Call of the Sea (2 page)

Hands shaking, he stood outside the office of Winters Shipping Company clad in baggy breeches and a threadbare linen shirt he’d stolen from a clothesline near the coast. Taking a deep fortifying breath, Daniel rapped on the door.

“Enter” came the muffled reply from the other side.

I can do this.
Daniel turned the latch and stepped into the office.

Sunlight filtered in through the solitary window, capturing the dust floating about the cluttered room. The captain sat at a huge desk piled high with papers. Every manner of map and chart lined the walls of the musty space, while even more rolled parchment jutted haphazardly from the pigeonhole compartments of a giant secretary desk.

Daniel shut the door, faced Captain Winters, and offered a stiff smile. His weight shifted from foot to foot. “Pardon the interruption, sir, but I wondered if I could have a moment of your time?”

Captain Winters arched a brow and sat back in his chair. His gaze swept over Daniel from crown to toe before he nodded. “Aye. What is it, boy?”

Mustering his courage, Daniel clasped damp palms together behind his back and forced his eyes to remain on the captain’s. “Well, Captain Winters, sir, I…uh, I was hoping you might have a job opening.” Once he found his voice, Daniel couldn’t stop the flow of words. “I’m an excellent swimmer, know a bit about boats already. I’m a hard worker and learn fa–”

The Captain held up a hand. “Easy, now. Slow down, boy.”

Daniel clamped his mouth shut and forced himself to stand still.

Brows drawn, Captain Winters leaned forward, resting his elbows on the disheveled desk. “How old are you, boy?”

“Thirteen, sir.”

“Where are your parents? Do they know you’re here?”

Daniel shook his head. “No, sir. My parents passed.”
At least the only one who cared a whit about me.

“What’s your name?”

“Daniel O’Roarke, sir.” His stomach knotted at the way the captain studied him, as if the man could see right into his soul.

“Very well, young Daniel.” The captain’s lips curled into a grin. “Be here at first light tomorrow, and we’ll see what sort of work you’re capable of.”

A spark of joy lit in Daniel’s chest. He practically jumped with excitement. “Thank you, sir. You won’t regret it.”

“I’m sure I won’t. And Daniel?”

“Aye, sir?” Daniel straightened, eager to set off on the right foot with his new boss.

“Forget the sir. Captain will be sufficient.” Captain Winters smiled, his eyes flashing specks of silver.

Daniel saluted. “Aye, Captain!”
I’ve got a job!
He backed up until he pressed against the closed door. His hand slid along the wooden surface hunting for the handle while he kept his eyes on his captain. “Thank you, sir…I mean, Captain.”

After some frantic fiddling, Daniel managed to work the latch. Backing out, he stumbled, tripping on the doorway. He caught himself and hurried to shut the office door as the sound of the captain’s amusement reached his ears.

Chapter Two

Ellie stood ramrod straight, a soft velvet dress clenched in her hand. She stomped her slippered foot. “I don’t want another dress, Papa. I just want to go with you!”

When Papa sighed and shifted his eyes to Mama, her heart sank.

On cue, her mother pushed up from the sofa. “That’s no way to speak to your father, young lady.” She picked up the discarded gift box and held out a hand for the dress.

Ellie shrank under her mother’s stare and surrendered the frock.

“Now, don’t you think you should try that thank-you again?” Mama tucked the dress under her arm. “Your father came a long way to see you on your birthday.”

“Yes, Mama.” Ellie forced her eyes to her father and swallowed the urge to renew her protests. “Sorry, Papa. The dress is beautiful. Thank you.” She clasped her hands in front of her and gnawed on her lower lip.

“I know you want to come with me, Bean, but ten is still far too young. A ship is no place for a little girl. It just isn’t safe.”

A tidal wave of retorts rushed into Ellie’s head, starting with the age of her father’s previous cabin boy—a mere year older than herself—but she bit down on them and lowered her head. “Yes, Papa.”

“Good girl.” Papa leaned forward and opened his strong arms. “Now, give me a hug. It’s past your bedtime.”

