Inky clouds turned the afternoon into an early midnight as an ebony vessel coasted into Port Victoria. Doomsday itself fell over the pirate town, and for once, everything stood silent. 

From the deck, an armored figure watched the citizens with a crimson-flecked stare that promised bloodshed. 

“Sir, we await your orders.” His spindly personal attendant hovered somewhere behind him. 

“Prepare to dock and send the Guard off first. Find her,” he demanded. The crew scrambled to obey his commands. 

Lucian’s smile instilled fear in even his most seasoned men as they carried out their duties to avoid facing punishment. They needed no reminder of his maniacal laughter when he watched a pack of sharks fight over his thrashing former first mate. Nor the recruit he hung from the mast to let birds peck out the eyes that had questioned his order. He took the governor of Satisterra’s young daughter and fed from her in front of them. Her bloodcurdling screams echoed even after he was done. He doled out his wrath liberally to ensure everyone had their taste. 

Vesta will never escape again. He balled his fists. A silent tremor ran through his arm as the creak of ropes and the rough scrape of wood announced the gangplank’s descent. An unnatural breeze billowed his scarlet cape as he stalked behind The Guard’s measured march. 

She was always too clever. I admit, though, I admire that spirit. She’s thwarted me at every turn and still refuses to break. I must have her as mine and mine alone. My precious dark jewel. Never again shall she leave my presence. 

Screams filled the air, bringing Lucian out of his thoughts. 

Officers ransacked houses and dragged people out of shops. They left the entire village in ruins as they searched, leaving no place untouched. Crackling flames sent waves of heat into the air, and the taste of ash stung as the tavern and its stable blazed. Fleeing residents panicked to realize hellfire confined them within the square. 

A brave few brandished swords to protect their homes, but the soldiers quickly impaled them. Suffocating smoke overwhelmed the village as Lucian’s men eliminated any resistance opposing them.  

He examined the remaining citizens with a sharp gaze. The children will make fine servants. Trainable. These men will prove useful. Either workers or provisions. It’s been months since I last hunted. 

“Transfer the males and youngsters to the ship. Line up the women.” He smirked as the soldiers rushed to do his bidding. A rush of what others call happiness filled his black heart. 

A third of the troops advanced into nearby streets, seeking Marina or her friends. Another segment was loading the new servants onto the ship. The leftover guards concealed their master and his prey. He moved like a phantom in the darkness, advancing on the line of women in a bat-like swoop. 

A soldier interrupted him half an hour later. “My Lord, there’s no trace of the girl!” 

With blood dripping from his pointed teeth, he rumbled like thunder, and his eyes flashed pure fire. The woman he fed upon dropped lifelessly, bleeding into the dirt. 

“What?” H taunted the one who whimpered before him to restate his confession. 

“We can’t find her,” the officer stammered.  

Ire roared in Lucian’s ears as he glowered at his follower. With a flash of sword, the soldier’s head rolled towards the group gathered. A warning to the others about failure. 

“My Lord, this man might know.”  

Lucian turned towards the voice of one of his newest recruits as he dragged an elderly man in hideously bright clothing forward by his silvery white hair.  

Hope filled the venerable man’s expression as he clutched his potential survival. Lucian’s grin turned to sick glee. He’d seen this desperate plea before. A parlay of knowledge in exchange for a futile existence. The begging on knees, groveling, faint light in the victims’ eyes as they wait for the answer to their fate. It made Him giddy. 

Let’s see what this fool has. Maybe he’ll be useful. 

“Proceed.” He gestured to the ground at his feet as the soldiers compelled the elder to kneel. 

“A woman with red hair and a man were looking for Neptune’s Palace,” the aged fool alleged, carelessly brave enough to look straight into Lucian’s gaze. 

“Ha! Neptune’s Palace is a myth,” Lucian sniggered. 

“The island is real, m’Lord. Just the treasure itself is a fiction.” Drool dripped from his mouth as he tattled. “I gave them a map, but I don’t think they know what awaits them,” the shopkeep said, forgetting the dangerous position in which he found himself. 

I’m what awaits them. But he had bigger problems than a mere mortal correcting him. 

“How long ago?” He stared deep into the poor soul’s eyes as if he could reach the far corners of his mind. 

“About th—” the shopkeep started. 

Lucian turned on his heel as though he’d seen the answer for himself. His fingers snapped a signal. Screams rang across the village as the recruit dragged the hostage out of sight and beat him until his bones cracked. 

Three hours ago. The little bitch eluded me. Never again! Rage filled him with heat and dark fascination with the girl who publicly defied him and lived. 

A nascent plan began to form in his mind. He returned to his cabin and paced the floor as he continued to strategize his next move. Sounds echoed through the decks as the women he didn’t consume were shackled next to the men and children in the holds. The wails and begging resembled the victim’s pulsing heartbeat while he fed. They eased the brooding anger. 

Almost. 

She will be mine! I will break her, whatever it takes. And only after she’s submitted to my darkest hungers will I raise her to be my dark lady. 

The day turned to night, and the candles in the cabin flared to life, touched by no one. Shadows created sharp edges, and the room was cast in a deep ruby light. Something only a demon might enjoy. 

A hesitant knock sounded on the door. 

“My Master?” A young girl’s voice came through. Although melodic, its undertones felt programmed. 

“You may enter, Laetitia,” he growled, annoyed at the interruption to his personal space. A petite girl of sixteen with rosy skin and braided hair the color of sunlight walked in. She knelt and bowed her head. Her white gauzy dress pooled around her knees. The position exposed the back of her neck. 

“Sire, if it pleases you, the men have done your bidding and are awaiting your instructions.” The girl’s eyes never left the floor. 

Lucian nodded. “You have done well, Laetitia. I will reward you shortly. Wait for me to return, in position one on the bed.” He stormed out of the cabin without a backward glance. 

Once he reached the open deck, the soldiers snapped to attention. Parts of the port city were still smoldering. The moonlight made his pale skin glow. His eyes flashed amber and crimson. The gold of his signet rings glinted. Even his armor shone with purpose. 

“Set sail for Neptune’s Palace. But first, burn all this as a message. Those who defy Lord Lucian Diaboli will pay.” 

With a swish of his cloak, Lucian disappeared below deck, trusting his men to obey and set sail. 

Editor: Shannon Hensley