Never Ever

13

Ever felt like she was soon slipping into darkness

Maya: Oh my god! What happened? Are you alright? How can I help?

Ever: You need to.. Make them.. Go away.. Before.. Axel... And his highness wake up..

She pointed a finger at the two female sirens. Her hand was shaking, and her breathing was laboured

Ever: P-please.. Hurry..

Maya nodded, but she looked reluctant to act

The sirens hissed at her but wouldn't approach. She saw the guys beginning to stir, and the sirens had wide smiles upon noticing this

She had to hurry.. She used a spell she had recently learned. There was a burst of light. The sirens shrieked, and disappeared into the water

All three men woke up, rubbing the back of their heads

Romeo: What happened?

Ever: Sirens..

Axel: Ever!

He rushed to her side, her lids were closing

Axel: No, no, stay with me!

Romeo: Hold her up please..

Axel propped her into a sitting position

Romeo: Maya, do you know any healing spells

She was unresponsive, her mouth blocked by her hands, tears spilling down: Oh, no... It was me.. I almost killed her..

Romeo: She's still alive, but we need to heal her

Healing wasn't exactly his fort. He had the necessay magic, but he didn't know if he could do it properly, but he had to try. The way she was right now, Maya couldn't be relied on

Axel still tried to keep Ever coherent, he was failing miserably

Romeo hovered his palms above her, and concentrated. A warm golden glow spread from them over Ever. They could see the color return to her. Axel relaxed his shoulders a little

Through all this, Noire remained still as a statue

Ever's breathing evened, and soon, her eyes fluttered open

She was surprised and embarassed to find Axel hovering over her, his face inches from her own

Her cheeks colored, she sprung back

Romeo: Lady Maya, look

Maya sobbed harder, and threw her arms around Ever, before anyone could act, almost knocking her back to the ground

She managed to say through her sobs: I'm s-so s-sorry..

Ever patted her back awakwardly: It wasn't your fault.. The siren compelled you to do it. We need to move fast. Is he still unconscious? He could try again, and the female ones could be back any second with re-enforcements

Romeo frowned: Are they declaring war against us? We were immediately attacked. They were never a violent sort..

Ever shook her head: I don't think they realize what they've done. Either those ones are acting by themselves, are under a spell, or had a false report as to whome was visiting and simply hadn't expected us, your highness

He nodded

Ever: Your highness, thank you for saving my life. I'm truly grateful..

Romeo: Nonsense, I couldn't very well in good conscience leave you to die, now could I

He rubbed a hand on the back of his head and winced: I wish you could have used another tactic to save us from their influence though. This hurts like hell..

She smiled sheepishly: I'm very sorry, you know it's the only thing I could've done under the circumstances..

Maya: Um, how come though, if you don't mind me asking, you were the only one unaffected

Ever: I'm part siren myself, all the Nightingales are, so we are immune to their powers

Romeo smiled: I think I've heard something about that. It proved to be our saving grace. Thank you..

Ever shrugged, she blushed lightly

Maya looked at Axel, he was being awfully silent. It was uncharacteristic of him, the way he looked at the ground. He looked pained

She approached him: Axel.. Are you alright?

Axel shook his head: I couldn't do anything..

Maya: None of us could. The pull of a siren is just too strong

Axel: I couldn't protect anyone. We almost lost our lives

His pained gaze was now fixed upon Ever. Maya saw that, she patted his back and gave him a sympathetic smile

They finally remembered Noire. He was sitting, clutching his side. Maya rushed to him to inspect his injuries. They had to convince him to let her handle him, he finally relented

He was even more withdrawn after that, Ever sensed he didn't fail to protect often, she walked towards him, clapped him on the shoulder

She smiled: You are a formidable oponnent. I'm just happy they didn't compell you to kill me by magic

He sunk his head

Ever sighed: I'm sorry, I'm not good at consoling anyone. You realize it wasn't your fault, what happened.. Sirens have a hold on any other creatures, especially if they take them unaware. None of us expected to be attacked by them, so we couldn't prevent it. You realize you are not the only one that was blindsighted here, we all were. His highness is kind and reasonable, you have nothing to fear..

He lifted his gaze: Still, I was the one appointed to protect them from magical offences, not you.. Yet I failed, and you saved the day

She laughed: That was no ordinary magic. The hold of a siren, even if expected, can only be resisted with extreme efforts and a huge reserve of magic, even his highness couldn't, unless you happen to have enough siren blood in you, like me. It was merely a coincidence I was here and able to act. I almost failed all of you.. If only I was a little stronger

He smiled, she imagined it was a rare sight: I beg to differ, and you sell yourself short. You are quite strong, otherwise you wouldn't have been able to knock me out, and thank you.. For being so kind

Ever smiled back, she felt a bit ashamed for not trusting him before..