Chapter 252: Prey

      The mutinous quartermaster stood in the clearing, sword in hard, staring at his prey. The rain was coming down over both of them but neither paid it any attention. When lightning flashed, it was reflected in each pair of dark eyes, both unblinking. 

      Neither moved, coiled to strike. Both were excellent with a sword and they had never been tested against each other to see which was better, but now that time had come. 

      Ilona's hands gripped the hilts of her twin blades and she felt her breath moving in and out of her lungs as if they weren't part of her. In her mind, she replayed every lesson in fighting that she could recall. Her father's words echoed inside her. The Pirate King was a betting man. Ilona couldn't help but wonder who he would've put his money on to win this fight?

      "What now, Captain?" Pierce Vane hissed then, shaking her from her thoughts. "Are we to stand here all night until one of us dies from cold?"