We step into the pub, and my mind flashes back to the first time we were in one together. The way she glared at me, calling me a bastard like she meant it. It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come. From enemies chasing the same map to sailing the seas side by side, facing the kind of danger most wouldn’t survive.
Even back then, when I claimed I couldn’t stand her and swore I didn’t care, I always hoped she was just a step behind me. Even if I didn’t understand why. I think some part of me wanted her close.
I order two rums from the bartender. Around us, our crew makes their rounds, some catching up with old friends. Most of my side of the crew were born here. Others are already slipping off with women they clearly came here to find. I used to be one of them, searching for the same escape right here in this pub. But since Mira boarded my ship, not a single thought like that has crossed my mind, especially after what I just did with her, to her, onThe Leviathan.
“We're close, you know?” Mira says softly. I glance at her, squinting. “To her,” she adds. She means Taika.
“Yes,” I say, colder than I mean to. There’s not much else to say. I know what needs to be done, and Mira won’t like it. But this isn’t about Taika. It’s about Mira. If the sirens want the witch, they can have her. Mira always comes first. Always.Getting her to the fountain is all that matters. Not saving some selfish, power-hungry witch, even if we share the same blood.
I take a long swig of rum and set the cup down. “Don’t worry,” I say, sensing the unease rolling off her. My hand finds her thigh, grounding us both.
“It’s hard not to, Kai,” she says, voice low. “You haven’t said much. I just… I don’t want to lead us somewhere I might lose you.” Her words land like an anchor in my chest.
“You won’t ever lose me, treasure.” She smiles, placing her hand over mine, her thumb brushing softly across my skin. “It would take a lot more than some old witch to take me away from you.”
Before she can answer, the doors to the pub crash open. A group of pirates storms in, knocking over tables, sending drinks flying, throwing fists without reason. A brawl erupts in the corner, and my hand instinctively goes to my sword.
“There she is,” one of them snarls, locking eyes with Mira.
I’m on my feet in an instant, stepping in front of her and drawing my blade. “What the fuck do you want?” I growl, ready to strike.
The leader steps forward, tall, and broad with slicked-back silver hair, sporting a glass eye and a pegleg. He smiles, and silver teeth catch the lantern light. “Isn’t it obvious?” he says, voice deep and scratchy. “We came for the Soul. The one they say will rule the sea. We’ve got business with her.”
I shift slightly, keeping Mira behind me and feeling the steady rhythm of her breath. “You must be mistaken.” He laughs, an ugly, grating sound that churns my stomach. “Make it easy on yourself and hand her over. If she ain’t who I say she is, why get your blade out over some dumb broad, aye?”
That’s it. My blood surges hot beneath my skin. Every foul inch of him is a challenge. I can feel the magic simmering atmy fingertips, waiting to be unleashed. One more word, and I’ll make sure those silver teeth of his hit the fucking floor.
I raise my sword to cut off his head, but he’s already there, like he knew my move before I did. Steel crashes against steel, his blade catching mine with precision that feels inhuman. The two men flanking him leap into the fight, blades drawn, but my crew is right behind me. Swords meet swords. Fists fly. The pub turns into a storm. I keep my focus on the silver-toothed bastard. His grin doesn’t falter. He’s fast, too fast. And then, just like that, he vanishes. Gone. As if the shadows have swallowed him whole.
I spin, scanning the pub, blade still raised. Only my men stand beside me now. Mira is behind me, weapons drawn, ready for anything. “They possess some sort of magic, Cap’n.” Jay appears at my side, already stepping in front of Mira like he vowed to do.
We wait. But nothing comes. Just the stench of smoke and blood and something unnatural. If they’re ghosts, there’ll be no flesh to pierce and no blood to spill. And yet, I’ve heard the stories of spirits taking over the living, puppeteering them from within. Nyx.
Whoever sent them now knows exactly where we are. Which means this island, the place I’ve always called home away from the sea, is no longer safe. Not for Mira. They weren’t just passing through, they were waiting for her. They knew I’d come home.
“We should go, Kai,” Mira says quietly behind me. “We got what we came for.” I can feel her rapid heartbeat. Whatever those things are, she felt them in her bones, just as I did. But Mira always keeps a cool, confident exterior.
“Let’s go.” I grab her hand without hesitation and pull her through the crowd, Jay right on our heels. “Get the crew,” I order. “We need to leave. Now.”
Jay nods, scanning the pub. “Understood, Cap’n. This island… It doesn’t feel like it used to.” I shoot him a knowing look, and he disappears into the crowd to gather the others.
He’s right. Everything about this place feels off. Twisted. Almost sinister. I can’t place it exactly, but I know one thing with absolute certainty. Whatever just touched down here, whatever’s watching us now, I won’t let it anywhere near her.
“Kai,” Mira says, unease lacing her voice. Her green eyes flick toward the horizon, glowing with worry beneath the moonlight. I follow her gaze. The ocean is unnaturally still. The moon casts its silver glow over the water, and that’s when I see them, their heads breaking the surface, watching us.
“The sirens,” she whispers. “They’re calling to me.”
I don’t know if this is a trap or something worse. “I’ll go with you.” She shakes her head, calm but firm.
“You will not. They could drown you. Not all of them know about us. Let me go alone. You need to stay here.”
I reach out, gripping her chin just enough to turn her face to mine. “That wasn’t me asking,” I say, leaving no room for argument. She blinks, caught off guard, but she doesn’t fight me. Doesn’t say a word.
Then she turns away, stepping into the freezing water. I follow, close behind. The moment her boots touch the sea, something shifts. Her body relaxes. Her heartbeat slows. It’s as if the ocean itself reached out to calm her heart.
Only the light of the moon and the distant flames flickering along the beach illuminate the shore. I can barely make out the shapes in the water, but I can feel them. The sea is as black as night.
“They aren’t singing,” Mira says. “I don’t think they’re here to kill. I think they want to speak with me. If you follow, don’t go too far. If things turn, I might not be able to find you in the black waters.” She’s right, there’s no song. They came in peace, rare for sirens.
