Seal Team 6

By Rachel Dib

Waves lapped against the ship’s hull as we eased as close to the island’s rocky coast as we dared. Even with a full moon, I couldn’t see any of the island’s inhabitants—but I could hear them.

“It’s so beautiful,” someone sighed.

Swinging around, I found a sailor walking in a trance toward the railing. After noticing his ear coverings were askew, I lunged toward him, catching him before he could jump.

“No, please!” he begged. “I need to go to her!”

As I wrestled him to the deck, two more sailors rushed forward to help. Once they had restrained the young man, I slipped his ear coverings back into place. Though he calmed slightly with the song silenced, his gaze remained locked on the island.

I pointed to the stairs. “You’ll need to confine him below deck. He’ll be under the sirens’ influence for a few hours.”

Though they couldn’t hear me, the sailors seemed to understand, for they dragged their fellow seaman toward the stairwell.

I turned back to face the island.

“We should not have brought men with us.” Tinisch scowled, joining me beside the railing.

“We would’ve had a scant crew otherwise.”

“We can handle the mission on our own, Udomi.” She glanced over the sailors, her lip curled. “It’s not as if they can do anything to help.”

“Except keep the ship stationary while we’re out,” I reminded her.

She shrugged.

“Seal team!”

Tinisch and I turned to see our team leader, Camoira, clutching a large chest.

“Show time,” Tinisch muttered as we turned from the side of the boat to gather with the rest of our team.

As soon as the six of us were standing before Camoira, she opened the chest. She passed out our skins one by one, and we slipped them on.

My body tingled as the transformation completed, shifting me into my sea form. I glanced over my fellow selkies. To most, we looked like a bob of seals.

“Remember,” Camoira said, slipping into her own skin as we edged toward the plank, “The sirens are only our first hurdle. The fae kidnappers are holding the admiral’s daughter somewhere on that island. Do whatever it takes to bring her home.”

We didn’t need the reminder, but we nodded all the same before diving into the surf.

The cold water rushed over my body, jolting me awake as I joined my team swimming toward the rocky coast. In the dark, our gray bodies blended in with the water, promising little chance of us being spotted until we reached shore. Therefore, we could enjoy the swim despite the intensity of our mission.

I knew we were close when the sirens’ song was so loud it felt like nails raking down my spine.

“Steady!” Camoira’s voice echoed in our minds.

I glanced at our leader to see her gaze locked on Lucidia, the youngest in our group. She had broken formation and was floating backward.

“Block the sirens from your mind,” Camoira directed. “Focus on the ocean’s song.”

We watched as Lucidia continued floating away. She seemed to consider Camoira’s words for a moment before turning to swim back toward the ship.

“Does anyone wish to join her?” Camoira asked. We all held our position, and she continued leading us forward.

As we clambered up on shore, the rocks dug into my chest and belly. I heard a muffled cry and saw that a jagged point had sliced open Tinisch’s flipper.

“Change,” Camoira commanded. We reluctantly slipped out of our seal skins, retaking human forms.

“Tinisch, guard the skins. The rest of us will find the girl.”

Nodding, Tinisch began wrapping seaweed around her cut hand while the rest of us clustered together to head deeper into the island’s domain. The farther inland we trod, the more I relaxed as the sirens’ song faded, no longer grating on my nerves.

We found the fae camp in a thicket of trees. The cloaked figures sat around a small fire, joking and laughing while a small girl huddled in a wooden cage close behind them.

“Disgusting.” Camoira shook her head and looked at me. “Udomi, take Pryme and rescue the child. Flipsic and I will keep the fae…” She tilted her head, her gaze darkening. “Busy.”

Nodding, I met Pryme’s eye. The two of us began sneaking through the woods to the back of the camp.

To avoid frightening the child further, I let out a quiet breath as we drew close. When the child’s gaze found mine, I pressed a finger to my lips. She glanced at the laughing fae, then back to me, her eyes wide.

“It’ll be okay,” I mouthed. But from the way the child curled into herself, I could tell she didn’t believe me.

Suddenly, a scream pierced the air. Our signal. Ignoring the scuffle in the fae camp, Pryme and I lunged toward the cage. Though the wooden bars could restrain a child, they stood little chance against the sinewy muscles of two selkies.

While Pryme gathered the girl in her arms, I chanced a glance toward the fray to see all but one fae engaged in battle. That one met my eye and scowled.

“Quick, we have to go,” I warned.

We couldn’t retreat back the way we’d come, so I led my two companions deeper into the woods, using the ocean’s scent as my guide back to shore. Though enraged shouts followed, every so often I heard a pained cry as one of the fae felt Camoira or Flipsic’s wrath.

When I spotted the shore, I was surprised to see a group standing with Tinisch.

“Is all well?” I reached out to her.

She inclined her head. “Yes. Come over. When Lucidia returned, the ship’s captain sent help.”

When they saw us, the sailors took the child from Pryme’s arms, wrapped her in a blanket, and placed her in their boat.

Tinisch sighed as they pulled away from shore. “I guess they were useful after all.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachel Dib is a stay-at-home mom of three small children. After marrying a soldier, she left her home state of South Carolina to live in random places across the U.S. In her limited spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and playing board games. Her other published work can be found in online magazines.

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