I don’t intend on spending much time exploring the city, but it does appear rather fascinating. The clothing is much less... proper than I’m used to. One woman wears a large skirt with low-cut top that would be consider scandalous in my old circles. Bright reds and yellows. Men and woman wander to and fro with varying skin color, light and dark and everything in between.
Other than the behemoth river we sailed through to get here, the surroundings of the city appear to be mostly marshlands.
“Have you been to this port before?” I ask him.
“Many times.”
Near the end of the pier, it crosses my mind that we’ve made it through without scandal—there are so many people, of different types and sizes, that we blend in easily— and that’s when a man with white hair and eyes, grabs Bluff by his forearm with his one remaining hand. “Ahoy!” he says with gravelly voice.
I jump, but Bluff doesn’t react. He just stops, looking the man in his creepy eyes.
“Are you the Bluff?” the man asks.
Bluff blinks, but then nods.
Is that wise? I wonder.
“Good, I can stop waiting for you then. You have a message waiting in the Silver Wing. To the right, down the third alley.”
Bluff raises an eyebrow, but a smile plays at his lips. “That’s very good news,” he says, “Thank you.” He hands the man a silver coin and then walks forward even faster.
“What was that?” I rush to catch up.
“Rosemera.”
Bluff
I cannot possibly say how excited I am that Rosemera has sent us message. I’m only hoping she’s actually here, that she didn’t simply pass through. She’s a smart girl and knows more about siren lore than most pirates. I may have had something to do with that.
If she was able to put two and two together, she’ll likely still be here. If not, it may have just been a good place for a pirate to head in hopes of meeting more allies. Her father ports here often.
Owned by the Spanish, Louisiana, has a bit less... restriction that the States.
Of course, as such a large and important port city, it had its own conflicts to deal with. They’re the center of many a political intrigue, even though they’re still rebuilding after a major fire nearly a decade ago.
I follow the alley the old man’s instruction directed me towards until I find a crooked wooden door in a non-descript building with a sign that says “Silver Wing.”
“Fancy name for such a place,” Whitley says with raised eyebrows.
I grin. I love places like this.
Smoke and darkness immediately bombard me as I swing the door open. Tables and booths are scattered across the dark room filled with half-drunk men and a few bar maidens. I consider approaching a barmaid about my inquiry, but then a loud laugh fills the room and my smile widens. I don’t need help finding her after all.
I follow the sound, transforming my body into the form of a new stranger she won’t recognize. Golden earring gone. I have a feather cap and soft hands, attributes that will not go unnoticed by Rosemera.
“I’m looking for a crew,” I say with a gentle voice as I approach her table. “Can you help?”
Rosemera freezes and turns, annoyance written across her face. “Not the right place, bloke,” she says.
“I wasn’t talking to you, lady,” I say with an edge.
She sits up straighter. “Excuse me?”
“I was talking to the men.”
She stands, her chair squealing slowly. She steps forward. “Oh!” she says with a sarcastic smile. “Well, in that case—” She pulls her arm back to throw a swing, but I dodge it easily. I laugh as I stand back straight, a step away from her arms reach.
She’s shocked for a moment, but then narrows her eyes and looks around the room. Many have turned to witness the scuffle, but her eyes land on Whitley, leaning against the wall near the door, her arms crossed.
She turns back. “Bluff,” she says, annoyed, but then she laughs and wraps her arms around me. “Damn have I missed you,” she says in my ear.
“I was worried,” I say, still in the pansy would-be pirate form. Knowing I have too many eyes on me now to return to my true form yet.
“Me?” she says. “Are you kidding?”
I laugh. “Last I heard you were being chased by sirens, with no heading.”
She shrugs. “They gave up after a few days. Must have realized their mistake.”
Probably the day Whitley attacked the man in the tavern. I suppose that worked out well. Drawing the attention off of Rose but still giving us enough time to get away.
Whitley approaches. “Glad you guys are well,” she says with a small voice. But then a small form leaps up from a table in the corner and throws himself at her.
“Whit!” he cries.
She smiles and laughs as the little dark-skinned boy lands in her arms. “Bingo!” she says. “I’m so glad to see you.”
Her smile is sincere. Happy. I can’t take my eyes off of her when he looks like that. Like the old Whitley.
Human.
We all take seats and order a round of ale. Knick and Robert sit awkwardly, arms crossed and muscles tense—evidently displeased with our arrival. I ignore their sulking and turn back to Rosemera as Whitley begins a conversation with her orphan pirate friend.
“So then you came here,” I say prompting her to continue her story, sipping on my ale.
She nods. “It’s as good a place as any to lay low. Best pirate town around these waters. It was in the direction we were heading and...” she pauses, leaning in and speaking low. “I know of a story or two about these parts.” Her eyebrows flick.
“Oh?” I say, leaning back, more cool liquid flowing down my throat. The conversation and alcohol ease my nerves wonderfully.
“An old swamp witch with answers on everything.”
I chuckle. “Not everything. But... a few important subjects. Yes, indeed.”
She smiles. “So I was right? Is that where you’re headed?”
I nod.
