Sleeping With Sirens (A Siren's Love, Reimagined)

Four: World of Waves

DAY FOUR

"You're not entirely human, Kelsey."

I wanted to deny it. I wanted to fight against the words and rage at their lunacy because of course I was human! How could I not be? Sure I'd been a loner my whole life, but I had a pretty average American teen story. Deadbeat dad that left when I was born, and a mother that remarried and we moved a bunch. They'd explained everything to me, yet even as I stood here at the water's edge, my hands in my pockets and my feet touching the waves, I couldn't help but resent them for it. If I really was a half-breed mythical creature, wouldn't I have known it before now? It didn't make sense to me. I'd been around water my whole life without growing gills or a tail. But they'd explained that to me too.

Carina was one of them, as was my mother, but according to them, there were different hierarchies. My mother was supposedly some long lost princess that fell in love with a human and never looked back. I know right? Sounds a lot like The Little Mermaid.

And Carina, well that was a different story entirely, one I couldn't bear wrap my head around. Allegedly she'd been a slave, bound in servitude to a ruthless sea lord for over three hundred years before she escaped. I mean, how insane does that sound? I would've never believed it had she not shown me the mark on her thigh, hidden beneath make-up but clear as day when revealed.

A white raised brand, in the detailed shape of a trident.

I was angry. Angry that they thought to bring me here without divulging the truth of this sooner. Then again I understood their fears.

So I walked the water's edge, the stitches pulling at my upset expression the longer I stared into the dark water, feeling angry with it too. If I was supposedly a half-breed, born in the image of the sea yet with the power to command it, why had it not listened? But then my mind wandered to the truth of my savior, the woman with white fins for a tail, and glittering diamond hard scales.

"It's...it's not black and white Kels. The Syrena date back to when this world was born. Once just women with beautiful voices, we were tasked with the care of a queen, Hade's queen. He wanted her. He wanted to birth something new from her, but she didn't want that. We were supposed to protect her from him. We failed. Now, the sea is our punishment." My mom said, her eyes wide and beseeching. I had laughed, thinking they were utterly insane.

"You really expect me to believe this bullshit?" I snarled back, feeling something ugly twist inside me.

"No. Not yet. You'll have to see for yourself when you come into your power." Carina's somber tone echoed in my mind.

The sky rumbled threatingly, lightning in the distance. I could see the rocks where I stood, straining to catch the slightest glimpse of the mirage I'd seen yesterday but finding nothing. I continued on, walking the flat sandy shore until the cliffside, lined with houses, stuck out oddly. My curiosity getting the better of me, I rounded the corner and my mouth dropped open as the looming mouth of a cave gaped back at me. A hesitant shiver fled down my spine, my instinct telling me to avoid it but I did the opposite, climbing over the rocks and splashing through small pools to get inside.

I waded in cautiously, squinting to see in the darkness as I followed a narrow path to the back of the cave, my mouth falling open as a beautifully clear pool appeared directly in the center. I could see little fish skirting back and forth in the water and smiled at their curiosity, loving the way they darted back and forth. They ranged in all colors, and I gasped in delight as I noticed a small starfish unfurling from the rocks, it's tiny little arms curling upwards.