“Positive. Captain and I discussed many things, including Jacobi, before the cave. No one but him and Cancer ever had any complaints about you being on the Pertinacious. Cancer obviously respects you and your membership. Sure, all of us thought it was a little strange enlisting you but we’ve come to enjoy your company and cooking, along with your fighter’s spirit. If things turn out alright and you part ways with us, we’ll all miss you sorely.”
Jessie couldn’t help but mirror Rammus’s warm smile. It was great to hear she’d be missed, that she’d grown on them as they’d grown on her—except for O’Toole and Jacobi. O’Toole was harmless and all but she’d never forgiven him for spying on her while showering, or for ruining her blissful state after her breakfast-in-bed morning. And Jacobi hadn’t grown on her for obvious reasons. He needed a few kicks in the nuts, but.. she didn’t want to carry the guilt if he lost his job because of her. “How would all of you feel if you had to let go of Jacobi?”
“Disappointed,” he admitted. “But the safety of the crew is the bottom line. I’d be furious with myself if something happened to you or anyone because I didn’t use my better judgement. He is everyone’s friend, but so are you. If he can’t stop being a threat, he goes; not you. Understood?”
She nodded. “Then I stand by my decision to let him stay.”
“Very well. Thank you. Go ahead and tell Mido to come on up.” Rammus swiveled around and flipped the paper over.
Jessie returned to her spot at the railing and sent Mido up. Jacobi was still seated, looking quite nervous. Hopefully that was a sign the severity of his behavior had finally sank in and he’d be true to his word to behave. The rest of the crew was chatting among themselves about their vacation, completely at ease as if they weren’t in the middle of deciding the fate of one of their friends and crew mates. Stunned to silence, Jessie leaned against the railing and listened to Ed and Ted tell Sauna about an adventure inland gone awry thanks to Ted getting a heat stroke. It hadn’t been funny at the time, but Ed ruthlessly poked fun at Ted’s few days of misery, until Mido and Rammus exited the wheelhouse. Mido rejoined Jessie, and Jacobi hopped to his feet. The crew fell silent and gave their full attention to their surrogate leader. Rammus looked down at all of them from the top of the stairs, a piece of paper in one hand, his gaze serious.
“The vote’s unanimous. Fire up the engine and throw the lines. Our next stop is New Zealand.” He balled up the paper and hurled it overboard—well tried to. The steady wind knocked it onto the deck by Scully’s feet, just shy of the railing. Scully gave it a kick and sent it out of sight.
Jacobi broke into a relieved grin.
Sam said, “C’mon, blockhead, let’s go organize the next shipment.” He and the rest of the cargo pushers headed for the stern as a group, all of them taking a turn to slap Jacobi on the back. He slapped them back individually.
Ed and Ted ran up to him from behind and each grabbed an ass cheek, making him jump and cry in alarm.
“I’m not the only one!” Sauna cried triumphantly, pumping a fist in the air.
Jacobi tried to glare at them but he was too busy smiling. “You two are a riot.”
“You bet!” Ed said. He, Ted, and Sauna took the first hatch down to the engine room.
Mido kissed Jessie on the lips then, holding his broken ribs, jogged up to Jacobi and firmly punched him in the side.
Jacobi flinched and grabbed his side. “Hey, man. How’s your ribs? And sorry about that. It was kind of reflexive.”
“They’ll heal,” Mido said offhandedly, “but you’re getting nothing but knuckle sandwiches for a week.”
“I’ll just have to chase ‘em down with every last digestion pill in the med kid. Hope Cancer won’t mind.”
“Bon appétit,” Scully said.
“See you in the galley around lunch.” Mido playfully punched Jacobi one more time, then doubled back to Jessie and leaned beside her on the railing. He threaded a hand in hers, looking completely content.
She glanced at the cargo pushers walking together and chatting animatedly. “How are you all so casual all of the sudden?”
“What do you mean?”
“We just had a very serious discussion and now you’re all acting like it never happened.” She was still trying to figure out how she would handle things if she and Jacobi crossed paths one on one again.
“I dunno. Maybe it’s a guy thing.”
“Must be. I don’t get how you went back to being friends just like that.”
He shrugged. “It’s just easier that way.”
“Yeah, definitely a guy thing. I believe he’ll leave me alone, so long as nothing bad happens, and so long as Captain finds us soon.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll be keeping an eye on him for signs of stupid. We’ve all got your back, Jessie.” He gave her another kiss on the lips and let it linger.
“Get a room, you two!” came Rammus’s voice over the sound system, startling them apart and making Mido grab his ribs. They popped guilty grins, then waved at the wheelhouse and headed for the galley to prepare lunch.
However many days or weeks later, I finally woke up feeling more like my normal self. No more lustful haze. No more powerlessness to resist. Just me still in demon form, curled up in Amphitrite’s bed like a dog, alone.
So I had a crazy goddess who was madly in love with me, and had once again forced me into having sex with her. Just great. On top of that, I was more interested in her daughter, who was out of my league and beyond my reach. Just plain great. What was I supposed to do now?
Lifting my head, I scanned the room. Nothing but me and the water bed inside a domed room, its walls glowing with an orange-ish light emanating from a crevasse overhead. The room was warm and devoid of any other furniture. I uncurled and slinked off the bed, and padded towards the double doors, then paused. The floor was made of water dark enough to pose as a mirror. My reflection looked up at me, radiating injured pride. At least I looked like a bipedal water dragon that could kick ass. I flexed my arms, chest and abs, studying the bulk and raw power of so much muscle. I had a modest build in human form. I could lift heavy things, but my human strength was such a joke compared to a fifty foot ketos. I heaved my scaly shoulders with a sigh. My demon form was Amphitrite’s pompous mark all over me, sculpted body and everything. I hated it and myself even more for not being able to deny how intoxicating it was to feel this powerful. As much as I wanted to revert to human, I probably needed to stay this way so I could leave. I couldn’t count on Rhode to help me this time.
I pushed the doors open and headed for the pool leading to the exit. I remembered that much from my trip here. For half a second, I’d feared the doors might not yield and Amphitrite was secretly holding me captive, but the carved doors swung inward and I marched down the hall, all alone. No guards or other divine company. Just demon me and the bioluminescent fish swimming along the water veins in the walls and pillars. No clue what gods did while us mere mortals weren’t looking. Didn’t care. I didn’t want anything to do with any of them at the moment. For now I’d just suck up my curse, then visit Amphitrite in her cave sometime within the next few decades. Hopefully next time I’d keep my temper and bitterness to myself. That would be easier if she’d stop feeding me reasons to despise her.
Come to think of it, what was the point of a next time? This recent visit had been a disaster. I wasn’t any closer to lifting my curse or knowing how to lift. Did I have to say yes to her misplaced emotions or something? That was as appealing as making Jacobi and Jessie date each other. Sure, Amphitrite was gorgeous, but everything she did made me hate her, including her saving my life so long ago.
I’m sorry, but not everyone you love is going to love you back. It’s just the way life is.