Ellie tucked the disappointment away and wrapped her arms around Papa’s neck. She gave him her best squeeze. His scent enveloped her in a blanket of comfort as Ellie planted a kiss on his bristled cheek. “Love you, Papa.”

“Love you too, Ellie-bean.”

She wrinkled her nose at the childish nickname and released her hold on her father.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be home before you know it.”

With a sigh, Ellie turned to her mother and took her hand. Shoulders slumped, she allowed Mama to lead her to the bedroom.

When I wake tomorrow, he’ll be gone again.
Guilt niggled at her. She’d ruined their time together.

Before she disappeared through the bedroom door, Ellie glanced over her shoulder at her father. “Night, Papa. I’m sorry for being difficult. I’m glad you came home for my birthday.”

Papa smiled and the light in his eyes sparked an ember of joy in her chest. “Me too, sweetheart. Me too.”

***

Once the floorboards stopped creaking and Ellie was certain her parents had gone to bed, she tossed off her blankets and crept to the window. Heartbeat pounding in her ears, she lifted the sill. Cool night air rushed in the opening as Ellie, clad in a cotton nightgown, climbed out. Her feet pressed into the sand. She crouched down, turned her attention to the sound of the surf in the cove below, where her father’s ship lay anchored until morning.

Moonlight bathed the surrounding dunes with an eerie glow, and the clumps of tall grass shimmered as they swayed in the breeze.

Excitement surged through her as she snuck across the open space between the path and the house on swift steps. She rounded the bend and crept down the path toward the shore. Relief washed over her when she lost sight of the house.
Almost there.

She turned her attention to the white-tipped waves rippling in the black water below. The square yellow lights of
The
Siren’s Call
bobbed in the distance. Doubt crept into her mind. Even with the tide out, it seemed so much further to the ship than it had during the daytime.
Can I really make it?

She emitted a small gasp when the chilled surf washed over her bare feet. Ellie stared across the water, pondering the best course of action to get on that ship. Once on, she could hide and then it’d be too late to bring her home.
Would the crew hear me if I screamed for help?

The wind caught her hair and tossed the strands across her eyes. She brushed them away like a pesky fly.
If I get caught, they’ll tell Papa.
Her chest tightened at the prospect.

Just don’t get caught.

Ellie sorely regretted the extra cinnamon biscuit she’d eaten after her birthday dinner by the time she’d swum halfway to the ship. It sat in her stomach like a ball of lead while she struggled and kicked her way through the rolling waves.

A jolting cramp gripped her side. She gasped and pressed a hand to her ribcage. Her feet kicked with furious speed as she tried to keep her head above the bouncing breakers. The more Ellie kicked, the tighter the spasm clamped down, and the harder it became to breathe. She twisted her torso in a frantic bid to release the vice-like grip on her body. She reached an arm toward the sky and stretched out her leg.
Please go away.

A wave smashed into her face, forced its way down her throat.

Ellie choked and sputtered. Her head dipped below the black surface while her throat convulsed, still trying to expel the water she’d inhaled. She managed to slurp more seawater into her airway. Chest burning, she clawed for the sky. Terror seized her.

I just wanted to sail with Papa.

White light exploded behind her clenched eyelids. She felt herself jerk backwards as oblivion’s tsunami claimed her consciousness.

***

When he first noticed her, Daniel thought the captain’s daughter was some sort of apparition. Her white nightgown glowed in the bright moonlight, the hem whipping against her ankles like sail canvas. The girl faced the rolling waves with an intensity that startled him. Her chin lifted and she seemed to stare straight at him.

With a grunt, Daniel dipped his dark head beneath the surface and pushed his front fins up to propel himself deeper.
Please, don’t see me.

He performed a quick about-face, and with a powerful flick of his tail headed further out to sea.
What is she doing?

Daniel returned to the surface. He faced the beach and his eyes scanned the moonswept shoreline, up the winding path to the top of the bluff.

Nothing.

Maybe she went back to bed.

His eyes darted to the ship anchored in the bay
.
She wouldn’t try to swim to the ship in the dark, would she?
His whiskers twitched and a knot twisted in his stomach.
Why else would she be out here this late?

