Black Hearted

Part 59

Mark let Nate heft Sean's unconscious body up into his arms. Hector winced at the sight, mumbling out. "Whoops. Guess that was a conversation for another time." Nate cradled Sean in his arms better, telling Hector. "It's not just you. It's been... a long day for all of us." Granny hung her head grimly, before informing Hector in a soft voice. "We're all tired and things just keep getting worse... Between the Sirens, the Cecaelia, and this mutiny..." Hector moved closer to her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him with fragile eyes that caused him to say boldly. "Get some rest. I'll take over." She put her hands on her hips, muttering out lightly. "You just got here. You and your crew are probably tried." Mark watched a few mersharks swing onto his ship, landing heavily onto the deck. Their eyes were a solid black and they flexed their muscles like they were ready to fight. Hector chuckled, glancing over his shoulder briefly before telling her confidently. "We guarded Atlantis. We're built for this shit. Go rest. We've got this."

Hector turned to face his men, ordering them with an authority that Mark had never seen come from him. Puffing himself up, Hector pointed in different directions, ordering out loudly. "I want Great Whites on patrol. Tigers on sentry. I want Whale Sharks in the water with the ships. Any others who want to help can keep watch in the water. If there is even a drop of blood within a two-mile radius of us, I wanna know about it. Anyone who thinks they see something unusual, I wanna know about it. Sirens will likely be trying to watch the ships. Our job is to keep them away. Got it?!" The men banged a fist to their chest in unison as a response and then broke off to bark orders of their own to others still on the Sea Star. Hector then turned back to Granny, smirking as he uttered out to her. "Just like old times, huh?" Granny brushed a loose strand of her long hair back with a blush. Hector strolled up to Mark then, firmly telling him. "I'll round up a few men to collect the bodies. We have room for them on the Sea Star. We'll hold them until we can give them proper burials in the morning. What shall we do with the traitors?"

Nate growled out to Mark coldly. "Toss them overboard. Let the sea claim them, Mark." Mark nodded to Nate but told Hector sternly. "Collect them too. But keep them on this ship. I want my men to see them and I want the merfolk to see them. Let them put faces to their friend's death and give them solace that they were taken care of. Then we'll toss them." Hector nodded, turning to intercept one of his men to rely information. From the upper deck, Bob called down to him hesitantly. "Captain, a word?" Mark turned to Nate who told him seriously. "I'm going to lay Sean down. But someone should stay with him... and you're necklace..." Granny stepped up, telling them both proudly. "Nate, you stay with Sean. You leave his side again and I'll clatter you across the ears, got it? I'll make the necklace myself. I wanna go below deck to see my son anyway. I'll be back when it's done." She turned on her heel, her fishnet dress flowing in her wake. Mark turned to watch her go, asking curiously. "Marianne, was it?"

She stopped just short of the stairs but didn't turn around. Mark held himself regally, telling her with respect. "I know you didn't do it for me. But thank you. I owe you a debt. Name your price." She finally looked over her shoulder, her beautiful eyes reflecting moonlight as she smugly replied. "I'll get back to you on it, Lad. Know that I shall hold you to your word." Nate quickly stepped up beside Mark, interjecting with a curiosity of his own. "That trick you did to double your size... How did you that? I've never seen a mermaid do that." Marianne grinned almost wickedly upon telling him. "A lady never reveals her secrets... but you're clever. I'm sure you'll figure it out. Take care of my grandson." Without another word, she strolled down the deck with the grace of someone much younger than she looked. Nate gave Mark a weary look, then slipped back into the Captain's cabin with Sean. Mark let out a heavy exhale, heading up the steps to see what Bob wanted.

As he made his way up though, he spotted Hector leaning on the banister. Hector smirked at him, pointing off in Marianne's direction as he purred out playfully. "You know that old lady look is an illusion, right? She's not as innocent as she appears. She's really quite the lethal beauty." Mark gave him a cautious smile, mumbling out. "Ya. I've suspected that for a little while now... and you don't have to tell me. I've seen how scary she can be. And if she's anything like Sean... I'd be afraid of the man that can handle her." Hector's eyes turned black as he suddenly growled out. "Tiger should have been the one to protect her. Her paramour was nice... but I still think she settled for him." Hector moved away from the rail, suddenly avoiding his gaze as he stomped down the steps. Mark raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. He was never very good at dealing with family relatives. His memory flashed briefly to Nate's dad and he quickly grabbed the railing for support. He could hear the distant cannons and Nate's screams.