Blurb for the series
Riding the
currents of time is a challenge Miranda is up for. No matter where or when she
lands, she hits the ground ready, looking for whatever challenge the universe
presents. But the Caribbean of Jake Reynard proves more tempting than she
counted on.
Not to mention
totally unfamiliar. Port Royal thrives, and is certainly not the wicked city
her world’s history painted it. But it does prove exciting. Handsome pirates,
magical devices, new enemies and old!
And she may be
a witch who restores her magical energy through sex, a role the pirate Reynard
is delighted to fulfill, but she didn’t count on the sex to deepen into real
caring, or love, heaven help her.
Nor did he.
As they approached the Jester that
night, Miranda worked to remember her mania of the night before. She darkened
her visage, and concentrated on distrust. Jake mirrored her. They would play
this angry.
Bernard was waiting for them, along
with the two men Mercy had described. Miranda took an instant dislike to the
muscle-man. He leered at her and followed her movements with his eyes. Jake
picked up on it and glared at the man.
“Keep your eyes to yourself, or you’ll
taste my steel,” Jake said when formally introduced.
Michael stared back, but nodded, a
promise to see him pay for that threat, eventually, in his eyes. Henry stepped
in. “Don’t mind Michael. He has no manners. But he’s handy to have around.
Please, sit down and join us.”
Miranda placed herself where she could
see Michael, took out her dagger and set it near her hand. Jake kept himself
from echoing her movement and instead, smiled grimly at Bernard. “We leave in
the morning? We are eager to be about our vengeance, eh, Miranda?”
“Most assuredly, Captain. Leighton will
pay for his fickleness, and his tight purse. I was thinking of taking a
souvenir from that grandchild he is so fond of…a finger maybe.” She laughed
wildly. “He’d pay then, and plenty.”
“Oh, how bloodthirsty. I like it.” Jake
grinned. “You could get to the smithy while I get Leighton himself?”
“Of course.” She picked up her dagger
and studied the edge, testing it with her finger. A drop of blood flowed down
her palm; she watched its path.
Henry shuddered and Bernard looked
disgusted. Michael just watched her. She flicked the blood at him, where it
made a line across his face. He flinched and she laughed. He lunged, and she
danced away. Jake placed himself between them, his sword point at Michael’s
throat.
“Enough!” Bernard shouted. “Enough. We
need to work together. Focus on the objective. Please. Sit down.” He called out
to the barkeep, “More rum.” Jake and Michael cautiously sat down. Miranda moved
to stand behind Jake.
“No drink for me. Enough last night.”
She’d sheathed Ăvanwa and examined her wounded finger. She stuck it in her
mouth and licked the remaining blood from her palm. Jake passed her his
handkerchief. She blotted at it ’til it stopped bleeding, and then leaned
against Jake’s chair, watching the rest of the room, as if bored by the
conversation. She smiled to herself. Such
a dangerous woman I am.
Jake felt his mood lighten, and was
able to finish the negotiations. Henry would be furnishing enough funds to
restock the Moonstone for the short voyage. Bernard would lead the way into the
entrance; Michael would come to represent Henry. They’d created a backstory
that Henry was interested in seeing the fort damaged so he could provide
repairs and make a hefty profit. Jake pretended to believe them. Eventually,
matters were concluded to everyone’s satisfaction.
Jake rose. “If you want to reach Port
Royal by midnight tomorrow, be at the Moonstone just past dawn.” He looked at
Henry. “And keep your ape on a leash while on my ship, or he’ll be thrown
overboard. I don’t tolerate rash action on the Moonstone.” Jake looked at
Michael. “Making moves on my woman would be imprudent, Michael, understand?”
Michael snarled at Jake, who just
stood, waiting for a reply.
“Understand, Michael?”
Finally, at Henry’s prodding, Michael
nodded his understanding.
Jake put his arm around Miranda and
pulled her tightly to his side. “Come. Our bed awaits.”
Miranda began to hum the song Angelique
had taught her the night before, and Jake laughed as they strolled from the
bar.
The three conspirators watched them
leave. “I get to kill him, agreed?” Michael spoke. “But first I’ll take the
strumpet and break her…” His eyes were cold. Henry felt a chill pass through
him, but it was a hot thrill. He would watch.
Bernard replied, “Whatever you want,
but not until we’re done with getting the treasure. And the Rapide will not
wait for you, so be quick about it when the time comes.”
They finished their drinks and left the
bar. From the shadows, Jake and Miranda followed them to their quarters. There
would be a delay in the morning, while Mr. Bailey and a few sailors searched
for anything interesting left behind.
As they made their way back to the
Moonstone, Jake questioned Miranda’s baiting of Michael. “Was that wise? He
will not forget.”
“You saw the way he looked at me. Let
him try something, Jake. He’ll be dead before he knows what hit him. He’s
unimportant to Bernard. I watched the Frenchman. He’d just as soon I killed
him.” She sighed. “I didn’t know I could be so reckless. But he baited me as
much as I did him.”
“A very dangerous man, Miranda. And
yes, very obvious in his designs. Take extra care when they come aboard. The
conclusion will come quickly, as I have no intention of taking them anywhere
near Port Royal. They’ll figure it out fast enough.”
“And it will be over.” She began to hum
Angelique’s song again, very softly. Jake lengthened his stride to get them
back faster. She laughed and they began to run, eager for each other, and for
their bed.
Author Bio
Maureen O. Betita writes about pirates. Okay, she also writes about alien love stories and the rare contemporary romance, but mainly…pirates. She has recently given into the lure of revealing to the world how deeply this passion lies. Deep, very deep. The first three books of the series, A Caribbean Spell, Red Sean’s Revenge and The French Gambit are available on Amazon..
How deep is this passion? Three million words deep. Four books in 2013 and starting in 2014, a new book every six weeks.
Maureen has been married over thirty years to her high school sweetheart, who loves to play pirate with her at pirate festivals around California, where they make a home with a dog and a cat. And a huge collection of pirate paraphernalia.
Website and Blog www.maureenobetita.com
