Siren’s Song Read online

  “Sort of,” I confessed. “But first, I need you to tell me what happened tonight, okay? Can you do that?”

  She fixed those big green eyes on mine and my breath caught. Yes, she was beautiful, with or without the effect of her powers. “I bumped into Robbie earlier this evening.”

  “And?”

  “He immediately came on to me, saying the same kind of shit he said last time. That I was too beautiful, too perfect, that I was his life …” She inhaled deeply, calming herself. “Then it happened again at Jane’s house.”

  “Jane Sande?”

  “Yes, my mother and I used to be her neighbors. I ended up there tonight after the incident with Robbie. Jane saw me and invited me in. Before I knew it, I was agreeing to spend the night there. I was happy …” She smiled. “I hadn’t felt that good in a long time. Until Jane and I started dancing and singing.” Oh, shit. A siren’s powers were stronger when she sang. “Her father and brother invaded her bedroom and came on to me. I had no idea what was happening, but Mrs. Sande told me to get out. Then you found me.” She wiped unshed tears. “Can you explain all this craziness?”

  “I can,” I said, trying to sound calm and sure. I had to make her relax if she was to understand everything, to accept it. “Now, I need you to have a pretty open mind about this, okay? What I’m gonna tell you will sound a little crazy.”

  She raised an eyebrow at me. “You already sound crazy.”

  “I know, but please … try to take it all in.”

  She pulled the blanket tighter. “Just say it, Nathan.”

  “All right.” I frowned as I thought of the best way to say this. How did you tell someone they were a supernatural being? “Have you ever heard the stories the fishermen tell, about mermaids and other sea creatures?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Their favorite ones are about sirens, if I’m not mistaken.”

  “Exactly.” I paused, giving her a moment before I blurted out the words. “Brooke, you’re a siren.”

  Her mouth fell open, but I didn’t give her a chance to blink much less to say anything. I told her everything. I told her about nagas, the good ones who lived in Willow Harbor and the bad ones who came during summer solstice. I told her why they came. I told her how her mother got pregnant. I told her that her father was a naga. That her powers were activated that night she almost drowned Robbie by accident. That her mother moved them away so she wouldn’t be near the saltwater, where her powers were the strongest.

  “Now that you’re here in Willow Harbor again, near the ocean, your powers are stronger, and they are even stronger when you sing.”

  She shook her head, opened her mouth again, and started laughing. A big belly laugh. “Oh my gosh, and I thought you were all serious and stoic. Who knew you could joke?” I didn’t laugh. I didn’t say a thing. Slowly, her laugh turned into soft sobs. “You’re not joking.”

  It wasn’t a question, but I shook my head anyway. “I’m sorry.”

  The blanket fell to the grass as she shot to her feet. “But … it doesn’t make any sense. Mermaids, sirens, sea creatures … powers, magic, supernaturals … it’s all make believe. Fairy tales. Unreal.”

  “I promise you, it’s not.”

  “Let me guess, vampires and werewolves are real too.”

  Why were those the first two supernatural beings that came to everyone’s mind? I sighed. I hated telling other people’s secrets, but it was for a good cause.

  “You met Delpha today. She’s a sea creature. Remember Pierce? He’s a true shapeshifter. Claire and Mason from the bookstore?” Her eyes widened. “Yes, I know you stopped everywhere. Anyway, Claire is a panther shifter, and Mason is a vampire. Ida and her granddaughter are witches. Loran is also a supernatural. Even Mrs. Ackermann is a shifter. Want me to go on?”

  She took a couple of steps back. “That’s crazy.”

  “No, it’s not crazy. It’s the truth. Willow Harbor is like a safe haven for all kinds of supernatural beings.” I gestured to the tree beside us. “This tree is magical. It has some kind of power that protects the town and its residents. It hides the town from anyone who isn’t supposed to be here, who isn’t supposed to find it.”

  She glanced at the tree. “It always felt like this tree was much more than a simple tree,” she whispered. She was finally accepting my story. She turned narrowed eyes to me. “So you’re saying I’m a … a siren? Like an evil mermaid? With a tail and everything?”

