Memories flooded Marina’s brain as she pressed her palms against the glass. If only she could touch it, feel the gem under her fingers. The jewel in the storefront window mesmerized her. She knew that necklace. The light’s gleam made it shine teal. 

Visions from her childhood danced in front of her as if she were reliving the memories. Marina watched herself being taught how to fight with a wooden sword. Then another moment of her learning to sew at her mother’s knee. 

The past swallowed her, and sounds of the town’s daily life faded from her ears. The usual morning crowd bustled and swarmed around her. Entranced, she didn’t even notice the fellow who jostled her. 

She tried to blink, but the outside world blurred around the necklace. Then too, the necklace, the shop window, everything was gone, replaced by swirling colors which sharpened as joyous laughter echoed around her. 

The world around her spun as a man dressed in rich blues, teals, and blacks swung her by her arms until she was dizzy. He loomed over her with a mischievous smile and a gold beard thick as rope. 

“Do you have to go?” her mother’s voice asked. 

“I do. You know the sea calls.” The man’s response rang deep in her ears. 

Marina tried to focus on his face, but something kept her from seeing clearly. In the shaky memory, she felt the rough, leathery calluses embracing her. 

Hurt shot through her like a poisoned arrow, and a gasp escaped her lips. Realization hit her like a rogue wave: the man was her father. She actively pushed away the painful memory, refusing to let it control her.  

Not long after he left, the nightmare began. 

She remembered a stormy night; a sign of divine displeasure, according to her mother. Marina had just laughed and told her that her father would protect them. Fear flashed in her mother’s eyes before she smiled back. 

“Of course he will. Sleep, my sweet.” Her mother tucked her into her bed, but she had caught the blink.  

A few minutes later, the front door slammed open. Marina threw back the quilt, crept to the edge of her doorway, and peered out. Her mother was talking to a man who wasn’t her father. 

“Lord Lucian, I promise I’ll pay at the end of the week. I just need another night’s work,” her mother begged.  

Marina’s heartbeat slowed as she tried to focus on each word, and her stomach twisted into a solid knot. She had never heard her mother beg before. 

“No. I’ve given you enough time. I demand my payment, or did you forget my mercy?” He hissed.  

His boots made a sharp, striking sound as he continued to move about their small living room, out of her sight. “Quaint. I’m surprised this is what he left you with,” he mused. “You’d think he’d protect you better.”  

Then he sprang on her like a grotesque shadow. “So this is how! Maybe I should leave him a message about leaving his precious things behind? What do you think?” He ripped the necklace off and forced her to the ground.  

Marina turned away, hands covering her eyes, sick to her stomach and shaking in fear. 

The next thing she heard was her mother’s screams and pleas. Her mind filled with dreadful possibilities. 

“MAMA!” Marina yelled as she ran out of her bedroom. 

“Ah, he bred his bitch and left a little whelp. I’m impressed. She’ll do as your payment.” Lucian grabbed Marina’s arm and yanked her to him. The necklace clattered next to her mother as she reached for her in vain. Clanking armor echoed through the room as if it were breaking a spell. 

“NO!” Marina yelled in tandem with her younger self. But her screams were cut off when a rag that smelled strongly sweet was stuffed over her mouth. Rough hands held her fast as her world went black, and her body slacked. 

**** 

Lucian’s ship arrived in the gray morning on the tail of the Neptune’s Revenge. To catch the crew off guard, he ordered his men to dock over in a cove to the east. There, they had enough tree cover to block the ship from view of the main docks. 

“Just tie it off. I want it ready to make way as soon as I return with the girl,” Lucian barked at his first mate, who relayed it to the crew. 

The sailors rushed to obey his orders, in fear of the punishment their master and commander would inflict if they were too slow. They refused to be like the steward who had overcooked Lucian’s steak two nights ago. Lucian ordered him keelhauled in shark-infested waters; his body was hung from the mast as a constant reminder, and no one could stomach looking at the corpse. 

Once the ship was secured, Lucian stepped off the dock. With only four men, he walked into the town. 

“We look for the girl. No harm shall come to her, or it’s your life. Secure her and take her to my quarters,” Lucian ordered. 

I will find her and she will relearn her place. She won’t escape again. I’ll see her dead first. 

He stalked through the village. His guard knocked on doors, but they were no closer to finding Vesta. 

The soldiers grumbled and complained as the search dragged on. Normally, Lucian wouldn’t let such insubordination slide, but he had bigger things on his mind. 

They combed the town, but the morning wore on. Frustration frayed his mood. It was an outrage to rely on his men for the majority of the search. 

The ritual had cost him most of his strength, but he would never let the men notice. He’d just have to feed twice tonight to make up for the loss. 

Damn blood circle costs too much, but it showed me what I needed. I know she’s here.  

“My Lord. We’ve found her,” a guard spoke up. He was young, and Lucian could hear the eagerness for praise in his voice. 

“Lead me,” Lucian commanded.

The unit moved as one. Soon, he saw her. His lips curled into a sinister smile as he signaled the men to move in. 

A guard pulled a rag dosed with night-kiss potion out of his pouch. 

Lucian wasn’t normally this giddy, but he couldn’t help the tingle of anticipation as he watched her. He almost had her back under his control. He quivered with evil delight. 

The rag slapped against her mouth just as she screamed, “NO!” 

An underling interrupted his enjoyment. “My Lord, someone could have heard that. Captain Aquilla will come for her.” 

Lucian narrowed his eyes at the man. In a blink, he had the guard by the throat and against the nearest wall. “You think me stupid?” Lucian hissed. “Of course, I want him to come for her.” With his other hand, he slapped the man’s face. “Not only will they lead me to Neptune’s Fortune, but I’ll watch her spirit die when I kill her beloved in front of her.” Tightening the grip on the man’s throat, he signaled two others to take the unconscious Vesta to his quarters. 

“No, my Lord. Never.” The guard backtracked in a gasp as he kicked to reach precious air. Lucian stared into the man’s eyes and smiled, all teeth. 

“Not that you will be there to see it,” he whispered. With a thrust, he stabbed the man in the side and dropped him to the ground. His stunned partner held his gaze forward, not wanting the same fate. 

“Move now,” Lucian hissed. He turned for his ship. The soldier rushed to follow, his companion groaning into the dusty cobble street. 

Editor: Shannon Hensley