---Orion's POV---

Luck was most definitely NOT on our side.

Not only had we managed to somehow lose sight of Elijah, forcing us to split up even further in an attempt to find the hybrid and get him back before the plan was messed up, I had somehow been tasked with finding the Siren on this island.

Not that I was surprised about the later. After all, I was the only one who could even attempt to find the Siren.

Things would be hard without knowing who they were and only my nose to follow. Normally that wouldn't be an issue, but I knew for a fact that I was going to stick out like a sore thumb if I acted like a bloodhound on a trail.

And there was no telling where Elijah was, or what he'd do if he'd find the Siren. However I was pretty certain he wouldn't try to mark the unknown Siren.

After all, Archer would have no problem with turning Elijah's ass several shades of purple for even considering the notion.

Then again, Elijah may just do it for the hell of it, just so he could tease and smirk at Archer.

A frustrated sigh slipped from my lips before I shook my head and headed towards the nearest vendors. Cain had offered me a coin purse of my own so I quickly bought a simple snack and inquired about the island.

I was pointed to a few reputable inns to stay the night and quite a few recommendations of local dishes to sample. "Just don't eat at The Waving Willow." The cook warned, curling his nose in disgust. "Eugene, their cook, is known to chew tobacco and smoke while cooking. Wouldn't be surprised if you got a helping of tobacco with your meal, if you catch my drift."

A shiver darted down my spine before I nodded, grateful for the information. I had encountered people like that before, that called themselves cooks but should be barred from coming near any stove or food item.

With each local that I spoke to and inquired about any specifics of the island, I kept getting small whiffs of the unknown siren.

Not enough to indicate they were the siren, but enough to know they've been in direct contact with them. Perhaps the Siren was counting on camouflaging themselves within the human population by doing this.

Because their scent was everywhere. Literally. It was extremely difficult to figure out where the source was, simply because everyone smelled like the Siren.

Well... almost everyone.

I spotted a man walking past with a bag of groceries in one hand and a pot of chewing tobacco in the other. Barely managing to withhold a grimace at a flash of browned teeth, I ducked out of the scent of old sweat and moldy clothes before dipping into an alleyway.

And then I realized where the Siren most likely resided. It didn't make sense for almost everyone on the island to smell like the Siren. Unless they frequented or worked at a place where everyone visited regularly.

Weaving through the crowd, my eyes spotted a few members of Cain's crew as they slowly followed me around. Heading towards the first inn, there wasn't any sign of the Siren to be found, which made me sigh before I headed towards the second one.

Almost immediately I got smacked in the face by their scent, which clung to every person that walked out of the inn. A clear sign that the Siren was present, potentially even working there.

Instead of walking inside to investigate, I glanced at Cain's crew before motioning my head towards the building. Their eyes widened before they nodded, scattering throughout the island to get everyone back at the inn.

It was no use for me to go inside alone. Sure the Siren could be easily convinced I meant no harm, but if they detected even the smallest scent of Elijah on me, they'd flee.

And I'd rather take my chances with the entire crew being able to stop and convince this Siren, than to let them escape with ease.

Just that thought alone made me pause before rubbing a hand over my face.

I'm sounding like a pirate.

I sighed, realizing I was acting like one too. However, I also knew I wasn't anything like the actual pirates.

Plus Cain and his men were only considered pirates because they stole from slavers and slaver pirates. Pirating on other pirates was usually frowned upon, but many did uphold a code.

After all, I've come to learn that many pirates had simply turned to criminality because it was the only job available for them.

Too many fell to the edge of society with nothing to provide their families with. And there was only so much a man could stomach, having to watch his wife and children starve simply because some rich coward using their power to rule over the commoners.

In fact, several of Cain's crew had been fishermen, craftsmen and traders. Men who had tried honest work, only to be beaten down and punished by the whims of the rich, or the jealousy of their competition.

Blackmailed, enslaved, cast out by society... They were all misfits just trying to find a place, trying to keep their families alive.

If I had to become a so called pirate in order to be able to save innocent people, then so be it.

I would become the proudest, strongest pirate in history if that meant I could achieve my goal.