  “That’s a fairy tale. Sirens aren’t mermaids. They can’t even breathe underwater. You can’t breathe underwater.”

  She shook her head, a doubtful smile on her lips. “And what would you be?”

  “I’m a hunter. People sometimes say demon hunter, but my group and I don’t hunt only demons.”

  She took another step. “So … you hunt what?”

  “Anything that doesn’t follow the town’s rules.”

  She retreated another foot. “Like sirens who can’t control their powers.”

  Shit, now she was afraid of me. “No, no … I mean, if the siren is doing it on purpose, then yes, we hunt her and do something about it, but your case is different. You didn’t know what you were. You had no way of controlling your powers.”

  She pressed her fingertips to her temple. “This is too much. Too crazy.” She shut her eyes for a minute, then fixed them on mine. “Let’s say I believe you, which I don’t. Then what? How do I control my powers?”

  “It’s hard and it’ll take you a long time to be able to control them. I asked a witch to make you an elixir to inhibit them for a while, but it’ll take a few days for the elixir to be ready.”

  “So, what am I supposed to do until then? Hide?”

  I frowned. “I know it sounds bad, but … maybe not hide, just lie low. I can come to you and take you places. I can keep you in check.”

  “And how are you able to resist my powers?”

  I pressed my lips tight. “At first, I wasn’t. But I noticed them, so I inflicted pain on myself so I would have something else to focus on.”

  She gasped. “You hurt yourself so you wouldn’t …”

  “It’s okay. I already had a wound. No big deal.”

  “No big deal? You’re having to inflict pain on yourself to keep from falling for my power!”

  I took three large steps and halted right in front of her. I grabbed her arms gently, and turned her to me. “Brooke, it’s okay. I was okay. I’m okay now. Anna gave me a potion that makes it easier for me to resist your powers.” Her eyes shone with new tears, and I thought she never looked more beautiful. Shit, perhaps the damn potion didn’t work that well. “It’s safe.”

  She stepped back. “No, it’s not safe. If all you’re saying it’s true, I’m a threat to anyone. To any man.” She gasped. “How will I—?” She cut herself short and shook her head. “This is crazy.”

  “I know it’s a lot to take in, but right now the best thing for you, and for everyone around you, is that you believe me.”

  “And stay away from everyone.”

  I grimaced. “You don’t need to stay away from everyone. You just need to—”

  “Stay away from everyone.”

  “—be careful. You just need to be careful.” I dreaded telling her the next part. “The other hunters and I agreed that one of us should stay with you at all times. This way things won’t get out of hand again.”

  “And won’t they be affected too?”

  “Not if they don’t get too close.”

  “Right.” She shook her head. “This is crazy,” she muttered.

  “All right, I think this is enough for now. You should rest.”

  She let out a hollow chuckle. “And where will a siren go and not be a threat to anyone?”

  My lips curled into a smirk. “I know a place.”

  Nine

  Brooke

  Nathan had offered to drive me to the inn, but I thought it would be best if I had my car with me. From the willow tree, he walked me to my car. After picking
up his, he drove by me. I followed him for a couple of blocks before we were in front of the Willow Harbor Inn.

  I sat behind the wheel of my car and stared out the window at the inn. Like everything else in town, it looked the same. An old and big inviting house with large windows and charming porches.

  Charming …

  I didn’t like this. I didn’t like any of this. I let my head fall, resting my forehead on the wheel. Holy crap … all the things Nathan had told me? It couldn’t be true. Mermaids, vampires, werewolves, hunters … sirens? That was all make believe.

  A knock on the window startled me, but it was only Nathan, waiting for me. I unlocked the doors and he slipped inside, taking the passenger seat.

  “I guess you remember the inn, right?”

  I nodded. Then I frowned. “Wait … how is this place safe?”

  “Because it’s run by a couple of gnomes that know about all the magic in Willow Harbor.”

  I gaped at him. “W-what?”

  I glanced at the building again. How hadn’t I known that? I always thought Mrs. and Mr. Finnygood were a couple who had dwarfism, not … gnomes.

  One more item to add to the this-is-crazy list.

