“Alright, alright! Come back, woman!” The man growled and I smirked, schooling my face into
innocence before I spun around and raised an eyebrow questioningly.
“Yes?” ‘
“Ten gold each.”
I shook my head. “I’m afraid I only have eighteen coins on me.” I sighed.
“It’s fine, I don’t need them.” I smiled innocently, about to turn away again, when he slammed his fist on
his table of items, making them all rattle.
“Deal then, eighteen for both!”
I paused not wanting to make it look like I was eager.
“Sixteen, I need to buy something else too.” I crossed my arms.
“How about eighteen, and I will throw in this locket?” He held up a pretty pendant, but it wasn’t exactly
what I was looking for. However, I had pushed enough, eighteen for both plus the locket was fair, I
guess.
“Alright then, you’ve robbed me.” I grumbled dramatically, making sure not to let my purse tinkle as I
took out eighteen golds.
“Now I only have a few silvers left” I sighed.
“I robbed you? You robbed me!”
“Well, you insisted I purchase from you.” He frowned, wrapping the books in a square of brown paper.
“Aiy, I couldn’t let a pretty customer just walk off.” He muttered, clearly not pleased.
“Oh, how sweet. You really are a true gentleman, and those are very hard to come by.” I batted my
eyelids, and to my surprise, his cheeks flushed. I resisted a chuckle.
“Not really aiy… but yes, I say the same to my woman back home.”
Men were so fickle.
“Thank you for these. I will remember your kindness.” I said, taking the parcel he had just wrapped and
waving, I walked off. It was then I realised I had ventured rather far out.
I best turn and head to the tavern for a good tankard of mead or rum! That would let me sleep well in a
much more comfortable bed.
It was a few minutes later and I was making my way back, I was going through the streets when I
stopped, it felt as if someone had called me. I looked around, but save the sounds of chatter, shouting
and drunken songs, there was nothing more…
Strange…
Shaking my head, I continued walking when I stopped, turning my attention down a narrower cobbled
path. My mind was telling me to head to the tavern, but my instincts were telling me to walk down that
dark alley.
I hesitated, trying to brush the feeling off again, but it came even stronger. No, I had to check this out.
I silently hurried down the path, not even stopping, just following my instinct. Goddess did I wish I had
the mind link.
Wait, I should do this carefully… I took out my two daggers, placing my package on the ground in a
niche between two walls for safe keeping before I continued down the dark streets.
The sound of the men on the streets and music had faded to a distant hum, soon it even stopped. I
carried on, and by now I had forgotten where I was going or my way back I stopped, looking around,
wondering if I should turn back, when suddenly a strangled sob reached my ears. My heart thumped as
I spun back around.
There was someone down there A mix of terrifying thoughts filled my head and I silently hurried along,
trying to keep my heartbeat as calm as possible, praying that it was just someone who had hurt
themselves, but the moment I heard the sound of gruff laughter, my stomach sank. The worst thought
was coming to me.
Nikolai and Kyson’s faces leered in my head, making me feel sick. I slowed down when I saw the glow
of light ahead. Keeping close to the walls, I peered out into the small opening.
“That’s it, get that one right there.” One of the men muttered. A muffled shriek of pain followed.
“Oh shut her the fuck up!” Another rough voice came.
It took me a moment to realise what was happening and to comprehend the scene before me. My eyes
widened in horror. Tied to a post, her arms twisted behind the post and a cloth in her mouth, tears
streaming down her cheeks, was none other than a Siren. But unlike the ones I had seen before she
was smaller, perhaps around twelve or thirteen. Her long brown hair fell in her face but what made my
stomach twist sickeningly was the blood that pooled heavily around her on the ground. Poachers.
Although killing Sirens was encouraged, taking their scales was a crime, but they were sold for high
prices on the black market. Her fin was nailed to the ground, making me flinch, and to top it off, two of
the men were bent down next to her as they ripped out her shimmering green scales. I clamped a hand
over my mouth. Yes sirens were monsters, but this was wrong… They should have killed her first. This
was not right… Suddenly, her green eyes snapped to mine, and despite her being gagged, I heard her
voice as clearly as if she was standing next to me. Her soft, whispery voice resonated in my head.
‘Help me.”
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