Black Hearted

Part 57

Mark quickly glanced around the ship to see if anyone else had noticed. No one. The few people on deck were too distracted with their own private discussions. Mark looked back to Nate, grabbing his shoulder tightly as he growled through clenched teeth discreetly. "How did this happen?! I thought you removed it?!" A look of guilty fear washed over Nate's face as he stammered out shakily. "I did... I thought I did. I don't know..." Mark placed his hands on either side of Nate's throat to steady him. He needed Nate to stay calm. Trying to keep himself calm, he asked Nate in a slow and semi-rational tone. "Think Nate... How could this have happened? Did you skip a step? Could you have forgotten something?" Nate stared into his eyes, shrugging as he mumbled out regretfully in a broken voice. "I don't know... That was my first curse... I thought I knew how it worked..." Mark slid his hands to Nate's shoulders, squeezing them anxiously when he asked softly. "I need you to think Nate... Some of the curse is gone. I mean, I haven't felt your pain since you took it away... right?"

Nate shrugged, mumbling out in a slight panic. "Mark, I just don't know... I'm sorry..." Mark cupped his face, looking him directly in the eyes before trying to sooth him with his deep tone of voice. "Nate, don't. Concentrate... How would you learn more about this? You learned to do this somehow..." Nate's eyes started to tear up as he uttered out in a cracking voice. "Mark... All my people are dead... I can't go to any of my Elders... Mark, what have I done..." Mark pulled Nate into a hug, holding him tightly. Taking a few deep breaths to collect himself, he told Nate confidently. "Nate, listen to me. Whatever happens... I brought this on myself. Live by the sword, die by it. Remember?" Nate's hands gripped his shoulders tightly, burying his head into his neck. Nate was shaking. Mark rubbed Nate's back to comfort him. Lifting his head slightly from Nate's shoulder, his eyes drifted to the few crew members on the upper deck. The second he saw her, his heart skipped. It was a long shot, but a still a shot in the dark was better than nothing.

Pulling away from Nate, he patted Nate's cheek, telling him hopefully. "Come with me. I have an idea." Nate's eyes narrowed in doubt. Mark grabbed his wrist, pulling him to the stairs to the upper deck. Strolling up the steps as casually as he could to keep from rousing suspicion, he nodded to Bob. Bob nodded in return, keeping his main focus on the helm. Walking over to the Elder and Devan, he politely interjected. "Excuse me, Devan. Can I have a word with your mother?" Devan crossed his arms, stating out sternly. "Why? Something I should know?" The Elder smacked the back of Devan's head lightly, stating out in a sweet tone. "Manners. The man wants a word with me. If it was for you, he would have said so." Devan shot her a concerned look, uttering out defensively. "Ma, I'm not leaving you alone with these two-" The Elder cut him off by waving a dismissive hand at him and grumbling. "Oh, please. You think I can't handle myself against two pirates? Besides, I've got the whole ocean to work with. Now be a dear and go get me a glass of rum."

Devan opened his mouth in horror, only to have her add a bit more seriously. "Devan... Go." Devan groaned, but turned on his heel to storm away. When he was out of ear shot, she asked Mark with a warm smile. "How can I help you boys?" Nate lowered his eyes to the floor in shame, drawing her attention enough that she reached out to touch his cheek. Stroking him comfortingly, she suddenly asked them like a worried mother. "What happened? What's wrong?" Mark cleared his throat, quietly informing her. "You knew Jellyfolk in your youth, didn't you? Did you ever hear them talk about their curses?" The Elder lowered her hand from Nate's cheek, rising up to her full height as she mumbled out under her breath. "Oh, dear... I remember hearing bits and pieces about it. Young Jellyfolk were always prone to emotional outbursts... cursing anyone that upset them. Why? Is Sean ok?" Raising a hand to calm her, he told her honestly. "Sean is fine. But... I might not be for much longer."

Turning around, he pointed to his shoulder blade. Nate helped pull down his shirt and the bandage to reveal it. The Elder inhaled deeply upon looking at it, while Nate told with her in a wispy voice. "I thought I removed it... It vanished and Mark doesn't seem to be linked to me anymore... but the heart is still turning black. Please, if you know anything..." The Elder stepped forward to gently touch the tattoo. For a minute she was deep in thought. Then upon stepping back to lean against the railing of the ship, she answered grimly. "Curses are powerful. Once cast, they take on a life of their own. They draw on their own power to complete the curse you set in place. So, I must ask... What exactly did you say to place the curse on him?" Mark turned slightly to look at her more clearly, dryly answering. "I believe his words were; Your black heart will eat you up inside, for love will make you wither and die." Nate winced, looking to the Elder with more shame as he whispered in response. "It was something like that... I don't recall wanting him dead though... But I was angry."