Chapter Nine: Defend Myself

Bayou

These four days had been interesting. Crystal did her chores and never complained once. I tried to give her space. Then again, that didn’t mean that I had stopped watching her from afar, one thing was for sure, she was very kind in nature when she was not around me.

We entered the Raylight island, in the main port that allowed ships to enter and go anytime.

Walking down the stairs of my ship, Crystal stood next me, looking very nervous. I stopped in my tracks and stretch my arm out to take Max’s hat off his head. He gave me a tight annoyed glance but kept on walking.

I spun around, and grasped Crystal by the hems of her pants, pulling her close to me. She gasped at my sudden actions, and I placed Max’s hat on her, causing it to tip forward since it was a bit too big on her.

“What are you doing?” she asked. I grasped the tip of her hat and lifted it up.

“One thing love, no one must know that I have a woman on my ship. It attracts too many unwanted eyes,” I told her.

Her green eyes scanned mine for a second, but snatched away from me, lowering the hat down.

“If it gets me out, then I wouldn’t care.”

I watched most of my crew members walk down, and I cleared my throat.

“If we split up, meet here by midnight.”

Everyone glanced at me and nodded, then left. I adjusted my black leather jacket and turned toward my right.

“Trust me love, you don’t want to draw any attention to yourself. Nowhere is friendly when you’re with a pirate,” I told her, while we started to walk away from my ship.

“Just stick to me like a good little witch,” I warned her, walking down a path, watching some of the locals stare at us. I just ignored them, feeling Crystal walking behind me. My eyes scanned the area, a local market was to my right, filled with different food markets and shoes and other items on the side.

She need flats, those heels aren’t good for her, I frowned, turning to face her. She was looking around, watching everyone. I turned to face Max. His sight is fixed in the same place as mine had been. He took notice as well.

“Where exactly are we going?” She asked timidly at me. I sighed, looking everywhere.

“Don’t know, this is my first time coming here,” I admit to her.

This time her eyes widened as she looked up at me.

“You said you had to meet someone.”

“I am, love,” I said distractedly, something in the corner of my eye caught my attention, a swift movement when it cought me watching at the person, so it hid behind one of the marketplaces. I licked my lips and placed myself next to Crystal.

“What are you doing?” She asks, surprised by my sudden movement.

“We are going to a bar love, come before nightfall.” She gave me a strange look.

“Didn’t you just said, you had no idea, wait, are you pulling my leg?” she asks. I shook my head, but felt alert.

“I just remembered, I just don’t know where it is, come, it’s already midday,” I explained, but she didn’t seem too convinced, but nods either way.

With that, we started to walk a bit faster, but my eyes were sharp.

Well, this will be interesting, hope Crystal won’t panic, been a long while since I used my sword.

The itch of fighting once again burned in my blood.

“Thank you again, the flats are more comfortable than the heels,” Crystal praised Max while we reached our destination. Before we came to the other side of the island, I gave some money to Max so that he could buy shoes for Crystal, while she was distracted looking at the children that came out to play at the plaza. I told him not to say anything about it. Max just ignored her, knowing that it had been my idea. He hated taking credit for someone else’s work.

Finally reaching our destination, Max stood in front of the bar, which was near an old prison cell next door.

It was already dark, and the fire torches had already been lit.

“She isn’t coming in with us.” He pointed at Crystal.

“Good idea Max, but one small detail.” I moved behind Crystal. Max frowned but arched a brow at me.

“What?”

“We can’t leave her. No one is here to babysit her,” I told him. Max sighed out while Crystal huffed.

“I’m not a child. I can take care of myself, do you have a sword?”

That made both of us look at her.

“Yes, why?” There was a silence, then she turned to face me and glanced at my seethe.

“To play around with it,” she grasps the edge of my sword.

“Careful love, it’s too big for you to play with, and I don’t normally let anyone play with it.” I smirked, I liked seeing her embarrassed. She glanced up. Her chubby cheeks were already red as a tomato, but she still pulled it out, hearing the clinking noise of my sword.

“Good, and you’re in luck, I don’t play with small things.” My eyes narrow at her bold words, but something in her eyes came out innocent, as though she was confused by what we were talking about.

Looks like she didn’t understand my joke, but still came with a comeback. Damn, she’s too innocent.

Max chuckled at our conversation. She turned pointing my sword at Max.

“She is bolder than I thought,” Max mumbled to himself.

“I can defend myself, do whatever you have to.” She said, looking at my sword as though it was the next best thing.

“Sorry love, you don’t look like you are the type.” Crystal turned and tilted Max’s hat up, and gave me a smirk. Her green eyes turn determined

“Oh, don’t overestimate me, pirate. There’re many things you don’t know about me. Just because I’m your captive, doesn’t mean I don’t know how to defend myself.” She seemed confident in her tone.

“Then surprise me.” I told her. She nods, turning around to head in.

Without a second thought, we went in, but I grasped her shoulder, and she stopped, looking up at me suddenly. Somehow, I felt unnerved by her entering.

“Seriously, it’s dangerous love.” I removed the sword from her, and placed it back in its sheath, if they catch her with it, let just say, It won’t be a good meeting.

She glanced at me but didn’t say anything before we went in.