Page 5 of The Pirate and His Siren

“Aye, another one,” I say to the barkeep, who pours more rum into my shot glass.

Unlike the rest of my crew gleefully spending their coin, I’m wincing every time I order another drink. But I’m also drinking to forget about our financial woes. It is quite a conundrum, but it doesn’t stop me from drinking.

I thank her and down it before the once raucous sounds quiet behind me. I swivel around on the stool to see the source of everyone’s stunned silence. Standing in the tavern’s doorway is a beguiling woman, taller than the average human, with long, dark hair falling in waves around her and eyes as dark as night.

Everyone has their eyes on her as she enters the room.

Many of the patrons’ hands reach out to grab her backside, which she evades quite skillfully, I might add, searching for something until her eyes land on me. Well, well, it looks like she has her sights set on me. Her gaze never leaves mine as she saunters through the crowded tables. I puff out my chest a bit more while I maintain eyecontact with her until one of the big, burly patrons, who must think he stands a chance with her, rises to block her path. His actions make my jaw clench, and I’m immediately on my feet, ready to intervene.

Only she shakes her head at him and sidesteps as if he isn’t there.

He grabs her arm, and I lurch forward, but she hisses at him and peels his fingers off her wrist. His howl of agony fills the stunned silence. No human has the strength to bend back a man’s fingers, let alone break them.

A siren.

It isn’t every day one of the sea folk walks amongst our raggedy midst. Many don’t know this, but a siren doesn’t pick any male to seduce. Once she has her sights on one, she’s like a shark when they first scent blood in the water. It’s said if a siren doesn’t want a male, he can be put to death. She lures him in and kills him herself.

But for me, a siren would be a boon. They are always up for a good time, and I won’t have to spend my coin on her for a fuck as I would for a port prostitute.

I place the shot glass upside down on the counter and focus my full attention on the woman. It looks like my luck has changed, and I’m going to be having a night of losing myself inside a siren.

“She’s mine,” I command quietly but with enough force that every bastard in here will know. Immediately, everyone averts their eyes and goes back to their drinks and conversations.

They all know of me and my reputation.

Touch what’s mine and lose something precious to them.

The siren reaches me without further incident. Up close, her eyes have flecks of silver inthem, truly reminding me of the night sky. Her lips are luscious and pouty, and I savor to taste them or at least feel them around my cock.

I rest my elbow against the countertop, a smarmy grin spreading across my face. “Buy you a drink?” This tavern is in one of the seedier parts of Caedor and doesn’t likely cater to the tastes of a lady, but it seems the polite thing to do.

“I wouldn’t say no.”

I motion to the bartender for another round, who slides over a tankard of ale and refills my shot glass. Then I down my third shot while she raises her drink to her lips but never partakes in it.

“You got a name, siren?”

“Luarna. Yours?”

“I’m a Captain. Kynan Sharpe of the good ship, theDeadly Destiny.”

“A captain?”

“Don’t let the lack of cloak and tricorne hat fool you. I’m a captain through and through. Don’t care much to appear on ceremony. If you don’t know who I am, it’s more surprising when I board your vessel and steal from you.”

“A pirate must be such a courageous job.” She leans forward, her chin resting in her hand. While her smile and demeanor are sultry, it never quite reaches her eyes.

I sit back, then lean forward, and spin the shot glass with my hand. “You know you don’t have to try so hard. I’m a sure thing. I spotted you when you walked in and claimed you as mine for the night.” I point the shot glass at her. “You can drop the seductress act.”

She blinks and leans back. “No one has ever seen a siren’s luring technique to be an act before. Usually, they fall for it.”

“Well, I ain’t like most men. I see what I want, and I go for it.”

“And what you want is me?”

I nod.

“Good. The sultry act does get tiresome.”

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