Demons of the Ocean

Demons of the Ocean Read Online Free PDF Page A

Book: Demons of the Ocean Read Online Free PDF
Author: Justin Somper
Wrathe."
    "Where are you taking me?"
    "To our ship, of course. The Diablo."Connor lay back and watched her row. Her movements were precise and accomplished. Cheng Li was small, scarcely bigger than Grace, but she was clearly strong."Grace!" He was unable to stop himself from speaking her name aloud."What's that, boy?"
    "My sister!"
    "We're here, boy. Save the family history for later."Connor opened his mouth to protest, but he saw that they had pulled up alongside a large ship. Could it be the ship he had seen before? He looked up, trying to decide whether this was the ship with the winglike sails.Cheng Li had pulled in the oars and was busy signaling for help."Bartholomew, you lazy slob," she called, "get down here and help me!"Connor let out a weak sigh. For the first time, it dawned on him that he was safe. At least for now. He gave in to his exhaustion and shut his eyes.The next thing he knew, the dinghy was floating. He felt like he was flying but he realized that the small boat had been winched up onto the deck of a vast ship. Cheng Li leaped out of the dinghy before it was set on the ground and lost no time in firing off commands. Now two pirates--a man and a woman--gently lifted Connor out of the dinghy and carried him in Cheng Li's wake. Their job was not made easy by the gathering crowd of pirates who had come to see what was happening."Make room, make room, you morons," cried Cheng Li.The crowd soon parted at her words."Lie him down there."The pirates laid him down onto what seemed to be a pile of sailcloth and rope. It wasn't the most comfortable of beds, but Connor was grateful enough not to have to tread the icy waters anymore. At last, he could rest."Don't close your eyes," Cheng Li snapped at him. "Not yet. Try to stay awake just a little longer."It was such an effort. He was so tired. But he wanted to obey her. He twisted his head around, looking up again for the tattered sails. But all he could see were people. Pirates. They were crowding around him, watching him with interest. He looked back--taking in their uniforms and their cutlasses.There was an increasing hubbub from the crowd until Cheng Li raised her arm, the dark jewel on her armband glinting. At once, the noise subsided."Show's over, people. Let's get back to work, shall we? The sails have taken a pounding in the storm. De Cloux, you will organize repairs on the forecastle. Lukas, Javier, Antonio--now the worst of the storm is over, you can get on with cleaning out the cannons. I don't care if it's getting dark--it needs to be done now!"Connor glanced around. He really was on a pirate ship. He felt a shiver of fear. Was this the end of his ordeal, or the start of a new one? One that he had no strength left for.As the crowds dispersed to tackle their jobs, only Cheng Li, Bartholomew, and his pirate mate remained. The woman pirate was taller and more obviously athletic than Cheng Li. She wore a bandanna around her choppy red hair."Shall I fetch Captain Wrathe, ma'am?" she asked Cheng Li now."Yes, Cate, I suppose you'd better."Cheng Li turned her eyes on Connor. "How are you doing now, boy?"
    "I'm all right," he said. But, he realized, he wasn't all right. He would never be all right again."You look troubled, boy. What's up?"
    "It's my sister," he said. "Grace."
    "What of her?"
    "She's still out there. In the storm."
    "Too late, boy--she's gone."There were hot tears in his eyes. Everything became a blur."Please--you found me. Please go back for her."
    "I'm sorry, boy. There was no sign of her."
    "But..."
    "Night is coming fast. There's nothing we can do."Connor felt like his head was going to explode. From deep within him, he could feel a terrible roar beginning. It came deep from his center, flooding through every vein, stretching out along his arms and legs until every fiber of his being was crying out."NO!"
    "Calm yourself, boy. Be grateful for your own life. Honor your sister, as she would wish."Cheng Li's voice was soft but firm. It calmed him
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