“Yes!” she exclaims, gaining the attention of the rest of the room again.
I roll my eyes. “Did you at least put money on it?”
She swears. “I shoulda.”
I laugh heartily. “I’m very happy you’re a smart lass,” I say, ruffling her hair. She grimaces, but her shoulders relax as soon as my hand leaves her hair.
“So when are you heading there?”
“Sundown, is the plan.”
“Can I come? I’ve always wanted to meet a witch.”
I raise my eyebrows. “You know she’s a siren, right?”
Her smile falls. “I... did not.”
“Besides, her lair is in an underwater cave. Humans can’t reach it.”
She purses her lips, though I suspect she’s actually relieved to have an excuse not to come now that she knows the witch isn’t really a witch.
“We’ll see you when we come back and tell you all about it. I don’t suspect it’s going to be a pleasant trip.”
“Be careful. Especially now that I know what she is...”
“She’s family.” I wink.
“All the more reason to worry.”
Isn’t that the truth.
Whitley
When we leave the bar, the sun is already half set, the sky above moving into a dim blue. “You ready?” Bluff asks without looking me in the eye.
My stomach falls. He still doesn’t trust me. Still doesn’t forgive me for defending myself...with my teeth.
“Yes,” I whisper. His eyes flash to meet mine, but then they dip down again.
He leads me to the edge of town, right to the harbor at the north end of the city. The docks are visible here, but only just. The buildings sparse and quiet. He slips into the water with little sound. I suck in a long breath, unable to hold back the excitement filling my body just at the thought of entering the dark water. Salt or not. I shiver as I slip in behind him.
The water cocoons me like an old f
riend, filling all the parts that felt so lonely. Don’t be afraid, the waves whisper to me.
Beneath the water, Bluff pulls close, looking me in the eye. Bubbles escape his mouth as he reaches his hand to my cheek, touching it softly.
I bite my lip, examining his expression so full of adoration and hope. I soak in that feeling, needing it more than I knew.
He grips my wrist and pulls me down farther into the dark waters.
Together, we twist through the river and then into the shallower, narrow swamp lands. It’s the first time I’ve been in the water without siren calls drifting towards me. Here, the only sounds to be heard are the chirping of animals and insects and the gentle lull of a tide-less bog. We swim for near an hour before coming up to the surface.
Our surroundings are much different here. The water is covered by a green film that clings to my hair as I break the surface. The water way is narrower, surrounded by long grass. Bugs and reptilian creatures swarm every edge. One rather large creature, sits still, yellow eyes watching us closely.
Part of me is creeped out by the swamp. Part of me finds it utterly fascinating.
“Are we close?”
He nods. “The cave is just around the corner.” He pauses, shifting closer. “It’s filled with magic,” he warns. “I don’t know how it’ll affect you. Stay near me?” he asks, his voice quiet. Nervous.
I nod. Then he slips back under the surface, and I join him in the green-black water.
Bluff
This was the plan. Meeting with the Sea Witch. It’s necessary. I know this. But every possible doubt now bombards me.
She could betray us in an instant. Whitley could enter the magic cave and forget me before she even opens her eyes. And even the magic doesn’t take effect, my aunt could hypnotize Whitley, calling to her magic and drowning her before I could even blink.
My stomach clenches and unclenches.
I don’t want to lose her again. And yet, I can feel her coldness now. I’m already losing her. Losing her because of my own stubbornness. Next chance I get, we’ll clear the air. I’ll tell her how much she means to me. How much I just want to save her. How I want to be done with all of this so we can begin a life together.
Forget all the magic and prophecy and pirates and sirens. I want her. For the rest of my life, I want her with me.
I hope she knows that, but as we swim down, beneath the swampy growth, I doubt she does. I haven’t told her, and I certainly haven’t shown her.
Finally, we reach the rocky bottom I’m searching for. Here, the soft sediment of the river floor has made way to massive boulders and right in the middle is an opening, just large enough for one human body.
I enter first, traveling straight down, and Whitley follows closely behind.
The water begins to shimmer, waves pushing us back, making it harder to swim down, down, and my anxiety comes to a crashing high.
Everything around us is pitch black, so much so I can’t tell where we are. We are surrounded by glistening black stone, so there is only one direction we can go but it feels so much farther than I remember.
I keep swimming, longing for breath. As part siren, I don’t technically require open air to breath, but I dislike using that magic. Pressure builds in my head, blood rushing to it as we continue swimming down.
I see a flicker of light ahead and I reach for it. A few more kicks, just a bit further below me. I flinch when my fingers emerge from the water and ice-cold air hits my skin like a bite.
Another small kick and I slowly let my head and shoulders come up into the cold cave. Glistening black stone surrounds me, only a few feet of open air. The quick reversal of gravity leaves me dizzy, and I shake my head. Whitley comes up beside me only a moment later gasping as she looks around.
Water drips down her face, into her shining eyes. “Whitley?” I whisper. Hoping to God she’s still her. We haven’t even hit the strongest wall of magic, but damn, her eyes shine like a siren’s right now.
“What was that?” she says, eyes full of wonder.
