TEMPEST KNEW SHE was losing her mind when she found herself ranting to a babbling baby.

"I can't even look at him!" she whisper-shouted, ducking behind a particularly fat palm tree. The silver armor clinked as she yanked it off, cheeks flaming pink from the heat. "He saw me naked and for what?! For what?! Because I was too tired to think straight and thought stripping was the best thing to do? I could've told him to close his eyes first!"

Tempest groaned. The sun burned like fire, scorching her naked body. She glistened like a whore writhing on a cock. At least the air was like ice, chilling the rising flush creeping upon her. It was a sweet relief when a breeze blew over her.

The baby blue dress she slipped on was billowy with puffy sleeves and a corset cinched around her waist. The fabric ended above her knees. She raised it to strap a dagger to the inside of her right thigh. Once Clarent was secured she emerged from behind her hiding spot to find Kobe strapped to a tree.

"And he went and gave you a name." Tempest shook her head. Golden sand sifted beneath her bare feet as she walked towards Kobe. "He's always making a mess of things. So annoying."

Kobe attempted to lick her fingers. Wind rustled the leaves in an ominous tune. When she glanced downwards she saw the brigade at the bottom of the cliff, getting ready to fight again.

Sirens were powerful creatures with enchanting voices and gorgeous looks. Their eyes were so alluring, so enticing that they even tempted those uninterested in sex.

That alone made them dangerous creatures. She didn't like getting mixed up with them if she could avoid it. Hell, even the mermaids avoided their ravenous cousins at all costs.

"You look worried."

Tempest chewed on her bottom lip, untying Kobe and settling the calm pup in her arms. "I have a bad feeling," she replied, watching the water for any signs of movement.

"More will die tonight," Death confirmed, joining her at the edge of the cliff. His dark hair was curled now, frizzier and fluffier from the humidity. His wide eyes landed on Kobe, softening the darkness to be found there. "I take it this is the reason you called for me."

"He needs a family."

Death hummed, conjuring up a bone for Kobe to gnaw on. "Cute."

"Will you take him?" she asked. "Raise him with your other kids?"

Death shrugged off his black shawl, tying it around his waist. His muscular body flexed when he reached out for Kobe. The excited pup relaxed in Death's arms, shifting out of his wolf form. Kobe wriggled towards Death as much as he could, pressing his ear against the broad chest offered to him.

If Tempest had to guess, Kobe was probably starved of skin to skin contact. Runts like him were never a mother's priority when there were healthier pups to care for.

"Kian claimed his first soul yesterday." Death swayed side to side, lulling Kobe to sleep. "All on his own."

Tempest broke out into a wide grin, unable to contain her happiness as she grabbed his hand. "Did he really?!"

Death hummed, biting his bottom lip in an effort to conceal a smile. Nevertheless, his chest puffed up with pride when he said, "He's not a helpless orphan anymore. The little witch is all grown up now."

"And a reaper at that," she laughed, eyes sparkling with joy. "I'm glad. He deserves everything he has."

Death tapped Kobe's chest, fingers pitter pattering over his heart like rain. "I can make him strong, raise him right, if that's still what you want."

"I'd prefer he be with his own kind but," Tempest ruffled Kobe's hair, smiling sadly, "we both know no werewolf would take him. He'd be their greatest shame. You're the only one I can trust with Kobe."

Death had no biological children of his own but that didn't mean he didn't have any children at all. He had many, many children. Orphans that he adopted and raised with love. Most became reapers, like Kian. Others became ferrymen tasked with escorting lost souls where they needed to go.

"I'll take him," Death whispered, gazing upon Kobe fondly.

"I appreciate it." Tempest knew she had to leave when a horn blew, signaling Fox wanted everyone to gather. "Before you take him, can I ask for another favor?"

"Of course."

"Can you wait until the battle is over?" she asked. "So that Pendragon can say goodbye. He's... soft for kids. I think he'd waste a whole day bawling if I just sent Kobe away."

Death chuckled. "I'll wait for your call."

