Demons & Pearls (The Razor's Adventures Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

obeying orders, honor, and now swearing not to take her down in flames. ”
    “Number eight: Lights and candles must be snuffed out at eight o'clock. If any man desires to drink after such time, he shall do so on the open deck without lights. Do you gentlemen mean to tell me that pirates have a bedtime?”
    “Me good humor is bein’ wasted on a smart-ass witch of a wench who’s determined to have me turn her ‘cross me knee. Remind me again why we’re botherin’ with this?” Willy shouted as he stood and slammed his hands down on the desk.
    “I assure you, sir, I am not a wench. I am a prudent and intelligent woman. I cannot, however, deny the rest of your commentary, as I am more than aware of my sharp tongue and my pride in having irritated beyond measure almost every man I have ever have the displeasure of knowing.”
    “Enough of this. Tell her now that she cannot sign the articles today… or ever.” Green intervened.
    “And why can’t I?”             
    “No woman will ever, ever be a part of this crew. I don’t care if she can swing a sword like Blackbeard ‘imself,” Willy growled as he rounded the desk and pulled the book from my hands.
    “Number nine!” I continued regardless. “ Any Man that shall not keep his weapons clean and fit for an Engagement, or who neglects his business due to drunkenness, shall be cut off from his share, and suffer such other punishment as the Captain and the Company shall think fit.  Number ten!  If any Man shall lose a Joint in time of an Engagement he shall have 400 pieces of Eight; if a limb, 800. Now, please give me back that damn book because I didn’t have enough time to memorize the last one,” I said, and I reached out and snatched the edge of the book and held on, with Willy on the other end of it. Willy cocked his eyebrow and snapped his head at Green, who hadn’t moved a muscle this entire time and simply shrugged. Willy released the book back into my hands, and I continued.
    “I’m not certain why there is an eleven, but… No boy or woman is to be brought aboard ship or amongst the crew in disguise for the purpose of sexual seduction . This, my dear gentlemen, is the other bit of information I was hoping to find. If any man is to be found seducing any of the latter sex, and carried her to sea under disguise, he is to suffer death, and the woman or boy will be placed in the custody of a sentinel. ” I closed the book and sat it easily on the desk next to the massive thigh of Mister Green. 
    “I was not brought aboard this ship in disguise, nor were my cousins. We were also not brought aboard for anyone’s sexual amusement. These articles say nothing against anything I’ve done.”
    “We know,” Willy grumbled as he spun away from me and paced until he returned to the Captain’s seat.
    “And? Where does it say that I’ve caused a mutiny? I’ve done no such thing. I was never part of this crew other than working and slaving day and night on this ship to keep from dying of boredom. I never signed this code of yours, nor did my cousins. Doesn’t that mean we cannot be held accountable for any crimes?”
    “All fine and accurate points, Madame, which is why we brought you here. Since you and your cousins were never legitimately part of this crew, you cannot be punished for any crime under these articles. However, because you are not part of this crew, you are also not protected by them,” Green said.
    “May I speak plainly, gentlemen?”
    “Ye sayin’ the blasted babblin’ we’ve been suffrin’ through up ‘till now wasn’t enough?” Willy stood and his big Irish face was blood red. “Now ye listen here, lass…”
    “Do you think for one moment I haven’t seen these articles before? I’ve poked my nose in this room more than once. Even I’m not so brilliant as to have memorized them as I sat here and suffered your pious manly posturing while you look down your noses at me as if I’m simply some worthless whore.