snuck up on Damien’s men.Rushing into the melee with blades in one hand and pistols in the other, they quickly engaged Damien’s men.
Gabrielle had seen sword fights before, but never ever had she been the prize.Nor had there been so much at stake.
Matthew began to wail.
Cuddling him close, she attempted to shush him as best she could, but the babe surely sensed her stress.
A pistol shot cracked the humid air, followed by a cry.Matthew screamed.Omphile drew closer to Gabrielle.One of Damien’s men fell to the ground.Durwin tossed the pistol down, and drawing his cutlass, leapt over a gravestone and charged the nearest man.Pell held his own with another, swords whirling aloft, while Cadan’s other men did the same.
With an ominous growl, Cadan met Damien’s low thrust with a counter-parry, expertly done.Then slashing his blade left and right, he forced Damien back, step by step.Damien heaved, breathless, sweat shining on his forehead.He was no slouch at sword fighting, but he had clearly met his match with the captain.
“What are we doing?”Omphile shouted over the violent din.“We should leave.”