Tempest squeezed his hand. "I won't be long."

Gathering her armor and bag, Tempest trampled towards the beach. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. She knew what that meant.

Something big was coming.

"I don't understand why everyone else gets to take their armor off but I can't," Kane grumbled.

"Fighting in heavy armor plus water is difficult." Tempest kept her eyes trained on the sunshine reflecting in the shallow blue waves. "The lighter we are, the quicker we can go in for the kill."

"So—"

"You take that armor off and you're dead in a matter of seconds against a siren," she interrupted. "Now, hush."

"It's hot," Kane whined. "How long do we have to wait for?"

"Until they arrive."

"And when will that be?"

"Soon."

"How soon?"

Tempest clenched her jaw, shooting out from behind the bushes to drag Kane off the sandy beach. He landed with a thud, shaking the dark foliage. Loud snickers erupted from the surrounding fae.

"They get here when they get here," she hissed, inches from his face. "Until then you'll sit down and be quiet!"

Kane gulped. His sweaty face was flushed red. He nodded, finally silent when she released her loose hold from his neck.

Silver returned from changing wearing an old pair of dark trousers and a loose shirt. He settled beside Kane and began whispering about siren lore.

They were half human and half fish with long, dark tails. Their claws were sharp. They had teeth like sharks and eyes that could tempt people to do the most wicked of things.

Once a month, when the moon was full and the tides were high, sirens were granted the ability to walk on land. They used these nights to travel to other realms and ensnare tastier prey.

It was here that Silver explained a siren's preference for fae blood. It was a delicacy that they couldn't pass up no matter how full they were.

This particular pod had laid waste to a decent sized settlement on Hiraeth. It'd taken many moons to track them down and begin picking off their numbers to even the score. Although Fox losing a fourth of the brigade had her wondering just how even the score actually was.

Tempest prayed to Llyr, the Welsh god of the sea and water for safety. She prayed to Nuada, the High King of the Tuatha dé Danann and an Irish god of healing, the sea, and the sun. For him she offered praise and requested calm waters. Then she prayed to Morgan le Fay, the Welsh goddess of death, fate, one of the Otherworlds, and the sea. She asked that if tonight held a cruel twist of fate in store for them, Morgan would spare Kane from the worst of it.

Keeping Kane alive meant saving Odette. That was all that truly mattered to her right now.

When the moon showed her face Tempest finished her prayers. She hoped that Morgan still loved her half-brother, King Arthur, enough to take care of Kane.

A low, haunting humming filled the air. Tempest shuddered. They were close.

"Everyone is wearing these, Fox's orders." Tempest glanced at the objects in Silver's open palm. Thick corks in the shape of earbuds. "Apparently he had some issues about people not being as forthcoming about their lust. Now they're dead."

The dark sea shivered. The howling wind died. The humming got louder.

A call of her name had Tempest pausing. She looked over her shoulder, meeting Songbird's gaze.

"Fox requires your assistance," she whispered. "He thinks the leader is coming up on his side. He'd like your help in killing her."

Tempest looked back, ignoring Kane's terrified eyes and meeting Silver's stare. She didn't know if she was capable of letting Silver lead when she wasn't around. But if she managed to kill the leader, that'd make it easier to take out the rest of the sirens.

Having made her decision, Tempest pinned Silver with a firm stare. "You said you changed. Prove it. Keep him safe."

Tempest shoved the corks into her ears when the humming turned into beguiled singing. She joined Fox on the beach. Bones washed upon the sand, cracked like marble and licked clean. Chewed up bodies floated on the surface.

When the water darkened like red wine the sirens emerged from the watery depths. Their mouths moved in sync, languid tongues flicking out to entice the weakest of them. Savage jewels for eyes gleamed with hunger even as they licked their blood stained teeth.

The cold bit at Tempest but she ignored it, charging after Fox with Clarent raised high. Only the sound of her own heartbeat thrummed inside her head. They splashed into the shallow water. Chaos descended upon them. Tempest was quick to decapitate the first siren to lunge for her. The rest of the brigade joined them in the fight.

