The Dark Goddess (title pending)

For any new reviewers is this is the old edition of my story. If you'd like to read a much better version just read The Dark Goddess the new and improved version. Either way critiques are gladly accepted!!!

Bright red, hot, sticky blood covered Josette LaVie’s calloused hands. Her Father’s blood. His eyes were lifeless, the breath gone from his body. Jo looked up at the men standing about her. Some had their eyes lowered, their sorrow evident on their weathered faces. Other’s leered at her daring her to cry. Josette would not cry! She was not some weak-kneed woman that revealed her emotions so openly. But it was hard to hold back the tears stinging her Caribbean blue eyes when she held her Father’s dead body in her arms.

Anthony LaVie, the Captain of the Dark Goddess and one of the fiercest pirates in the whole Caribbean, had fought his final battle that September day. For Jo it was more than just the loss of her Father. Her destiny, no her very life, was hanging in the balance. Would her blood stain the deck of the majestic Dark Goddess before the sun rose the next day? The only reason Josette had traveled the seven seas was because of her Father. He had protected her from his motley crew, killing anyone who dared to defy him.

Whispers surrounded Josette, making her head throb. She knew what they were talking about. Who would be the new Captain? And would this new Captain allow for Jo to stay on board? They were whispering about women being bad luck, that was nothing new, but now they were blaming her Father’s untimely death on her presence. It was almost too much for Jo to handle; she had to keep her composure! These men would jump at any sign of weakness. Josette LaVie was not weak!

“Pegg!” Josette’s voice sounded so feeble as she called for the First Mate with the wooden leg.

He hobbled his way through the crowd. “Aye.”

“My Father’s body, take it into his quarters.” Josette stood up, her billowing white shirt and caramel britches soaked with crimson blood. “Have the men assess the damages on the boat. Change course, we’re headed back to Port Royal.”

Pegg nodded his head in servitude. Josette knew she could count on him. His undying allegiance to her Father was her saving grace.

Suddenly somebody called out, “Who put you in charge?”

There was a hearty round of “Aye!”

“Last time I checked we voted for our new Captain!” It was One-Eyed Freddie who shouted this out.

Josette whirled on the man, poking him hard in the chest. “Last time I checked this was my Father’s ship! Nothing is thicker than blood and I inherit this boat upon his death.” She stood her full five feet nine inches, the wind whipping up her jet-black curls. “I assumed that put me in charge. If you, or anybody has a problem with that you can walk the plank right now.” She glared at Freddie and then made eye contact with every crewmember to make sure they had heard her.

Satisfied she spun on her heel and walked right into her Father’s chambers. Pegg and another sailor had placed his body on the sturdy oak table her Father had done most of his business at. Her stomach was in her throat and her heartbeat thundered in her ears. She had looked strong and intimidating on the outside, but now she realized just how quickly that façade was crumbling. “Leave me,” she ordered sensing Pegg in the shadows.

As soon as the door clicked shut on the Captain’s quarters Jo let the tears flow freely. Her body was racked with sobs and Jo shoved her fist in her mouth to keep from crying out. She had known that one day her Father would die. Life as a pirate was not easy and she had seen many men die from battle wounds to pneumonia. Grief and fear caused Jo to react so unfavorably. Would there be a mutiny before they reached port? How long would Pegg’s loyalty last? And what would Jo do when she did reach Port Royal?

Her whole life had been piracy! Her Mother had given birth to her on the Dark Goddess. When Camille LaVie died her Father didn’t think twice about raising Jo on the open seas. All Jo knew was sailing, treasure hunting, sword fighting, and drinking rum. Would she continue on being a pirate? If she did, who would serve under a female Captain? Jo didn’t even consider working as a crew hand; she was born to lead never to follow. What about her sister?

Genevieve LaVie, two years older than Josette, was raised on the Dark Goddess until she was fourteen. At that time she decided to return to Europe to be raised as a French debutante by their maternal Grandmother. Josette knew that her Father had always funded Genny’s extravagant lifestyle and she had been promised a sizeable dowry when she decided to wed. But with him dead and Josette’s own livelihood uncertain what would happen to Genny? Would she even be able to marry without a dowry?

Josette crossed over to her Father’s body. Pegg had graciously pulled a blanket up over his chest to hide the gaping hole left from the musket. Josette lovingly examined his face admiring his high cheekbones, the aristocratic nose, and strong jaw line accented by his scruffy black facial hair. His lips were pressed together in a painful grimace and rigor mortis caused his empty chocolate brown eyes to stare at the ceiling.

Josette felt exhausted from the strenuous battle. She was stricken by her Father’s sudden death. And the multitude of unanswered questions was simply overwhelming. Forgetting her fear, Josette settled into the red leather chair, her Father’s favorite chair, and laid her head down in her arms. The gentle swaying of the ocean lulled her to sleep.