---Orion's POV---

I shouldn't have been too surprised when we spotted a distant island that had quite a reputation of its own. Not necessarily a known pirate island, more so the fact that the reefs around this particular landmass were vicious.

Many a ship has been claimed by the ocean waves here, making room for aquatic residents. There was only a select few places where one could get close enough to the island without running their ship on ground.

Even then, a captain would need to calculate where to turn or avoid getting their ship stuck in a stale mate. These wooden ships couldn't move backwards as far as I knew, at least not without additional help.

I observed the crew hustling around, climbing up the ropes and messing with the sails. Cain stood at the wheel, guiding the ship with a look of pure concentration in his eyes.

Even Elijah stood beside him, arms crossed and mumbling something to Cain, who nodded and tilted his wheel the slightest bit.

As I approached, I heard Cain reply "Things will be a bit easier with sharper eyesight on board. I always have a few deckhands keep an eye out for the reef, but..." He shrugged, motioning to the crew that were hanging over the edge.

"They're only human." Elijah agreed, inclining his head in greeting at my approach. "Still, this is a hare-brained idea. The weight of your vessel needs to be just right or you'll rip your hull apart on the reef below." Elijah sniffed, flicking a disinterested glance over the reefs.

"And there are already sharks waiting for a bite to eat." He added, eyes following the dorsal fin of a lemon shark before it dipped under the surface.

"I'm not so much worried about the reefs, more so the sharp rocks they're settled on." Cain countered, rolling the wheel to the starboard side in a controlled manner when one of the deckhands shouted a warning.

I hummed thoughtfully, observing how the deckhands were focused on the hull of the ship.

"Rocks, portside!"

Rolling my shoulders, I watched the crew for a moment before sighing. "If it helps, I could go in the water and report the rocks much sooner.

Elijah grinned at that, sucking his teeth for a second. "One and a half sirens to guide the ship to the island... I like those odds better than a vessel full of humans, half of which can't swim, scrambling to not drown like rats."

Much to my surprise, Cain didn't protest against the very mention of having both of us dive in the water. "I could use all the help I can get. Cargo has been stowed as best as possible and she's as light as she can be."

"Well, let's go then princess. I don't want to be forced to ferry these bastards ashore." Elijah chuckled, grasping Archer by the back of his neck for a satisfying kiss before the Mer winked and fell overboard.

Cain smiled grimly, giving me a few glances as he couldn't afford to lose focus. "Be careful. Please." He added more quietly, making me smile and nod.

I doubted we'd bump into any merfolk around here but I knew I'd always have to be careful, especially around these reefs.

With less room to maneuver and lower visibility, an ambush around these reefs would play into their hand. However, I had learned from past mistakes and knew the signs of Merfolk presence.

For starters, the fish would be hiding at the slightest hint of their presence. Any sea creature would have to be suicidal to remain within hunting distance of a pod of Mer.

As always, reefs were overabundant with all manners of life. If I saw anything out of line, I would be retreating to the ship as quickly as possible.

My gills flared out as soon as I breached the surface of the water. I let out a sigh of relief when the fish only shied away at my entry but paid me no mind.

However, they made it clear that they were wary of Elijah's presence, giving the half-Mer a wide berth wherever he went.

It was stunning to see the swarm of fish part away around Elijah, forming a clear barrier that showed exactly the outline of the Merman.

Between the two of us, it was much easier to spot any rocks and pop our heads above water to give instructions to the crew. Surprisingly, this time they heeded our words without delay, presumably because their lives and livelihood depended on it.

It took quite a bit of delicate maneuvering and allowing the currents to work on the ship, but finally anchor was dropped and she was faced back towards the ocean.

Looking at the island, I couldn't see anything in particular that made it stand out. Even from this close, it just seemed like a regular, uninhabited island.

But I knew looks could be deceiving, that this island could just as easily be a gathering place for pirates.

However, that theory easily broke apart. If there was anyone living on that island, where were the ships? While Cain's ship was partially hidden by the rocky outcrops of the lagoon, we should've seen other ships here.

But there was no sign of life anywhere, except the wildlife. Not a hint of smoke in the air, or sudden clearings in the canopy of the jungle ahead.

However, Cain smirked, raising his hand to point out the waterfall that was barely visible across the cliffs.

For a moment I didn't understand what he meant, eying the waterfall and its surroundings before it clicked. It was only perceptible because of my heightened senses but I could see darkness behind the flowing water instead of rock.

Cain grinned, winking when I looked back at him. "Anyone visiting the island for a long while will store the ship there. Out of view of any curious vessels passing by, who could alert the Royal Guard for a seemingly abandoned ship." He explained, shrugging slightly.

"While I should store the ship there, it's common sense to first check out any occupants. Nobody wants to be stranded on an island because you collided with a moored ship."

I hummed thoughtfully at that, knowing he was right. But still, that left the question to where any inhabitants would live.

