Free Vampirates 6: Immortal War by Justin Somper

light, Grace saw that it was a book, bound in dark blue cloth. At first it seemed to her that the cloth binding was unadorned, but then gold lettering began to appear and she was able to read the book’s title:
The Way of the Dhampir
. Grace frowned. Why would Olivier have such a book? And why, when he had lately been at the very brink of oblivion, was this little book right there at the forefront of his mind?



DEPUTIES
     
    “Enter!” called Cheng Li, pouring a second bowl of tea as Jasmine shut tight the door behind her and walked over to sit opposite the captain.
    “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?” said Cheng Li, glancing out the porthole.
    Jasmine nodded perfunctorily, but Cheng Li knew her deputy well enough to realize that her mind was elsewhere.
    “I still can’t believe the news about Jack Fallico,” Jasmine said.
    Cheng Li nodded grimly. “When he failed to turn up at the Council of War, I think we knew to expect the worst.”
    “I gather Lola led the attack,” Jasmine said. “The casualties were terrible. The Nocturnal aide was in an especially bad way when they found him.”
    “Well,” Cheng Li said, glancing at her clock, “he should have arrived at Sanctuary by now. If anyone can bring him back, it’s Mosh Zu and his team.”
    After this discussion, it was a relief for them both to turn their attention to the quotidian business of procedures and personnel. Cheng Li had no doubt that her exceedingly capable deputy had everything completely under control. Some had thought it a bold move to appoint such a young deputy as Jasmine. How wrong they had been proved. Like Cheng Li herself, Jasmine had been a straight-A student at Pirate Academy, but, since taking to the oceans for real, she had seamlessly integrated the lessons she’d learned during her ten years at the academy with a fresh vision, exceptional people skills, and a mind sharper than any of the weaponry in
The Tiger
’s onboard armory.
    “We’re running low on swords again,” Jasmine informed the captain now. “I’ve made up a fresh order for Master Yin.” She passed the list over to Cheng Li to approve.
    “Are we covered if we proceed with the proposed attack on
The Diablo
?” Cheng Li inquired.
    “Yes,” said Jasmine. “But we shouldn’t lose time getting this order under way. Not the way things are gathering pace now.”
    Cheng Li scanned Jasmine’s immaculate handwriting and precise instructions, then glanced up again. “This all looks in excellent order to me. Let’s send Bo Yin to collect the new weaponry. Master Yin will be glad of the chanceto see his pirate daughter and hear all she has achieved in such a short time span.”
    Jasmine smiled and nodded. “I was going to suggest the very same thing. It will do Bo good to see her home and father again.”
    Her report delivered, Jasmine began to collect her various papers. She never presumed to impose on her commander’s precious time. But, on this occasion, the captain was in no rush.
    “And how are
you
, Jasmine?” Cheng Li inquired now, in a deceptively casual tone.
    “Fine,” Jasmine replied automatically. As the two young women’s eyes met, the lie was exposed.
    “You are fulfilling your role brilliantly,” Cheng Li said. “I want you to know how impressed I am. The way you have held things together since Jacoby’s disappearance has been truly inspiring. We all know how close you two were.”
    Jasmine frowned. “I think we should stop calling it a ‘disappearance’ and start admitting that Jacoby is dead,” she said. “He’s never coming back, and, if we’re to have any hope of moving on with our own lives, we have to accept that.”
    “That’s very brave of you,” Cheng Li said, noting that it was highly unusual for Jasmine to let her guard down in this way. “In that case, we ought to plan some kind of memorial service for Jacoby.”
    “No!” Jasmine exclaimed loudly. Then she resumed in a more controlled voice, “Well, maybe. I