The Sound of a Siren's Call

26.) Letters and Fights

Ryan took me to meet Juniper, keeping the conversation as far away from the centaurs as possible.

"How do you two know each other?"

"We're friends. She was with me in not wanting to murder a ship of humans."

"Oh, that's a shame. I always admired sirens."

I stared at her. "Maybe you shouldn't."

I was thankful we were finally at the murky pond she'd described. Juniper's eyes locked with mine and she was next to me in an instant.

"How are you?"

"They put me in freshwater," she signed disdainfully, "but other than that, fine."

"Freshwater?"

"Yes, freshwater."

"Have you seen Castor?"

Her eyes flashed. "Yes."

"And?"

"They're not going to let him come see me again."

I didn't know what to say. Luckily, she let me off the hook.

"He said we could figure out a way to pass letters to each other. Romantic, right?"

"Why's that bad?" Ryan asked.

Me and Juniper looked at each other. "I can't read." Her signs were so small, I could barely tell what she was saying.

"But you can spell to sign," Ryan pointed out.

"Yes, very helpful. Because the letters look exactly the same."

"I could teach you."

"And you'll be able to come down every day?"

I nodded.

"Why would you want to?"

"Juniper. We went over this. I'm allowed to wish you well."

She looked distrustful, but she let it slide.

"And could you interpret the letters?" She looked hopeful.

"Sure."

She grinned from ear to ear as though I'd made her day.

"We have to get back," Ryan signed.

"Why?"

"We have to be there when they serve food. Or else they'll think we're missing."

I nodded.

"See you tomorrow, Juniper."

She waved me goodbye. Me and Ryan jogged to dinner, sliding into benches with the other witches. Several boys came and filled in the spaces between us. Leland plopped himself between me and Juniper.

She whispered to him, and I sat alone, waiting for the food to come. When it did, my stomach rumbled. It was Kiserite food. Spices could be seen on the chicken. The meat was hard and dry, but I closed my eyes and let the spice explode on my tongue anyway.

My father had said we'd been born in the wrong country for getting good food. I ate ravenously, only looking at the full tables once I was done. I spotted Castor instantly on the tables to the side. Guards were more concentrated there and their pale faces practically glowed in the dark. Castor looked miserable.

He never looked up at me. I needed to talk to him. Figure out how to fulfill my promises to Juniper.

Leland was signing to me. I turned. "Are you really a siren?"