The Sirena

Chapter One

Throughout the halls, all to be heard was the serene lapping of the waves against the bottom of the cliff outside the Council Chamber. The melodic sound of footsteps, thud thud thud, against the polished floor. Lady Katherine Hepwick liked listening to them, the way you knew what would follow, one after another, thud thud thud. Katherine snorted at her own thoughts, and quickly composed herself by smoothing her skirts and perfecting her posture as she approached the great wooden door with two giant iron handles. It looked most unwelcoming, like once you opened it you would be snapped up and never released again (which was true for the unfortunate few). She braced herself, and painted a serious and confident expression on her face, despite feeling exactly the opposite. She always felt this way before a Choosing, the way guilt twisted and knotted her insides for what was to come. She mentally scolded herself, she needed to be calm and collected. Tucking a stray piece of hair back into her snow white bun, she rearranged the gold circlet atop her head. Taking a deep breath, she raised her hand to knock on the door.

"Lady Hepwick, early I see?" A sarcastic voice echoed through the hall. Katherine heard the voice and imagined a smirk forming on the figure behind her.
"Lord Keyton." Said Katherine, nodding her head in respect, but not-so-subtlety returned the sarcastic tone.
"How are we today then, M'lady?" Asked Lord Keyton, ignoring her sarcasm. He bowed low, the gold brocade of his jacket rustling as he moved, "can you believe it's been an entire year since the last Choosing?"
Katherine narrowed her eyes, Lord Keyton always did enjoy toying with her. She knew he held some sort of resentment towards her except, Katherine knew of no reason for him to do so. Lord Keyton had recognised the hints of pain that flickered in her eyes every time she preformed the Choosing- They both knew whomever was Chosen would be sent to their death.

"Well, shall we enter. Unless of course, you don't want to?" Lord Keyton said, relishing in the uncomfortable look on her face.
But she couldn't give him the satisfaction.
"After you, Lord Keyton." She replied. Gesturing to the door and smiling sweetly to let him no he had not won.
"Indeed."
And with that, Lord Keyton put his hands on the two iron handles and hauled them open.