Heart pounding, Daniel sliced through the water, heading for the ship. He searched the breakers around its perimeter, the anchor rope that stretched to the deck. When he’d assured himself the girl hadn’t yet reached the bobbing hull, he began working his way back toward land.

He found the captain’s daughter about halfway to shore, gasping and choking as she reached for the star-laden sky. The look of terror in her stormy eyes stole his breath.

Daniel surged forward. He reached the girl just as she dipped below the surface. Clamping his mouth around the shoulder of her gown, he yanked her back up. He locked the garment in his teeth and rolled over until she lay on his chest facing the sky. A shiver of fear slid down his spine. She wasn’t gasping for air anymore.

With renewed urgency, Daniel swam for the shore, doing his best to keep her head above water as it lolled to the side. Her closed lids and quiet expression needled his chest.
Please don’t let her be dead.

He rode the crest of a wave to the coast. Sand scraped his back. Releasing his hold on the girl, he wriggled from beneath her lifeless form and flipped over. Waves rushed over her body, her parted lips stained purple.

Frantic, Daniel dragged her away from the water. His eyes swept the empty beach. With no other ready options, he closed his eyes and concentrated on his human body.

Soon, a familiar heat surged through him and his arms and legs began to tingle. His thick sealskin loosened to make room for the contortion of bone and ligament. Daniel grunted as his flippers and tail stretched and unfolded, becoming arms and legs. His fingers and knees dug into the wet sand as they formed, colored to pink flesh. He gasped for air as a wave of nausea washed over him. Once he could move without fear of passing out, Daniel turned back to the unconscious girl.

She wasn’t breathing.

With a cry of dismay, Daniel crawled to where she lay and pounded on her chest. She remained motionless, her face pale. He rolled her onto her stomach and beat the heel of his hand against her back.

Once.

Breathe!

Twice.

She coughed, sending sparks of relief through him. Water burst past her lips in ragged choking gasps. Daniel stopped whacking at her, released his hold, and scrambled backward.

The girl’s entire body shook with the force of her gagging as she tried to expel the remaining water and suck life-giving air into her chest. She pushed herself up on hands and knees and retched into the sand. The girl inhaled deeply and twisted her head to look at Daniel. Her brow creased before her eyes lost their focus and rolled back in her head. The girl’s elbows buckled and she dropped to the sand with a whoosh.

Daniel scurried back to her side, eyes wide.

The steady rise and fall of her body told him she breathed.

He ran shaking fingers through his thick hair. “Thank heaven.”

“You dropped something.”

Daniel’s breath caught. He whipped his head toward the deep voice, eyes wide.

Captain Winters stood over him, Daniel’s discarded sealskin clenched in his large fist. Recognition narrowed his eyes. “Well, if it isn’t my new cabin boy.” A muscle in his jaw flexed. He flung the sealskin at Daniel. “Find some clothes, boy.”

Before Daniel could utter a response, Captain Winters stalked past him. He knelt beside his unconscious daughter and brushed a wet strand of sand-coated hair from her ashen cheek. He bent over the girl, listened to her chest for a few long moments. Releasing a relieved sigh, he scooped her into his arms and stood up. Her head rolled against his shoulder as he spun about. Without so much as a backward glance at Daniel, the captain strode across the beach. His daughter’s little feet bounced with each angry step.

Pulse racing and body frozen by fear, Daniel clutched his skin to his chest.
He knows I’m cursed. I’ll never work for him now.
His mind conjured the image of his father, the hatred in his eyes the night he kicked Daniel out.
What if the captain tells my secret?
His throat closed.

A few yards away, Captain Winters stopped, glanced over his shoulder. The intensity of his gaze halted Daniel’s heartbeat. “I said get dressed, Daniel. When you’re done, come up to the house just over the ridge. It is time you and I had a little talk.”

Daniel shivered, but managed a slow nod. He swallowed the paralysis from his tongue and whispered, “Aye, Captain.”

Chapter Three

Once he’d dressed in the clothing he’d stolen from the neighbor’s line and tucked his sealskin back into its hiding spot, Daniel climbed the winding path up the bluff on heavy feet. His teeth gnawed on the inside of his cheek as his mind raced with the dark possibilities of the conversation to come.