Under Murky Waters
Chapter Sixteen

THE RISING UPS and downs of the buildings’ roofs were not a sight that Zale had expected to see so soon. Although he hadn’t kept count of how many days they had been aboard the pirate ship, he didn’t think that they would be able to see land so quickly. Yet, now they were anchored a safe distance away from shore, away from prying eyes of authorities and yet enough to travel to the seaside town for supplies.

Just minutes prior, Cordelia had already jumped from the ship’s windows, diving beneath the waves nearly soundlessly. As a stowaway, she couldn’t afford to let herself be seen by the pirates when they came for him. However, Zale watched as the rowboats sailed away from the main ship, all leaving without him.

They weren’t planning to bring him to shore after all.

“No luck?” Cordelia’s melodic voice was now familiar. She spoke no louder than a whisper from across the room, forcing Zale to tear his eyes away from the docks to look at her.

The siren dangled from the window that was facing the vast open sea, careful not to be spotted by humans.

“I’ve not had any for a long time,” Zale replied rather solemnly.

“I can bring you to shore, you know. For a fee.”

The man wrinkled his nose. ”What fee?”

Delighted at his response, Cordelia gestured towards his pocket. The chain of his medallion dangled from the opening of the fabric, silver glinting from the sunlight that streamed in through the windows and cracks of the wooden planks.

“That medallion that you wear. I want to know where you got it. Bring me around town and show me who gave it to you.”

Possibilities swirled in Zale’s mind. His father was dead, had been so for more than a year. Since he was the one that had gifted him the pendant, there was no possible way for him to bring Cordelia to him. However, there was also someone that he knew in the small town of Limebarrow that knew his father and the origins of the medallion. Perhaps that would suffice.

“Deal,” Zale immediately agreed. He dug his hands into his pocket, pulling the chain out for Cordelia. “I’ll help you find out more about this medallion if you manage to get me to the docks in one piece.”

The siren moved faster than Zale could react. She reached out, her fingers clasping around the swinging metal before tugging it out of Zale’s hands. Now in her possession, she pulled the chain over her head, allowing it to hang from her neck before letting go of the window ledge with a grin.

As she plummeted down once more, Zale instinctively leaned towards the window and out of it, watching as her body submerged into the waves for a split second before resurfacing. She swam a little away, just enough distance for him to jump in after her.

Cordelia offered a beckoning wave, urging Zale to jump into the water. All this while, a grin painted her lips, one that was tainted with mischief and delight.

Taking a deep breath, Zale flung himself out of the window, allowing his hands to carve a path through the icy cold waves for him. Bubbles entrapped his face and when he broke the surface, he nearly swallowed a mouthful of sea foam.

“Hang on tight,” Cordelia advised, laughing a little at his silly soaked expression. She clutched at his waist, gripping his shirt tightly just as he threw an arm over her shoulder. “Let’s swim to shore.”

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