Damp caves were only fit for a temporary shelter, not a lifelong occupancy. I had an underwater cave as a hideout hidden in the ocean, but that was more to stash items and hide my scent in case any Merfolk came too close for comfort.

But perhaps that had been positive thinking; a mer would've easily trailed me back to the cave. It would've turned the safehouse into a trap of my own making.

I shivered before freezing warily when I finally saw a hint of smoke, the barest trace within the air before the breeze blew it apart.

Such a small trail would've been easily missed by humans, yet Cain and the rest of the crew guided us directly towards the source.

Making our way through the jungle was fairly easy, thanks to Cain's knowledge of the area.

When the forest slowly gave way, I was rather surprised on how the buildings were interwoven with the jungle, blending in so brilliantly that it took my eyes a moment to truly see the structures as houses, and not warped twists of the trees around us.

Several people looked up, already alerted of our approach by the snapping tree branches and crackling foliage underneath our feet.

I had anticipated the multitude of men staring at us... not the woman and children.

What is this place?

Several of the children were hesitant, until they spotted Cain. Suddenly, the tension in the air dropped away and crows of laughter split through the silence as the children ambushed the dark-skinned pirate.

Leaping towards him, pulling at his hands and literally climbing his legs, these kids all struggled to be the first to speak to Cain. And he took it all in stride, grinning and grabbing the little ones before they fell, hugging every single one of them.

Elijah and I stayed behind, observing as the gang of pirates were greeted warmly by the villagers through the means of hugs, loud shouts and the never-ending swarm of children.

Both of us shared the same surprised look, though Elijah was better at hiding it. Honestly, when Cain had mentioned a hide out in the middle of the sea, an island known by few, I had anticipated it to be filled with pirates.

Cain grinned in my direction, noticing my confusion. "They are former slaves. Rescued treasures that were liberated from slavers and pirates alike." His smile softened, eyes flitting to the sky above. "A tribute to my family."

Understanding swept through y system, along with the shared heartache between us. In losing his mother, his sister to slavery, Cain had taken steps to change the world for one slave at a time.

Many still believed owning people was warranted, lawful. They created an imagine in their minds that turned people who were different, of a darker skin, to be lesser than the normal white skins.

Looking around at the children, I could feel my gills flare at the repressed anger when I spotted the slave marks burned on their soft skin.

I could only imagine the horrors they faced, the torment they went through at the hands of their so called masters. And I knew if I looked at the adults, they would be scarred far worse.

"You...saved them?"

Cain nodded, nudging the kids to go back to their respective parents while he stepped closer. "Few pirates know what I'm doing and those that deal in these goods," he sneered, shaking his head, "Well, they've tried to put a stop to my thieving several times."

"They claimed it to be bad business, to have someone commandeer their goods and release them once more." He motioned towards the island around us. "Which is why we had to fall back to hiding in plain sight."

I nodded, smiling as one of the little ones stumbled across the dirt, just barely capable of walking.

A few of the braver kids were soon pulling at my pants, wide-eyed when they noticed the gills in my throat.

I had to bite back a laugh when a few hobbled closer to Elijah, who glowered at them from under his lashes with a barely contained sneer.

"Keep the appetizers away from me. I won't be responsible for any lost fingers." Elijah grumbled, chuckling with amusement when the children paled and fled back towards the parents.

Before he scowled when Archer swatted him on the ass. "Behave." The quartermaster ordered with a pointed look when Elijah offered a toothy smile at the children.

"Me? Behave?" Elijah snorted, leaning against my side , arm draped over my shoulders. "I'm always behaved."

Cain obviously disagreed, flicking Elijah's arm off my shoulder as if it was diseased. "I'll believe it when I see it. Hands off, Elijah."

The mer chuckled, hips cocking to the side as he crossed his arms. "Why?" He asked, not seeming bothered as a vein pulsed at Cain's temple.

The darker skinned male stepped closer to Elijah, not at all worried that the later was a lethal Mer hybrid. "Because I said so. I'm in charge here." He hissed between clenched teeth.

Elijah's smirk only widened at that before he pointed a finger in my direction. "Actually, He is the one in charge of this power threesome here."

Shock filled Cain's gaze as Elijah flicked the scarred reminder of my bite on the Captain. "It took a while for me to figure things out but technically, Orion marked you first when he saved you. Then I marked him and you marked me in return."

"Which means, Princess here has all of us wrapped around his pretty little fingers." He smirked, hauling me against his chest with a wink towards Cain. "Meaning, I don't need to listen to you as long as he says otherwise."

Archer cleared his throat at that, "But I'd like to remind you that unlike you three, I do have to obey Captain's orders without confusion. Meaning that his punishment will still be transferred onto you, my dear."

Elijah's grin fell at that, deflating as he raised his hands in surrender. "Whatever, I'll behave. So fucking boring..."