The Siren's Snare
Grayson and Katheren, having left the lighthouse behind, walked through the fishing village and onto the expansive white sandy beach under the veil of night. The Darcy Sea's waves crashed against the shore with a resounding roar, filling the air with a briny tang, while eerie whispers weaved through the rushing wind.
"Over here, and keep quiet!" Grayson pulled Katheren behind an overturned fishing boat to use as cover. Scarcely hidden, a colossal wave, six to seven meters high, surged with the sound of an enraged ocean and crashed down onto the tranquil beach, revealing a mysterious figure poised atop its crest.
The pair watched from their hiding spot as the figure, riding a massive shark, descended with the roaring tide and, with a wave of her hand, merged back into the sea.
Grayson studied the woman coming ashore. Clutching a staff taller than a person and clad in a flowing gown adorned with pearls and seashells, her sea-blue hair and gossamer dress danced in the ocean breeze. Her graceful silhouette was intermittently visible through the sheer fabric.
"She doesn't look like a monster. Are you sure she's the siren the villagers spoke of?" The little owl perched on Grayson's shoulder tilted her fluffy head, her bright eyes fixated on the beautiful woman.
"I'm certain it's her. Don't be fooled by her beauty; there's a saying, even the devouring fox wears a pretty face!" Grayson quietly observed the woman, who, with caution, scanned her surroundings and then drifted down the beach toward the southwest cliffs.
"She's leaving. Let's see where she's headed!" Grayson gestured to his companions, and they began to discreetly follow the woman along the coastline toward the cliffs.
Unaware of her pursuers, the woman reached the edge of the cliff and vanished behind a large boulder. Grayson sped to the rock and peered around it to discover a shadowy grotto beneath the cliff.
"There are no evil creatures in this cave," Grayson whispered, unsheathing his silver sword, its blade dimly reflecting the moonlight.
"How can you be sure?" Katheren asked, intrigued.
"This sword, forged from werewolf claws and coated in pure silver, is lethal to vampires and sensitive to the malevolent aura of demons. If evil lurks within, its glow would warn its master," he explained.
Grayson took a moment to light a cigar at the grotto's entrance and cautioned Katheren, "This is your first foray into action. Stay close; I don't want your debut to be your finale."
"Understood!" she replied earnestly, checking her pistols and bullet pouch before cautiously following Grayson into the grotto.
As they entered the cave, a transparent membrane of water snapped shut behind them. Elyra squawked in surprise, causing Katheren to jump before a firm hand covered her mouth.
"Silence, ladies. Now's not the time for vocal exercises," Grayson's eyes sternly quieted Katheren, then he shot a reprimanding glance at the owl before signaling them to move deeper into the cave.
The darkness grew denser as they advanced; Katheren relied solely on the glow of Grayson's cigar to navigate the abyss. Unlike her, Grayson seemed untroubled by the dark, confidently striding forward and quickly reaching deeper into the cavern.
Rounding a bend, the cave narrowed to allow only single-file passage. Grayson led the way, and before Katheren could follow, a strange cry and a clash echoed from within. Clutching the wall, she peered ahead but could see nothing through the pitch black.
Suddenly, something was flung from the grotto, startling Katheren. A figure sprang out. She raised her pistol in defense, but Grayson, quick as a shadow, deflected her arm. "It's me. Let's not crack our own skulls just yet."
"What happened?" Katheren asked, still shaken.
"Merfolk." Grayson glanced at the ground where the corpse of a lesser merfolk soldier lay, a short trident nearby.
"Her minion?"
"I believe so. Let's see what these sirens are guarding so fiercely," he said, stepping back into the cave with Katheren hurrying after him.
They hadn't gone far when Grayson halted with a swift sword stroke, deflecting a harpoon that fell at his feet. Another harpoon flew toward them, and with calm precision, Grayson intercepted it, sparks flying upon impact.
Lowering his sword, Grayson grasped Katheren's hand, drawing it toward the darkness and pressing her finger to the trigger.
With a bang that ricocheted off the cave walls and a scream following the collapse of a body, Grayson complimented, "Not a bad shot, miss!" He flicked ash from his cigar and strode deeper into the grotto, Katheren blushing but quick to follow.
They soon found the merfolk soldier, its head shattered by the silver bullet. Grayson, suspicion growing, knew merfolk rarely ventured onto land, the last sighting being a century ago during a war between humans and vampires. What were they doing here now?
"What's here that warrants such guardianship? And who is that mysterious woman? I think I smell a conspiracy…" Grayson mused, eyeing the merfolk corpse.
Past the fallen enemy, they continued until a circular chamber appeared. As Grayson approached, two merfolk soldiers emerged, their tridents glinting murderously in the dark. Grayson's sword met their assaults before a swift kick and a stolen trident ended them both.
"So, you've finally shown yourselves. I was wondering when you'd reappear. This time, you won't escape!" Grayson bellowed, tossing aside the trident to confront the figure in gauze standing opposite him, her staff crowned with a pearl-eyed mermaid.
"Insidious thieves, return what you've stolen, or force my hand!" The young woman's frosty gaze met Grayson's as she commanded with her staff. "Don't make me act!"