Sanky Panky Pirate Part II

By KuroKoneko Kamen

In Part II Machete and the crew of the Wandering Wolf finally come face to face with the most dangerous and feared of the Seven Deadly Pirates - the ancient vampire Captain Wrath. The woman whom Machete has fallen in love with has a past connection with Captain Wrath...will Machete be able to save her from Wrath's seduction of darkness or will he lose her forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: KuroKoneko Kamen
• Release date: Jun 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311634757

KuroKoneko Kamen

Author KuroKoneko Kamen (Black Kitten Mask) has always had an interest in Japanese culture from folktales about yokai (ancient demons) to anime and manga. As a result of being an otaku a lot of her stories are set in Japan or have a Japanese theme. Even when in the midst of a pirate novel expect a samurai warrior to be thrown into the mix. Her latest passion is paranormal romance and she’s written stories where ghosts, demons, and angels find love. Keeping her company as she writes are her several dogs and cats, some of which are rescues (now including a pet turtle someone wanted to make a soup out of). To keep updated on new stories and specials visit the author’s facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/authorkurokonekokamen.

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Sanky Panky Pirate Part II

By

KuroKoneko Kamen

Copyright 2011 by KuroKoneko Kamen

Cover Design by Geoff Trebs

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter 1: Me skull and crossbones ain’t the only thing I plan on raisin’ tonight

I groaned as I woke up. Ow. My back was on fire, what the hell? I opened my eyes and realized I was lying on my stomach on a bed. Amano was sitting in a chair by my side. My eyes widened. Amano?

Amano gave me a slightly guilty look. Hey, how are you feeling Machete?

Like crap… I tried to push myself up so that I could sit on the edge of the bed. I did so painstakingly and Amano helped me. I put a hand on my head and groaned. What happened? I feel like I got hit by a dragon.

You passed out from blood loss. Amano informed me. You should have told me sooner you had a wound like that. Was that from Seiryuu?

Aye. I nodded and instantly regretted it as my vision spun. And I think he was going easy on me too. A chagrined smile formed on my face. This is his version of a kitten scratch I think.

Amano paled at that. I had to disinfect the wound and you needed stitches. I did the best I can. I’m sorry if it still hurts. I can give you something for the pain?

Naw…just give me a bottle of rum and some meat and I’ll be as good as new. I declared.

Amano smiled at me and chuckled. You’re so bad. Here. Amano reached over and picked up a bottle of rum, which he handed to me.

Thanks. I said before I popped the cork off and began to chug the rum. AH! Now that’s the good stuff! I said wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. I feel alive again…though I have the feeling I’m alive thanks to you Amano…

Amano blushed scarlet, looked away and began to tap the tips of his fingers together. Ahhh…no…it was nothing…

I reached out and put a hand on Amano’s shoulder. I’m really glad to have a friend like you, Amano. I said giving him a serious look.

Amano turned to meet my eyes and gasped. Our faces were inches apart.

Hey, how’s Lust doing? I questioned, pulling away from Amano.

Amano sighed and looked put out. She should be fine. Though she won’t be able to talk for a while…she will eventually be able to regain her voice.

I let out a breath of relief. Whew. Good, thank you Amano. You’re a lifesaver. You really came through for us this time.

"Ah…I’m just glad you’re alright…that everyone is alright." Amano said nervously and ran a hand back through his curly, golden-brown hair.

Ah, I need some fresh air. It’s stuffy in here. I declared standing up and heading for the door. I turned around and patted Amano on the head. Keep up the good work, Doc.

Amano blushed and I didn’t notice that he fainted as soon as I left the cabin. Heh. I really needed to come up with a way to control my pheromones.

***

I stood at the bow of the Wandering Wolf staring out over the dark ocean. It was night, the sky had cleared and a myriad of stars were visible twinkling overhead. I held my new Flame Sword in my two hands and held it up seeing if I could stab the moon with it.

The Flame Machete…forged from the fang of the Dragon Beast God Seiryuu.

I thought back on my battle against the god. How I was before I fought and then defeated him and how I was now. I thought about the sacrifices that had to be made so that I would come to possess the Flame Machete. Sensei…

People’s hopes and dreams were now with me. It was now my responsibility to make them come true.

I thought back on the lesson I had learned: the importance of FEAR. I didn’t want to forget. I never want to forget… I murmured aloud.

A voice from the shadows of the deck responded to me. Then you don’t have to.

