Without a Pod [#underthesea2016]

Chapter 10

     Reef is dead. Venus is responsible. I am the reason for all of this. I used my song and I brought them all here. I have to go. No one else will be hurt if I do. Reef's death is my fault. Opal and Caspian's disappearences are my fault. I am to blame.

     I went with North willingly andhe gave me to Venus. He wore a face of stone without emotion. His jaw was firmly closed as he spoke through his teeth.

     "Now, give me back my sister and Caspian. Our deal was that Opal would be safe if I helped you get Oceana." His tone was angry yet caring. It was caring for his sister's return. 

     "Well," Venus began, holding my arm firmly in her grip, "I said she wouldn't die by the hands or wishes of any siren that was below me. I never mentioned her to be free to leave." A malicious smile was clear on the siren's face. "I also never said we wouldn't kidnap her or if we did that she would get to swim away without a mark. The male is already dead and he died by inflicting it upon himself as your sister watched. It was rather entertaining to see her face in anguish."

     North scowled at Venus. "So Opal is alive correct?" He knew he was swimming in shallow waters. Venus could still impale him with her trident.

    "For now," said the siren with a grin. 

     North's experession darkened. Without even considering the consequnces, he lunged at the trident. Grabbing hold of the handle, North was able to pry the weapon from Venus's spindly fingers. He aimed the prongs at the siren's neck, the middle touching the skin of her neck.

     "You said she wouldn't die," he said glaring into the eyes of a demon.

     "By me or anyone below me," Venus chuckled. "I know it's hard to believe, but I'm only second in command." North dropped the weapon's point but only barely. Venus saw the defeat in his eyes and smiled once more. "Yes, my little spy. We have an all powerful queen and her favorite thing is watching mermaid prisoners fend off sharks. It's hours or seconds of entertainment."

     I tried to escape from Venus's hold while she was baiting North, but her grip on my arm tightened. "So why are you taking me too?" I asked when her attention turned to me.

     "The sirens may be powerful, but the queen is replaced every century or two. It'd be rather boring to have the same queen for all of eternity." Venus explained. "Oceana here is the heir. Her mother is the queen, afterall."

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Are you proud of me? I'm proud of me. This chapter was very fun to write and I've got a lo planned for the next one!

-Hannah