A simple glance showed that several of Cain's men had made their way to the bar, some even slipping inside already as to not make a big entrance.

Two of them actually wrapped their arms over my shoulder and yanked me inside, laughing and joking as they headed for the bar. I chuckled and played along, shaking my head as they dropped a few coins on the bar and eagerly reached for the Ale that was provided.

One mug was placed in front of me, fingers lingering on the rim until I looked up. My nostrils flared, eyes widening as I looked up right at the face of a male Siren.

"Curious to see new faces around here. Can't say I've seen yours." He grinned, eyes flitting to my companions, nostrils flaring briefly before disregarding the humans.

The brief pause and realization in his eyes made me frown before he raised a brow. "Looks you got mauled by some beast." He stated, indicating his own throat.

A visible shiver darted over my body as I swallowed, having completely forgotten about Elijah's claim. Even with my shirt on, it was partially visible, peeping through the open collar...

Luckily my shock seemed to make the other Siren grimace, especially when Burt laughed loudly, bashing his ale down. "Aye, claims it was a humongous monster that nearly dragged him into the ocean. I'm still convinced he had one too many ales and harassed the wild dogs at the docks."

I merely sighed, rubbing a hand over my face, feeling slightly embarrassed as other sailors listened in. Craig seemed to pick up on what Burt was planning as he laughed along, "When we got there, Orion here swore up 'n down that the monster leapt back into the ocean."

"Wasn't he supposed to be on watch so no sleazy thief crawled on our ship?"

Craig snorted, coughing up his ale before patting his chest as I groaned in no longer feigned embarrassment. "Some watch he is. Found him soaking wet, bottle of ale still on the docks and Orion swearing to the good Lord he got attacked."

The siren pursed his lips as the other sailors chipped in with their own remarks, joking about my inability to hold liquor, others eying the mark and snorting before claiming it was simply a lover's bite.

And through it all, the siren stared at the mark with a hint of fear in his eyes. Knowing exactly what had made that mark, had dug their teeth in my flesh.

Honestly, I felt bad as my intent wasn't to actually trick him. But I also knew that if I were to tell him we had a hybrid merman on board, he would flee from the island before I could even blink.

Not to mention that if the siren decided to become hostile, he could easily influence the entire inn to fight us.

It would be much easier if we could talk somewhere separately, to explain everything.

But I could also see the suspicion in his gaze, the way his eyes flitted from Cain's men beside me, to the humans still chuckling about the story they were told.

And I quickly realized the critical mistake these two had made.

No sane Siren would be spending their time pretending to be human on a boat. After all, Merfolk were eager to target those vessels, clawing themselves up the wooden hulls and snatch anyone who wasn't paying attention.

I could see the same realization bloom in the man's eyes, eyes flitting from Elijah's mark to my face, narrowing the slightest bit.

"We're not here to start a fight." I murmured quietly, silently pleading the man to not cause a fuss, to not flee.

An arm draped over the Siren's shoulder and Elijah pressed his jaw against the Siren's. "Indeed. So why don't you be a good boy and listen. Your girlfriend had no issues hearing us out."

The siren stiffened, gills flaring for a brief second as his pupils dilated in fear.

"Where is-"

Elijah lazily pointed to across the inn, where Cain was having a deep conversation with the female siren, who nodded before noticing us looking over.

And all of us could hear the sigh of relief when she gave him a warm smile and waved him over.

"You could've let me just explain the situation!" I grumbled with a glare at Elijah, who scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Please, he-" Elijah patted his hand against the Siren "was ready to bolt the second his eyes saw that mark. Which you seemingly forgot about, princess."

Frustration made me sigh deeply as I retorted "Well, maybe something should've kept its teeth to itself."

"Oooh, I'm an it now? Spicy."

A sharp slap against his ass made Elijah hop forwards, releasing the Siren in the progress. The poor man looked incredibly confused as Archer tilted an eyebrow. "I think Cap' and I were very clear that we didn't want to cause them any distress and just wanted to talk."

"And look at us here, all together. Talking. It's working like a charm." Elijah grinned before ushering the male towards Cain's table while I groaned and ordered another ale.

I'd rather be drunk if I had to deal with that merman for another second.