An icy chill pricked Tempest's wet skin. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a red haired beauty glaring at her as she mowed down siren after siren. Tempest gasped when sharp claws raked the side of her face and neck. She turned, plunging Clarent into the siren's skull.

Tempest yanked Clarent out of the siren's head, locking eyes with the newcomer. The green-eyed siren rose up to her full height. She pushed her guards away, diving into the water and heading towards Tempest.

The siren singlehandedly grasped Clarent's sharp edge as it swung at her. Blood streamed down her pale skin. Tempest attempted to wrench Clarent free. But the siren tugged her underneath the current instead.

Water invaded her lungs. She choked on the salty taste, burning internally from the domain that wasn't hers to command. The siren slammed her head into the hard ground. Teeth grazed her collarbone, attempting to bite.

Tempest planted her feet deep inside the sand. She clutched the siren's slimy hair, snapping her head back. Widening her stance, she propelled them out of the water and released Clarent. Tempest snatched the dagger strapped to her thigh, thrusting it into the siren's stomach. The blade moved upwards, gutting the leader like a fish. Her body fell with a loud splash, lost in the waves of red and gold carnage.

Choking on saltwater, Tempest collapsed onto the beach, head swimming with a dull ache. When she looked up her heart stopped.

Unseelie fae, marked by greedy yellow eyes and gray skin, were dragging Silver towards the rainforest. There were too many to fight alone. Kane tried to help but sirens latched onto his dented armor, pulling him underwater.

He disappeared and didn't resurface.

"Clarent!" Tempest staggered to her feet, snatching the sword as it materialized before her. She ran like her life depended on it. Her eyes darted towards Silver then where Kane vanished. Her heart ripped into shreds of love she didn't know she still had and a sense of duty.

Both of them were needed for the prophecy. Both of them were needed to bring Odette home. But there was only one of her.

Tempest grabbed the nearest fae she could find, hauling him out of the water. "Help Silver!"

He made a face once he understood her words as she mouthed them again. Tempest took a threatening step forward. The young warrior rolled his eyes before chasing after the Unseelie fae. Precious moments slipped through her fingers while she forced twenty fae after Silver.

Tempest stumbled into the water, dodging swords and floating heads. The number of sirens dwindled but Kane was nowhere to be found.

She shouted in relief when Kane broke the surface. Hands quickly emerged from the darkness, dragging him back down. Panic seized Tempest. She raced towards the commotion. When the water reached her neck she dove in, swimming towards the sirens pulling him to the bottom.

His closing eyes drove an arrow soaked in terror right through her. She knew that she wouldn't reach him in time at this rate. Desperate times called for desperate measures.

Tempest grasped Clarent with both hands. A dark light exploded from the hilt. She absorbed every bit of strength Clarent offered. Resilience filled her body and she enforced her dominion over the sea.

Waves of unyielding storms fought against her, rejecting Tempest's wrongful claim. Red crowded her vision. She wept crimson tears. Her body begged her to stop but she knew she couldn't.

Tempest raised Clarent. The cold power flowed within her body. She surrendered to the tides and struck with all that she had, barreling downwards.

Clarent slammed into the ground, parting the sea with Tempest's strength of will. Her body shook with full tremors. Blood spewed from her mouth like a cursed waterfall. She blinked the bloody tears away then reached out with a weak hand.

A strand of wobbly saltwater wrapped around Kane's unconscious body. Using the last of her strength, she used the sea like a tether, tugging him out of harm's way and tossing him onto the beach. Tempest released her hold over the forbidden sea, slumping over in defeat. Tons of saltwater descended upon her with a vengeance.

The fate of The Advisor was unknown.

The King was safe.

The Storm drowned.

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QOTD: Do you think Kane will be able to relinquish Kobe to Death once he finds out a deal's been struck? Where do you think the Unseelie came from and why did they only come for Silver? How can Tempest be saved after making such a sacrifice to save Kane?