The Twins from the Sea

Chapter XXX

As soon as she walked out into the busy hall, she was met with dozens of pairs of hungry, savage eyes, varying from looking at her to the contents of her tray. She noticed some of the waitresses going above and beyond for an extra coin or two- sitting in the laps of the monsters as they gambled and drank and kissing stubbly cheeks. Her heart ached for the poor desperate sirens. Why were they here? Why didn't they come to Jade Bay? It was a matter she could not focus on now.

    As much as she pitied the sirens, they gave her an idea. She scanned the area, searching for the right person to help her execute her plan. Seated by himself at a table in a far corner, almost out of sight, was a male siren. He was ruggedly handsome, tall and muscular. Ophelia attempted to steady her shaking hands, and made her way over to him.

    "Care for a drink, sir?" she asked, holding out the tray with the few remaining bottles of liquor on it. His eyes shot up from his food to her, widening in surprise.

    "Ah... Sure, why not," he said. Ophelia's eyebrow perked at the sound of his voice. He was Irish! Apart from her mother, she'd never heard a Siren with an Irish accent. She handed him his drink, and as he fished in a rucksack beside him for coins, she tried to think of a way to start a conversation.

    "Never seen you around here before," Ophelia said, leaning on his table.

    "I don't come often. Only when I must," he said, finally finding a sufficient amount of coins to place on Ophelia's tray.

    "When you must? That's interesting. Why must you be here?"

    "You're awfully nosy for a waitress," he said, raising an eyebrow. Ophelia's cheeks reddened and heart pounded. She may have picked a very wrong person to help her.

    "I- I'm so sorry, sir, just trying..."

    "Hush, it's alright. Only teasing. None of you girls ever come and talk to me, so this is odd, that's all." There was a sparkle in his eye. The blush continued to spread on Ophelia's face. She pinched herself. This, of all times, was not the time nor place to flirt.

    "So... did you hear about the girl?" asked the siren. Ophelia's breath caught, once again.

    "Sorry?" she stammered.

    "The princess. The two princesses from Jade Bay have come home, and they have one hostage." The words slipped so smoothly and nonchalantly from his lips. Her worst fears had come true. She'd hoped with all her being that she'd made her escape, or that she'd misheard the two beasts on their way in. They had Lana.

    The Siren must have seen the color drain from Ophelia's face. "Wow. Is this really news to you?" he asked. She nodded, and shakily set the tray she clutched down on the table. "Did... did you know her or something?" He was growing visibly uncomfortable.

    "Ah... no," she said, deciding not to trust this stranger. Not yet, at least. "I don't know. That's just... surprising. Do you know how it happened? Or why?"

    "All I know is that about an hour ago some cyclops comes lumbering in, carrying an unconscious girl in his arms. Caused so much of a scene that he was called into the back." he explained. He said the words 'the back' with a chilling emphasis. Ophelia immediately imagined the worst. Her sister could very well be in serious peril.

    "Have you seen either of them since?" asked Ophelia. The siren shook his head.

    "Nope. And I don't plan on it either. Who knows what will happen to the poor lass..."

    "I'm... I'm so sorry. I have to go. Thanks for... uh... the money. I'll see you around, maybe." Ophelia said. Picking up the tray to maintain some sort of her disguise, she darted off. She could hear the handsome Siren calling after her to wait, but fear had completely overtaken her. She made her way further and further back into the cave, the lighting becoming more and more scarce.