Vampirates 4: Black Heart (39 page)

Cate lifted the mug and took a sip. A frothy mustache formed on her upper lip. She was oblivious to it until she noticed the smile creeping across Cheng Li's face. Embarrassed, Cate wiped away the foam.

Cheng Li was drinking moonflower tea. She poured herself a fresh glass and stirred in a spoonful of manuka honey. "So tell me," she said casually, "how's life aboard the Diablo?"

Cate shrugged. "Not so different from how you'd remember it."

"Oh, dear," said Cheng Li, sipping her tea. "I had hoped that Molucco might have mended his ways just a little by now. But I suppose it's true -- you can't teach an old sea dog new tricks!"

"Molucco's Molucco," said Cate, choosing her words carefully. "He's another constant, if you like."

"Yes," agreed Cheng Li. "A constant pain in the --"

"I'm sure you didn't summon me here to bad-mouth Molucco," Cate said, a note of formality restored to her voice.

"No," agreed Cheng Li. "He's pretty low on my list of current concerns." She took another sip of tea. "No, Cate. I invited you here to talk about you." She paused. "To talk about your future."

"My future?" Cate echoed.

"Yes. Your future. Your goals. Your five-year plan. I assume you do have a five-year plan?"

Cate sipped her ale and shook her head. "Don't need one," she said. "I know exactly where I'll be in five years. I signed up to Captain Wrathe's articles for life."

"Oh, Cate," sighed Cheng Li. "I can't help but think you're selling yourself a little short. As I said before, things are changing fast in our world."

"Yes," acknowledged Cate. "But as you also said, I'm a constant. I don't believe in switching allegiances every five minutes, like --" She broke off, glancing down at the flickering candle.

"What were you going to say, dear? Like me? Or like Connor Tempest?"

Cate resumed eye contact. "Connor had his reasons. I understand that. I like and respect Connor very much. Even so, I think he was wrong to leave."

Cheng Li raised an eyebrow. "We'll have to agree to disagree on that."

"How is Connor?" Cate asked.

"Thriving," Cheng Li said. "I must say that it gives me great pleasure to watch him evolve from a young drifter into a pirate of considerable talents. I suppose I can't help feeling a special bond with him. After all, it was I who fished him out of the sea that first night. If it wasn't for me, he would have drowned, and a great pirate would have been lost."

Cate smiled. "You've done many things I'm somewhat dubious about," she said, "but I'll always be grateful to you for rescuing Connor. I'm sure all of his friends would say the same."

"Thanks," Cheng Li said. Her voice became intimate once more. "He misses you, Cate. And he misses Bart. He has good friends on the crew of the Tiger. And me, of course. But I'm occupied with the business of running the ship so much of the time, I can't give him as much attention as I'd wish."

Glancing at her watch, Cate drained the last drops of her ale. "Let's cut to the chase," she said. "What do you want from me?"

There was a discreet cough outside the booth. "Right on cue," announced Cheng Li. "Come in!"

Cate's face was a picture of alarm, but as the curtains parted, she sighed with relief. Sugar Pie leaned in and deposited another pint of ale on the table. She put a finger to her lips, winked, and backed out of the booth.

"I thought you might be thirsty," said Cheng Li, indicating the fresh pint.

"I'd sooner hear what you have to say with a clear head, thanks," said Cate, pushing the mug away from her.

"All right," said Cheng Li. "What I'm going to tell you now is quite confidential. Do you understand? You must not breathe a word of this. To anyone."

"Trust me," Cate said. "It won't play well for me if anyone gets to hear about this meeting."

"I mean anyone," Cheng Li said. "Including Bart."

Blushing, Cate injected a note of steel into her voice. "Point taken. Please proceed."

"The Tiger is not just a regular pirate ship," said Cheng Li. "And mine is not a typical command. I have had the very great honor of being given a top-level mission from the very highest command within the Pirate Federation."

Cate was wide-eyed. Good, thought Cheng Li. Thought that would get your attention!

"Ours is to be the first ship of Vampirate assassins," she continued. "We have been charged with leading attacks on the Vampirates and purging the oceans of their menace for good. Our first target is Sidorio, the monster who slaughtered Commodore Kuo and the two academy students, Zak and Varsha."

At the mention of the slaughter, Cate dropped her head. "That was terrible," she said.

"Yes." Cheng Li nodded. "And make no mistake, worse will follow. Unless we act fast and decisively."

"Go on," Cate urged her.

"As I said before, my ship is no ordinary pirate command. We have a higher purpose. And we're already well on our way to completing our first mission."

"Congratulations," Cate said. "But I don't see where I fit into all this."

"Think about it," said Cheng Li, her limpid eyes glowing in the candlelight. "We're going to be fighting Vampirates. Not regular mortals but demons, monsters. My team has conducted extensive research into their vulnerabilities. We have identified three substances that are poisonous to them."

Cate leaned forward, clearly fascinated, as Cheng Li continued. "Even now, Connor is in Lantao, collecting a special batch of weapons from Master Yin."

"Master Yin," said Cate. "Impressive!"

"I work with only the best, Cate," said Cheng Li. "That's the point of this meeting. I've got the weapons. I've got the support of the Federation. Now what I need is an attack specialist. And not to beat around the bush, we both know you're the best in the business."

"You want me to devise a strategy for attacking the Vampirates?" asked Cate, clearly intrigued by the proposition.

