Page 5 of Lured By the Siren

Then one day, off in the distance, a single storm cloud swirled, dark grey, with streaks of lightning that brightened the sky. The cloud grew and encircled the island, massive waves gathered and crashed against the rocks, destroying all the boats waiting to take the sailors back to Kafigda. Try as the sirens might, there isn’t a song that has ever been sung that can lessen the wrath of the storms.

We've learned to survive with what the ocean and the island provide. If any new ships become trapped in the swirling clouds, we work to save all we can, but as soon as they are safe on our shores, they're stuck.

No one can leave.

Ever.

Although many have tried, no sailor or siren has ever made it past the circle of rolling storm clouds alive.

As the years pass, some of us have created ways of coping with this bleak existence, like my half-sister. She has honed her songs and can lure virtually any sailor she wants into her bed. She is well versed in how to pleasure a man and how to demand pleasure in return. Katarina never gets bored of sharing her exploits and tips for how she uses her curves and siren’s voice to get men to do exactly what she wants.

One moon ago, a large royal vessel was lured into the storms. Katarina rescued a tall, striking dark-haired man with an air of confidence about him, just before the waves swallowed his ship. I doubt she even remembers any of the names of her many conquests, but with this one, I often find her sneaking him away into the forest late at night, and I only roll my eyes at her appetite.

I used to be like her,insatiable, but after years of bedding too many men to count, I began to crave connection, deeper conversations, and real feelings. None of the men are interested in anything that serious. While I still participate in the occasional celebration, I've sworn off routinely bedding men until I feel something more for one of them.

I sigh, focusing my attention back on the ship trapped within the tempest of the sea. “I wonder how many men will survive this time, if any at all.”

“Hopefully plenty,” she winks at me. “I could use another man to entertain me. That royal boy is getting rather predictable.”

“You’ve only had him for one moon, surely you aren’t sick of him already. There has to be more you can teach him.”

“Sis, I can teach him plenty, but it’s more that I want him toknowwhat I want and be ready to give it to me anytime I require,” Kat whines, before adding. “Why don’t you give him a try and see? You need to see what he's like." Of course, she brought up the same argument we've had for weeks, months, years really.

“I have no interest in teaching a new conquest what I prefer or becoming involved in any other schemes you are cooking up. I crave more from this life. Don’t you?” I am already exhausted by the turn this conversation was starting to take.

I can only have the same argument so many times before we talk in circles around each other, and suddenly, I start to believe that I am the unreasonable one.

“You’ve spent too much time believing the Elder’s stories. There will never be a happily ever after for us. We will never be like Aurelia. She was one in a million. You know that, and Florence putting all these ideas in your head about being just like her makes me worry about you, E.” She spoke softly, hervoice lined with a gentleness that I rarely saw, but also a tinge of pity.

Maybe I am being unreasonable.

Kat always brought up our mother during these talks. Aurelia was one of a kind. Fearless. Beautiful. Kind. Clever. Everything I wanted to be.

She was a member of the Elder council and worked so hard to rid our island of the storms encircling it. Aurelia was one of the lucky few sirens who found true love, the kind that sweeps you off your feet, and ballads were written about. She was so desperately in love with my father and he with her, that when she died giving birth to me, he sailed out into the waves, losing himself to the storm.

He could not stand the thought of living without her. Even my birth couldn’t keep him in this world. I was left to be raised by one of the Elders, Florence. She always made sure to keep my mother’s memory alive by sharing stories of Aurelia, and as much as I love her for it, my mother can never be replaced in my heart.

“I will not lie with another stranger doomed to live out the same fate that I am. My heart cannot take it anymore. Besides, I am never able to lure men to my bed in the same way you are.” I jest, trying to keep the conversation light.

I am in no mood to dive deep into all the reasons why I can never feel fulfilled by this life. It is too early in the day for that kind of talk.

“Speaking of, if that royal boy is getting so predictable, why not hand him over to the rest of the girls?” I say, desperate to change the subject. “Maybe it’s time for him to find someone new, and you too.”

My sister has a vicious appetite that never seems to be sated. Being a siren came with its perks, including being completely irresistible to any man she chose to pursue.

"Evie, I'm still having fun! You should try it again sometime. Ihighlyrecommend it." She wiggles her brows at me. "There's just something about a royal I can't resist. They're so broody."

Kat looks off into the distance, and we watch lightning strike the ship, sparks flying. "They're always looking for ways to be of service. Trust me, E, once you've had a royal man on his knees for you, you will be singing a very different tune." She laughs and dives into the gentle waves.

3

Evelyn

My heart aches as I stare off at the impending wreck, and I rub my hand on my chest at the very thought of watching another man gasp his final breath beneath the sea, all because we couldn’t get there in time. I would love nothing more than to rescue another group of sailors from certain death, but I can’t bear to be there if we are too late.

I watch my siren sisters stay just beyond the angry white peaked sea, waiting to see if the ship will make it or inevitably need their help. To the untrained eye, they simply look like shimmering reflections on the water thanks to their scales.

A clap of thunder echoes across the sea and I jump, startling myself and turning from the harrowing scene, deciding my time is better spent preparing medical supplies for a new batch of men who will be resigned to this fate they didn’t choose.

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