13 Bloodline Warriors.

"The winds are chilly tonight," Nathaniel blew out a mist; the skyline was devoid of any moonlight.

"A storm is coming but," Jabal paused for a bit. "Not the usual ones that caressed my ship for decades."

"I should inform Vincent," Nathaniel left the helm.

He descended the stairs and came across Hertha and Celeste, loitering around the corridor.

"Wait, where are you going?" Hertha asked.

"I need to talk to Vincent. It's urgent," he replied.

"You can't go in now!" Hertha blocked his path.

"I have no time to deal with your nonsense," Nathaniel walked past her in haste.

"Don't say I didn't warn you, humph!" Hertha led Celeste back to her room.

He stopped in front of Vincent's room and gave a light knock; the sound of clothes rustling came from the inside.

After waiting for a few more minutes, he banged on the door in a rush.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The door creaked open in a slit, and an emerald eye peeked out from within.

"Oh, it's you?" Selena opened the door halfway.

She was in her nightgown. Her golden hair was in disarray; strands of wet hair stuck close to her forehead. Beads of sweat dribbled down her arms and neck, gathered around her half-exposed breasts and slid inside her cleavage.

Faint bite marks were sown across her neck, leading to the sides of her breasts. A thick line of white fluid flowed down her legs and dripped on the floorboards below.

"I…..need to ta….lk to Vincent," Nathaniel stumbled on his words.

Selena placed her arms under her chest and pushed them up. Her two plump breasts almost popped out of her nightgown, revealing her pink nipples.

"Want to touch them?" she said in an enticing voice.

Nathaniel looked away and said, "This trick won't work on me anymore."

Selena lifted her nightgown to her thighs and leaned closer, "Hmm? Don't you want to sleep with me at least once? I was supposed to be your wife, you know."

Nathaniel gulped and subconsciously stretched out his hand towards her half-exposed chest.

She smacked his hand away and said with a grin, "Unfortunately for you, I only belong to Vincent, hehe."

A hand grabbed her from behind and pulled her back inside the room.

"Wash yourself and get dressed," Vincent walked out, clad in his usual blood-red robes.

"Sorry about that," Nathaniel said.

"You would have jumped at her if she actually gave you a chance," He narrowed his eyes. "You can fantasise about her all you want but don't go too far."

"I understand," Nathaniel's throat felt dry. "An..ways, I have something to report."

Vincent, Nathaniel and Jabal sat together at a round table back inside the captain's quarters.

"Something is trailing us below water," Jabal said.

"What makes you say that?" Vincent asked.

"Fishing has been impossible for the past two weeks now," Jabal said. "I have sent some of my men with harpoons, but they also returned empty-handed."

"Is it that unusual?" Vincent asked.

"I haven't encountered anything like this for all the years I have been on the seas," Jabal hesitated. "It's as if they all ran away from something."

"What do you think it could be?" Vincent asked.

"Something that can scare away even the natural predators of the deep? Well, we can only guess," Jabal said.

"We need to be prepared," Nathaniel said.

"What about them? Do you think they are related?" Vincent asked.

"They are quiet, too quiet," Nathaniel said. "I haven't felt their presence in days."

"Should we?" Jabal asked.

"No need," Vincent smiled. "They are already here".

Three cloaked figures walked in and pulled off their hoods, revealing the faces of two men and a woman.

Platinum white hair was bundled upon their nape and dropped down to their shoulders. Faint scales could be seen laced around their cheeks and forehead. Three slits resembling cracks in a canyon were fettered onto each of their green eyes.

"Hmm? so they are actually Bloodline warriors?" Nathaniel knitted his brows.

The man in the middle said, "We know of the thing that is following the ship."

"Do you people always like to eavesdrop?" Vincent asked with a smile.

"We apologise, but we had no other choice," he replied. "There is no such thing as being too careful."

"Wait? Don't tell me they are after you!" Jabal shouted.

"Unfortunately, yes," the man replied.

"I just knew letting you people into my ship was a mistake from the start!" Jabal grimaced.

"We already paid you what you asked for," he said. "I am sure you are not so petty as to complain about it later."

"Why don't we just hand you over to them?" Jabal said.

"You can try," he said in a cold tone. "But I assure you, they will take no prisoners, nor will they let anyone leave in peace."

"You are bluffing," Jabal said.

"Maybe, but it's in your best interest to at least hear what we have to say."

"Alright, I am all ears," Vincent interjected and stopped Jabal from speaking any further.

"I am Gontas," the man said.

"I am Irric," the other man said.

"Faviana," the woman said.

"We are from the continent of Krualeshan," Gontas said.

Vincent said, "Who is after you?"

"The Beastkins"

"Well, no need to state the obvious. The bloodline warriors and the beastkins were always at war for the past centuries, but more importantly," Vincent asked, "why are you people all the way out here? So far away from your homeland."

"Not relevant. All I am saying is we can fend them off if we join hands," Gontas said.

"What made you think we need your help anyway?" Vincent said.

"You are underestim--" Gontas said.

The sound of bells tolling broke off their arguments.

Rumble! A low hum thumped against their chests.

A slight shudder rippled through them, nearly tilting the entire vessel at its sides. White mist seeped in through the crack between the floorboards as they heard men yelling from the deck.

The whole cabin jolted with the sound of cannons until the ship oriented itself back to match the level of the sea.

One of the sailors dashed into the room and said, "Captain! Come to the--!"

Yelp! A sawtooth blade pierced out of his throat, cutting off his voice.

A folded palm with fins between its fingers clasped the dying man by his neck and dragged him out of the room.

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