by Dani Stowe
“What about the dolphin?” asks Kumiko. “The baby pup in the marina. Are you going to help that poor creature?”
“Sorry, but that’s not an endangered species and there’s no restriction in these parts for the capture or containment of such an animal. That was up to the town to decide last night, but all they did was schedule a second town hall meeting so I’m leaving the animal where it is for now.” The sheriff sighs. “I’ve been checking in on the poor thing. I don’t know much about science, but I don’t believe the wet critter is going to make it another day.”
Interesting—this lawman. I painted him the devil after shooting Henry in the back, but he seems decent.
The bird on the hood screeches and the sheriff steps back with a startle, putting his hand on the handle of his gun. “Damn this town. I swear it’s cursed.” The sheriff nods, “You two have a good day and try to avoid distractions. I noticed the two of you, like a couple of lovebirds, before you went off-road. If you had hit the sign, I’d be taking you back to the station right now instead of letting you go.”
“Thank you, Sheriff. We’ll be more careful,” Kumiko coos.
“Mhmm,” he says and the seagull flaps its wings wide as it screeches once more, sending the sheriff back into his car to drive away.
Kumiko turns the key behind the wheel and a rumble resumes under my bottom. “You can tell the bird to get off the car now,” she says to me.
“I can’t tell the bird to do that. What makes you think it will listen to me?”
“I thought you have the power to control certain creatures, like the seagulls.”
“Not anymore. I lost that the moment I...uh—”
“Slept with me? You gave that up for me?”
“It was part of the deal I made to bring you back, remember?”
Kumiko reaches over and kisses me and I swear everything—the drowning, the dying, the transformation, the waiting. Oh, the fucking waiting! Everything we’ve been through seems as if it’s been worth it, until the bird taps at the window.
“What do you think he wants?” Kumiko asks. “I would think once you stopped controlling him—”
“I’ve never taken control of him.”
“But he’s been at my window every day since I got here.”
“I would’ve been at your window every day, too, if I had had wings.”
A suspicious and mysterious grin spreads across Kumiko’s face as she reverses the car. “I never thought I’d say I think I like tentacles better than feathers.”
I rub her thigh. “We could always go for a dip later.”
“But the sheriff said no swimming.”
“Baby, you know we won’t be swimming.”
Chapter 16
Orphelius
When we pull up to the marina, Kumiko parks the car between two solid lines among other cars. Land folk of this time are very organized.
We stopped at a restaurant to eat. Kumiko was hungry, as was I, and I found it interesting the tables were unmovable—bolted to the floor and aligned in a perfect array, as are the streets. And there are many streets—too many perhaps and despite the number, they are still crowded with cars. Everything revolves around driving—lights, walkways, and signs. There are as many roadways as there are signs—signs everywhere controlling everything that people do. I pray signs will never reach the sea. The sea seems to be the last place on earth where one can truly feel free.
Kumiko feels about the side of her head. “Orphelius, we need a plan to free this animal.”
“Will there be guards? Do I need a sword?” I scratch my head. “Do I need a gun? Like the sheriff?”
“Oh dear Lord, no! No swords. No guns. I just meant the dolphin is young, but I’m sure it’s going to be heavy. We are going to need to carry it out of the tank somehow and get it back into the ocean.”
I realize I’m at a loss. My massive, boneless limbs would certainly be a better fit for this mission. I also can’t call for help from any of my sea friends and I have no clue how to navigate on land—it’s been so long.
Kumiko is rubbing the other side of her head now. She’s rubbing her bruises. “You do know we could get in trouble for this? It’s the middle of the day and if we get caught removing the dolphin from the tank, we’re probably going to get arrested and go to jail.”
I undo the seatbelt and lean over to kiss Kumiko’s cheek. “Then you cannot come. It’s better I do this alone.” I step out of the car and Kumiko yells.
“Alone?” She also gets out of the car and slams the door to follow me as I walk towards a large one-story building. I cannot sense the animal, but by the look of the building—the filthiest object of everything in sight, I know the dolphin pup is in there. If I needed to keep a prisoner secure, that’s exactly where I’d keep him—in the dirty gallows.
“Hey, I’m talking to you, Orphelius. You’re not leaving me alone,” Kumiko shouts.
I turn around. “Go back to the car and wait for me. I cannot allow you to be held captive. Not now. Not ever again. I will figure out a way to free the pup. This type of thing—partaking in perilous undertakings, this is what I used to be good at. And—”
“And what?”
“I know you are scared.”
Kumiko rubs the sides of her head with both hands now, palpating the sore leftovers of yesterday morning’s horror. “I’m not scared,” she mumbles.
I chuckle and slip my fingers under hers to rub her bruises. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice a particular boat parked among the others in the marina? I know that boat belongs to the one who took you from the beach and returned the next morning to hurt you.” Kumiko bows her head and I pick up her chin. “That man is not your lord. He has no power over you. But if he does decide to show, I will kill him.”