I jumped and turned to see Onigiri emerging from the shadows ninja-like. Cool. I wished that I were good at that stealth shit. Onigiri…

Onigiri walked over and stood next to me, also peering out over the dark waters. What is it that you don’t wish to forget, Machete?

I turned to face Onigiri and I told him all about my battle against Seiryuu - how when I had started the battle that I had been a man without fear, without hope, with nothing to lose. But that Seiryuu had made me realize that I had been lying to myself and that I was afraid to lose things: my friends, my brother, Mother, Lust, my dreams, hopes, my quest to save Cabarete Village. I told Onigiri about how I had gained FEAR and with that fear I had gained more thoughtfulness and hesitation in battle, making me a little less reckless and stupid.

You didn’t find FEAR, Machete, you found GOD. Onigiri attested. Onigiri took out a kiseru (long pipe) lit it and began to smoke from it.

What? I immediately began to object. No way. I’m an atheist. I don’t believe in God.

Fear is God’s voice telling you ‘Watch out!’ ‘Be careful!’ because he cares about what happens to you. Onigiri declared. It’s your conscience that is telling you that you shouldn’t be so reckless…that you should put more care into your life, right?

I frowned. Maybe…

Your conscience is God’s voice. Onigiri insisted.

"I disagree, samurai. Came a cool voice, and my brother Santiago revealed himself. Having fear in your heart makes you an atheist because it means that you don’t have faith that God will protect you. We’re all in God’s hands, until you become fearless then you don’t really believe in God."

An interesting perspective. Onigiri acknowledged with a nod as he took a drag from his kiseru and blew out a few swirls of smoke. "My argument is this: fear in a bad situation is God’s voice trying to warn you, saying, ‘watch out’. Fear keeps people out of trouble. Although there are also times when there’s an obstacle one needs to face and overcome. That person can then pray to God and gain spiritual strength, and fearlessness. So fear and fearlessness – having both can also still mean you are close to God.

"Life isn’t black or white, yin or yang, all good or all evil, but a combination of these things. Life is but shades of gray. It is not about you being wrong or I being wrong. It is about accepting both points of view and finding a balance. You said: ‘Having faith that God will protect you’ from what? Other people? God gave humanity the gift of free will. This means that he cannot interfere with a human’s actions. He can’t stop a bad person from doing a bad deed. Just like he can’t stop a good person from doing a good deed. He gave us freedom. Of course, it came with a high price and great risk. The world is not a safe place. One of the few things God can give one is spiritual and mental strength. You said: ‘If you believe that God won’t protect you then you’re an atheist?’ Ridiculous. Of course, God will protect one, when he can. He’ll try to warn one with their conscience and their FEAR. But he can’t interfere with another’s free will. So he can’t protect one from other people."

Mom used to say that ‘God helps those who help themselves’. I suddenly remembered. I think Seiryuu also helped me to realize that I have a dream. I want to become the next Pirate King and I will save Cabarete Village. I clenched my fists at my sides. All I have to do is keep moving forward…

Keep moving forward? Santiago butt in again. Why? Why must you move forward? Why does everyone think they must move forward to find happiness? What about living in the moment? What about the NOW? People who have hopes and dreams…are afraid. They need a reason to keep on living, to keep on trying. But what happens when they accomplish their hopes and dreams? They realize that they were empty and that they still don’t have happiness.

I agree that people should learn to appreciate their current situations but I disagree that people should not have hopes and dreams. Onigiri countered my brother. "Having hopes and dreams is what makes us human. It’s a fundamental part of humanity. And can working hard towards a goal be a bad thing? Impossible. When people accomplish their dreams, they can always find a new one. If people don’t hone and use the gifts that God has given them in their lifetime then that’s simply a waste of their Gift of Life. Onigiri turned to face me. So don’t give up Machete. Just continue to do your best, and keep moving forward, towards your dreams."

I stared out over the sea and mulled over Onigiri’s wise words. They made sense. Perhaps, I had found God. But…I still wasn’t sure if I’d forgiven him yet for the loss of my baby sister. Still, I didn’t want to forget the lesson about FEAR and its value that Seiryuu had taught me. Even now Onigiri had yet another interesting view on FEAR being God’s voice warning you to ‘watch out!’.

FEAR was a whole lot more complex than I had ever imagined. But having things like fear, hopes, dreams – that’s what makes us human. I didn’t want to forget what Seiryuu had taught me. I don’t want to forget what Seiryuu has taught me. I told Onigiri finally.

