A change in the winds

A.N. I’m really sorry for the long wait, I’ve just been busy and having a writer’s block :-S I hope you haven’t lost all interest in the story because of the wait, I promise I will try to post more often from now on.

Chapter fifteen: The storm

Jack went back up on deck, followed by Kenna and Malak. They joined Gibbs by the helm and looked out across the ocean where a big storm could be seen brewing on the horizon.

'' It's gettin' near really fast Capt'n. In all me years on sea I never be seein' one like this.'' Gibbs said frightened.

'' Neither have I.'' Jack admitted, worry evident in his voice.

'' What was it you wanted me to do Jack?'' Kenna asked baffled.

He turned his attention from the storm towards her. '' I know this be soundin' strange but please bear with me.'' He had a strange look on his face, a combination of worry and embarrassment. His look puzzled her and she nodded slightly in agreement, curious to know what this was all about.

'' I believe this storm be somethin' more than just a regular storm.'' He inhaled deeply and bit his lower lip, not certain whether he should continue. He leaned closer to her ear as he lowered his voice.

'' I believe this storm was made by magic.''

Kenna's eyes widened in realisation. Oh no, it couldn't be…

'' You mean you think Tobo is behind this?'' She asked shocked, keeping her voice at the same level as his.

'' I think it be highly likely.'' Jack replied with a worried frown.

'' How does he know about us?''

'' I don't know…I understood that ye would know more about him than I would.'' Jack kept his voice low, not wanting to involve Gibbs into this mess more than was necessary.

'' I only know the stories my grandmother told me…I have no idea what he's capable of.'' Kenna replied worried.

'' Do ye think ye can help?''

'' I don't know…I don't even know where to start. I have no idea what we're up against…'' Kenna started to panic. Gibbs looked over at her baffled, what were they talking about?

'' Can ye at least try…''

Kenna tried to calm down in order to be able to think rationally. Breathing deeply she tried to think of all the protective spells she knew and what might possibly help them in this bleak situation.

'' Yes…I can try…but I can't promise you it will work.''

Jack's face relaxed a bit. '' That's all I ask for.''

'' How much time do we have before the storm hits us?''

'' A couple of hours at the most…''

'' Alright, then let's not waste any time.''

Jack put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a slight smile. '' Thanks for doin' this…''

Kenna put her hand on his. '' Don't thank me until it's over.'' She walked over to her father.

'' Is there any angel magic that can help us now?'' She whispered to him.

'' I'm not so sure…I've never been up against a natural force before.'' Her father replied. '' I'll try all I can to protect the ship but I'm not sure it will be enough.''

'' As long as you try that's all we can ask for. I'm going to carve some protecting spells around the ship, I hope it will work.'' Her father nodded his head but was not fully convinced, this was going to be interesting.

Kenna explored the deck, trying to find where it would be best to carve out the runes. Suddenly she felt a hot breath on her neck and quickly spun around.

'' I see that ye're not complyin' with the deal we made…too bad, I wouldn't mind keepin' yer secret from him a little longer. It gives me pleasure ta know somethin' he doesn't...especially somethin' as big as this.'' Christian said with a grin.

'' I told you to stay away from me you creep. I'm not going against the deal we made, I'm just trying to save your sorry ass from drowning.'' She growled.

'' And how had ye imagine ye would do that? Spread yer wings and blow it away?'' He snickered.

'' Very funny…'' She started to walk away but he caught her shoulder.

'' Not so fast…Ye still haven't explained how ye're gonna save the ship.''

She spun around, her eyes blazing with rage. '' Don't you dare touch me you filthy rat…'' She could feel the anger flow through her veins like fire, getting stronger and stronger.

Christian released her shoulder and took a frightened step back when he saw her face, he could swear her eyes were glowing. He swallowed hard, trying to keep his face neutral.

'' Fine, I won't touch ye…but remember our deal. If ye break it ye know what happens.'' She glared at him as feral noises rumbled in her throat. He hurried away, not wanting to know what this behaviour of hers would lead to.

Kenna felt her anger climax and suddenly her hands were on fire. The shock of that sight made her anger vanish and terror filled it's place. What was that? She checked her palms for any burnings but saw none. How could her hands be on fire? She ran over to her father and pulled him aside.

'' You will never believe what just happened…I don't even believe it myself…I was so angry…and then…my hands were on fire!''

Malak put his hands on her shoulder, trying to calm her down. '' There's no need to panic, it's very natural.''

'' Natural!'' She shouted but threw her hand over her mouth when she noticed what she had done. '' Natural?'' She said, lower this time.''

'' I see that your powers are very strong and easily accessible. Now our main priority is to get you to focus your power so that it can be of use to you.''

'' Your hands are not supposed to turn on fire!''

'' Not if you are a human, but it's nothing unusual for us.'' Malak explained. '' It will take time to get used to, so do the wings.''

