Infernos (ManxMan)

Chapter VII

Rowan

I watched the siren warily from the corner of my eye. I don't know what was going through Blaine's head when he invited him to join us, but whatever his thought process was, he needed to revise it. The only one the siren - excuse me, Nioky - was okay with was Blaine. The most he offered me was a routine dirty look, and he constantly bickered with Luca.

But this was all easily overlooked, I could tolerate it for Blaine. However, the thing that had me going was when we entered Nioky's village. As soon as we approached, you could see Blaine pale and Nioky's excitement. Even Luca looked mildly unsettled.

Everyone was either naked or barely had any clothes on. It was as if you could smell the primal lust pulsing from their skin, and I could see a lot of them casting their glances on us, but mostly Blaine. I stood closer to him, bristling, and Blaine shifted nearer in return. I was momentarily surprised at his movements; did he feel safer next to me?

I glanced at Nioky, who was perfectly comfortable. He nudged his head in a direction for us to follow and lead us through the crowd. People, more daring than the rest, would stretch out their arms, hands straining to snag our clothing or - their main goal - our bare skin. Nioky ignored them and allowed them to paw at his bare chest and legs; Luca appeared confused but let them touch him; I shielded Blaine with my body, who looked a tad annoyed because I may or may not have been smothering him.

"We're here!" Nioky announced as we approached a rugged, old, worn down building. I glanced at Blaine, who glanced back at me. Nioky rolled his eyes. "Just come on, it's fine." And with that he bravely pushed open the doors and sauntered in, with us on his heels.

I heard Blaine gasp beside me and I had to admit, the inside looked nothing like the outside. Inside, it seemed as though there was not a single speck of dust because everything shined and twinkled. 

Nioky whispered to Blaine, saying, "Everything here is made of pearls and fish bones, which is why it's so smooth." Blaine's eyes widened in shock and he continued, "The sirens and the people are infatuated with each other so they always exchange gifts."

"Then what do the people give the sirens in return?" I asked, and Nioky gave me a dark look with no reply.

"Nioky, is that you?" We all turned sharply to look at a gorgeous woman with dark features and curly black hair. "What in the world are you doing here?"

The siren shrugged, gesturing to Blaine. "I made a friend."

Her eyes settled on Blaine, and I was alarmed. Her every feature was perfect, except her eyes, which were a pearly white that matched the walls. Was she blind?

She bowed low to Blaine - which was surprising because I didn't understand how she could know where to bow - and gave him a small smile. "Nioky is a very unfriendly siren, so it's nice he has someone like you. Treat him well."

She extended her hand, palm down, and Nioky ran forward to kiss it. "I've missed you, Nioky. Have you grown?"

He looked at her with much more kindness than I thought a siren could possibly possess. "I have, I'm much stronger, and I'm taller too! You would be proud of me now."

"I'd be proud of you no matter what, Nio. Have you finally come to take my daughter? She's grown as well."

Nioky grimaced. "Ma'am, with all due respect, I'm not sure Elie can handle it..." Who was Elie?