I worried forthe baby inside of me and placed a hand over my belly, tellingmyself it was fine. My knees had struck my chest, not lower. Itshould be okay. Then, I glanced back to see that the drop was onlya few meters and cringed as three flailing bodies poured over theedge close behind. The trio of pirates bobbed to the surface andthen swam over to where we were pulling our intact vessel onto thesand of Shellbed Isle.
“You dirtybitch!” Amos yelled at me, drawing his sword and pointing its tipto my face. “You knew!”
Before I couldeven blink, Henry’s giant boot lifted and heaved a hefty kick tothe man’s gut, sending him flying back on his ass. “You dare raisea sword to her again and I’ll use it to cut your God damn headoff!” He backed up then, reaching out to me with his free arm. Istepped into its embrace and glared at Amos.
The piratescrambled to his feet and lunged toward Henry, but Finn and Gusstopped him. He was smarter than most, calculated, I could see itin his face as he took in the scene before him. There was no waythe three of them were a match for us. He knew it.
Soon, Amos’sface softened with a smile. A fake smile, but a temporary offeringof peace, nonetheless. He sheathed his weapon and held his hands upin surrender.
“My mistake,”the man said. “I’ll be sure not to let my anger get the best of meagain.”
I nodded.“You’ll do well to remember that.” I looked around us, observingthe secret location we fell into. Shellbed Isle, the large andgrassy mound no more than a hundred feet wide, sat in the center ofa circular cove of calm water. Its sandy beach line was litteredwith broken shells and I knew then where it adopted its name from.Jagged walls of rock towered above us. And I realized, my heartjumping into overdrive as fear coursed through my veins… there wereno caves in sight. Lottie seemed to make the same assessment andcame over to me.
“Where are thecaves?” she whispered.
“I don’tknow,” I told her. “Maybe on the other side of the island?”
“What’s theholdup?” Amos called over tous.
Henry sensedmy unease and came over, but everyone else followed. We stoodaround in a circle. Six pirates, a barmaid, and me. I swallowed hard at the thought that wemay never get out of there.
“We’re lookingfor some caves,” I told them all. “I’m thinking they’re located onthe back end of the island, so let’s start walking. But,” I suckedin a deep breath through the nose,unsure of my next words, “this is the part that’s apparentlyprotected by sirens, so keep an eye out.”
“Sirens?” Amoschortled. “What else aren’t you tellin’ us?”
I quirked aneyebrow at the man. “What, are you scared?”
“Of a bunch ofsilly fairy tales?” he guffawed.“Not likely. Lead the way.”
We trekked theshort distance across the small island, Henry close to my side. Thesimple nearness of him gave me strength and courage. Amos and hismen trailed behind us, Finn close on their heels with his sworddrawn, ready to catch them if they tried anything behind my back. Iwas so thankful for my amazing crew, my friends. Protectors. Itruly felt invincible with them by my side.
We neared thewater’s edge on the opposite side of the island, the side youcouldn’t see from where we first arrived. But my stomach dropped asmy eyes scanned the area and still found no caves.
“Shit…” Imuttered under my breath, still not believing it. I began tosuspect the stories weren’t true. Or maybe Lottie’s grandfatherreally did hide the treasure over near Corner Brook. In which case,we were doomed. Tears bubbled to the surface, and I refused to cryin front of these men. But I felt defeated. I felt like an idiotfor leading them all there. I was about to turn and admit myfailure when something in the water caught my eye. A strangemovement, unnatural, nearly invisible to the naked eye. Or an eyethat didn’t know what to look for.
I took acareful step toward the water’s edge, but Henry grabbed my arm.“What are you doing?” he asked in alarm.
“Shhh,” I toldhim and gently pulled away. My eyes scanned until they found themovement once again, an invisible being made of water watching usintently from just below the surface. It was like spotting a clearjellyfish moving in the waves. You don’t see it until you…see it.
“Hello?” Icalled to it and bent down to dip my fingers in the water, invitingit over. I saw the shimmer, like a heat wave, dive below thesurface and swim toward me. And then, to my surprise, felt it takemy hand. I remained calm and gently pulled upward, a human-likeform comprised of water rose as I did so. Gasps of shock anddisbelief resounded from over my shoulder, but I just stared in aweat the magical being that held my hand.
“You,” itsaid, the sound coming from all around. Just like it did thatfateful night. “Time traveller.”
My eyeswidened. “Wait, how –”
Water shimmered across her form and I witnessedit fill with color. Delicate scales of peach and green, blinkingeyes as blue as the deep ocean. Her hair, long and winding, made ofseagrass. She finally met my gaze and grinned, showing a mouth fullof pointed corals.
“The sea hasand always will remain. It exists beyond the realms of time, and Iexist within it. Of it.”
I just staredin awe. I’d never get used to the sheer marvel that is magic. Mylife has been touched by it in so many ways, probably more than Ieven know.
“Thank you forsending me back,” I told the siren. “But I’m afraid I need yourhelp again.”
She releasedmy hand from her wet grip. “Is that so? And what do you request ofme?”
“We’researching for some caves. They’re supposed to be here.”
“Oh,” thesiren replied, “Is that so? And why do you seek these caves?”
Lottie sidledup next to me, her eyes glistening with wonder. “Treasure. We seektreasure.”
The creaturecocked