Onigiri nodded and reached into his haori shirt to pull out several long metal needles and vials of colored ink. "Then you won’t have to. Back at Sakura Jima before I trained to become a Monster Hunter samurai I really just wanted to be a tattoo artist."

I blinked at Onigiri in surprise. A tattoo artist? No shit? I vaguely remembered Muramasa mentioning that to me.

Onigiri nodded. "Yes but my father Muramasa wanted me to succeed him as a blacksmith, saying I would make more money…especially if I intended to have a family one day. He insisted that being a blacksmith was the ‘right path’. But I didn’t want to become a blacksmith and rebelled against my father. I ran away from home and tried my luck at being a tattoo artist. I was successful but…then the Elders passed a law forbidding Monster Hunters to get tattoos because they felt it made the samurai too similar to pirates. I was suddenly out of a job and decided to join the Monster Hunter Clan instead of crawling back to my father and becoming a blacksmith.

At heart, I’m an artist, not a warrior. I was at odds with myself from the very start. Going against my true nature. An artist’s nature is to create – a warrior’s nature is to destroy. To create…is God-like. To destroy…is un-Godlike. Onigiri took a long draw from his pipe and let out his smoky breath. I watched the smoke curl into the air and float away over the ocean.

To become more Godlike through creation. Santiago nodded in agreement. We are like conch shells, or hermit crabs. The human body is the flesh; it’s just a shell we must one day shed for our own eventual spiritual evolution. Evolve into what? Perfection. What is perfection? Godlikeness. God is a creator. One day we will evolve into a spiritual being with the power to create.

I rolled my eyes at my brother. There he goes with his philosophizing again…

But I’ve ignored my true calling, the gift God gave me of my artistic talent, and became a Monster Hunter. And ever since I’ve been unhappy. Onigiri confided to us.

"Not many people in this world do what they actually want or should be doing, Santiago began. What most people call ‘hobbies’ are really what they should be devoting their lives to. God gave everyone a gift, a talent. Everyone knows deep down what it is, what they should be doing, but society tells them that they should be doing something else. Society says one must have a stable job in order to make a lot of money to support their family, then buy a house, and a horse and carriage. Society tells people ‘hobbies’ are just ‘hobbies’ and that a ‘job’ is their true calling. Society says that if one does nothing but their hobby then they will starve and not succeed. I believe this to be untrue. I think if people concentrated on their true callings there is no way God would allow that person to be unsuccessful."

People also tend to think that material possessions will make them happy. That’s why they tend to stop doing what they really want to be doing and concentrate on acquiring more money. I put in.

But if God really exists will he really let you starve? If you really believe in him and do what you want to do. I think not. Santiago pushed his spectacles up his nose.

People should pursue their true calling, their hobbies and risk their lives for it. I nodded in agreement.

God won’t allow one to starve as one pursues their dream. Santiago said.

As Machete said earlier though God only helps people who help themselves. Onigiri shook his head. Don’t forget God gave us free will, and freedom. To succeed in a hobby/dream/hope you need hard work. God can’t just hand everything to you on a silver platter. To become successful in any endeavor you need three things: pretentiousness, hard work and luck.

Pretentiousness? I asked with a chuckle. Thinking you’re better than everyone else is a good thing?

Well, you can also put number one as confidence or even pride. Pride…is a feeling of self-respect and personal worth; it’s also a trait of moving forward due to not wanting to fall below one’s standards.

Amen. Santiago said.

"Machete, allow me to give you a tattoo that will be a constant reminder of the lesson you have learned on Sakura Jima and of the sacrifices that were made." Onigiri suggested.

Onigiri wanted to give me a tattoo…hell yea! I so wanted the stoic samurai to give me some kind of kickass tattoo. Hell yea! I instantly agreed and Onigiri set to work.

He cleaned the skin on my right arm with a bottle or rum first to sanitize the area. He then took out a Japanese brush and dipped it into a pot of black ink before he quickly and skillfully drew the image of the dragon Seiryuu on my arm. Then he sterilized a needle with fire until the needle glowed red. He dipped the needle into a tiny pot of ink before he put the needle against my skin and pressed down. He made sure to apply enough pressure so that the ink was going into my skin.