“Orphelius, that’s what I’m afraid of. It feels like you’ve traveled through time rather than being stuck at sea and I don’t want you to face things here that might get you in trouble. I also don’t want you to face Bradley. I don’t want you to go anywhere where you might be in danger. If everything you say is true about us, about our past, then I feel like I owe you. I have to go with you. I cannot sit idle knowing harm might come to you.” She stomps her foot. “I will not.”
For the first time, I know why Kumiko felt the need to go back to her lord on the first night we met. She was adamant about going back, but it was not because she feared being independent or being found. She was afraid for me. She was afraid her lord would come after me and she would lose her pride. She had become proud of what she had done by laying with me—she had defied her lord, the man who had defined her entire existence. I fought her pride back then. Like her lord, I, too, wanted to possess her. I wanted her to risk everything for me and I would be the prouder. But for a whore, her pride was all she had left in the world and it’s possible I’m trying to rob her of her pride again. I figure this moment will be a good time to let her choose what will make her most proud to simply exist, to choose for herself what defines her existence.
I scrunch Kumiko’s face between my palms and her lips pucker so I kiss them. “You don’t owe me anything. I have fought long and hard for us because I desire you. Badly. But you are free to make your own choices. So, tell me, Healer of My Heart, Captor of All My Consciousness, and Keeper of My Soul, what shall you do and where will you go?”
“I go with you.”
Fear settles in my bones. I’m more afraid to take Kumiko with me now than I was when I took her back to her lord centuries ago. I cannot fathom the idea she could get hurt or locked up, especially knowing I would be the cause of it.
Kumiko can sense my indignation and she laces her fingers between mine. “It is not fair that you know me better than I know myself, especially when I know so little about you. Athena says you were a Master at Arms—a justice warrior of sorts.” I nod my head. “Show me, Orphelius. I know only the parts of you that are of mysticism and magic. Show me the parts of you that make you a man. I want to see the man you are.”
I tug on Kumiko’s hand as I turn to walk forward, leading us both towards danger, but I feel strong. I feel stronger than I’ve felt before. I am hungrier for justice than I’d ever known. Furthermore, I’m eager to impress the lady I have tangled between my fingers and gripping my palm. The lady wants a show and I will certainly give her one. She will be right at my side watching my every move as I rescue this creature because rescuing is exactly what I do best. And my reward will be grand! A grand reward the lady, my lady, will give me.
Chapter 17
Kumiko
As the sun is going down, we approach the building. It’s white with heavily faded blue double doors. There is a padlocked chain woven between its metal handles. Orphelius lets go of my hand to yank at the chain and it’s wound so tight, it hardly makes a clamor.
“If I had a sword,” he says, “I’d be able to create enough leverage against the blade to break the lock.”
“No one uses swords nowadays. Why don’t you go look for something to use,” I suggest, “I’ll go see if there’s another way in.”
We both agree and I walk around the building towards the back where it’s plastered with graffiti. There is a funky smell, like rotten fish, and I worry for the animal inside.
After rounding a second corner, another set of double doors reveals itself, just as tightly chained and locked as the first. My right arm tingles as a soft, slippery pull moves swiftly under my skin. My dragon is unwinding itself from my upper arm. I feel a thick head slither from my right shoulder up towards the nape of my neck and then along my left shoulder blade, pulling its orphic body behind it until the head reaches the tip of my left shoulder bone. I look to my left because I know what the dragon wants me to see—Bradley’s boat.
I know there are tools aboard that might help Orphelius break the lock and chains, but fuck that! Bradley could be there. “I’m not getting back on that boat,” I tell my tat and it fucking bites me.
“What boat?” asks Orphelius, running up from behind.
“Bradley’s boat,” I point. “He has a knife—a big one, almost like a sword that I’m sure he uses to slice fish and you might be able to use it to cut away the lock.”
“Let’s go get it then.”
My feet feel glued to the cement walkway. “I can’t.”
Orphelius laces his hands behind my neck and pulls me in to kiss my forehead. “It’s okay. Wait here.”
Watching Orphelius walk away makes me feel stupid. I was all talk about wanting to go wherever he does and at the first sign of danger, I’m stuck in my shoes. Tentacles, legs, and all limbs aside, the guy is more than a beast and a man. It wouldn’t matter what shape he’s in—I would still love him. He’s a hero.
I peek about watching for any sign that might get Orphelius in trouble. There are not many people out today and it’s obvious Orphelius has experience with boats as he grips onto a section of a pole and leaps over on deck. He rummages through compartments I had no idea were there and grabs a hold of some towels, a blanket, and the big knife I mentioned.
Chills run down my spine as the dragon at my left shoulder swiftly slithers back to my right side, but this time instead of biting me, a quick burn endures, as if the dragon just torched me to get my attention. I look to my right and coming across the parking lot is Bradley.
