Vampirates 1.5:Dead Deep Read Online Free PDF Page A

a trick of the mind? He kept his eyes shut tight and found that Grace seemed even closer now. He could see the anxiety in her eyes and hear the words even more clearly.
    Danger. Underwater.
    Connor’s heart began to race. Opening his eyes, he found the other three staring at him curiously.
    “What is it?” asked Lika.
    “She spoke to me,” Connor said.
    “Really? What did she say?”
    Connor took a breath. As he tried to relax again, he made a decision. “She said…”
    “Come on, man,” said Jez. “Out with it!”
    “She said…they’re awful at cards, so be gentle with them!”
    Connor could feel Lika and João’s eyes on him. There was a moment’s silence, and then they both burst out laughing.
    Time passed swiftly as they played game after game of bluejack. Then Flynn’s voice called out from the stern:“We’re here!”
    “We’re here!” Kally echoed, excitedly racing down toward the center of the boat. Bart jogged alongside her.
    Within moments, the entire crew had wheeled down to the center deck. The pirates sat down among them. The crew seemed to be waiting for something…or some one . All eyes turned as Flynn stepped down from the steering platform and made his wayslowly along the deck toward them. He walked erratically, a soft bootstep on the deck boards with one foot, then a heavy thump with the other. Out of his chair, the captain’s age was all the more evident.
    As he joined the others, his weathered face broke into a smile. “It’s a beautiful night for a swim,” he said. “And a wonderful spot for it, eh?”
    Thecrew of The Lorelei all looked at him, their eyes eager and expectant. The full moon bathed their faces in pure light. Connor watched, fascinated.
    “Well, what are you waiting for?” Flynn said. “It’s time to go and explore the reef! Who shall be first tonight?”
    His eyes roved around the deck and settled on Lika. Flynn nodded and Lika steered her wheelchairout of the crowd, toward the very edge of the boat. She sat there for a moment, looking out at the sea. Flynn came over and placed a hand on her shoulder. He was humming a strange tune. Suddenly, Connor noticed the oilskin bag that bound Lika’s legs start to move—gently at first, then more strongly. It was almost as if Flynn were bringing Lika’s legs back to life.
    “Are you ready?”Flynn asked her gently.
    Lika nodded. As she did so, she put her hands to her waist and unfastened the bag. It fell away in her hands, revealing not legs but a vast, oily fish tail, which thumped the deck as if relieved to be free at last.
    It was as natural to Connor as it was unbelievable. It was as if he had known all along that The Lorelei was no ordinary dive-boat.Now he watched in wonder as Flynn lifted Lika into his arms and carried her toward the side, then released her to plunge into the waters below.
    Flynn smiled, turning to the others. “Who’s next?”
    Now it was João who joined Flynn. Once more, Flynn hummed the haunting tune. Once more, Connor watched as movement stirred beneath the oilskin bag. Then Joãotore away the bag and, with Flynn’s help, launched himself off the side of the boat. He soared into the air, then disappeared beneath the surface of the water.
    One by one, Flynn called each of his crew forward and delivered them to the ocean. At last, there were twelve empty wheelchairs on deck and only Connor, Bart, and Jez sitting silently among them.
    Flynnbeckoned them. “Come,” he said. “We’ll watch them from the stern.”
    They followed silently, a few steps behind the old captain, as he made his way back up to the steering platform. Joining him at the wheel, they glanced down.
    The waters were dark for a moment. Then João and Lika swam into view. Their tails, which had been dull and monochrome up on deck, were nowablaze with light, illuminating the water all around them.
    “Aren’t they beautiful?” Flynn said, his face bathed in the reflective glow.
    “They’re…they’re mermaids!”