  I closed my eyes for a minute. It didn’t matter. As far as I knew, this was the only place to stay in Willow Harbor.

  “You’re sure I’ll be safe here?” I asked, not even sure about what I was asking. It was not like I believed him, right? Because it didn’t make sense. How had I never known? How was I born and raised in this town and never realized it was full of supernaturals?

  “I promise,” he said, his dark eyes fixed on mine.

  The light coming from a lamppost outside the car cast a slight shine over half of his handsome face. Shadows emphasized the sharp angles of his chin and jaw on the other side. My fingers itched to touch him, to run over his hard lines and make sure the skin was smooth over those sharp edges. I felt drawn to him … probably almost the same way he was drawn to me, because of my power.

  I gulped, realizing that all the times he had stared at me, that I had imagined seeing something there, were probably because of my magic. I looked down at my palms. A magic I couldn’t feel, a magic I couldn’t control.

  A magic I didn’t want.

  He placed his fingers under my chin and made me look at him “Hey. What’s the matter?” His voice was gentle, with a touch of concern, and his eyes softened a little.

  My heart clenched. “I …” I didn’t know what to say. Why tell him about how lost I felt? How stupid and silly and clueless I was? I had come to Willow Harbor without thinking things through and ended up lost and alone. Now, after finding out this siren stuff, the mess only grew bigger. I couldn’t process it all. It was too much for my head. But this wasn’t his problem to deal with. I inhaled deeply and leaned toward the door, away from his touch. “It’s nothing.”

  I slipped my hand on the door handle.

  “Wait,” he said. Nathan exited my car and ran to the other side. He opened the door for me before I could. He offered me his hand.

  My cheek heated as I took it and let him help me out. “Thanks.”

  He squeezed my hand. “You’re welcome.” He let go and grabbed my duffel bag from the back seat. He slung the strap over his shoulders and looked at me. “Come on.”

  I followed him up the stairs. He opened the door and allowed me to go in first.

  Even though I had lived fifteen years of my life in Willow Harbor, I didn’t think I had ever entered the inn, and seeing it now, I was sure that I would have remembered it.

  The foyer was decorated with lots of wood and antiques and paintings. To the side, a huge fireplace was lit, the orange flames emanating a welcome warmth. High-back chairs flanked the fireplace, and in the corner, there was a table with a beautiful chessboard.

  “Mr. Knight,” a woman said from behind a tall mahogany desk. I gawked at her. I thought I had seen Mrs. Finnygood before, but now that I knew she was a gnome, it was like seeing her for the first time. Though she stood tall, her short arms and small hands and head pointed otherwise. She turned her round eyes to me and her wrinkled face opened up in a soft smile. “And you must be Brooke Ellis.”

  I glanced at Nathan. He shrugged. “I called on the way to make sure they had a room for you.”

  It seemed he always called before bringing me places.

  “We always have room for special guests, Mr. Knight,” Mrs. Finnygood said.

  I raised an eyebrow. Special guest? Had he told her I was a … a siren? I wasn’t sure I was okay with that. I mean, I wasn’t okay with knowing that myself. Not yet. Why would other people be?

  “I appreciated that, Mrs. Finnygood,” Nathan said, almost too formal. He took a wallet out of the back pocket of his pants. “You can charge me for—”

  That enraged me. “I can pay my own expenses,” I said.

  “We can talk about that later, Mr. Knight,” Mrs. Finnygood said. Her voice gained a hard tone whenever she talked to Nathan. She turned to me and her voice and expression softened. “My word, child, how are you feeling? I heard you’ve been through quite the ordeal this afternoon, poor thing. And finding out you’re a siren, that won’t do, will it?” She shook her head. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through. But don’t worry, child, I have a kettle on the fire and my special tea will make you feel better in no time.”

  I frowned. “Yes, um, thank you, Mrs. Finnygood. But … about the room. I can pay for my own expenses.” I opened my purse and picked up my wallet.

  Mrs. Finnygood shook her hand and waved me off. “You already have too much on your mind, child. Don’t worry about that now.” She glanced up the stairs past the entryway. “Oh, there you are. My dear husband, Chester, was getting a room ready for you.”

