The Mafia Boss's Mermaid

Courage

UNLIKE WHAT HUMANS WRITE in mermaid fairytales, mermaids aren't free creatures who roam the seas whenever they liked. We were bound to the place we were born to—bound to our queen.

My mother, the queen of our pod, sat atop her crystal throne. Her jet-black hair flowed behind her back, emphasizing the color of her bluish skin which slowly turned to silver as it went down her tail.

Her silver tail was the darkest shade of silver I have ever seen among all the mermaids. She gave off a regal and terrifying aura that would make any mermaid in her presence tremble in fear.

One look from her is all it takes for her to subdue a mermaid. I tried my best to remain unhinged as I told her what happened at the trench. I started with how me and Kressa saw a human in the trench and how I tried to stop her from attacking the human, but the more I said things, the more Mother’s expression turned darker.

At this moment, I have a huge urge to just swim away and hide somewhere where Mother can’t find me. But I know that’s impossible. As long as I’m in the ocean, Mother will have a way to find me.

“You have truly disappointed me, Erina.”

Mother’s voice sounded like a song underwater, melancholic and enchanting. It was like Agualis tongue, our language, was tailor-made for her voice.

“I’m sorry, Mother. I was outnumbered by them and this is the safest way I could think of.”

As time passed by, the feeling of dread grew heavier in my chest. There’s no time! We need to catch up with the vessels or else they’ll take Kresa to a place where we won’t find her.

“Safest?”

I flinched when I heard the tone of her voice. She’s furious.

“Forgive me, Mother. I wanted to rescue her but the humans–“

The smell of mermaid blood wafted into the ocean waters for the second time today as Mother’s poison-filled fins slashed through my face.

The burning sensation almost made me wither, but I remained motionless in my place. From a young age, I was required to hide my emotions. I can’t show any forms of weakness, else, I’d get more than a bruise on the face.

“What are you saying? Humans are measly creatures. They have no match for us underwater.”

The poison instantly kicked in. It might not be one of the deadliest poisons to ever exist, but the pain it causes will make anyone want to die.

I can’t do anything but clench my fists, trying to endure the lingering pain in my face. The pain was making me want to tear my flesh off. The poison spread throughout my body and I could feel it. The parts it had reached left an excruciating sensation.

The first time I had a taste of Mother’s poison, I passed out immediately from pain. Out of all the sea creatures, I’m the one who was often subjected to mother’s poisoning, yet I can’t seem to develop an immunity to it.

Pain is one of the scariest things in the world. And that is the only fear that I can never remove from myself.

Still, I mustered my strength to look my mother in the eye. “Kresa needs your help. Only you can help her because you’re the most powerful creature here.”

Mother looked at me without an ounce of emotion, as if the mermaid in front of her was not her own child. She lay on her throne with a dreadful expression.

“Why should I go to such lengths just to save a mere slave’s life?” She grabbed a nearby deep-sea fish that swam her way. “If you truly wished to save her, you should have ordered her to go back.”

"I… I tried to stop her but she wouldn’t listen to me. And when we tried to escape, it was already too late."

She snapped the fish into two.

At that moment, I knew something was wrong. I struggled to maintain my composure in the instance I sensed her growing bloodthirst. The effects of the poison made things more complicated.

"You tried to stop her? When she didn't listen to you, you should have ended her life!"

Her bloodshot eyes said it all. I know how cruel my mother can be. She shows no mercy to anyone, even to her own daughter. I can’t imagine what she’ll do to Kressa if she ever sees her.

Mother turned quiet all of a sudden. That’s how she is when she makes a decision.

“It’s dangerous now that the humans have captured one of us.” She swallowed the dead body of the fish in her hand. “No. She’s not the only one they have captured.”

I think I know what she’s thinking. Some of the mermaids have been missing for a while now. And she thought that the humans must have captured them.

“Loran,” Mother called out to her trusted aide. I don’t know what’s happening anymore. All I know is that a dark figure swam towards Mother.

That must be Loran.

A strong feeling of dizziness struck me. By this time, the poison had successfully spread throughout my whole body. It’s like thousands of piranhas are gnashing on my flesh and bones. I can’t even lift an arm.

With the remaining strength I had, I tried to plead for Mother’s help. As long as the humans are not near the shore, Mother can successfully help her.

“Please… help Kressa. Our kind might be in great danger if they take her to their territory.”

“She’s not worth it. The humans have already captured some of us, so saving her won’t make any difference.”

“But—”

“It’s her fault for being too conceited! Now shut up before I throw you into the Kraken’s den again!”

My consciousness was slowly fading. I didn’t even have time to feel any fear when she mentioned the Krakens.

“Take her to the dungeon and confine her there for three days.”

What? No! Kressa will be long gone by the time I wake up!

“Yes, my queen.”

“Also, announce this to the rest of the mermaids,” Mother said. “Starting from now, no one is to leave the pod.”

“Your majesty? What about the shark hunting traditions?”

Another person entered, “My queen, the elders have arrived!”

“What! Why are they here?”

Those were the last words I heard before everything went black.