Page 40 of Unbound By Shadows
The Harpy shrugged. Then nodded. Shrugged again, then began to trace swirls into the ground with her talons. She nodded a second time.
Sam bristled. He should have known that a Harpy would covet a song. Especially a song from a stranger that she hadn’t heard before. His patience was nearly at an end.
“Pydiana, what sort of song?” Selene asked.
The pupils inside Pydiana’s orange irises widened. “One that speaks my name.” She flicked her tail. “So that I may steal it. To sing for my queen.”
Sam’s unease grew. What song could a human know that speaks the name of Pydiana? Sam knew how powerful songs were to Harpies. They sang to heal, to sound an alarm, to share news, or even to call forth a storm. But they were also very particular about their songs. And quick to rage if they heard something they didn’t like.
Certain that Selene was in over her head, Sam took a step closer. He was pleased at how well he was controlling his urges, but this game had to stop. He would show Selene how merciful he could be by giving Pydiana a quick death.
Selene’s features shifted from worry to triumph, making himpause. “Ah! I know just the song. Is there anything special I have to do besides sing it?”
Pydiana shook her head. Selene glanced at Sam and flashed him a grin that made him feel even more baffled than he already was. He didn’t think humans possessed magic, but Selene clearly had a solution she believed in. Was she about to cast a spell? Murmur an incantation?
Selene drew a deep breath, then sang the words,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday, dear Pydiana,
Happy birthday to you.
It was a short song with a simple melody. Sam was sure Pydiana would reject it. His palms began to sweat around the handles of his knives, yet the Harpy didn’t shriek or attack. Her face shifted into an expression of wonder. Tears filled her big eyes, and she stretched her arms out to flap her wings joyfully. Pydiana sang the song back with Selene’s encouragement. Despite her horrific screeching, the Harpy had a beautiful singing voice.
Sam’s fingers uncurled from his knives. It seemed more like Selene was offering Pydiana a gift rather than having something stolen. Yet it appeared Pydiana’s demands had been met. Her whole body seemed to uncoil with released tension, and even her skin tone morphed from dull blue to vibrant teal.
Crossing his arms over his chest, Sam felt utterly lost. How had Selene charmed such a detestable Harpy? After singing back Selene’s song for a third time, Pydiana sighed with pleasure. With a soft hoot, she looked to Selene, then Sam. Her eyes glowed as her lips stretched into a disturbingly odd smile. Sam tensed with awareness that the whole song stealing story could be a diversion.
But Pydiana only dropped into a deep bow. Then she stepped aside to extend one wing out toward the village ahead. Her voice was strong as she said, “Lady. Companion of the Lady, I bid you welcome to Iriswood.”
Chapter 17
The moment Selene swept past Pydiana, the Harpy let out a celebratory whoop. Selene looked back and saw her shooting up into a blue sky. The ominous clouds that had rumbled down at them were now gone.
Selene felt a mixture of happiness and relief. She couldn’t hold back a smile as they passed under the stone archway that announced their official entry into Iriswood.
Mission accomplished.
Sam, on the other hand, didn’t seem to feel so enthusiastic. He was looking at her like she was an alien.
Selene ignored him at first, but then asked, “What?”
“How did you do it?”
“Do what?”
“You just… ” The corners of his mouth tightened as he trailed off.
They walked in silence for several moments until Sam said, “I asked you to follow my lead on this journey.”
“And?”
“That was all I asked, and what did you do?”
“Got us into Iriswood,” she quipped. She hadn’t realized howmany tricks she had picked up from breaking up fights between her parents—staying calm, practicing empathy, asking questions. Yet, instead of the fight ending in slammed doors or broken dishes, her efforts had actually diffused the situation this time. It felt quite satisfying.