I smile at her reaction, even though the strange magic affects me just as much. She looks around. “Which way is up?” she asks.
“I have no idea.” I shake my head. “Stay with me, all right?” I ask her.
She nods, but her expression shows mild annoyance at my doubt. I’m not sure I can help that right now though. I’m anxious about being here as it is. I just want to make sure she’s not slipping from my grasp. So far so good, I think.
“Our answers are just around the corner,” I think aloud, praying this trip is worth it. I don’t know what else to do if my aunt can’t tell us what we need to know in order to fight this battle.
I follow the faint rush of water to the right, still feeling with my hands because I can’t tell the difference between open air and solid stone wall in this kind of dark. The sound becomes louder and louder until I’m fairly certain it’s a waterfall.
I was here once before, several years ago. Azalea showed me the way, a few weeks before she murdered my best friend. She’d heard about the prophecy and that it was about me. She didn’t like the idea of someone else having power over me, so she told me we could see my Aunt Emil and see if she’d know how to stop it.
The witch had laughed and told us there was no way to stop the prophecy. It was a fool’s errand to even ask. Fate was fate, and we must live with the outcome. Azalea was unhappy with that answer, and of course, so was I.
I sometimes wondered if this was why she killed Charlie. Out of jealousy. Because she knew she couldn’t ever have me completely. I’d fall in love with someone else no matter what she did.
I eventually came to the conclusion that sirens were simply bad. They don’t respond to empathy or sympathy. They don’t feel love. They respond only to power and thirst. Lust and death. Control and conquer.
Only humans carry true sincerity, hope and devotion. Unconditional love. Those are things I never want to lose. That is why I will fight the siren side of myself for as long as I live. It’s why I will help Whitley fight hers.
Because I don’t want to love someone who can’t love me back.
The sudden rush of power falls over my head, and I shiver. I hadn’t even seen the second wall coming so I could warn Whitley. She shivers under the flow of magic, and then a smile spreads across her face, desire filling her blue eyes.
Desire grips my gut as well, but I shake it off. That’s a siren’s lust, not one I want to give into. She looks disappointed when I turn away from her and continue moving farther through the cave. The walls become more discernable now, the air around us lightening until I can finally see the flickering of a small candle up ahead.
A voice booms through the cavern, and we both freeze. “Who goes there?”
Whitley
My blood runs cold at the sound of the echoing voice, booming with power. But then the woman cackles and I tilt my head.
“Greetings, Aunt Emil,” Bluff says flatly. Like she’s just some harmless, crazy relative he must humor.
“Bluff, my boy! Get on up here,” the witch says. I can’t even see her yet. Face, form, shadow, nothing. But Bluff doesn’t seem alarmed by this. He just continues wading forward until he easily steps up to the landing holding the lone candle. I wait, watching a shadow move towards him until I can make out her shape. She’s hunches like an old woman, but large in stature. No tails or fins as far as I can see. She wraps her arms around him, and he remains straight as a board.
“Brought me another siren destined to hate me, have you?”
“She’s not a siren,” he says quickly.
Her eyebrows rise and I blink, focusing on her features as my sight adjusts to the darkness. Her hair is silvery white, her eyes yellow-green. Her skin fairly wrinkled. “No?” she says in a high-pitched voice. “Well, you coulda fooled me.” She gives a half smirk that almost reminds me of Bluff and then turns and disappears around the corner. Bluff follows.
I sigh and exit the water rather than be le
ft behind in the dark cave, fumbling on a set of slippery stone steps.
“Come on, dearie, we won’t bite.”
I follow along quickly, my wet feet slapping on the hard ground.
“Mind the gators though. They will.”
I raise my eyebrows. I’d seen the sharp-toothed green creatures on the way in but didn’t pay them much mind, assuming they wouldn’t dare touch a siren. Perhaps I was wrong about that. But then, I don’t see any of those creatures around here so I’ll assume that she’s just messing with us.
I follow a long stone tunnel, with a smooth glistening ground and twinkling lights on the high rounded ceiling.
“So tell me, dearie,” she continues before I even have sight of her, her voice echoing off the rounded walls all around me. I continue walking around another bend and I see her sitting on a stone ledge right in front of a trickling waterfall, glistening with blues and purples. Bluff stands beside her with his hands in his very wet pockets. His silver hair sticks to his forehead, dripping water down his face.
The Sea Witch smiles as I approach. “If you are not a siren...” She tilts her head, slitted eyes shine at me, green like the gators. She doesn’t look much like a siren. Has her time in the swamps changed her or was she always like this? “...what are you?” she asks slowly, examining me closely.
I stop feet from them and open my mouth to respond— but I pause, looking at Bluff.
“Oh, good,” she jumps in immediately. “He’s the only one in denial, then. We can move on.”
Bluff rolls his eyes. “You compared her to Azalea. She’s not the same, and even you must realize that.”
“Oh, I do!” the woman says, crossing her legs, swinging her webbed toed feet casually. “I believe you’re the one missing the difference, dear.”
Bluff groans.
“You only see someone as human or not. No in between. You’re never going to catch on to the nuances here until you do, love.”
Treacherous Love Page 10
