Page 33 of Lured By the Siren

Exasperated, Kat sighs and grasps my shoulders. “Sis, the men were dying. Good men, who got caught in a horrible storm and shipwrecked on our shores, but what is worse? Sailing to your death or living your life here in paradise.”

I bite back what I really want to say—a paradise for whom? And instead, relent, “Okay, but what does that have to do with the Elixir?”

“Long ago, the Elders and others got together to work on a solution. A way to stop these men from sacrificing themselves for false hope, a dream that would never come true. They created a potion, the Elixir, that would give them some of our gifts. The ability to breathe underwater for one. So they could live and thrive here. We thought if they could do that, then maybe they would be happier with their life here and want to stay. But there were some…unforeseen side effects.”

“What kind of side effects?”

“Well, memory loss for one. People were dying, E. And I know you were only working to get them back to their lives, but we had to do something. It’s been like this for years, and I’m sorry you didn’t realize it, but you’ve had your head in those mountains and caves for so long. I really didn’t think you would care.”

She was right. I’ve been lost in my own world for so long, staying away from all this, that I had no idea what was going onright in front of me. I am a fool. “Well, I care now, Kat. I care about Kai, and I’m worried about him. I don’t want him to get so lost in this place that he forgets who he is and who his brother is. As much as I love spending time with him, the guilt would eat me alive.”

“Eve, I understand.. I really do, but it’s what’s best for all of us. Why don’t you go talk to Florence? Tell her how you feel. She can explain all of this better than I can.” She cups the side of my face, wiping away a stray tear that’s rolled down my cheek. “And Eve, I’m so glad you finally found someone, but be careful. Your heart is a precious thing. Guard it well.”

“Thank you, Katerina. I don’t know what I would do without you.” I pull her into a tight hug, feeling a weight lifting off my shoulders and my mind whirling at what to do next.

“I don’t either,” she laughs lightly. “But I have a date with a tall, dark, and handsome man and a celebration to prepare for. I will see you tonight, sis.”

She walks away, swaying her hips and humming our mother’s favorite song. I take a few deep, steadying breaths. I need to talk to Florence and figure out what all of this means. Does the memory loss that the Elixir causes last forever? I hope not.

I will go talk with Florence right after I find Mathius, who is still waiting for me at the beach, but as I walk past the Elder’s hut, I overhear my name.

“Evelyn can’t know what the Elixir is actually for.”

“Of course not, do you think I’m an idiot?”

I gasp and fly backwards, shocked by hearing Florence and Yvette speaking about me. I lean towards the door to see if I can hear more.

“It’s best if she never knows what the storm can do. And how it was made. Florence, you know her, better than any of us and she has never wanted anything more than to leave this place andnow with this Kai running out sucking her into a trance, she will become more determined than ever to help him leave. She. Can. Not. Know.” Yvette bites out, emphasizing every word.

“I swear on the Elder Creed that she will never find out what really happened to her mother or how to leave this island,” Florence says, exhaustion coating her words. “She has no idea how cruel the world can be, and if I can protect her, I swear on all my songs I will.”

My mind reels, and I stumble backward. My breath comes in short bursts, and I grapple with the gravity of what I just heard. There are too many things, too many secrets, and hidden truths. What really happened to my mother? What are they saying? There’s a way off Kafigda?

Gods, there is a way off the island. How could they keep something like that from me, from all of us?

I can’t pull in a full breath, and the edges of my vision start to darken. What is happening? I now suddenly have so many more questions than answers. I can feel my heart cleaving in two at the thought of a woman I love so fiercely keeping something like this from me. Florence has been the closest thing I have ever had to a mother, and yet, she’s been keeping the thing I desire most from me. Freedom.

Not to mention Yvette, she promised to lead and protect all of us sirens. How could she keep this from everyone? Squeezing my eyes shut, I try to steady my racing thoughts.

Just then, the door to the hut creaks open, and Florence steps out onto the sand, glancing around as if looking for someone. Her eyes land directly on me with my flushed cheeks and shaking frame.

“Evie, my dear, what is the matter? You look as if you’re going to faint, child.” She gently places her hands on my shoulders, and her touch makes me want to scream.

“I’m fine, Florence,” I say, wishing desperately to wiggle out from under her grip. “Kai and I just rushed down from the caves. We wanted to make sure we didn’t miss the ceremony.” I give her a half smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes.

“Okay, well, the ceremony doesn’t start for a little bit, so why don’t you and Kai go relax beforehand? There’s nothing you need to worry about. Where is he?” She looks around pointedly.

“He went to freshen up,” I say nervously. After what I just heard, I can’t afford to ask her about the Elixir or tell her about my fight with Kai. “But that sounds like a perfect idea. I will go look for him and get him prepped for the ceremony. Wouldn’t want to miss it.”

“You two seem awfully smitten. It warms my heart to see you so happy, my dear. You deserve the world. And I know Aurelia would love to see you two together.”

My eyes begin to well with tears at the mention of my mother. The tidal wave of emotions I’ve been battling for the last few hours comes bubbling to the surface, clawing at the back of my throat. A sob retches free, and I fall into Florence’s embrace, as many unanswered questions as I have and secrets everyone seems to be keeping from me, I allow myself this moment. My life feels like it changed in the blink of an eye, and right now I need this small comfort.

Florence rubs circles on my back, not fully understanding where these tears are coming from, but she is as close to a mother as I’ve ever had, and sometimes, we don’t need words.

I lean out of her embrace and stare at the face of the woman who raised me. The woman who cared for me since before I could remember, who taught me to question the world and explore Kafigda, and yet I feel like there is so much she’s hiding from me.

“Thank you, Flo,” I wipe away the tears with the back of my hand. “I think I need to go find Kai and make sure everything is in order for tonight.”

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