Page 29 of Unforgivable Sins
towards deeper water.
When I finally come to the water’s edge again, Serene is there, bobbing in the water that’s waist high. Her white hair almost glows, even in the slight moonlight that filters down on us, framing her delicate and hauntingly beautiful face, and down to her waist. Her eyes do glow, reflecting the light like a predator in the night, allowing her to see perfectly clearly, whereas I’m almost blind due to the darkness. And sheisa predator, though Mermaids often get portrayed as the beautiful, peaceful, and magical beings in fantasy stories. They are magical and beautiful, but peaceful, they are absolutelynot.
“Why have you summoned me?” Her lovely voice sings out, dancing along the waves.
So many souls are fooled by their beauty and their voices that sound like angels singing, that they don’t notice the sharp claws or the dangerously sharp and pointy teeth behind the luscious lips, until it’s far too late.
“I need a favor.”
“And why shall I do anything for you, Little One?”
“I bet you’ve grown rather accustomed to the additional meals Sinn has been providing you lately, but he’ll be back to his normal self soon, and those meals will stop coming.”
“A few extra bites to eat is always a good thing,” she shrugs, “but we do just fine dining on our own.”
“Well, what if I could guarantee some extra pieces of dessert would keep finding their way to you?”
“And how couldyouguarantee this, Little One? If I’m not mistaken, Sinn is the one in charge here, not you.”
It’s my turn to shrug. “What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
Serene laughs, and the waves around her rise up, as if laughing with her. When she stops and the waves finally settle, she addresses me again. “It’s quite bold what you’re suggesting, going behind his back, but what danger you put yourself in means little to me. If you can pull it off, we have a deal, but if you can’t, there will be blood to spill in my waters, one way or another, and I’ve already got
the taste of yours. Do you understand?”
I don’t mistake her threat. It will be my blood that will spill in these waters if I fail to keep my end of the bargain. I hesitate before agreeing. Is it worth it? Do I want to be in debt to the Mermaids? Fuck no, I don’t, but I don’t see any other way to get what I need. I need Hook and he only comes to land once every six months. I don’t have that kind of time.
“I understand,” I agree, reluctantly.
Serene smiles brightly, showing off her sharp teeth, in no doubt what’s meant to be a threatening promise if I fail. “Very well, what shall the favor be?”
“I need you to carry a message to Hook. I need to speak with him,urgently. Tell him to meet me here, in this exact spot, tomorrow night.”
“Is that all, Little One?”
“Tell him it’s about his brother and don’t let him refuse.”
Serene dips her chin. “It shall be done. Now, go.” She dismisses me easily.
I don’t waste my breath thanking her. I turn and start walking back up towards the beach. It seems further away now that I’m making my way back across the ocean floor, picking my way carefully around hauntingly beautiful seashells that catch the light of the moon. I’m almost to shore when ice cold ocean water slams into me from behind. I stagger forward under its weight, losing my footing, and falling face-first into the water.
I get my feet back underneath me and push past the surface, gasping for air and shivering from the freezing temperature of the
water clinging to my clothes and hair.
“Fucking bitch,” I mutter through chattering teeth as I stumble onto the dark, empty beach, picking up my discarded shoes before making the miserable walk back to the bar.
The following night, I do the same thing. I sneak out of Sinful Delights like a thief in the night although tonight is the best night I’ve had in a week.
Shedidn’t come in.
It put me in a great fucking mood, but I can’t say the same for Sinn. He was even more on edge and angrier than ever. He met with several patrons, yelled at each one of them which he never does, and even threw his drink across the room sending shattered glass and bourbon everywhere.
I cleaned up the mess.
Like I always do.
And what did I get for my generosity? Not a fucking thing. Sinn never even looked my way, not once. Not even when I personally delivered a new glass of bourbon to his booth and asked if he was ok. He grunted, grabbed the glass out of my hand, and demanded I bring the entire bottle of bourbon to his table. Which, of course, I did because I’ll always be there for him. I’ll always be there to provide what he needs. And one day, I’ll provide more than bourbon.