White and Black Pearls 3 - Ten Pearl Strand

Chapter Four

Barbossa walked up behind Calypso casually, his arm rested on the hilt of his sword as he watched the exchange curiously. This wasn’t really his battle and he still wasn’t entirely sure what he was here for; surely a goddess could fight her own fights.

Jack looked at Calypso over Celeste’s shoulder before looking at Celeste. “They’re not hallucinations either?” he asked with just a little hope in his voice that they were. When she shook her head, Jack peeked over at them again. “I’d really rather not,” he called out. “But thanks for coming all the same.”

Calypso lowered her hand, and the smile that pulled at her lips was anything but benevolent. “Why not?” she asked as she came closer. “You’ve got nothing left to lose here. It’s just one pearl, just a trinket. Your life has been tossed about in the winds of misfortune for so long because of the woman you’re holding right now. Don’t you want to see her suffer like you suffered? Don’t you want to retaliate for the agony you’ve gone through, the pain in your heart?”

“Jack don’t do it,” Celeste begged in a whisper, unable to face her sister. “Please. The Seed Pearl…”

“Shut up you greedy, heartless woman!” Calypso barked at Celeste. “You brought all this upon yourself!”

Jack’s expression became considering. “But what’s really in it for me?” he asked curiously. “Aside from you having control over Celestiana, which really doesn’t benefit me much at all.”

This was too much. Celeste turned around then and stood, keeping herself between Calypso and Jack. “I have done nothing to you but try to help you!” she cried out. “I have always had your happiness in mind with anything I did to change the lives of you and your lover!”

Again Calypso ignored Celeste as she looked over at Jack. “I have something you want,” she cooed, sauntering closer with a kittenish smile on her face. Jack took a step back, and Celeste took a step to the side, throwing her arms open wide and keeping herself blocking Calypso from Jack. Over Celeste’s shoulder, Calypso smiled at Jack. “I have something you want very much.” Her eyes shone as she pronounced every syllable of her next words in a rich, thick voice that dripped with honey, “The Black Pearl, your compass, and Hector Barbossa, all ready for the taking, for you to do with as you please.”

“Now hold on one bloody minute!” Barbossa roared upon hearing this, drawing out his sword and pointing it at Calypso’s back. He didn’t have time to threaten, however, as an enormous wave from the ocean smashed into him, throwing him against the rocks and tossing his sword into the distance.

Jack’s eyes widened as temptation filled them from where he stood at Celestiana’s back.


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