A devils truth

Noah’s breath trembled as the merman stared at him, holding out the fish. It didn’t feel real.

This thing—this creature—couldn’t be good.

What if the book was right? What if it was a devil?

His fingers clenched around the salt pouch in his pocket. He had to act fast.

Before he could stop himself, Noah threw the salt.

The grains scattered across the merman’s chest and face.

A piercing scream tore through the night.

The merman flinched, its body convulsing as smoke rose from where the salt touched its skin.

Noah’s heart pounded as he watched in horror.

It was hurting him.

The merman thrashed, gripping its chest in agony. Its glowing blue eyes burned with betrayal.

Then, with a final cry of pain, it dove into the ocean, disappearing beneath the waves.

Silence.

Noah’s hands shook. His breath came in sharp gasps. Had he done the right thing?

Then—the wind changed.

The sky darkened.

The sea, once calm, began to churn violently.

Thunder rumbled. A storm was rising—and it was rising fast.

Noah grabbed onto the sides of his boat as the waves grew rough, rocking him back and forth. It wasn’t natural.

Something was coming.

And then—he saw him.

A dark silhouette emerged from the waves.

Before Noah could react, the merman leaped onto the boat.

But this time…

He was different.

His tail was gone.

Instead, long, powerful legs stood before Noah, dripping with seawater.

His hair, once slick from the ocean, now flowed in damp, wild waves over his broad shoulders.

He was stunning.

Taller than Noah. Lean, yet strong. Otherworldly.

The merman’s blue eyes glowed under the stormy sky, but they weren’t filled with pain anymore.

They were filled with something else.

Noah couldn’t move.

He had angered something far beyond his understanding.

And now, standing before him in human form, the merman’s lips curled into a dangerous, knowing smile.

“You shouldn’t have done that, little fisherman.”

Noah’s breath caught in his throat as the merman stepped closer.

His heart pounded like a drum, his body frozen in place.

Then—he moved.

Noah stumbled back, his legs giving out as he collapsed onto the wooden floor of his boat.

He scrambled, trying to push himself away, but the merman was too fast.

A firm, wet hand grabbed his ankle, stopping him in place.

Noah’s breath hitched.

The merman slowly lifted his foot and, to Noah’s utter shock, pressed a soft kiss against it.

His lips were warm. Silky. Far too gentle for a creature that had just summoned a storm.

Noah shivered.

“W-What are you doing?” His voice was barely a whisper.

The merman didn’t answer.

Instead, he let go of Noah’s foot and crawled forward, his body towering over him.

Noah felt the boat tilt under their weight. The sea raged around them, but all he could focus on was the man—no, the creature—above him.

Then, he felt it.

The first press of the merman’s lips against his neck.

A sharp inhale left Noah’s lips as the merman bit down, sucking softly.

His entire body tensed.

Not out of fear—but out of something else.

The merman’s mouth moved to another spot. Another bite. Another mark.

Noah shuddered beneath him. It felt too good. Too wrong. Too much.

Then—it happened.

A warm glow surrounded them.

Noah’s eyes widened as the air around him filled with colors.

Red. Black. A deep, glowing blue.

And then—words appeared in front of him, floating in the air like magic.

MATCH FOUND.

Noah’s blood ran cold.

His hands trembled as he looked at the glowing letters.

No. No, no, no—this wasn’t happening.

The merman pulled back slightly, his glowing eyes gazing down at Noah with something possessive.

Something final.

Noah swallowed hard.

He was claimed.

And there was no escaping it.

“Stop!” Noah gasped, pressing his hands against the merman’s chest. “Please… just stop.”

The merman froze.

For a moment, he didn’t move.

Then, slowly, he pulled away, his piercing blue eyes watching Noah carefully.

Noah gulped, his skin tingling where the merman’s lips had been. He wasn’t used to this. He wasn’t used to being touched like that—claimed like that.

His voice was shaky, but he forced himself to ask, “What… what are you? Are you a devil?”

A slow, dark smile spread across the merman’s lips.

“Yes.”

Noah’s stomach twisted. His body stiffened, his fingers curling into the damp wood of the boat.

It was true. The book was right.

Noah sucked in a breath. “T-Then… why me?”

The merman tilted his head, his long, dark hair falling over his shoulder as he studied Noah like prey.

“You called me a devil,” he murmured, his voice deep and smooth, “but what you did was not so kind either, little fisherman.”

Noah’s throat went dry.

He knew what he meant.

The salt.

He had thrown it without thinking. He had watched the pain twist across the merman’s beautiful face, watched him scream in agony.

And yet… here he was. Still wanting him. Still marking him.

Noah felt his chest tighten.

Was he really the cruel one here?

The merman’s fingers brushed against Noah’s cheek, a touch so soft it sent shivers down his spine.

His lips parted, and in a voice as deep as the sea itself, he whispered—

“You are mine now.”

To be continued

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