The Sound of a Siren's Call

63.) We Don't All Die

The siren stared at us. I stared at her.

I hadn't realized that sirens lived on this island. All the information I had on the outside world was older than I was, which was filtered through my parents. The islands were supposed to be totally abandoned.

The creature in front of us proved that wrong.

"How many of you are there?"

She blinked at me. I had to wait for Castor to translate.

He was shivering. I hadn't thought how cold the water was. It didn't affect me in my siren form, but it would affect him. I wouldn't provide much warmth to him, either. If I got him killed before we got to Juniper, she'd hate me. I knew it. I didn't want her to hate me.

The siren started counting on her fingers, her face screwed up as though she was concentrating with all her brain power. Finally, she held up nine fingers. I took in a deep breath.

"Does that include Juniper?"

She shook her head. Nine sirens that weren't Juniper.

"What do you want?"

The new siren looked me dead in the eye and pointed to Castor.

No.

The siren flicked her tail lazily. She cocked her head.

I looked to Castor.

"You want to see your siren?"

I nodded. I couldn't read Castor's expression. I didn't want him to freeze to death in the water. Ideally, we'd be able to climb on shore and get a good fire going.

"Leave me—him here and come with me to see your siren."

Me and Castor stared at each other.

"You have to go."

"You'll be okay?"

Will he be safe?

The siren nodded. She was gorgeous. Why was I thinking that she was gorgeous? She probably wouldn't mind killing me. No, I wasn't allowed to think anything good about her.

"Okay." I flicked my fingers. I moved Castor under the ledge, where he hung on.

"Show the way."

The siren looked at Castor. His lips moved. I was likely making a mistake. I couldn't communicate with this girl. Why did I want to go off alone with her? I was making a mistake. I was making a mistake by going with the insanely attractive siren.

I looked at Castor one more time. He'd be okay. He'd be okay. He'd be okay.

I followed the siren, her spotted tail flipping in front of my face. It swished, up and down. My motions had always been more circular, of course, my tail was more slender than her shark's tail. Outside the whole of the cave, the siren grabbed my hand, tugging my along.

I would've been able to follow on my own, but I kind of liked the way her hand felt in mine. I pulled my hand out of hers, moving next to her. We swam about halfway around the island before she stopped in front of a hole, much deeper than the last hole.

We swam through, up to a long cavern. Sirens were scattered around on various rocks, seemingly engaged in some kind of banter.

All eyes were on me in an instant. I didn't want all eyes on me. I wanted all eyes specifically not on me. I scanned the cave.

Before I saw her, she was already hugging me, her arms wrapped around me.

I pulled away. "Juniper! Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Now you can help me go get Castor. Isn't that great?"

"I have Castor." I looked behind me. "Actually, she has Castor."

Juniper's eyes widened. "He's here?"

I nodded.

She blinked expectantly. "Lead the way."

She had been coming for Castor. Of course, she had. She'd found and island of tiger sirens, and was planning to come for him. I hadn't been needed at all.

I swallowed the feeling. I hadn't come to feel needed.

I turned, and there she was. The siren I'd first met came with us. When we were in the open again, she was there.

I turned to Juniper. She signed quickly and surely. I missed her signing. It was surer than Castor's and came with ease. Of course, she'd known the language longer. I'd missed her. Even If she didn't need me anymore.

"What's in it for me?" Junipers eyebrows furrowed.

Her lips moved quickly, surely. "I don't tell anyone you're here."

The tiger siren cocked her head. Juniper translated. "See, I don't care if anyone knows we're here."

"What if other sirens migrate here?"

"We'll deal with them."

"Fine, what do you want then?"

"What do you have to offer?"

Juniper swallowed. I tapped her shoulder.

"I could get something on land for her. Offer."

Juniper translated the message.

"You're a half siren?" Came the response.

I nodded.

"Those are rare."

I nodded. I knew I was an anomaly. I didn't need her to tell me that.

"There's a legend about these islands. Do you know it?"

"What, that it's haunted?"

The tiger siren shook her head.

"That it's cursed."

"Most places where sirens conjugate are said to be cursed."

"The legend is older than us."

"Is it?"

"There's a chalice in a grove. I want it."

"You'll trade a cup for Castor?"

"Yes."

I nodded.

"It's a deal."

Juniper looked at me, eyes wide. "Arriana, are you sure? I've heard the legends. You could die doing this."

"I'm not going to die."

"How do you know?"

"I've lived this long. Besides, I can handle this."

"It's getting late. You can't go at night."

The tiger siren looked at us. Juniper closed her eyes, opened them and then translated.

"The chalice only manifests in the dark."

Of course, it did. Of course, the cursed chalice required me to wander around in the dark.

"I'll do it."

The tiger siren nodded. I'd just signed myself up to risk my life. What else was new?