Then he began to draw along the drawing of the dragon. Again, he dipped the needle into the ink and punctured my skin, making sure to get the ink into my skin by firmly pressing the needle down. It was painful but I took the pain without making a sound. If you’re planning on giving yourself a tattoo at home this is how it’s done but don’t be a pussy, if you’re going to be a pussy you shouldn’t even try this. I thought to myself: I won’t forget Seiryuu…I won’t forget sensei…

And so, Onigiri drew into my flesh with the needle and added colored ink to the tattoo next. I turned my head and didn’t look at the tattoo until he was finished. I wanted to be surprised, and boy was I.

I looked at my arm and saw a giant tattoo of Seiryuu wrapping its way down my arm. Cool. It was an impressive tattoo; the likeness to Seiryuu was uncanny. His impressive horned head, ruby red eyes, wise whiskers, his long, green, serpentine body, bronze underbelly, and clawed hands. Seiryuu in all his glory would now never be forgotten. Never forget. The value of FEAR. I won’t.

I grinned at Onigiri. "This is one kickass tattoo mi amigo. Thank you."

Onigiri smiled slightly and nodded back. I am glad you are pleased. He then reached out and wrapped a bandage around the tattoo. The tattoo will need to heal.

I nodded in understanding.

***

I made my way below deck and headed to my cabin. I entered my cabin and plopped down onto the bed on my stomach. My arm was throbbing and my back was on fire. But it was a good kind of pain. A pain that made me feel alive. There was no way I was going to get to sleep anytime soon though. I sighed as I tried to find a comfortable position and then I stiffened as I heard someone slip inside my cabin.

A smirk formed on my face. It was probably Lust. She was totally addicted to my body. Hell yea. Yep. Yep. I was apparently like an aphrodisiac. I’m sure that if Santiago had overheard the things Lust had said about me during her battle against Nerezza he would have been sure to say ‘Don’t let it go to your head, idiot’. My response would have been: ‘Too late, bro’.

I pretended to be asleep as she walked over to my bed. Lust then slapped me hard on the back in order to wake me up.

OW! I pushed myself up from the bed and turned to face her with a glare of disbelief on my face. That hurt bitch! I’m injured!

Now, Lust could no longer speak, but I was pretty damned good at reading lips, so the following conversation is my own interpretation of what Lust was probably trying to say to me. I’m pretty sure I was accurate:

Lust looked at me doubtfully. You? You’re indestructible…you’re a beast. Now… Lust got onto the bed and put a hand on my chest and began to push me backwards onto the bed.

Oi! I resisted her touch, which meant that I didn’t move an inch. What are you trying to do?

Have sex. Lust said bluntly.

I gave her a surprised look, thinking that maybe I had read her lips wrong, and I felt a trickle of sweat form on the side of my head. I grabbed her hands and smiled at her obligingly. Okay, okay, but…I’m an injured man here so…tonight you can’t tie me up and I can’t lie on my back so…I have to be on top.

Lust looked at me like I was crazy. Her look was almost fearful, making me suddenly nervous.

Hey… I reached out to cup her face with my large calloused hand. I won’t hurt you. I’ll make love to you gently. Don’t you trust me? I gave Lust an innocent puppy-dog look.

Lust sighed and gave in. "Alright but…you better be gentle or else. And you need to do me nice and slow, got it? Nice and slow." She repeated for emphasis making sure I was able to understand her.

Alright! I mentally cheered. I’d finally get to be on top. Finally, get to take Lust, really make her mine, and really make love to her.

Lust striped and lay back down on the bed nervously. I climbed on top of her. She was stiff, nervous, and acting almost afraid. How strange. We’d made love so many times before but now she was acting like a nervous virgin, it was…cute.

Way too cute. I leaned over her and cupped her face and kissed her softly. I was in no hurry. "Lust…there’s no need to be so nervous. It’s just me after all. You know me. I would never hurt you…open your eyes and look at me."

Lust opened her eyes and looked at me as I spread her legs. I positioned myself at her entrance and entered her in one glorious, powerful thrust-!

Ahhh! Lust (silently) cried out, as she threw her head back.

So good. I moved out of her and plunged myself deeply into Lust again and again starting a vigorous rhythm.

Ahhh…no…stop…Machete…it’s too much… Lust complained as I thrust into her. You promised you’d be slow and gentle…I’m going crazy…

I’m sorry… I gasped in Lust’s ear. But it’s just that I want you so badly. I really want you, Lust. I want to really make love to you tonight, really make you mine. All mine. I declared as I thrust as deeply as possible into Lust so that I was sheathed to the hilt.

She cried out and clawed at my back, probably forgetting about my injury but I didn’t mind. This was well worth the pain.

