Your Sweet Siren Song

Chapter 9: Kai

  I had been on the ship for almost a week and it was miserable. I refused to say a word to anyone. I barely ate anything for fear that it was poisoned.

  I missed Ophie. I even missed the rest of the crew. The crew had always treated me strangely, but I didn't care. I would've given anything to be back with them. I missed playing cards with Josie and Moa, cooking with Mary, hell I even missed cleaning with Arty and Anne.

  I was still embarrassed that a siren had gotten to me. I had no idea that male sirens existed. I used to take pride in the fact that no siren could tempt me. 

  As I laid in my prison, I heard footsteps. Vaxray quickly appeared in front of my cell. I turned away. I didn't want to see him.

  Vaxray and I had a complicated history. He tried to take Ophie multiple times. Ophie had always been good at defending themself but I took it upon myself to defend them too. Partially because I thought that Vaxray was kind of endearing, but that didn't matter.

  Every time I knew he was there I would find him. He and I shared some flirty banter while fighting, but neither of us made any effort to actually hurt the other. For a bit I had thought that he might think of me as a bit endearing too, but that couldn't have been true. If it was, then he wouldn't have kidnapped me.

  "Kai," Vaxray started. I almost turned around, but didn't. I wanted to look into those alluring amber eyes of his. It took everything in me not to turn around. I said nothing for a couple of minutes, waiting for Vaxray to leave. Instead, I heard him say, "You don't have to say anything, but I felt like I should explain my reasoning for all of this."

  I hesitated for a moment, then turned around. He almost looked desperate. "Go on," I said. He started to smile, then shook his head, trying to keep a straight face.

  "You see, Captain Dives has my family held hostage. He promised me that if I was able to successfully capture Ophie, my family would be set free. I do not wish to lay any harm on you. None at all."

  A part of me was a little happy about this. Of course Vaxray wasn't evil. I had known that all along. He just wanted to save his family. I would've done the same thing. However, I was overcome by worry. Why was Captain Dives so interested in Ophie? I knew they were wanted everywhere by him, but I had never found out why.

  I had tried to ask Ophie a couple of times, but they always shook it off. They said the wanted posters were just "a part of the pirate life."

  "Vaxray, I completely understand your motives, but do you really think that Captain Dives will set your family free? He made an empty promise. You have to see that," I reasoned. He looked at me for a moment, a wave of sadness passing over his face.

  "I have to at least try. They are my family, Kai. Would you not do anything for Ophie?" He let out a hollow laugh. I walked towards him, grabbing the cell bars.

  "Of course I would do anything for them. You know that. I just don't trust Dives. He doesn't exactly have the best record of letting his prisoners go."

  Vaxray placed his hands on mine, which felt like an electrical current racing up my arm. "Not to worry, Kai. I can protect myself. I won't let him hurt you and if you wish, I will do my best to keep Ophie from harm too," he whispered. I gave him a small smile.

  "Thank you, Vaxray, but I don't think Captain Dives will listen to you either way."

  He nodded. "I know, but I wish to try. You mean- I just mean- you-" his voice faltered and his cheeks turned a harsh red. "I just want you to be safe."

  I felt my cheeks warm and I let out a nervous laugh. "I'm capable of taking care of myself. Don't worry about me, Vaxray."

  He stared into my eyes, a smile creeping onto his face. "I know you are."

  We stared at each other for a moment before Vaxray's brows furrowed. A look of guilt started to replace his warm smile. "However, there is one small issue. I called upon a siren to bring Ophie to me. I still must capture them. I will do my best to keep them out of harm's way, I swear by it."

  I stared deep into his eyes, and relented. "Alright. I trust you."

  He beamed at me, then looked down the hall. "I must be going. I cannot have the crew become suspicious of me. Thank you, Kai."

  He started to leave, then looked back. He stared at me for a moment, before reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a small pastry. "I was able to nab this from the kitchen. You deserve something nice after being stuck here for so long. If it was up to me, I would let you have my quarters."

  I felt myself flush as I took it. Before I could whisper a thank you, Vaxray was gone. I laid down on the ground, holding my pastry.

  "Ophie," I whispered. "I hope you're okay."