Page 11 of Cursed By a Siren's Kiss

I knew what I looked like to him. My eyes showed signs of the darkness as it moved like shadows and smoke across my irises.

“Well, George, it's your lucky day. Even a demon like me can take pity on occasion.” I cut the ties binding him and gave him an outstretched hand before tugging him close to me as I whispered, “Will you ever allow something like this to happen again, George?”

He shook his head vigorously as he squeaked out a no.

“Good because, if you do, I’ll find you.” I let him go, my gaze going to the women and the ship we’d just taken control of. It was still sailable. “You will make sure these ladies make it to the nearest port. Do you think you can sail this ship to the nearest port?”

He stared at me. “I’ve heard of you, but I never believed them. The deal of the seas himself, Captain Black Eyes. I can sail to port, but I think I’d need some assistance to man the ship.”

“I’ll sail with him to port,” one of my crewmen offered, their pallor pale and their gaze shifting everywhere but to me. I held my smile back, knowing my method for dealing with the slavers had lost me this man’s loyalty. I’d lost many men over the years due to this darkness, but every time another disembarked at port to never return, I let them leave. Pirating wasn’t for the faint of heart.

My gaze swung across my gathered crew. “If there are any other volunteers who want to give up all future earnings under our plunderings and join George on his quest to port with these women, do so now.” Turning toward George, I let my gaze narrow. “If I hear you have not done as we have agreed upon, I will hunt you down and you will suffer a fate far worse than your shipmates experienced this day. And if you truly have heard of me, you know that I claim everything I desire. Understood?”

He swallowed hard. “I promise.”

Good. I turned to the women. “The cargo other than food is ours, you may take some gold for yourselves to get you home. Go with Camilla to collect. You’ll be taken to the nearest port so you can go home from there. How far you need to travel will determine what we give you.”

They all nodded and followed Camilla.

The seer, however, lingered behind. “I will draw you a map and after that, my debt to you is paid. I do not wish to anger the underworld.” I stared at her for a long moment wondering if she truly thought I was a demon. Part of me wondered if I was also. I nodded as she placed a delicate pale hand on my forearm. “All will be revealed soon. When you find the siren, it will lead the way.”

“What is your name?” I asked as she began to retreat.

She paused, glancing over her shoulder. A look of sadness crossed her features as she turned slightly to address me. “Myname is no more. I shall need to choose a new name, but you may call me the Pythia.”

My eyes widened as I looked at her again. She wasn’t just any seer. The Pythia were oracles that answered only to Apollo himself.

I watched as she turned and walked toward the back of the ship where Camila gave out treasure to those who needed it to get home. The map crinkled in my hold and I glanced down, a strange feeling filling my chest as the first remnants of hope flickered to life after all these years. It was time to seek out my destiny.

Chapter 8

The Path Ahead

The Pirate

The sun hung low in the sky as we made our way through the rugged mountain pass, the map clenched tightly in my hand. My first mate, Patton, and Camilla, my most trusted crew member, followed close behind. The ship and the rest of the crew were safely docked.

The darkness was eating away at my soul, and I wanted to break the curse I'd stupidly demanded for myself. What was the point in having everything if I felt nothing. I wanted to feel the thrill of adventure, the hurt of a broken heart, and the joy of love. I’d felt none of that in centuries.

The oracle's words echoed in my mind, urging me forward. She had spoken of a woman who could help break my curse, and I was determined to find her.

As we climbed higher into the mist-shrouded peaks, the air grew colder and the terrain more treacherous. Sharp rocks jutted out from the narrow trail, threatening to send us tumbling into the abyss below with one misstep. Still, we pressed on, driven by desperation and the tantalizing promise of answers.

Just when I thought the path would never end, we rounded a bend and there it was—the mouth of a cave, yawning wide like the jaws of some great beast. Tendrils of fog curled out from its depths, beckoning us forward with ghostly fingers.

I turned to Patton and Camilla, seeing the same apprehension I felt reflected in their eyes, but there was resolve there too, a steely determination to see this through no matter the cost. They’d been by my side longer than most, and they’d paid for their loyalty to me with blood countless times. I hadn’t trusted anyone the way that I did them since my days with Willy so very long ago.

With a nod, I drew my sword and stepped into the darkness.

The dank air pressed in around us as we made our way deeper into the mountain's belly. Water dripped from the ceiling, echoing in the eerie stillness. Our footsteps seemed unnaturally loud, the crunch of gravel underfoot reverberating off the stone walls. I kept my blade at the ready, every sense on high alert for any sign of danger.

A flicker of light caught my eye, and I froze, motioning for the others to do the same. “Stay here,” I said over my shoulder, my hand held up in the air between us. “I’ll investigate and call you if you’re needed.”

There was silence in their reply as I moved forward. My curse may leave me empty inside, but it provided the annoying habit of longevity. They knew this as I left them to guard one another while I left them at my back, not entirely certain what I would discover ahead and not willing to risk them.

Nestled in an alcove off the main passage sat a tiny cottage. Warm candlelight spilled from its windows, casting a golden glow on the cave walls. Smoke curled lazily from the chimney, carrying with it the enticing aroma of hearth and home. It appeared similar to the witch’s home I’d discovered that hadstarted me on this darkened path, yet it held a warmer feeling than the icy hold of that one long lost ago.

I approached cautiously, sword still drawn. The door swung open before I could even knock, revealing a hunched old woman draped in tattered robes. Her face was a map of wrinkles, her eyes milky with age. Power emanated from her frail form, an ancient wisdom that set my nerves on edge. It crackled around her and cascaded off my skin, causing me to grit my teeth against the discomfort as my steps halted.

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