Page 29 of Of Song and Darkness

“That leviathan was just hungry. It had no desire to hurt us, not until it was provoked.” She blinked a few times up at me.

“That leviathan was the one we were tasked to kill. It has sunk over a dozen ships. You dare to say that it meant no harm?” I growled.

“If Dante used the cirrata to lead the leviathan to us, don’t you think he was probably guilty of doing the same to the other ships? A leviathan would never attack a ship without cause,” she bit out.

I opened my mouth to argue when realization stood and slapped me across the face. Was it possible that Dante used a bloody leviathan to end his enemies? It required more brains than I would ever credit him for, but it was not out of the question.

I searched her face, tracing every soft angle. “It still deserved to die.”

“Why do you hate us so much?” She lifted her eyes, and it was my turn to look away. For some reason, I could not face those rounded, puffy, tear-stained eyes.

“That’s none of your business,” I gritted out, my anger swirling just thinking about my past.

I gripped the door’s edge, intending to slam it, when her voice stopped me again. “I can’t stay here like this.” She motioned down at her tail. “I’ll die if I don’t get back in the water.”

Her voice already sounded scratchy. Was it from holding back tears or her body drying out?

“Good.” I huffed. “Then I won’t have to deal with you and your suicidal quest any longer.” I slammed the door and waited just outside as I collected my anger and shoved it back down deep where it belonged, along with my memories.

A scream ripped from the siren, the sound grating at my last resolve and sending my pulse skyward. I threw the door open to find her writhing on the floor, her tail turning back into human legs. To allow her some privacy, I silently closed the door. I wouldn’t want anyone to see me if I was in that much pain, so I afforded her the same courtesy.

I made my way back on deck. My crew watched me with careful eyes as I walked up to the helm. Cael instantly relinquished the wheel to me. I caressed the smooth wood with my fingertips, and the salty air whipped at my hair, dousing the last bit of my rage. Nothing, not even a fine bottle of rum, soothed me like the sea.

“Did you kill her?” Cael asked seriously, and it took me a second to comprehend why he asked.

“No, she is changing back into a human. Apparently, it is a painful process,” I explained.

“Are you truly ready to face Medusa again?” Cael glanced around, and I assumed it was to ensure no one was listening in on our conversation.

“I have no intention of facing her again. My task is to deliver the siren, steal the necklace from her—if she can get it—and then kill her.” I shrugged.

“I know you better than that, Kai,” Cael whispered. “I think you are becoming attached to that which you are meant to kill.” Cael spoke with the voice of a wise man but the words of a fool.

“You’ve been out in the sun too long, my friend, and it has fried your brain. I care not for that sea demon, and nothing will keep me from getting my hands on the Wraith,” I declared in an unyielding tone. Yet, beneath the surface of my words, a storm of turmoil had begun to rage within me.

Days slowly melded into weeks with the sluggish speed of a sea snail. I was losing my mind trapped on this awful ship with that dreadful pirate captain. I spent my days doing nothing more than sleeping, eating, going on deck, and repeating the process the next day.

We’d stopped at another port a few days ago, but Kai had refused to let me go ashore. He said I had caused enough trouble at the last port. A few of his crew members had deserted ship, apparently too frightened to continue on to Medusa’s lair. At least we had fresh food. Kai had bought me a few pieces of clothes to wear instead of his clothing, which thrilled me because I was tired of his salty, rugged scent invading my senses.

I glanced down at the clothing he had chosen for me. I was still shocked that I preferred what he had picked out over the dress Penelope had given me. I brushed my hands along the flowy black pants, marveling at how silky they felt against my skin. They rose high on my waist, complementing the white, cropped shirt with delicate buttons running down the bodice. He had bought me a pair of shoes too, but I refused to wear them. I couldn’t stand to have my feet so confined.

I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs with salty sea air. My gaze darted to the rushing waters as the ship pounded over the waves. What I wouldn’t give to jump overboard, to feel the cool ocean water against my skin and wash away some of the sweat caused by the suffering heat.

“How much longer?” I tried not to whine, but it came out that way anyway. I angled my body toward Kai, who leisurely stood behind the wheel.

I had tried to avoid him over the past few weeks, but I would go stir-crazy if I didn’t speak to someone, and I secretly prayed that he would say that we were nearly there.

“We are under full sail. I can do no more. The ship can only travel as fast as the wind allows,” Kai answered without glancing my way.

“Seems to me you have more patience when it comes to the prospect of death,” Cael’s deep voice rumbled as he leaned against the railing beside me.

“I have no intention of dying… I can’t.” I exhaled, staring helplessly toward Aquarius. “The fate of my people depends upon me.”

Cael crossed his arms over his chest, seemingly intending to stay for a while. “Tell me about your home and people.”

Kai glanced at Cael with evident annoyance written across his pinched face.

“Aquarius is a beautiful kingdom. One of the largest siren kingdoms around.” I paused mid-sentence as I was about to reveal the location of Aquarius. Sea monster hunters did not need to know the whereabouts of my home. Kai glanced back at me when I paused but then focused back on the horizon.

---