Vampirates 3: Blood Captain Read Online Free Page B

said. “Why, Moonshine, you’ve certainly had a growth spurt since last we saw you. You’re as tall and thin as a mast.”
    Moonshine looked faintly displeased with this remark but then, thought Connor, he had the kind of face that looked faintly displeased, period. It wasn’t helped by the smattering of acne on his cheeks or the livid purple scar that crossed one cheekbone.
    Suddenly, as if becoming aware he was being watched, Moonshine glanced in Connor and Bart’s direction. As his eyes met theirs, his face froze. The look he gave Connor and Bart was venomous. Where had that come from, Connor wondered?
    “Connor!” Molucco called. “Cate! Come and meet my family.”
    Connor and Cate crossed the floor.
    “This is our deputy captain,” said Molucco. “Cate, you’ve met Barbarro and Trofie before.”
    Cate nodded, bowing before them.
    “But I don’t think you’ve ever met their boy, Moonshine. And the three of you have yet to meet Connor Tempest,” Molucco said, reaching out an arm and pulling Connor toward him. “Connor’s the newest member of my crew. He’s only been with us these past three months but it’s hard to imagine a time without him. Why, he’s become like a son to me.”
    Connor blushed at Captain Wrathe’s fulsome praise. Once more, he was struck by the captain’s generosity of spirit.
    “A son, eh?” said Barbarro, shaking Connor’s hand. “That’s high praise indeed from my brother. Connor, this is my wife and deputy captain, Trofie.”
    Connor waited nervously to see if she would extend her real hand or the golden one. It was the gold one that moved toward him. As he took it in his own hand, he felt something akin to an electric shock. It was as smooth and almost as supple as flesh but it was ice cold.
    Trofie gave a small smile. “Hello, min elskling, ” she said. “We’ve heard about you.”
    “Really?” Connor said, surprised.
    “Oh, yes,” Trofie said, her face still holding the smile. “We’re very well informed.”
    “This is Moonshine,” said Barbarro. “Say hello to Connor, Moonshine.”
    Moonshine surveyed Connor for a moment, giving the clear message he’d as much like to shake hands with a pile of his own vomit. At last, there being no clear alternative, he extended his hand to Connor’s. Connor noticed the blackened, chewed fingernails. They looked somehow familiar but he didn’t know why. He and Moonshine shook hands very briefly. Moonshine’s hands were as cold as his mother’s but clammier.
    “How old are you, Connor?” Barbarro asked.
    “Fourteen, sir.”
    “Fourteen? Why, just the same as our Moonshine! Looks like you’re set to be firm friends,” said Barbarro, evidently blind to the looks of disgust now emanating from both mother and son. Connor saw that Trofie had wrapped her metal hand about her son’s waist. The ruby “nails” glistened.
    “Well,” Ma Kettle said, taking charge. “You’ve all got much to catch up on! Come and sit up here and we’ll uncork a bottle of oyster champagne to mark this auspicious occasion.” She ushered Molucco, Barbarro, and Trofie into the booth where she and Molucco had been sitting before.
    “Not you young men, though,” she said, firmly grasping Connor in one hand and Moonshine in the other. “You too, Bart,” she called across the room. “You boys are going to check out my newest attraction.”
    “We are?” said Connor.
    “Oh yes,” said Ma, “you are!” She called over her shoulder. “Sugar Pie! Is the band ready?”
    “Yes, Ma!” came a familiar cry.
    The cry was followed by the appearance of Sugar Pie, Ma Kettle’s beautiful assistant.
    “Connor! Bart! It’s been a while. How are you both?” Sugar Pie kissed them each lightly on the cheek. Connor vowed not to wash for a couple of days. Speechless, he beamed from ear to ear.
    “And this is Moonshine Wrathe,” Ma Kettle said to Sugar Pie. “Molucco’s nephew.”
    Moonshine leaned in his cheek for Sugar Pie to kiss, but she