Chapter 30: The Sirens’ Fall
Chapter 30: The Sirens’ Fall
A light mist hung in the air. Two Sirens, swooping down, landed on the deck, translucent saliva trickling from the corners of their mouths, ready to feast heartily. Lothar and Banu had already closed in on them, one in front, one behind.
Faced with the menacing pair, the two Sirens were startled. Their bodies were fragile; their lower halves, covered in scales and mucus, were somewhat protected, as swords and other sharp weapons would easily glance off. But their upper bodies were vulnerable human flesh. They survived in the deep sea through the power of magic, not tough skin, so how could they dare to fight head-on against Lothar, who was armed with a sword?
"Selina" was just a fraction too slow in taking off. The blood flowing beneath her on the deck, manipulated by Fringilla’s blood magic, transformed into tough tethers. The tethers wrapped around her slippery fish tail, binding her firmly to the deck at the waist.
How could Lothar let such a golden opportunity pass? Gripping his hand-and-a-half sword, he strode forward. The slight sway of the ship with the waves did nothing to shake his stance. The muscles in his arms bulged as he raised the sword high.
The Siren Selina desperately beat her wings, her sharp fingernails clawing at the tethers, struggling to escape her bonds, but it was no use.
"Please," she begged, "please let me go! I will bring you pearls and gemstones from the bottom of the sea, enough to make you the richest man in the world! Please!" She spoke extremely rapidly in fluent Greek, with a slight Asia Minor accent. Her voice was as clear and melodious as a lark’s. Her beauty was exquisite, a national treasure.
But the man before her had a heart of iron and stone. Not a trace of pity or kindness could be glimpsed in his cold eyes as the sharp blade descended mercilessly.