Finally, I got to do all the things I didn’t get to normally do when we made love. I was able to cup, squeeze, fondle and suck on her wonderful breasts. They were fascinating, so soft and warm – which was strange since Lust was such a cold and deadly person. I buried my head between her breasts and it felt like heaven.

I got to kiss her and thrust my tongue and dick into her at the same time while fondling her breasts. This was my version of ‘multi-tasking’. Santiago would have been proud – I was able to use my tongue, dick and hands all at the same times as I pleasured Lust and tried to find all the places on her body that made her squirm, cry out and moan in pleasure. I moved my hands greedily all over her body, memorizing it and its special places. I touched every unexplored inch of her, claiming her thoroughly. I was going to make sure to remember all of Lust’s sensitive spots and committed them to memory.

Lust…Lust…Lust…I didn’t realize it but I had been repeating her name silently in my head.

I leaned over Lust and said in a husky voice dripping with my lust and desire: I’ll make you feel even better, Lust…open yourself completely to me Lust. Let me kiss you again.

Lust looked up at me fearfully and gave me a wary look but she let me kiss her. She shut her eyes basically saying ‘go for it’. She totally let her guard down that night and completely gave into me.

Lust fell asleep in my arms that night, which was unusual for her. She usually used me for sex and then left me in bed alone, with a handful of pieces-of-eight on the mattress in her wake. She was always so cold.

But now here she was asleep in my arms. I wondered if perhaps there was something bothering her…? I leaned over Lust and kissed her while she was sleeping. I looked down at her sleeping face. Too cute. I grinned. Lust…I think I love you. I whispered to her.

Lust didn’t respond however since she was asleep. I continued to watch her sleeping face for a few hours when I watched as a single tear slid down Lust’s cheek. I frowned and reached out and brushed the tear away with my thumb.

***

The following morning, I could feel Lust suddenly stir awake next to me. I woke up and saw Lust sitting up quickly, a silent scream on her lips. Dra…! I couldn’t make out the name she had called out in her fear. She was deathly pale and I could see that she was trembling violently. She must have had a nightmare.

Who? What? I wondered as I sat up in bed and rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

Lust was shaking like a leaf, tears were streaming down her cheeks and she wrapped her arms around herself. I had never seen her so fragile and vulnerable before. It completely freaked me out.

I immediately tried to comfort her. Lust… I put my hand on her shoulder. Are you alright?

Lust gasped and turned to look at me in shock. You…?! What are you doing here in my bed? I’m pretty sure this is what she said.

This is my bed. I helpfully informed her.

Ah! Lust put her hands to her cheeks and felt her tears. Ah! Don’t look at me…! She turned her face away.

I turned around obligingly and reached out behind me to pat her head. I don’t know if the one who gave you nightmares is still alive but if he is…I’ll kill him. I’ll kill your nightmares for you, Lust. I only want you to have sweet dreams when you fall asleep in my arms. I told her in a low, husky voice.

Lust stiffened at my words but then relaxed. She allowed me to continue patting her head for a while until she seemed to realize what had happened. She had fallen asleep in my bed and hadn’t left in the middle of the night as she usually did. She hadn’t expected me to be there, nor did she seem to want me there. And she definitely didn’t want me to see her in her current state. This became clear when she suddenly shoved me away from her and glared at me hatefully. Her expression clearly read: ‘Get away from me, you filthy, Sanky Panky Pirate!"

I watched as Lust’s walls were going back up. My heart sank, and my expression fell. Lust didn’t trust me. She really didn’t care about me at all and was just using me for sex. I was her Sanky Panky.

Lust quickly got out of bed and began searching around the cabin for her clothes, which were scattered everywhere. I smirked at that. She had been in a real hurry to have sex with me last night. I put my hands behind my head and let myself enjoy the view of Lust bending over to pick up her clothes. She was always so cruel to me but she was still sexy as hell. I wanted to call out to her but I couldn’t think of anything intelligent to say that would stop her.

After she had dressed she turned to face me angrily, and spoke slowly to make sure that I could read her lips properly: You broke your promise last night. You said you would be gentle and yet you were a beast! I’m never having sex with you again! It’s over Sanky Panky Pirate! Lust said soundlessly. Oh I almost forgot to pay you. She said before tossing a single piece-of-eight at me. She gave me a condescending look and mouthed: That’s all your sub par performance from last night is worth, fool. That said she turned on her heel and began to stomp off.