"It would be your greatest work to date. Your crowning glory. It would put you right on the radar of the Federation, where you belong. But it's not simply about glory, Cate. It's about taking a stand, making a difference. Cleansing the oceans and making them safe for future generations. Can you really content yourself with chumming along with Molucco when a mission like this is calling you?"

It was obvious from her expression that Cate was torn. Cheng Li waited patiently. Had she said enough to convince her former comrade?

Cate shook her head and sighed. "I'm afraid there's no way Molucco would agree to it."

"He doesn't have to," said Cheng Li.

"I'm not going to break my articles," Cate said. "It's a point of principle. I won't break them. Not even for this."

"Fair enough," said Cheng Li. "As I said at the outset, I greatly admire your constancy. But let's think outside the box, dear. My support comes from the very highest level of the Federation. They can be very persuasive."

"What do you mean?" Cate asked.

"It's no secret that you've been scrimping and saving all the while you've served on the Diablo for your poor mother and sisters. We all know what a worry they are to you. I'd be able to offer you a very significant sum to join my team."

Cate shook her head. "This isn't about money."

"No," agreed Cheng Li, "it's about much more than that. But money wouldn't hurt. It could make your life and your family's a whole lot more comfortable."

Once more Cate paused to consider the offer. Then she shook her head. "I appreciate everything you've said. I'm flattered. But my answer is no. I made a commitment and I stand by it." She stood up and stretched out her hand. "I didn't think I'd say this, but I've actually enjoyed seeing you again."

Cheng Li shook her hand. She was disappointed but determined not to let it show. "You, too, Cate. We really should keep in closer touch." She smiled. "We girls must stick together."

At Cate's request, Cheng Li waited in the booth while she made her way discreetly out of the tavern. She remained paranoid about the two of them being seen together.

"How did that go?" Sugar Pie asked, popping her head into the booth.

"Not exactly to plan," said Cheng Li.

"Oh, dear," said Sugar Pie, collecting Cate's untouched mug. "Well, there's no need to rush off. Would you like another pot of tea? Or perhaps something stronger?"

Cheng Li considered, then shook her head. "No," she said. "No, I had better get back to my ship. It's all work and no play when you're the captain!"

Cheng Li collected her katanas and her father's cutlass from Pieces 08 and then set off along the walkway toward the line of waiting taxi boats. Her favorite jacaranda tree was in bloom, and she paused for a moment to admire its lavender blossoms. They reminded her that to everything there is a season, a ripeness. As she cradled the blossom in her hand, she thought of Cate. The timing was wrong, that was all. When the time was right, her answer would be different. She lifted one of her katanas and sliced off a sprig of flowers, tucking it into her buttonhole. Then she hastened toward the end of the boardwalk, raised her hand, and yelled, "Taxi!"

"Where to, lovely lady?" asked the lead ferryman.

"My ship, the Tiger. It's moored around the bay," she said, making herself comfortable.

"No problema!" said the sailor.

Cheng Li stepped into the water taxi, unaware of the second sailor crouching at the back of the boat.

"It's a beautiful night for a detour," said a voice behind her. The second sailor's accent was a world apart from his fellow's and yet somehow familiar.

"I don't want a detour," Cheng Li said. "And I shan't pay you extra for one. Straight around the bay, thank you very much!"

The first sailor turned and smiled at her, his eyes as dark as hers. "Buenas noches, little lady," said Johnny.

Irate at his overfamiliarity, Cheng Li turned and found herself looking straight into the face of Jez Stukeley. It was then that she realized she'd stepped into the wrong taxi.

"Long time, no see," said Stukeley with a grin. "We hear you've been taking a sudden interest in Vampirates, so we thought we'd take you out for a spin."

Cheng Li looked from one face to the other, her heart racing. How on earth was she going to get out of this one?

39THE INVITATION

"Stop this boat!" Cheng Li commanded, reaching for her twin katanas.

But Stukeley was swift. Before she could unleash the razor-sharp swords, he had caught her arms in a deadlock, forcing her to drop them. "I'll just keep those safe for the time being," he said. "Don't worry, you'll get them back later ... providing you behave."

Cheng Li frowned. In life, Jez Stukeley had been one of the best and fastest fighters she'd ever seen. Clearly he had carried such talents over into the afterlife or whatever dark place it was he resided in nowadays.

Johnny coughed. "Oh, I'm sorry," Stukeley said, his voice suddenly more amiable. "Where are my manners? Allow me to introduce my good friend and compadre, Johnny Desperado."

"You can call me Johnny," said the good-looking sailor, winking at Cheng Li and doffing his Stetson.

"This here is Cheng Li," continued Stukeley. "We go back a long way, don't we?"

His question was left unanswered as Cheng Li glanced around her, quickly assessing her escape options. They looked decidedly limited. Johnny had expertly ridden the currents, and they were already a long way from the comforting neon halo of Ma Kettle's. What could she do? Swim for it? It was a considerable distance to the shore. And wouldn't the Vampirates follow her into the water? In her mind, she remembered hearing somewhere that Vampirates couldn't swim. But was that true? Hadn't Lorcan Furey dived into the ocean to save Grace Tempest? She couldn't afford to take any risks at this point.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked. Even if she felt devoid of options, it was vital that they not sense her fear. Play for time, she told herself. Focus. The answer will come. She thought of John Kuo's lectures on zanshin. Then she thought of John Kuo's fate -- his mummified corpse sitting in his office chair. This was not much comfort.

"We're just taking you for a little mystery cruise," said Johnny.

"I don't like mysteries," said Cheng Li. "Or, for that matter, cruises."