  The man—short like I imagined dwarves, or gnomes, would be—descended the stairs. Mr. Finnygood looked at his wife, at Nathan, and even at the floor, but not at me. I frowned.

  “Good evening, Mr. Finnygood,” Nathan said as the man approached.

  “Yes, yes, evening.” The man stopped in front of me. He looked into my eyes and bowed his head. “Welcome to the Willow Harbor Inn.” He handed me a heavy brass key with an attached paper tag. “I hope you enjoy your stay here.” Then he was gone. He scurried out of the room as if I could snap my fingers and break him.

  Mrs. Finnygood tsked. “I’m sorry about that. To be honest, we don’t know the effects of a siren on our kind. For precaution only, Chester will have minimal contact with you.” She tilted her head and the sympathy in her eyes was almost too much. “I hope you understand, child.”

  Understand? I thought it was rude and unnecessary, but after the events of this day, I didn’t know anymore. Maybe everyone should stay away from me, even women. Even Nathan. I looked at him and found him staring at me. I averted my eyes, remembering that all the staring and everything else I had seen in his eyes were a product of my magic, of the effect my magic had on him.

  I sighed.

  “I’ll bring out your tea and then I’ll escort you to your bedroom,” Mrs. Finnygood said.

  She disappeared behind the counter. Eyes bugged, I wondered if it was magic or some hidden door, but then I saw as she crossed through a door in the back. I frowned. She was as tall as Mr. Finnygood—up to my chest—but she had looked so much taller behind the counter. Hoping I didn’t look like a creep, I leaned over the counter and saw it. A large step stool.

  Nathan chuckled.

  I turned to him. “What?”

  He raised his palms up. “Nothing.” He fixed his gaze on me. His smile faded and his eyes grew serious. Deep. “Brooke, I—” He closed his mouth, cutting off his words.

  My heart skipped a beat. “Yes?”

  He didn’t say anything for a moment. He just looked at me before his brows dipped down, and he cleared his throat. “Um, I’m guessing by now most of the town know there’s a new girl around looking for her father, which means if the letter is true, your father might have already he
ard you’re here.”

  “What do you mean if the letter is true?”

  “I mean …” He paused. “It’s true, of course it is. I just want to ask you one thing.”

  I folded my arms, on the defensive. “What?”

  “If a man shows up saying he’s your father, please, don’t go anywhere with him and let me know right away.” He went to the desk and took the first page of a notepad. With the feather quill from beside Mrs. Finnygood’s big leather book, he wrote something on the paper and handed it to me. “If I’m not with you, call me. Please, promise you’ll call me.”

  I glanced at his number written on the paper. Why did it matter? I thought that after this mess with the siren magic was solved, after I started taking this potion that would inhibit my powers, I would be able to resume looking for my father. And I had this crazy idea Nathan would help me. Now he was telling me to not trust my father? He hadn’t said those exact words, but it sure as hell sounded like that.

  “I …” I shut my mouth. I couldn’t promise him something I wasn’t sure I would do.

  “Brooke?”

  “Here it is,” Mrs. Finnygood came back, walking fast for someone with such short legs. She carried a brass tray with a beautiful porcelain teapot, cup and saucer. “Your tea, child. Now, come with me. I’ll take you to your room, and you can have a nice, relaxing cup. You’ll feel better in no time, I’m sure.”

  She started on the stairs and I followed.

  “Brooke …”

  Her face guarded again, Mrs. Finnygood pivoted and faced Nathan. “Not you. Mr. Knight. You’re welcome to go. Good night.” She kept on marching up the stairs.

  I looked at Nathan. “T-thanks for everything you did for me today.” I quickly grabbed my bag from him and went up a couple of steps.

  He advanced a step up the stairs. “Wait, Brooke.”

  I retreated. “Good night, Nathan.”

  I hurried after Mrs. Finnygood and didn’t look back. The stairs opened to a long hallway with brown and gold wallpaper and thick rugs on bright wooden floors. She led me to the door at the end of the corridor. Number five.