Song of the Sirens (26 page)

Several moments passed before he spoke,
his eyes focused on the sea. “When the king honored me with the task of being a
protector, I took the memories of those before me and absorbed them. I never
saw the sirens before last night, except through those memories. They haunted
me for years, and just when I thought I could get rid of the images, our worst
fear surfaced. I saw them tear apart and eat both man and merman.”

I cleared my throat. “What’s the
verdict? What happened this morning?”

Riley inhaled and narrowed his eyes.
“King Neptune decided it’s best to destroy the sirens.”

I lit up. “That’s great! He should’ve
done that centuries ago.”

“It’s never a good thing to have to
annihilate a race of creatures, Anita.”

I scoffed. “I don’t usually agree with
genocide, but those beasts are vicious killers. You can’t keep them locked up,
guard their cave for eternity, and hope they never escape again. Human
technology advances. We’ll come across them again. They’d go after your kind at
first chance, too. I don’t feel bad about wanting them
all
dead.”

Riley grunted, but refrained from
pushing the matter.

“What now, between us?” I inquired.

“I’m not sure.”

“Aren’t you going to erase my memories?”

He looked at me. “Do you really want
that?”

“I didn’t realize I had a choice.”

“You’re not supposed to have the choice,
but I’m giving it to you.”

“Why?”

He shrugged.

“No one wants to remember those horrible
images, that smell, and the feeling of utter terror knowing something was about
to consume me and I couldn’t do anything about it. But, what if another one is
out there? What if you take my memories, and I don’t recognize the signs and
call on you in time? How would you know? How would I know to run and hide? I
mean, how would I defend myself?”

I grunted and jerked away. “Should I
forget and assume that I’ll never come across them again, or should I remember
and always be prepared for something that may never come?”

“I’m assigned to erase your memories.”

“So why ask me? Why not just do it?”

“Because I want someone on land who can
contact me in case something happens, and I want someone else keeping an eye on
the signs.”

“But King Neptune doesn’t agree with
this?”

“No. Keeping the secret of the sirens
safe is a priority, as in controlling them and eventually destroying them. But,
keeping us a secret from humans has always been top priority. It ensures our
safety and survival, peace and happiness.”

“He thinks that I’ll tell?” I asked,
dumbfounded. “I would never do that, I promise. You know I wouldn’t.”

“I know you wouldn’t. I know what’s in
your heart. You don’t care about riches, fame, or even popularity. All you want
is to keep your father safe. His memories about last night are gone, so the
truth won’t plague him.”

“But he will be plagued by the fact that
this disaster ruined everything. He doesn’t want to search for Atlantis right
now, but he’ll try again in the future. And who knew Atlantis had always been
this close to us?”

“I can’t help that. If he continues to
search for us, we’ll continue to divert him. If you tell anyone the truth,
you’ll force me to erase your memories, too.”

We faced another moment of silence.

“What are you going to do? Where are you
going to go?” I asked.

“I have to keep searching the waters to
make sure any other sirens aren’t in hiding. We’ll destroy the ones in the
caves within the week. Hopefully, we find nothing out there. You’ll contact me
the first second you suspect anything, even a dream?”

I nodded. I pushed aside any romantic
feelings for Riley because now just wasn’t the time.

He narrowed his brows as if warring with
thoughts, emotions. In a quick movement, he sighed and leaned in. He pressed
those intoxicating, cold lips against mine.

When he pulled away, I gasped. I bit my
lower lip.

Riley pressed his lips together and
grunted. I knew he really, really liked me, and I also knew this sort of thing
was probably forbidden. He already broke the rules once, now twice with me.

I looked away.

“I have to go. I’ve spent too long with
you already.”

I glanced up to find him focused on me.
The intensity of his green eyes startled me. They reminded me of his shimmering
green tail. He smirked.

“You’re bad at trying to convince me
things will be all right,” I mumbled.

“I can’t promise anything.”

I leaned over and kissed his cheek.
Drawing back, I said, “Thanks for helping us, and saving our lives.”

He smiled. “That’s my job.”

I shook my head. “No, your job is
protecting your people, not saving humans. But, thanks for doing it, anyway.
How will I get a hold of you if something happens?”

Riley lifted a necklace from his quiver.
A small crystal globe hung from a golden chain. “Lift your hair.”

