Page 24 of Lured By the Siren

“We still have things to discuss, young lady. You’re not getting out of telling me all about what happened with that boy.” Florence jokingly scolds, “Walk with me.”

“Yes, Flo,” I say, bowing to the other three Elders, looking each one in the eye as I do. Their gazes always send a shiver through me. They are the most powerful sirens ever to exist. They were the reason Kafidga is what it is today—a paradise. Ifonly they could use their gifts to eliminate the storms, then we could be free to come and go from our home as we please.

Florence leads the way out of the cottage, and we head out towards the water. “You must be starving, seeing as you disappeared for almost two full days and didn’t take any food with you,” she teases.

“I did take some supplies, but I definitely didn’t expect to be gone for so long.”

“Tell me, dear, what happened?”

“Well, I just couldn’t see another man lost to the storms, so I decided I could still be helpful if I gathered medicine and other supplies for any injured men that the sisters might save. I went to the cove on the other side of the island for the jindera flowers when I spotted him out in the distance. Florence, I can’t explain it. I felt this pull towards him, like I needed to save him.” I pause and check her expression. She just watches me with that loving, motherly expression she always had. She had always been there for me, no matter what. I could tell her anything and everything, and she would comfort me.

“I was able to pull him ashore, but he was bleeding from several wounds, and I had to sing in order to heal him. We were both exhausted and ended up staying the night on the other side of the island until he was well enough to make the trip here.”

“I’m so sorry, Eve, I know how you feel about new arrivals. How did he take the news?”

I chuckle slightly at the memory of our conversation on the beach. Was that really only a few hours ago?

“Surprisingly well. Kai mentioned that he’s searching for his brother, a royal who’s ship was lost at sea one moon ago. I’m hoping it’s that boy that’s been following Katerina around, but I can’t be sure. I need to talk to her. Where is she?”

“Right here, sis!” Katerina calls from behind me. I spin to see her dripping wet from time spent in the sea, and she’s notalone—a dark-haired man trails behind her, the one who’s been following her around like a guppy. I narrow my eyes at him, studying his features. His hair is so dark it could almost be black, and his eyes are a light brown, but as the dying afternoon sun hits them, they seem almost to shift green. Could this be Kai’s lost brother?

“There you are, Kat. I need to talk to you.”

“I’m sure you do,” she winks. “So, where’s Wonder Boy?”

Florence gives me a knowing look and quirks an eyebrow. I groan internally, knowing I will have to confess my full feelings for Kai before things go too far.

“Wonder Boy has a name, and it’s Kai,” I emphasize, hoping for some spark of recognition from Katarina’s latest conquest, but he’s too busy nuzzling her neck to be paying attention. “He’s asleep in the men’s hut. It’s been a long few days for him, and I wanted to let him rest.”

Katerina smirks at me, leaning into the man’s advances, and I roll my eyes. I want to catch her up on everything that has happened since she met Kai only early this morning, but now, in front of Florence, is not the time.

“Well, it’s too bad everyone hasn’t gotten to meet him yet. He’s quite the catch, sis. I’ll see you at the gathering in the morning. Always a pleasure, Florence.” Kat says while turning back towards the dark-haired man. She sweeps her fingers across his chest before grabbing his hand and pulling him towards her hut.

Florence coughs beside me, shaking me from my thoughts, “So this boy. What’s the real story?”

“I…I’m honestly not sure,” I say, because this bond I feel with him is still a mystery to me. “When I brought him to shore, I felt this instant connection and a deep need to protect him. The hours I spent nursing him back to health, I felt a spark growingbetween us. I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve never felt this way before. He’s awakened something inside me.”

Florence smiles lightly at me.

“He’s kind and caring. He’s gentle and..” I trail off, looking Florence in the eyes, waiting for her reaction.

“And handsome,” she laughs, her eyes alight with happiness.

I smile at her, feeling joy and excitement spread through me for the first time in ages. Maybe this island could feel less like a prison with Kai around. Maybe having someone to share this life with was all I needed.

“I’m so very happy for you, my dear.” Her smile falters slightly, and I feel a wave of uneasiness come over me. “But make sure you are following the rules. He must participate in the cleansing ceremony as soon as he wakes in the morning, and you must introduce him to the rest of the village. It would benefit you both to spend time with the others.”

I try to hide my frown of disappointment as I say, “Yes, Flo, I know. We will be at tomorrow’s ceremony, I swear it.”

11

Kai

Imight be the luckiest man alive. I finally understand why sirens are rumored to lure men to their watery graves, because I feel like I would go to the ends of the earth for Evie. Her presence is so enchanting, it’s magnetic, pulling me to her, and even if I could resist it, I wouldn’t want to.

I’m drawn to her in a way that can’t be explained. It’s not a need or even a want, it’s as if my soul would be ripped from my body if I don’t have her.

In a single day, she has become a necessity, something I can’t live without. So, in a way, I guess the stories of sirens luring men to their deaths could be true. If any other man felt the way I wasnow, they would most certainly follow a siren beneath the waves with no thought for their own lives.

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