Kenna inhaled deeply. '' So does anger trigger the fire?''

'' In many cases. Anger is a powerful emotion which can trigger many things in people, even humans. Except in their case it's not a hidden power just extra strength or determination. Human nature can be very powerful.

'' I don't feel comfortable speaking of humans as another species…'' Kenna said frowning. Her father laughed. '' Then we won't.''

'' I have work to do now…got to save the ship from the magically enhanced storm.'' Kenna said, not believing that her work would do any good against it. Her father sensed it and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

'' I'm sure you will do good.''

Kenna looked up at her father. '' If only I was as optimistic as you…''

'' It will come in time.'' Her father smiled at her. She kissed her father on the cheek and headed towards Jack who was by the helm.

'' Jack, there's something we need to discuss.'' She said as she leaned backwards on the railing.

'' What be it?'' Jack asked, not taking his eyes of the horizon.

'' It's about my help…I must get your permission to carve into the railing…'' She knew how much he cherished his ship so this was not something he would take lightly. Jack didn't say anything for a while but then answered her without taking his eyes off the storm ahead.

'' Do whatever ye think is necessary.''

Kenna saw how much this hurt him and wished there was another way to do this.'' I'll make them small…you will hardly notice them.''

Jack gave her a slight nod and she decided to leave him to his thoughts. She went down to the main deck and started working on the runes. She carved them into the wood as small as she possibly could, chanting a magical psalm while she did it. The crew occasionally glanced at her but knew better than to interrupt. The rumours about her being something more than a mere human had spread around the crew and no one wanted to experience whether it was true or not.

The carving took a while and she was feeling exhausted. Protecting a whole ship was much more difficult than anything she had attempted before. She felt strong arms circle around her waist.

'' Luv, ye should rest now…ye can finish this later.'' Jack said concerned.

'' I'm almost done…I think I can finish this.'' Kenna replied as she turned to face him.

'' Don't overwork yerself, we need ye when the storm comes.'' He gently caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.

'' Don't worry, I won't. I can do this…'' She gave him a small smile.

'' Ye seem awfully pale…have ye eaten anythin'?''

'' Not since lunch.''

'' I better take ye down to the galley…'' He took her hand but she pulled it away.

'' No, I'm fine…I can go myself.''

Jack was taken aback by her act and narrowed his eyes at her. '' What's wrong?''

'' Nothing…why would anything be wrong?''

'' Ye're not used ta act like this…''

'' I just don't want to interrupt you from your duty. I'll be fine on my own.'' She smiled at him nervously and walked away. Jack stood there baffled. What had gone into her? Was it the carving? Did the runes do this to her?

Kenna hurried away, hoping that he wouldn't follow her. She saw Christian out from the corner of her eye and glared at him which made him grin. This deal between them was not going to be easy. She knew that Jack suspected something and before long would probably have figured it all out. What should she do? She headed to the galley, food would be a good way to distract her from her problem.

The storm neared the ship with a frightening speed, making everyone aboard uneasy. Kenna had finished her carving and had turned to spell making. She took a piece of wood and carved all kinds of protection runes on it. She then cut her palm and smeared the blood over the runes, making sure they were all covered. She threw the wooden piece into a steel bucket that was standing in front of her and was going to light it when she discovered she had no fire.

'' Damn, I knew I forgot something…'' She cursed to herself.

'' Don't worry, I'll handle it.'' Her father said and shot a blast of fire to the bucket, lighting the wood.

'' Are you insane? What if anyone saw you?'' Kenna said shocked.

'' Don't worry, I made sure that no one did. I've done this before remember.'' He winked at her.

'' Just don't do it again…'' She warned him. She took a deep breath and raised her hands over the fire, chanting a new psalm. The flames magnified as the chanting continued, scaring the crew to death. This was something they had never imagined possible.

'' So she be a witch?'' One of the crew asked the man standing beside him.

'' I guess she be…do ye think the Capt'n be knowin'?'' The other asked.

'' He must be knowin', nothin' gets by the Capt'n.'' The first one stated.

'' But what be she doin' and why doesn't Jack stop her?''

'' Because the Capt'n asked her ta do it.'' Jack's voice sounded from behind them. They spun around quickly to see Jack standing there with a stern look on his face.

'' Get back ta work, or I'll give her permission ta practice on yer sorry arses.''

The men hurried back to their stations and Jack watched as Kenna performed her magic. She seemed to be lost in some trance, the words she was speaking were unfamiliar to him. He watched with awe as the smoke glided up into the sky, spreading over the ship like a veil. The chanting continued for a while until it abruptly stopped, making everyone turn to look what had happened. Kenna opened her eyes and fell to her knees. Jack ran up to her and gathered her in his arms.

