The Siren

Chapter 3

He took a steadying breath, exhaling deeply. "I should have told you this years ago—when Carla was still alive." He winced as he breathed our birth mother's name. "But she wanted to wait until you both were older and I agreed to honor that. When she died—" Here he broke off, eyes misting over as he struggled to control his emotions.

I was motionless in the water, barely breathing. Drew's hand was gripping mine, his eyes wide and face pale; Mom was trembling, tears brimming in her eyes; Dad held Mom's hand tightly, his eyes locked on Jacob (even now, I couldn't stomach starting to call him Dad).

After a few minutes, he continued, gaze darting between the four of us. "When we had just started dating, we were happy. Your mother had recently gotten a new job and I was working at what is now the Bronze Mermaid. We saw each other whenever we could, enjoyed every minute. But one day—I was waiting outside the restaurant to take Carla to dinner as a surprise—she burst out into the open water, face red and blotchy with tears. She was trembling, but didn't say a word."

I hadn't so much as moved since he'd started speaking—barely dared to breathe. I snuck a glance at Drew—his face was stone, mouth a firm line, eyes locked on Jacob. The latter's eyes were pleading as he looked between Drew and me.

"I asked her what was wrong once—the look in her eyes stopped me from asking any more questions. Her gaze was blank, yet haunted. When we got back to my house—I'd moved out into my own place about a year earlier—she finally spoke. 'All these years, she lied to me. She kept the truth from me. Kept my true birthright from me.' Her voice was flat. I didn't say a word, just moved closer, gently taking her hand."

He paused again, steadying himself. "Apparently she'd received a note at work the day before—unsigned and unaddressed, yet somehow she knew it was for her. When she opened the note, it was only a single word. Siren."

I faltered, gripping Drew's hand to steady myself. His eyes snapped to mine, filled with concern and worry. I swallowed hard, shaking my head. Jacob's eyes lingered on mine before he glanced away, continuing.

"She said that she'd confronted her mother about the note. Her reaction was similar to what I imagine yours was, Faye. Her mother finally told her the truth—after 16 long years. She'd known about Sirens when she was growing up, but had never encountered any. Apparently, she and her mother were descendants of the Sirens—mermaids with enchanting, haunting voices. Their voices had the power to enchant, mystify—even hypnotize."

He rubbed a hand down his face. "Her great-great grandmother was one of the first Sirens to date. It was said that she sang simply because she enjoyed it—not knowing what she was capable of. Slowly, she began to draw crowds, all aching to hear the mermaid with the 'hauntingly beautiful' voice. It wasn't until one day a merman approached her, complimenting her beautiful voice."

I was almost shaking—no, I was shaking. But I couldn't tear my gaze away from his, the pure pain and agony in his eyes. Tears filled my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

With a shuddering sigh, he continued, his hands shaking as he spoke. "That merman was my great-grandfather. He'd heard about the 'mysterious mermaid with the haunting voice' and wanted to see her for himself. He brought her to his house, then bade her to sing day and night—with little rest in between. It was an old lullaby that her mother used to sing to her."

As the words left his mouth, the dam broke. Tears flowed down my cheeks, blurring my vision and making my chest hitch. Somehow, whether it was muscle memory or something completely different, I knew the words before he'd even voiced them.

I mouthed along with him, silent sobs wracking my body. "'Sister Sirens, we call to thee. Join us now, cross the seas. Heed our call, be the voice. Take the vow; make the choice.'" I covered my mouth with my hand to try to muffle the sobs, but it was no use.

Was that the reason for Mom's death? Because whoever had killed her had known she was a descendant of the Sirens, and had wanted that power for themselves? Drew wrapped his arms around me; I clung to him, unable to voice the thoughts swirling around inside me. Mom and Dad came up behind me, both of them placing a hand on my shoulders.

Jacob swiped at his eyes, taking a shuddering breath. "I'm so sorry, Faye. Drew." He locked eyes with me, then my brother, apology shining in them. "I should have told you sooner." His next words were addressed to Mom and Dad. "I completely understand if you never want to see me again. I know I've done some truly horrible things and no apology could ever atone for them, but I felt like it was past time they knew the truth."

I was moving before he even finished speaking. Mom said something, but I didn't hear her. "I'm fine," I heard myself say, the hollowness in my voice clear. "I just—I'll be back soon."

I could feel Drew's eyes on me, his gaze like a brand, but I didn't stop. My hands, clenched into fists at my sides, were trembling as I sped out of our suite. I knew that if I stopped, if I slowed for even a heartbeat, I'd completely unravel. I emerged into the open water, feeling numb. I had no real destination in mind—just swam until my lungs begged for water, until I finally stopped trembling.

When I finally slowed down, allowed myself to take a deep breath for the first time in what felt like hours, I felt... tired. A few tears leaked down my cheeks—the calm before the storm. Everything—the rage, the shock, the horror, the sadness, the grief—was unleashed as I opened my mouth, took a deep breath, and screamed.

The scream ended in a broken sob as I sank to the ground, covering my face as I cried. I don't know how long I stayed there, head bowed and body shuddering, but I flinched when I felt the hand settle on my shoulder. "Faye?" The voice was soft—concerned.

I glanced up at my brother, his face blurry thanks to the tears in my eyes. His eyes softened at my expression, the pain and grief reflected in his own. I had barely enough strength to rise off the ground and wrap my arms around him before I went limp. He never said a word as I cried, something inside me—something that had healed completely when Mom and Dad had adopted us—breaking anew.

I wasn't angry at our birth mother—how could I be angry at someone I hardly remembered? I wasn't angry at Jacob. I wasn't angry at Mom or Dad. I wasn't angry at anyone, I realized. No—I was just tired.

Drew said, his voice muffled against my hair, "Mom and Dad are worried about you. Are you okay?"

I honestly didn't know how to answer that. Was I okay? I finally faced him, the shock and hollowness in his eyes mirroring my own. "I'm fine," I heard myself say, but it felt wrong to my ears. "I'm staying at Waverly's tonight. I'll tell Mom and Dad."

He kept sneaking glances at me as we swam back to the palace, but I didn't say a word. When we finally arrived back home, Mom and Dad were waiting outside the entrance. The latter's eyes were wide as he saw us. They zoomed towards us, scanning me. "Honey, are you okay?" Dad. "We were worried." Mom.

They both took one look at my face, the hollowness in my eyes, and immediately quieted. "I'm staying at Waverly's tonight. I'll see you tomorrow."

Without waiting for a response, I swam to my suite, my hands trembling violently. I hastily packed a bag, sniffling. I left through a back door, not wanting to see anyone. When I arrived at Waverly's, she took one look at my face and led me to her bedroom.

"Are you okay?" She asked when we were alone, her voice soft.

I shook my head, suddenly exhausted. "I honestly don't know." In a hushed voice, I relayed to her what had occurred in the last two hours.

She fell asleep quickly, but I laid awake, unable to do the same. Exhaustion finally dragged me under, tear streaks still on my cheeks.

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