I blink to make sure I’m seeing him clearly. He has a black patch over his left eye. Fitting. A plundering pirate exactly describes that jerk-off.
I look back to Orphelius. He’s already headed back my way and luckily, Bradley has not noticed him. I wave to encourage Orphelius to move quicker and he picks up his pace.
Orphelius hands me the towels and blanket and examines the large blade in his hand. He picks up the lock to examine it. Orphelius angles himself with legs bent and raises both arms high above his head and I can’t help but notice a sliver of solid muscle poised over his abs beneath the T-shirt.
With one swift swoop, Orphelius cuts the lock. Quickly, we unravel the chain and barge into the building allowing the stench of foul gasses to burst free, stinging our noses and sickening our spirits, despite the heroic entrance.
It’s dark. The sun is coming through the doors, but there’s no light inside and it's warm, like a moist sauna. Surely the pup must be dead even though the heat is mild. I hear Orphelius drop the blade and then walk about as I search for a light switch.
When I turn it on, Orphelius already has his hands in a shallow above-ground pool. His fingers graze the animal we are there to save and despite the permanent smile on the pup’s face, I can tell the poor thing is weak and in pain.
“Bring the towels and blanket,” request Orphelius as he removes his shirt and drops his pants.
I feel terrible. Orphelius is as distraught as the animal—each eager to be comforted by the other, yet I can’t help and ogle the man. Ripped. Robust. Desperate. Naked. But this is why I came—to see him like this and it makes my heart float. I can only imagine this was how he must’ve looked when he was desperate to save me in a former life.
Orphelius leaps over the shallow wall of the pool and grits his teeth before his head sinks. I can hear him bawling in agony. The muted outcry of what’s happening below the seawater enveloping him is a testament to its effect on him. I peep over the edge of the pool and Orphelius’ massive, limbless body covers the full diameter of the circular floor. His head pops up as his tentacles reach to take the towel and blankets from me to drench them in the stale seawater while his arms cradle the pup.
“I don’t think the marina is the best place to release him,” Orphelius states. “There are too many hazards and he can hardly swim.”
“I could get the car and we can wrap him in the wet towels and release him onshore at the beach house.”
“I’m more comfortable with that plan.”
“I’ll be back.”
I turn to rush out, but I am yanked at the wrist. I look down to see a tentacle wrapped and reeling me back to the pool’s edge. It’s odd. I accept that it’s odd and I’m even more accepting of the tongue that swipes across my lips and plunges into my open mouth. Orphelius kisses me until our lips are swollen and a click comes from the baby pup. “Okay baby,” I chuckle. “He’s ready to go,” I tell Orphelius.
“I am too. This water is rancid.”
I nod and rush through the open doors into the sunlight and for the first time, I feel free. Despite the danger of what we are doing and the acknowledgment of fear that should exist with such risk, my legs can’t help but skip. My painted dragon is alive. I feel it twirling and rolling. It’s is dancing beneath my skin all over my back until it stops to torch me.
But the fire I feel beneath my skin does not burn with anger. It is a warning that comes too late as I am gripped at the wrist once more and find myself falling after being struck and landing on my knees.
Chapter 18
Orphelius
Something is wrong. I smooth my hand over the pup. I can no longer sense or control its feelings, but with each wiggle and click, I know it is as worried as I am.
Kumiko has been gone too long.
I hear footsteps coming, but the feet drag. I don’t believe it is my lover. I see the blade I dropped on the ground and reach for it with a long limb, passing it to my hand and twirling it to get a feel for its weight. It’s not a sword and it’s as rusty as me, but I’m confident I’ll be able to do some damage.
“Hello?” I call out. The footsteps stop. “Kumiko?”
The footsteps resume, except they have picked up their pace and in marches a pirate. He’s not the typical stereotype, but I recognize a pirate when I see one—a plunderer, a taker, and exploiter of anything that might have value. He’s dressed cleanly and finely, but it’s a mask. It was enough to fool Kumiko, but it does not fool me. Now he wears a black patch over his eye, which I’m happy to say it was I who helped transform his appearance into something more befitting of his true identity.
“What the fuck?” he questions. “You’re not
supposed to be in here.”
“I’m setting this animal free.”
“The fuck you are!” He steps closer and I raise the blade higher.
He laughs. “Who the hell are you, man? Kumiko set you up to this? I swear to God that fucking bitch is going to get it.”
I grit my teeth. “You stay the hell away from her or I swear by the gods—”
“What?” he interjects with sarcasm. “You gonna chop me with that knife? That looks like my knife. You’re as dumb a motherfucker as Kumiko.” The pirate pulls out a handgun from behind his back and points it at me. “That dolphin is worth a lot of cash. Leave it in the pool and get the fuck out.”
