Power (Book 1 in SRMTHFG Series)

7- Siren

I take a step into the shower. Ever since I was scratched by Mandarin, I haven't had one. It's been a few days. I was too weak.

Gibson had told me that Mandarin's scratches have a power in them that makes the victims unconscious for a short time period, courtesy of Skeleton King. It sends them into a dreamy-nightmarish state. Figures.

My hair has gotten oily from laying down to long. I start to scrub it until it's fluffy, then I scrub it some more. I start to hum, then sing quietly to myself. A lullaby my mom used to sing comes to mind.

"The raven sings it song of mourn,
The owl sings of its great horn
Mockingbirds tell of voices o'plenty-"

I'm cut off by a caw and a flutter of wings. I look up to see- a raven?! I scream and back up.

It flutters out into the main part of the bathroom, out of my sight. I quickly finish my shower and get dressed. When I come out, it's sitting on the towel rack. How. Did. It. Get. Here?!

I start to walk out, and it follows me. I go into the main room, where everyone is in their pod working on something. Nova is the first to notice.

"Chelsea!" she says. "How did you get a raven?" Everyone snaps up and gapes.

"I don't know," I say. "I was just singing a song my mom used to sing to me, and next thing I know, BOOM! There it is!"

Gibson blinks. "What was in the song?"

"The raven sings it song of mourn, the owl sings of its great horn-"

"Incredible!" Gibson explains. "She is able to create as well? And it can be any select song, I suppose! This is- it's- I must run tests right away!"

"Tests? On what? Can someone please explain?" I ask.

Antauri clears his throat. "Well, you see, you're a-"

"Siren," I say, staring off. The memory comes back to me, bringing more pain, but I remember it. "I'm a Siren. I can control people and things with my voice when I sing."

"Yes," Antauri says. "You being a Siren was a birth-given power. Our power comes from the Power Primate, but yours doesn't. However, you still have - or had, maybe - the Power Primate. Skeleton King wants your voice for his own doings. That is why Mandarin and the Formless have been coming after you."

"So what about the raven? Why does he follow me?"

"Hmm..." Antauri says, closing his eyes for a second. "That I cannot explain. My guess, however, is that if you create something without specifications on its behavior, it will naturally be loyal to you." I nod.

"Well," I say, "she'll need a name. What about... Quinn?" The raven caws in answer and I giggle. "Well, I guess that's a yes."

Quinn stands on my shoulder. I look at Gibson.

"So, again, what tests?" Gibson nods.

"Yes, tests, they won't take too terribly long," Gibson says. "However, I recommend going to an abandoned planet before attempting this."

Antauri nods and walks over to the main computer. "Super Robot, take us to Fay." The robot trembles as it takes off.

"Everyone, strap up," Antauri orders. We all go to our pods. The seats buckle us up tightly. Antauri speaks another command.

"Engage hyper speed travel in T-10." He rushes back to his pod as a countdown appears on the screen, starting from ten. He orders the pod doors to close, and they do.

"What's Fay?" I ask over the intercom.

"It's a planet that was abandoned a long time ago, after-" Sparx starts.

"I don't want to talk about it," Chiro broods.

I'm blasted back as the robot speeds off of Shuggazoom.