'' Kenna…are ye alright?'' He inquired worried.

'' Yes, just a little tired…'' She replied, breathing heavily.

'' What did I say about overworkin' yerself? We be needin' ye here, ye be our only hope of survivin' this storm.''

'' I've done all I can, now it's up to luck whether we survive this or not.''

'' Don't say that…of course we'll survive. The crew of the Black Pearl needs more than a little wind ta be defeated.'' Jack looked down at her hand and saw that it was bleeding.

'' Luv, yer hand is bleedin'...''

'' It's nothing, I will take care of that later.''

'' I'll take ye ta me cabin ta bind yer hand.''

Kenna smiled weakly. '' Thanks, but can you rather help me to my room, there's something I want to give you.''

Jack picked her up and carried her across the deck.

'' This wasn't quite what I was thinking…'' Kenna said with a frown.

'' I wasn't gonna let ye walk, ye're way too weak.'' He said with a concerned smile. '' Besides, this is much for fun.''

Kenna laughed. '' There's no man like you Jack.''

'' I better hope not.'' Jack said with a grin. He took her to her room and put her down on the bed.

'' Now, wait here while I find somethin' ta bind yer hand.'' He left the cabin and came back a short while later with a bowl of water and a clean cloth. He sat down on the bed beside her and took her hand in his. He tore the cloth apart and wet one part before he gently dabbed it over her wound.

'' Am I hurtin' ye?'' He asked concerned.

'' No, it's alright.'' Kenna smiled weakly.

He finished cleaning the cut and wrapped the other cloth around her hand, being careful not to tie it too tight.

'' Thanks Jack.''

'' Everythin' for me girl, now what was it ye wanted ta show me?''

'' It's a protective charm, much like my necklace. I made you one...''

'' A protective charm? For me?'' Jack said surprised.

'' Yes. I thought you might need one, but you don't have to wear it if you don't want it.''

'' Let me see it. I'm sure I'll like it.''

'' It's in the top drawer.''

Jack walked over to the desk and opened the top drawer. He pulled out a band made of leather and examined it more closely. It had carvings on the center, runes similar to the ones he had seen on the ship and the head board of her bed. The band narrowed from the center, making it easier to tie it.

'' Do you like it?'' Kenna asked when he had stared at it for a while.

Jack turned his gaze away from the band and smiled. '' It's perfect. Would ye mind helpin' me gettin' it on?''

'' Sure, come here.'' She smiled back. Some of her strength was back so her smile was more lively now. Jack walked over to the bed and sat down, handing her the band. He pulled his shirt sleeve up and she tied it around his wrist along with all the other stuff he had there.

'' It fits. Good.'' She said with a smile.

Jack examined his wrist, seeming content with how it looked. '' It's great, thanks luv.'' He gently caressed her cheek with his hand, raising her head up to meet his lips.

'' I'm glad you like it.'' Kenna said smiling.

'' Now, why won't ye tell me why ye ran away from me before.'' Jack said with a curious grin.

'' I didn't. I wasn't running away from you. I just…''

'' What are ye hidin'?'' Jack narrowed his eyes at her.

'' Nothing…I'm not hiding anything.'' Kenna's heartbeat was racing.

'' Oh I think ye are…''

'' Why would I hide anything from you?''

'' I don't know…that's why I be askin'.''

'' Jack, I'm sorry if you thought I was trying to run away from you, it was not my intention.'' She inhaled and exhaled deeply. '' I love you and would never do anything to hurt you.''

Jack was taken aback by her words. He knew that there was something between them, but to hear her say that she loved him made his heart skip a beat.

'' I believe ye…I'm sorry, I should trust ye more.'' She reached out to touch his face and he moved her hand to kiss her palm. '' Ye should rest now.''

'' Maybe for a little while. Wake me up before the storm hits, I want to be up there with you.''

'' I'll do that.''

She pulled her shoes off and climbed under the covers. He leaned over and kissed her sweetly, brushing her hair away from her face.

'' I love ye too.'' He said with a smile. Then he stood up from the bed and left the cabin. Kenna stared wide eyed at the ceiling, surprised by what she had just heard. She knew he liked her but hearing him tell her he loved her was not something she had ever imagined to hear coming from his mouth. Guilt washed over her as she remembered the deal she had made with Christian. Would she be able to stay away from him now that they had expressed their love for each other? She knew that if she wouldn't, Christian wouldn't hesitate to tell him about her special abilities, which was not something she wanted him to know about. Not after how badly he took the news of her rune magic skills.

Kenna turned to the side and sighed. Why couldn't she just be a normal girl with a normal life. Then she and Jack could live peacefully together and there would be no need to hide anything from him. Of course there would be some dangers since he was a pirate, but nothing compared to the mess they were in now.

Author’s note: I hope you liked he chapter, sorry again for taking so long to post :-/