Siren and Triton (Book 2)

Chapter four Siren

              
   Khillī nervously laughed. "He's joking. You shouldn't"

He raised an eyebrow at his brother. "I was not joking."

Patrick stood up. "I think we've had enough excitement for one evening. We should retire for the night. Calli?" He reached for her hand and she gladly took it. Grateful for the opportunity to escape the uncomfortable conversation.

As they exited the room, Calliope squeezed Patrick's hand and whispered, "He's following us."

"Just keep walking. We will be to your room soon." He continued to face forward but picked up his pace a little.

"I don't think he's going to give up. He must really want to hear me sing!" She stole a glance behind. "What are we going to do?" Her hands were shaking.

"Let's just focus on getting to the cabin first."

Calli started to panic. "Did I get on his nerves? Khillī warned me not to get on his nerves. What am I going to do? What if they tie me up again?" She chewed her thumb.

Patrick pulled her into her cabin and pushed the door shut. But it didn't close. A hand tightly gripped the door, keeping it from shutting.

Fear and panic flooded their veins as Billī forced the door open and locked it behind him.

They backed up as far as they could until they fell backwards onto the bed.

"Now that we're alone, you can sing."

"I... I can sing." She glanced to the side. "But I would advise against it."

"Why?" He demanded an answer as he leered over her.

"Because." She looked at Patrick. Her eyes pleading for help.

"It's okay, Calli. Do as he says." He gently caressed her hand with his thumb as he asked her to comply.

"Have you finally lost your mind?!" She yelled at him and yanked her hand away.

"You are both crazy!" She tried to stand but Billī was blocking her way. "Ugh! Fine!" She glared at Patrick as though he had betrayed her. "But let it be known that I warned you." She narrowed her eyes at Billī.

"Fair enough." He slightly raised his shoulder.

Billī watched intently as she took a few cleansing breaths and closed her eyes. His interest in her was visible on his otherwise stoic face. His eyes grew wide with excitement when her eyes flew open; revealing her brightly glowing lavender eyes.

"My lonely heart is buried deep.
My vacant eyes won't let me see.
My sailor love is gone from me.
Nevermore for me to see.
My lonely heart is buried deep.
My sailor love, lost to the sea."

Patrick sat still on the bed and watched in disbelief as he witnessed the true power Calli's song had over a person. Billī moved towards her in a trance. Completely unaware of what he was doing.

Calli stopped singing.

Billī came out of the trance and looked confused. "What happened?"

"She did as you asked. Now are you satisfied, or is there something else you require of her?" Patrick was angry. He knew he was partially to blame. After all, he encouraged her to do it even though she didn't want to. He should have stuck up for her but he didn't because he was curious if she could still sing.

She wrapped her arms around herself. "Get out." she whispered.

Billī nodded and left the room.

"Calli?" Patrick reached for her.

"GET OUT!" She screamed at him.

He messed up. He knew better. He shouldn't have been so selfish. "I'm sorry, Calli." He spoke softly as he closed the door, leaving Calliope alone in the room.
He could hear her soft sobs through the door.

In his room, he sat on his bed thinking over the events of the last few days. Calli was probably overwhelmed. I promised that I would protect her. Instead I gave in to Billī's demands.

A soft knock rapped on the door.

Patrick looked up. Maybe it was Calli. He hoped it was. "Come in."

His face fell as Billī open the door. "What do you want?" He knew he couldn't place all of the blame on Billī, but he was still mad and he did play a part in what happened.

"May I?" He gestured to the bed.

"Sure." As much as he hated the situation, he wanted to know what Billī was doing here. He had never sought him out, other than the first day that they met.

They both sat in silence. The ship rocked gently as it sailed forward.

After what seemed like forever, Billī finally broke their silence. "So, she's the real thing. A siren."

"Ya. She is. You have a problem with that?"

"No. It's quite the opposite. She is absolutely intriguing. I can understand your fascination with her. She is unique for her kind. Do you think she would allow me to watch her transform?" He looked genuinely interested in her.

"Are you kidding me?! She's not some spectacle for you to gawk at. She's fragile and her feelings get hurt easily. I should have never agreed to your stupid idea!"

"I see." He splayed his fingers as he thought. "You love her."

"Yes, I do. And I made her mad. I really messed up this time." Patrick rubbed his neck in frustration.

"Then apologize."

"Yeah. I should. Thanks Billī." He gave him a slight smile.

"Anytime."

                _______________

Patrick stood outside of Calliope's room. He tried to gather his thoughts. He cleared his throat, steeled his nerves and knocked on the door.

He was met with silence. "Calli?" Nothing. "Calli. I'm really sorry. I messed up. I shouldn't have told you to do something that you were uncomfortable with." He grabbed the door frame, leaned forward, and spoke a little louder. "Calli?"

She opened the door wide and glared at him. "The next time you try to do that, I swear I'll deck you!"

"So. You forgive me?" He wore a sheepish grin.

She fell into him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She nuzzled her face into his chest as she clutched his shirt.

He held her as she wept. "You've been through a lot recently. I'm sorry that I didn't protected you."

She sniffled. "You're right. You didn't. You big jerk." She lifted her gaze to meet his.

He gently wiped her tears away with his thumbs as he held her face in his hands. "Will you give me another chance?"

She nodded. Then stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.