Ursula's Beginning

40. And the ocean will be mine

The sunrise was staggering in its beauty. Vanessa admired it from the docks as she popped boiled shrimp in her mouth. She sighed with pleasure. How she had missed that cooked flavor, possible only on land, only through fire. She was licking her fingertips when the men spotted her. She shot them a coy smile.

"I do believe it's a Siren, boys," said one. He scooped a rough finger under her dainty ones. "What's your name, Siren?" he asked, stooping to kiss her hand.

"Vanessa."

"What are you doing out here so early? Only us fisherman are up at this hour."

"I want to ride on a vessel today."

"Oh, do you?" He leered at her. "And why should we give you a ride? I hope you know there's no such thing as a free one." The men behind him laughed.

"That's true. I'm going to give you the experience of a lifetime."

"That's quite a claim."

"Well, it will be quite an experience. You are going to experience ecstasy you've only dreamed of...and all you have to do is steer your ship where I say." She gazed at each one seductively.

"Let me help you on board."

***

"Ursula, I've seen them!" Ganeon shouted as he burst through the double doors. "I've seen the scrolls! All seven of them!" He reeled through her rooms, barely in control of his body. The morning water was chilly and stagnant in her quarters. "Where are you?" he called out frantically.

***

Marielle luxuriated in the sunbeams striking her tired body. She stretched on the warm rocks, flicked droplets from her tail fins.

"I do see why you love this," Triton murmured. "But we should be going."

"In a minute," she replied. "You know what I've been through."

"Yes, I know," Triton whispered. The lovers lost themselves in a kiss.

The boat came upon them from nowhere. It swooped around the cliffs like lightning. "I see her!" a voice shouted.

For a moment, the couple froze in terror. Triton crashed into the water, cursing how shallow it was in the bay. He was almost to the bottom when he realized Marielle wasn't by his side. He shot upwards again, some paces away from his queen.

She was still on the rocks. The men were above her, readying a net.

"Dive!" he bellowed.

"I can't move!" she screamed.

Triton aimed his trident at the men and fired a murderous blast. It hit an invisible barrier, curved in shape, and reverberated back his way. He dived under the water momentarily. When he resurfaced, they were pulling her up in the net. She clawed desperately. Her screams rose above the waves and wind.

"Marielle!" he screamed senselessly, racing towards the vessel. Then all went black.

***

"Can there be any doubt now?" Cosmas asked, looking to Ephram. Ephram shook his head. The temple had cracked all over its exterior surface, as if were an egg that was about to reveal a hideous beast. The black fault lines were lengthening and shuddering. "We have to make sure no one is inside," Ephram said. "Quick!"

***

"Isn't she a beauty?" Vanessa purred as Marielle shuddered in the net, staring at the crew in terror.

"She sure is." The man's voice was hungry.

"Give me a minute, will you? Let me calm her down. Woman to woman. Just back up a little."