Chapter 1

The fire crackled and snapped as it devoured the wood. The bright flame did little to light the eerie night.

Embers were swept up by the wind and blown into the night sky by the gentle sea breeze, until they faded into the stars

The remaining soldiers gathered around the fire. Their eyes were unmoving, fixed on the embers. Some still wore the uniform; others wore loose shirts or jackets.

From where I sat I had a clear view of the small bonfire. In fact I had a front row seat, the flame was close enough that I could feel the heat escape from amongst the burning logs.

The restless wind brushed through the bodies around me, it clawed at my hair and loosened it from my hair band. As it stalked past the fire it pushed the flame as if it was playing with it.

An older man coughed loudly. The soldier had grey stubble that grew out between scarred scratches that stretched up his withering cheeks. His eyes still had a sparkle that only a few boar after years at sea. His voice was rough as if he still needed to cough. "Some say that mermaids weren't the only creatures that dwelled in the depths" he glanced to his right where the ocean still crashed against the cliffs. It was like he expected to see something crawl out of the sea foam.

It was no secret almost every human on the coast had seen a mermaid. I, myself had seen many, especially while at sea. The creatures lived on the northern side of the continent and there are rumours saying that if you stand on a cliff at sunset you can see the shimmer of the marine kingdom.

One of the soldiers laughed and roughly patted the man on the back. "I don't think the lads want to hear a bedtime story mate" she chuckled and drank deeply from her flask.

The old man chuckled, "the lone siren is a bedtime story I'm afraid".

The only reply was the awkward shuffle of feet in the white sands.

The man smiled revealing crooked teeth, some were coated in metals. "The lonely siren sings her song when the moon is at its highest point. Ships are drawn to her voice and never return. Some say she personally drags them to the under realm herself."

One soldier lets out a sheepish laugh.

The strange soldier shakes his head "don't believe me if you're scared but I've heard her song. The mermaids are even scared of her."

Another soldier pressed into the circle. "But aren't mermaids the same as sirens" he said and ran a hand through his short brunette hair.

"No while mermaids treasure beauty and love. Sirens are full of hate and their hearts are corrupted by death." The man said calmly and took a bite out of a biscuit.

I probe the fire cautiously. "So what's the difference?" I question.

He let out a low chuckle. "Mermaids as you might have seen wear bright colours and dress in pearls or shells but..." He paused for a heartbeat. "But I heard the lone siren has scales darker than the night's sky and instead of pearls she wears the bones of her kills as jewelry." The man stood and dusted off the crumbs of biscuit.

"Is she beautiful then?" Someone behind me asked.

The old soldier laughed to himself. "I don't know you'll have to ask her yourself"

~

The moonlight didn't reach down here. The tide gently swept the water around me back and forth. Shadows swam around me as if they enjoyed my company.

It was strange, what was it like not to be seen as a monster? to not be followed by death?

I reached my hand toward a shard of moonlight that had crept through the cracks in rocks. I watched the moonlight reflect on my pale skin and allow myself to be dragged by the tide. Following the small bubbles of air; I swam upward, toward the moon.

The marine life parted for me to pass. They cowered in the shadows but the shadows cannot protect them. Nothing could keep them safe against me.

Breaking through the surface of the water I quickly inhaled a large breath.

Around me the ocean was peaceful, an occasional ripple would brush past me. It beconned me to follow it

I made my way to an outcrop of rock. The surface of the rock had been worn down creating a smooth surface.

I stretched my fins and yawned. Climbing up a rock with no legs was awfully tiring. Luckily I had such dark scales that I was nearly invisible against the shadows. That's what made me different.

I had met a mermaid once it's beautiful scales shone in the sunlight like how the water shimmered at sunset. It was enchanting really. The way it radiated life and beauty.

What was it like to roam the ocean without fear following you?

The moon was almost at its highest.

I hummed a small melody as I let my vocal chords adjust to the air.

How long would I have to wait?

I opened my mouth and began my sad song.