Ah! I called after Lust, Hey wait! I hopped out of bed and ran after her but she slammed the door in my face. Aw man! I put my face in my hand and groaned. I had so screwed up! Shit. Why didn’t I have more self-restraint last night?! I may have lost her and just when I realized that I’d fallen in love with her.

I dragged my feet over to the bed and picked up the single piece-of-eight that she had thrown at me. I clenched my fist around the coin. Lust…

***

[Lust’s POV]

Three hours later…

I woke up for the second time that morning and this time I was thankfully in my own bed. Machete wasn’t there this time to see me screaming silently from a nightmare that I would never wake up from. His name had been on my lips again:

‘Dracula.’

Every night I dreamed about him raping me. That’s why I suffered from insomnia. Machete didn’t know it but the real reason I had been sleeping with him was so that he would wear me out to the point that I would be too tired to dream. It had worked in the beginning. Machete had managed to keep my nightmares at bay for a while but for some reason they were back.

I was freezing, I realized. I was shivering violently and wondered if maybe I was still dreaming. I was always cold in the nightmares. I pinched myself hard. Ouch! That hurts! This was no dream. I hopped out of bed and chose my warmest pirate outfit – a white, long-sleeved shirt, red, leather, under bust corset, a pair of white leather pants, and a pair of white leather boots with cuffs. I also threw on a long, white, fur jacket, and matching white pirate hat with a flashy red plume. I stuck my one shot pistol into my cleavage; it was loaded with one silver bullet, as always. I then stuck my cutlass into my belt.

The cutlass was new. Back on Sakura Jima I had had Hotaru forge the cutlass for me out of pure silver.

It was quiet aboard the Wandering Wolf. Too quiet. It was putting me on edge. I left my cabin and checked the mess hall first. Machete and the others were always there at this hour enjoying Onigiri, the sushi chef’s, cooking. But the mess hall was strangely empty.

I had a really bad feeling about all this. I made my way to the upper deck and caught sight of Percivious – that damned vampire priest gunner – standing at the bow of the ship and looking out over the sea silently. I had a good view of the long, medieval sword that was strapped to his back, a Templar Knight’s broadsword. Hundreds of years old. Two pistols strapped to his waist, and the long rifle with the bayonet strapped to his back.

His clothes were different from his usual priest outfit. He was wearing the clothes and armor of a Templar Knight. I had already seen Percivious’ armor and had accused him of being a part of HIS army. Percivious claimed to be Dracula’s enemy now…claimed that his friend had strayed too far from the path of righteousness, and that he would kill him and then kill himself. But vampires did have a penchant for lying. I didn’t believe that strange, perverted vampire one bit!

A cold gust of wind blew and suddenly I noticed that it was snowing. I put out my hand and watched as a single snowflake drifted down to land on the palm of my hand and melted. I was filled with a sudden dread. Snow…but that’s not possible unless…

It could only mean one thing. I ran up next to Percivious and stared out in front of us. An island could be seen in the distance, about a mile away. The island itself was hard to see because of the heavy snow that filled the air. The island appeared to be surrounded by a thick, gray mist, and the island appeared mostly white because it was covered in snow. It was an island cursed with eternal winter. I only knew of one such island.

I gasped in horror. Transylvania Island! How the hell did we end up here? We were supposed to avoid this island at all costs! Anemone made sure that we were taking a route towards the Lost Island that would go around Transylvania Island! Percivious was leaning towards me intently, so that he could carefully read my lips.

Percivious raised an eyebrow at me. Good morning to you too beautiful.

I turned upon Percivious accusingly, and glared at him. YOU! You did this! You brought us here! So that you can try and kill Dracula…or…maybe you really are a part of his army…and led us here to this trap! Dracula really did send you to kill me…to kill us all! I was becoming a bit hysterical, consumed by my fear. And I was beginning to tremble. I was pathetic. I gripped my arms and dug my nails into my skin.

Frowning, Percivious grabbed my arms and attempted to calm me down. "Lust! Get a hold of yourself. I already told you…I am not a part of HIS army. Not anymore. I’ve decided to kill Dracula, who has strayed from the path of righteousness and then to kill myself. I was not sent to kill you…and I didn’t try to lead the others here into a trap…I swear! And can you speak more slowly please, my lady? I’m not as good at lip-reading as Machete is."

Liar! I shot back.

The nun ghost Angela materialized next to Percivious. She frowned at me. Just ignore her Percivious…she’s as stubborn as a mule. She won’t listen to a word you say.

My eyes widened slightly at Angela’s appearance. I still wasn’t quite used to seeing