Page 32 of Lured By the Siren

The strange, ever-present storms, the fact that no one can leave, and whatever that Elixir I drank was…it all wasn’t sitting right with me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was all a part of some calculated scheme, that someone was doing all this and keeping these sirens and men trapped here.

My mind seemed to clear even more from whatever fog had spread over it, and the thought of the men had me remembering them all lined up on the beach beside me. Suddenly, an image sprang clear as day into my vision—the ring.

How could I have forgotten it? My brother…I was here to find my brother. What had that cleansing Elixir done to me? I would recognize that signet ring anywhere. Dru was alive, and he had been standing right beside me only this morning.

I turn and sprint back around the edge of the island, over fallen trees, through brush, and around rocky cliffs. There is only one thing on my mind, Dru. I have to get to him, but then my mind catches up with my racing heart, and I realize that even when I find him, neither one of us can leave this place. Our father would die without either of his heirs to take over his dynasty.

Dru was fine and safe on this island for now. He wasn’t going anywhere, so what I really need to do is figure out what was going on here and how to change it. There must be a way to get off this island and through those storms.

My mind was decided, I would find a way for not only myself, but Evelyn and the other men to get off this island, even if I died trying.

14

Evelyn

Ican’t believe this is happening. Less than a week ago, I didn’t have a single care in the world outside of exploring the island and the waves just off the shore, loving my sister, and keeping the Elders happy.

How did things get so complicated so quickly?

Now, I was crying over a man I hardly knew, but who fully held the key to my heart.

Letting the tears stream down my cheeks, I set a determined pace towards the beach where I told Mathius we would meet. Even if I didn’t know how to get Kai off this island, I was going to get some answers about why he forgot his brother and whathappened to all those men who used to care so much about leaving this place. If anyone remembered, it would be the one who outlived them all.

Keeping my pace to the beach, I crash into Katarina as she makes her way out of the Elder's hut. Suspicion roils in my gut. What was she doing there?

Pull it together, Evelyn; this is your sister.

I just need to ask her for the truth about the Elixir. She would never lie to me.

“Kat, why were you with the Elders?” I ask with more accusation than I intend.

“I was just visiting with Florence. I want to make sure everything is absolutely perfect for the celebration tonight,” she says gleefully, “It’s not every day we get new sailors on our shores, and it has been so long since I’ve seen you take an interest in our traditions. I want to make sure everything is perfect.”

She stares intently at me, looking for me to share in her excitement. I want so desperately to feel that everything is normal, but I know in my heart that there is something they’re not telling me. But I’ve also never asked, so maybe they’re not hiding anything, perhaps I’ve just never cared.

How could I be so stupid?

Katarina and I have always been close, even though she’s my half sister, we grew up together. She knew our mother and loved her fiercely. She kept Aurelia’s memory alive for me during our childhood. She taught me how to use my magic and my first siren’s song. Florence raised me and will always feel like a mother to me, but Katarina was the guiding presence I always needed.

Over the years, when she grew more beautiful with each passing day and caught the eye of the men in our village, I couldfeel her slipping away, becoming the woman she was always destined to be.

She would make a fierce Elder if ever permitted. She was loyal and kind, confident and flirtatious. She was fair and hardworking, but always knew how to have fun. Her laugh was infectious, and being around her felt like catching a falling star—pure magic.

I loved her even as we grew apart. Where I stay in the background, keeping to myself and letting my passions veer towards daydreaming about leaving this place one day. She has always been so confident, the center of everyone’s world, and never shy to tell me about all her conquests.

So why was I holding back? I should just ask her.

I draw in a breath to steel my nerves and finally ask, “Kat, did you know that when the men drink the Elder Elixir, they lose their memories? After Kai took the Elixir, he seemed to shift into someone completely new.” I pace, “We went for a swim, and when I asked about his brother—you remember, the one he was sailing out to his death for. He said, ‘Who? What brother?’ He didn’t even remember he had a brother.”

I stop my pacing and turn towards Kat, hoping she’s just as confused as I am, or thinking she might be looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. But she looks like she’s doing everything she can not to laugh.

“Kat…what is going on? What’s so funny?” I try to keep my irritation in check, but everything feels like it’s unraveling in front of me, and I’m the only one who’s not in on the joke. I’ve buried my head in the sand for so long, but the time for that has passed.

I want answers.

“Eve, of course the Elder flower changes them. What do you think we’re doing at the ceremony? How do you think we’ve been able to keep these men alive for so long? Don’t you noticethat none of them die anymore? They no longer build those silly boats. They don’t age as quickly. Look at Mathius, he’s centuries old. Did you not notice any of this?” Katarina sweeps her hands out wide.

“Well…no,” I whisper, feeling incredibly foolish. “I guess, I remember years ago when I used to help the sailors build their ships and tried to help them out past the storm. But I thought they were just worn down from seeing their friend's parish, and that’s why they gave up.”

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