Where Siren Lake Lies

Chapter 3: Waves of Uncertainty

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the beads hanging loosely around my neck. My fingers smoothed out the folds of my shirt as I ran a hand through my hair, messy but passable. Outside, the sounds of Mardi Gras drifted in—music, laughter, the occasional shout echoing like a heartbeat. I could already imagine the sweet cinnamon from the king cake Emilio and I planned to hunt down before diving into drinks and the parade.

A knock broke through my thoughts. I opened the door, and there he was, leaning casually against the frame, a playful glint in his eyes. "Ready to hit the streets?" he asked, that familiar grin making my stomach flutter.

"Let's go," I smiled, grabbing my jacket and stepping out with him. The streets were alive, packed with color and noise; a whirlwind of laughter and joyous screams enveloped us. We wandered, following the music, and soon found a vendor selling king cake. My eyes lit up, and I smiled as I took a bite, the warm sweetness of the cinnamon flooding my senses. "Not bad," I said, passing the fork back to him.

"Not bad? This is practically the highlight of Mardi Gras!" he joked, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he took a bite himself. I inhaled the excitement, picking up on cajun gumbo and spiced alcohol.

We took turns eating back and forth, laughing at the ridiculousness of the vendor giving us one fork. The crowd swirling around us as the energy of the night picked up. Emilio wiped a crumb from my lip with his thumb, smiling.The air felt electric, the music from the parade echoing through the streets, pulling everyone into its pulse. I adjusted the strap of my mask, beads clinking against my neck as I glanced at Emilio walking beside me. He was acting strange tonight—more on edge than usual, sticking close like I might disappear into the crowd if he didn't keep an eye on me. I could feel his hand hovering near the small of my back, like a lifeline I didn't ask for but couldn't shake off.

"You okay?" I asked, nudging him, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling that had crept in since we left the apartment.

Emilio's eyes flicked over the crowd before he finally looked at me. "Yeah, just a lot of people. Stay close, okay?"

I rolled my eyes, giving him a half-smile. "I'm not a kid, Emilio. I've handled Mardi Gras before."

He smiled back, but it didn't reach his eyes, and that knot in my stomach tightened. I couldn't shake the sense that something was off, like the air around us had a weight to it that no amount of neon lights or music could lift. I scanned the crowd again, people laughing, dancing, their faces hidden behind glittering masks.

Emillio handed me another drink, his hand lingering just a moment longer than necessary. "I hope you're not planning on outdrinking me tonight," he teased, his voice smooth, a teasing lilt dancing on his lips. "I'd hate to have to carry you home."

I raised an eyebrow, my lips curling into a smirk. "And here I thought you liked playing the hero. Don't tell me you're backing out now."

He chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and something deeper. "Oh, I don't mind playing the hero when you need one. But I'd rather enjoy the night with you still standing." He leaned in closer, his voice lowering just enough to send a shiver down my spine. "Besides, you're far too captivating to let you fade away into the night."

I couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up, my fingers lightly grazing the rim of my glass. "Captivating, huh? That's a big word for someone trying to sound charming."

"I don't have to try," he said, his voice warm and unhurried, like he had all the time in the world just for me. "I think you know that by now."

His confidence was undeniable, but it wasn't arrogant. It was more like he knew exactly where he stood, especially when it came to me. I hated how disarming it was, the way he could make me feel like I was the only person who mattered in a sea of strangers.