Black Hearted

Part 33

Sean gawked at the sight of Mark laying across the floor, fear cracking his voice as he shouted out. "What the fuck did you do?!" Nate waved a lazy dismissive hand, uttering out under his breath. "Oh relax. He's still alive. I was holding back... a little." Sean walked over to place a hand on Mark's arm, snapping back. "Damn it, Nate! Why did you do that? Now he's going to think 'I' hit him! How am I going to explain that to him?" Nate slowly propped himself up with his elbows, nervously chuckling out. "Oh... Right. Sorry about that... Well, just say that you thought he was me. He'll believe that." Sean touched Mark's jaw where a soft red burn was forming. Nate had stung him from the looks of it. Robin drew attention to himself by clearing his throat loudly and asking uneasily. "Sean... You mind explaining to me what is going on?" Nate swung his legs off the bed, examining the stitches better on his shoulder, upon saying bluntly. "Long story short. My spell on the crew was broken and I was in too much pain to do a song strong enough to replace it. So, I used a smaller illusion to convince you guys to escape, while Sean took care of the crew on the deck."

Nate looked away from his stitches to place a hand on Sean's shoulder, telling him proudly. "Nice job by the way. How did you clear them all out by yourself?" Sean blushed a little from the praise, mumbling out shyly. "It wasn't that impressive. I just used my water manipulation to knock them from the boat with the help of a few illusion sharks. Kiddy stuff." Nate laughed, squeezing Sean's shoulder as he told him still in a proud voice. "Maybe for you. I've never been able to make even one of those damn sharks. Nice touch by rocking the boat though. Knocked out this big guy that tried to stop me from opening a cell. Was quite hilarious." Robin clapped his hands loudly to draw their attention again, asking a little shocked. "I don't mean to interrupt your little Merfeast... but you want to explain to me how you two are getting along? I mean, the last time I saw you... Nate had you in manacles." Nate slowly rose off the bed, heading casually toward Mark's desk chair as he mumbled out to Sean. "I'll let you explain that."

Sean shifted up to sit on the bed, before telling Robin honestly. "Well... That was my own doing. See, I was trying to help Nate get back his ring-" Robin cut him off with a loud groan, sternly retorting. "Sean... You shouldn't have done that! The whole crew will see this as treason. Nate has been hunting us down for years. You can't just make deals with him behind our backs!" Nate propped his heavy boots up on Mark's deck, raising his hands out in gesture of his question as he stated out bluntly. "Dude, I'm right here." Robin ignored Nate, continuing on to Sean lightly. "And how do you think Mark is going to respond to this? Not well, I assure you. He's going to think that Nate did something to you, or that merpeople always take the sides of their own kind over others." Nate banged his hand on the table, causing both Robin and Sean to jump before they acknowledged him. Then in a clear calm voice, Nate told Robin seriously. "Again. I'm right here. Second, you should be listening to Sean. Cause if it had been up to me, you all would be swinging from the gallows right now. And lastly, that ring is mine and you know it. I don't care if Mark throws a tantrum. When doesn't he? The point is that I have something he wants and if he wants it, he'll learn to live with me."

Robin strolled over to the desk, slamming his hands down on it as he growled back at Nate. "It's not just Mark. It's the crew too. You think they will just accept you being on board? They barely accept Sean being on this ship! And why should he give you back that ring? He's kept it all this time to keep you from killing us all. We give it back and how are we supposed to deal with you?" Nate propped his elbow on the desk, beckoning Robin to lean over the desk a bit more. When Robin leaned in an inch or two more, Nate stared him in the eyes and playfully purred out. "Well, certainly not with that attitude. It's called 'Trust.' I know it's a new thing for you humans. But like I said. I have a deal to make... and it's a game changer. Now leave us. I have something I need to discuss with Sean." Robin straightened up, growling back sternly. "I'm not going anyway. I'm not leaving you alone with them." Nate rolled his eyes, dropping his feet from the desk to stand up reluctantly. In a blur of purple mist, Nate suddenly appeared in front of Robin. Locking eyes with him, Nate yanked the amulet off Robin's neck in a single fast tug.