Whispers of the Tide

The Black Soul

 Serene's POV:

I wasted no time heading back towards the spot where I left the pirate captain. However, the ship was no longer there. Submerging myself onto the ocean, my light hair floating around my head I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I could track almost anyone and anything if I wanted to, a special gift my mother had told me few merfolk possessed, even amongst the royals. Everyone knows I am an excellent tracker and an extremly fast swimmer. The extent of my abilities is something only my father is now privy to. My parents always told me it was rude to gloat, but more importantly, if news got out about what I could do, some may want to use me for their own personal gain. This is not a risk I was willing to take either.

With my eyes closed I focused on finding the tingle of energy that radiated from the ship itself. Everything has its own frequency or pulse, I always made a point of acknowledging this feeling or sound in people or things that felt important. The bigger the thing the bigger the frequency. The stronger my connection was to the object or person, the stronger the frequency. Something like a hundred year old ship was something that would be hard to miss.

Sure enough, I felt the familiar thrumming under my skin and I recognised as the black soul. It had a deep, soulful hum that felt old and comforting in a strange way, as though it had seen many adventures and those adventures were carried with pride and honour.

Opening my eyes, I was not surprised to see my friend had returned. The hammerhead shark that had been my companion when I came across the captain. I stroked her across her back and down between her eyes. A sense of knowing shone in their depths.

“Right my girl, are you coming are you? I am going to go against everything I have ever been told about humans and pirates. I know what you must think. And I am struggling to make sense of this myself. I am drawn to Captain Connor. I know we met for a reason and I believe whatever the future holds, I will find the answers I seek. Let’s just hope I am not damning myself in the process.”

With one last pat on my companions head, I began to swim swiftly toward the beacon-like pulse I could feel coming from the ship.

It was the mid afternoon by the time the back soul came into view. I could see her anchor tugging on the sand belt below. I kept my distance and made my way to the surface. I didn’t want anyone to see me. Not yet. I needed to go about this carefully. I didn’t yet know what Connor would think of me being a mermaid. From the way he spoke of my kind, we were not a species he favoured in the slightest.

Breaking the surface I wiped the hair from my face and it floated around my head on top of the water. It’s white colour shining in the sun. I cast my eyes over the worn ship which homed some of the most fear humans the world has ever known. Pirates have never had a good reputation, even amongst humans. Their own kind. For my people, pirates were known to slaughter us for sport or sell us to witches. Our scales could be used for all kinds of black magic and spells. If my father knew what I was doing, he would lock me up with out question. The sole heir to the throne of the most powerful kingdom in all the ocean, risking her life because she has a “feeling” she must. Thank goddess he doesn’t know.

The black soul stood strong and steady but with an air of grace to her. Her large black sails were tied as she waited for her crew to decide their direction. The figure head, a golden mermaid with a large crown upon her head, long hair cascading down her back and over her chest and breasts. Her hands pressing a conch shell to her lips, as though she was about to summon a fleet of ships into battle.

I was startled out of my thoughts as my chest started to burn, I looked up and could faintly make out the captain standing on the deck as shouting came from the ship.

“Raise the anchor, we’ll port in Kilkaine for the night.” The captain shouted at his crew. The men quickly springing to action.

This would work out perfectly, Kilkaine is only a few miles away. I will intercept him on land that way I could choose when to disclose my secret when it suits me. I dove down and made my way under the ship, The burning in my chest intensifying as I neared the hull of the ship. I rubbed it and swam as fast as I could to escape the familiar pain of the captain’s closeness.

I will make it to the dock of Kilkaine before the pirates and choose my approach. 

Connor's POV:

“Alright ya bunch of dirtbags, drink, eat, f**k, I dont give a s**t. Just be back on the ship to set sail at dawn or ya get left behind.”

The men cheered as they swung off the side of the boat and onto the dock below.

As I neared the railing, I felt as though I was being watched. I looked around, a slight familiar burn in my chest made me rub at it. I had felt that out at sea before we came into Kilkaine and then when I had met Serene. It couldn’t be a coincidence. Did that mean she was here? Was she watching me?

Fuck, I was loosing my mind, What a load of crap.

I swung off the side of the ship, landing on my feet on the dock below and headed towards the tavern.

I eased myself into a stool at the bar next to Lee. He knew I didn't want to talk, and did well to keep to himself.

I was desperate for a drink, I have drunk every last drop from the ship after Serene had escaped. The mystery doing my f*****g head in.

I waved over the bartender and ordered a whiskey, neat.

I tipped the liquid down my throat, savouring the warmth on my tongue.

I heard the tavern door open and close, I felt a sudden surge of pain in  my chest, grabbing it I spun my head towards the entrance.

“Serene.” I heard myself whisper. I wanted to kick myself for how f*****g small I sounded.

She walked over without a care in the world, pulled out the stool next to me and sat down. I took in her wild hair, pale skin and, wait, is that my shirt? She was only wearing my shirt. No pants, No shoes, just the shirt. My gaze continues to travel the length of her body down to her toned, long legs. As though sensing my gaze she crossed one leg over the other with a giggle. My eyes snapped back up to her face.

“Captain” she laughed, humor shining in her eyes. I hated that I loved the sound.

“What the f**k Serene?!”

“Buy me a drink will you.” she more states than asked.

I watched with my tongue tied as she looked down the bar towards the bartender. He was occupied with a group of young women shamelessly flirting with him. She rolled her silver-blue eyes and leant up on the bar with one hand, and raised the other putting two fingers between her lips she blew. The sharpest, loudest whistle I had ever heard came from that sexy mouth. The whole room stopped and turned. She simply shrugged and waved the bartender over.

“What does a lady have to do to get a drink around here?” she joked.

“Quite the trick you got there Lass.” The bartender joked back. “What can I get you.”

“I will have what my friend here is having.” She said gesturing towards me.

He handed her a whiskey and poured me another.

“Cheers!” she said, clinking her glass with mine before downing the whole thing in one f*****g go.

“Easy! Ya a small lady, Ya need to pace ya self.” I warned.

“Nonsense,” she laughed, “Alcohol has little effect on me.” she said, waving the bartender down for another.

After quite a number of drinks she was up on the bar dancing to a lively jig being played by the live band. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. And neither could the rest of the tavern. My crew and other patrons surrounded her, cheering and singing along. She was captivating. She lifted her arms, twisting and turning. It made the shirt she was wearing ride higher up her thighs, exposing her legs further. 

A hand from the crowd reached out and groped her inner thigh. A growl came from my chest which surprised me, but before I could do anything, Serene spun and kicked the fuckwit right in the face. He flew backwards hitting the floor hard. His nose, pouring with blood. 

I couldn't help but laugh.

Serene looked down at me and smiled, and I automatically held my hand up towards her. Without hesitation she took it, turned then placed her hands on my shoulders as I gripped her hips, easing her down from the bar. She slid smoothly down the length of my body until her small feet hit the floor. Our faces inches apart.

“Captain Connor, I believe it is time we talked.” she winked.