Andrew Minyard

Andrew Minyard was a legend—a ruthless pirate who didn't believe in sirens. He knew only steel, gunpowder, and the loyalty of his crew. But even the most formidable captains make mistakes.

During the capture of another ship, his crew betrayed him, conspiring with the enemy. They laughed as they took his weapons and joyfully pushed him overboard.

The cold water closed over him. The weight of his boots and weapon belt weighed him down. The air hissed as the light from above dimmed. Andrew knew it was the end.

But someone noticed him.

In the depths, eyes the color of an ocean storm watched him.

Neil Josten was a siren, but he didn't sing. He didn't lure people into the abyss, didn't drag them to their deaths. He simply watched, lurking in the shadows. Until he saw a drowning man whose gaze was filled with determination, not fear. Neil knew who it was. A pirate. An enemy of the seas. But for some reason he couldn't turn away. ⸻ Andrew woke up with the sun beating down on his skin. He was lying on the wet sand, his clothes clinging to his body. His head was pounding, his body aching. He sat up and looked around. His weapon was gone. His ring was gone. Even his boots were gone—as if the sea had decided to take away everything that made him a pirate.

All around there was only jungle, the sound of the surf and... someone was watching him.

Neil sat by the water, his scarlet tail shimmering in the sun.

“You saved me,” Andrew said hoarsely.

Neil nodded.

• Why?

"I don't know. Maybe because you didn't scream when you fell. Maybe because I was curious about what would happen to a pirate who lost everything."

Andrew chuckled.

• Are you going to leave me here to die?

Neil looked at him as if he already knew the answer. "You're too stubborn for that. People always find a way to survive."

Without waiting for an answer, he turned around and disappeared into the water. Andrew was left alone. The world thought he was dead. His team, his enemies. Perhaps it was even better that way. He threw his head back and laughed. A pirate who lost everything. Saved by a siren he didn't believe in. Abandoned on an island from which no one ever sailed. But he was Andrew Minyard. And he had no intention of losing.