I lifted my hair as he draped the chain
around my neck, leaned forward, and clasped it shut. He pulled away as I picked
up the shimmering, swirly ball and studied it.

“This crystal is filled with seawater
and will amplify a signal only to me. If you think, or even suspect a siren
survived, wrap your palm around it and call to me. I’ll hear it.”

I settled the necklace back against my
chest. “Thanks. Be safe out there, Riley.”

“You, too. Take care, Anita. And….” He
sighed. “I shouldn’t say this, or even plan on doing this, but I want to see
you again…soon.”

Riley winked, and pushed himself into
the water. He went straight down and didn’t reemerge to wave or say goodbye. He
simply vanished, as if the ocean drank him and assimilated his corporal form.

The waves, blue with foamy white
streaks, slapped at one another below. I watched them for several minutes
before looking up and returning to reality. Unless King Neptune realized Riley
hadn’t done his job, last night’s recollections would remain with me forever.

I narrowed my eyes. It seemed unlikely
that Riley could keep something like this from his king for too long. King
Neptune would seek my thoughts soon enough. Despite those memories filled with
horrors to the third degree, they were valuable and insightful weapons in
detecting the siren’s foul play. Preparing for the worst was wise, but the king
wiping out the sirens was best.

I stood and wiped any sand or dirt from
my bottom. I headed back to the house. The wind simmered down, and the light
sand particles clung to the ground.

The walk across the beach was short, and
the gate slammed shut behind me after I entered the backyard. I unlocked the
door, walked into house, and relocked the back door. I would never forget to
lock the door again.

I knocked on my father’s door since I
didn’t hear the shower. “Dad?”

“Come in.”

I opened the door and smiled. He rested
on his bed with a book. “You feeling all right?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, just wanted to make sure. Need
anything?”

“No, dear, thank you. Is there any
reason why half of your bed is gone? There’s no bedding, just a box spring and
a bed frame.”

I gave an awkward smile.

“Well?”

“Uh. Some nasty stuff got into the
bedding and mattress last night, and there was no way the stain or the smell
would come out.”

“So where is it?”

“I dragged it out to the beach. I
couldn’t sleep last night.”

“I’m sure the stains weren’t that bad,
Anita. Is that why you slept on the couch this morning? What did you do,
vomit?”

I shrugged. “Vomiting crossed my list
many times last night. Are you really okay, Dad? You had a worse time than me.”

“I’m still groggy and in pain, but
getting better. I still don’t understand what the heck happened out there. I
guess the guys will come by later and try to explain if I’m with it. Knowing
these meds, I’ll probably pass out soon.” He chuckled weakly.

“If you’re awake later, I’ll make
lunch,” I offered, ignoring his comment about the guys.

“So sweet, my girl. Thanks, Anita.”

“Get some rest, Dad.”

I closed his door and strolled to my
room at the end of the hall. I closed my door and pulled out the notebook from
the drawer.

Taking a seat at the desk, I glanced
around the room, dragged in a long breath, and exhaled. Creative writing wasn’t
my forte, but if the king demanded my memories, he would never discover this
key to those stolen memories.

I took a pen and continued to scribe my
ordeal in the guise of an elaborate and far-fetched dark fantasy fiction. I
scribbled down every detailed account from last night’s bizarre tale. I began
this story on the boat with the memories that were not mine and ended with the
crystal ball and the memories that should’ve been taken.

If King Neptune succeeded in erasing my
mind, I knew I would eventually read this journal filled with enlightenment.
Forgetting the crude images and emotions would be great, but knowing the truth
would prove priceless if the song of the sirens returned.

About
the Author

Kaylie Austen was born
in India, and raised in Austin, Texas where she attended the University of
Texas. Her multi-cultural upbringing fueled her desire for languages, cultures,
and travel. Kaylie is perhaps best known for her sudden and infectious laugh.
She enjoys anything science fiction and fantasy related, and writes in both
genres for adults and young adults.

Kaylie began writing at
the tender age of ten, and completed her first novel at the age of sixteen.
Throughout her school years, her writing earned trophies, awards, publication
in scholastic magazines, and scholarships. Kaylie currently lives in beautiful
Washington State with an amazing husband. She loves to hear from readers, so
feel free to contact her.

website: www.kaylieausten.com
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