"Gideon, my man!" the man says, plopping down at our table like he fucking owns the place. "How's life been treating you, old timer?"
"Orion, ye scurvy dog! Haven't seen you in awhile. How be the winds treatin' ye, lad?" Gideon bellows, pouring our new guest a drink with a flourish. The rest of the crew descends on our table like a flock of seagulls.
"Can't complain, old man. Things have been pretty wild lately." He leans back, a lazy grin spreading across his face. "Heard The Viper attempted to take you down. That chick never learns, does she?"
"Rhyland, meet the one and only Captain Orion Seaborn of the Azure Rovers—a right proper mate o' mine." Gideon introduces us with a grin. I give the man a quick handshake, not in the mood for pleasantries.
"Aye, news be traveling faster than a greased pig 'round these parts! That bitch did try to stake her claim, but we sent her packing with her tail 'tween her legs." Gideon boasts, puffing out his chest.
"Gossip spreads like wildfire in these parts, old man." Orion laughs, taking a swig of his ale. "That bitch has been trying to raid our ships for years, but she never seems to get the message." He turns to me, curiosity gleaming in his gray eyes. "So, what brings you fine gentlemen here, if you don't mind me asking?"
I clench my jaw, not in the fucking mood to rehash this shit. Thankfully, Gideon steps in to answer.
"Ship repairs, of course. Viper had us lippin' in." Gideon explains. "And this lad, be a friend of mine, Orion—been sailing with us now. But, the Sea Witch has snatched the lad's lady herself. We be waitin' here, patchin' up our vessel 'fore we set sail to rescue the fair maiden."
Orion's eyes widen, "Calypso has your girl?" he sits back in his seat, "I'm sorry, man. Any friend of Gideon's is a friend of mine—Is there anything I can do to help?"
I drink my ale and ignore him. Erik, however, steps in, "We would be honored, Captain." he nods toward Orion.
Gideon takes a long swig of his ale, his weathered face grim as a tombstone. "Aye, which brings me to what I wanted to speak to ye about," his voice low and urgent like he's about to drop a fucking bombshell. "Calypso's gonna have yer lass retrieve the Siren's Lyre."
I feel my blood boil at his words, my fingers clenching around my mug so hard I'm surprised the thing doesn't shatter into a million pieces. Kidnapping my woman to bethat sea witch's errand girl? It's enough to make me want to tear the whole goddamn ocean apart with my bare hands.
I'm going to need to get drunk for this. Really fucking drunk.
"Holy shit," Orion mutters, shaking his head. "Doesn't surprise me that crazy bitch would try to kidnap someone to do her dirty work." He gulps down his ale, then turns to me with a questioning look. "So, what's so special about your lady love that has the Sea Witch using her to collect such a sought-after artifact?"
I bristle at his words, not liking how he talks about Dani as if she's just some random chick. I know he's trying to help, but I'm pissed off and not in the mood for twenty fucking questions.
"Aye, the lass is special, Orion. And the Sea Witch has caught wind of it," Gideon chimes in, trying to diffuse the tension.
"What makes you believe that?" I growl, taking a long gulp of my ale. The shit tastes like ass, burning my throat and making my eyes water. But right now, I need that burn—need the dull haze of alcohol to take the edge off my rage before I do something I'll regret.
Gideon leans back in his chair. "Calypso's been wantin' to get her hands on that accursed thing for as long as anyone can remember. It's been an ongoin' battle 'tween her and the merfolk, a power struggle that's spanned centuries."
The table falls silent as the other pirates suddenly find their cards incredibly fascinating, their eyes glued to their hands like they hold the secrets of the universe. But I can tell they're listening, their ears practically perking up like a bunch of nosy fucking dogs, trying to catch every word of our conversation.
A sickening sense of dread settles in the pit of my stomach. Because if Calypso is willing to go to such lengths to get her hands on this goddamn Lyre...
Then there's no telling what she might do to Dani to make it happen. The thought of my angel in that sea witch's clutches, being forced to do her bidding...
"We know the lass's role and what she is—and I'm guessing Calypso does too," Gideon confirms, his voice grave. "And if that's the case, Calypso will do all she can to use Dani's gifts to get what she wants before she takes control."
Orion looks confused, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean?Whatis she, and what is her role?"
Gideon glances at me, seeking permission to unload the whole fucking prophecy and Dani's role in this shitstorm. I nod, not wanting to get into this entire thing myself. I'm too wound up, too ready to snap at the slightest provocation.
I close my eyes and reach out to her through our mental bond while Gideon and Erik fill in Orion."Baby, what the fuck is going on? I'm losing my goddamn mind here."
A moment later, her voice is sassy and soothing all at once."She's having us meet with her for dinner to discuss something she needs,"she says with sarcasm."You know, just your typical, civilized chat with a sea witch."
I frown, my brows furrowing like I'm trying to solve a fucking riddle. A civilized dinner invitation? That doesn't sound like something you'd typically hear from a creature known for dragging sailors to their watery graves.
But it confirms what Gideon is saying. She needs Dani to fetch this damn thing, and she's playing nice... for now.
Orion leans back in his chair, his tone casual, like he's discussing the fucking weather. "That Lyre is said to be on Tempest Isle, man. But the damn place is blocked and swarmed with those Sirens."
Gideon shakes his head, his voice gruff. "Nay, lad. It be at Serraphatic Cove, or so the tales be tellin'."
