Siren's Serenade (The Wiccan Haus)

by Dominique Eastwick

  Then there was the unexplained boom followed by what he would have assumed was an earthquake on Saturday morning, waking him from a deep sleep. He had jumped up and run to stand under the doorway, years of training come to life. Serena had refused to budge from the bed and mumbled something about it happening at sunup and sundown every Saturday before going to sleep again. Sure enough, the boom happened again at sunset and he wondered how he had missed that the day he’d arrived.

  But then he remembered he had been asleep and Rekkus had said something about Sage “over doing it.” He wondered if the Rowans were drugging people, but he couldn’t figure out why. They genuinely seemed to want to help those staying on their island. Well, the lighter two did. The darker two brooded, and Cyrus did seem to get great pleasure out of throwing Kaleb to the ground—by far his favorite move. Sarka just ignored everyone unless forced to acknowledge them. But Kaleb had noticed she was the only one to use the first elevator.

  Soft lips against his pulse brought him back from his musing. “You’re an insatiable minx.”

  “Only with you.” Serena pulled back again, and her hands cradled his face. “I don’t want you to leave on Saturday.”

  “I can’t stay here. I need to get back to work, or at least try.”

  She looked away and sighed, a sound that ripped at something inside of him. “I know but…”

  “You could come to Alaska.”

  She lifted her head with a jolt. “You would want me to come to Alaska? To be with you?”

  “I just asked you, didn’t I?”

  “Alaska is really cold.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  She pulled away from him and floated to the center of the pool. “I want to say yes.”

  “Then say yes.” When Serena didn’t answer, he moved toward her. He cupped her face, forcing her to look at him. So many emotions swirled in her eyes. A part of Kaleb thrilled that she was at least considering it, but the other part of him felt the bitter stab of disappointment that she hadn’t jumped at the idea. He’d never asked a woman to live with him before, so to do so now and have her stumble over her answer was a blow.

  “It’s not that easy.”

  “Yes.” He drew out the word as long as he could. “Very easy.”

  She sighed one of those sighs that women the world over made when they thought men didn’t have a single brain cell between them. “I can’t explain now, but I want to come. I really do. I’m just not sure how we would make it work.”

  “We leave here on the boat that takes us back to the mainland. From there we drive to Bangor and catch a flight to Alaska.”

  She gnawed her bottom lip and pushed away. Damn it, he wasn’t going to beg her to follow him. Lifting his arms from the water, he pulled himself out to sit on the edge of the spring. When she didn’t make any move to turn back toward him, Kaleb cursed, got to his feet, and walked over to the discrete towel rack a few feet away.

  “Is the thought of living with me so troubling?”

  “No! It’s not that.”

  Wrapping the towel around his waist, he turned back to her. “Then what is it? Explain it to me.”

  “Alaska is really cold.”

  “Yes, it can be cold, but it’s summer right now and the temperatures aren’t much different there than they are here.” When she didn’t answer, he grabbed his pants, pulled them on, jammed his feet into his shoes, and started walking away. “You know what? If all you wanted was a holiday lay, then you should have just said so.”

  Angry at her, disgusted with himself, and peeved with the damned Master Chief who had him sent here, Kaleb stormed down the moonlit path toward the cabin. He didn’t really want to go back there, not tonight, and he cursed giving up his room. Why the hell didn’t this place have a bar or something? A fucking beer would definitely do the trick right now.

  God, how stupid could he be, thinking she would follow him to Alaska or thinking she was interested in anything other than his cock?

  “Mother fucker!”

  “Excuse me?”

  Dana? Kaleb looked to either side, and he saw her coming out of the wooded area, basket in hand. “What are you doing in the woods at this time of the night?”

  “I wanted some apples.” She smiled and handed him one.

  Kaleb took it, not sure why, but took it nonetheless. “You couldn’t have waited until morning? Where’s Rekkus?”

  “Why does everyone ask that? We aren’t joined at the hip. And if I want an apple, I will get an apple.” She actually stomped her foot and headed down the path.

  Okay, crazy hormonal woman. Kaleb put up his hands in defeat. “At least let me walk you back.”

  “Suit yourself,” she mumbled before stopping so fast Kaleb nearly bumped into her. “Sorry, I’m just feeling a little smothered right now, and with the full moon coming, it’s only going to get worse. Rekkus won’t let me out at night in a few more days, and you know I love the big lug, but he can be a bit on the high-handed side.”

  “You don’t say?” He wanted to say, No kidding, but felt it better to keep his opinions to himself. He grabbed the basket of apples from her for a lack of something better to do.

  “Where’s Serena?”

  “We aren’t joined at the hip, you know.”

  Dana smiled, and her shoulders relaxed as she started walking again. “Sorry, really, but you two are never far from the other.”

  “Yes, well, that will change soon. I’m leaving on Saturday.”

  “And?”

  “And I asked her to go with me, and in not so many words she let me know she wasn’t interested.”

  “Oh. I see.”

  “I’m glad someone does.”

  “You’re heading back to Alaska, yes?”

  He nodded, an uncomfortable lump forming in his throat.

  “You do realize that other than her family’s hunting grounds and this island, she really hasn’t been anywhere else? I’m sure the thought of going to Alaska is terrifying for her. She’s never flown, and she really has to swim every day at least for her sanity. And in her mind, Alaska’s waters might be too cold.”

  “There are indoor pools.”

  “Right, but I doubt she knows about them.” He was about to question that crazy statement when Dana continued. “She’s led a sheltered life.”

  “No one is that sheltered.” He thought for a second, then remembered their first conversation. “Okay, she has been sheltered.”

  They got to her cabin, and Dana turned, taking the basket back. “One day, I hope she’ll really open up to you. There is so much about her you don’t know. But I think she loves you and I don’t think she’s ever felt that before.”

  “Dana!” Rekkus growled. Kaleb had ceased wondering how the man was able to make those deep strange sounds, and had even caught himself trying to mimic them in the shower. “Where the hell were you? Cyrus and I have been searching the damned island…”

  “You’re smothering me, you damned cat.” She stormed into the cabin, slamming the door.

  “Smothering…what…grrrrr…ffyc…mae hi wedi cachi arna I.” Rekkus sat down in the chair on the porch—more like threw himself into the chair—and banged the back of his head against the cabin a few times for good measure. Kaleb should have been enjoying his tormentor’s discomfort, but it hit too close to home tonight.

  Giving him an inch, Kaleb offered, “She was in the orchard. I ran into her on the path coming back.”

  “Apples. Again? I just got her damned apples this morning.” Rekkus stood up and looked in the window of the cabin. “She is going to make me crazy, that one.”

  Feeling it was safer to keep his mouth shut, Kaleb applauded that he had at least learned that skill on his visit here. He stayed quiet as Rekkus responded to Cyrus on the walkie-talkie, asking if anyone had found her. And, Kaleb supposed, had Serena gone for a walk in Alaska in the middle of the night, he too might have panicked.

  “Thank you for seeing her home safe. I know it’s stupid
, but I hate not being able to protect her all time, and yes I know she wants more space, damn it. Thanks again.” Rekkus moved to the door, bracing himself before opening it. Kaleb had to give the man props for quick reflexes as he caught the three apples hurled at him in succession. “Stay single, Kaleb. It’s so much safer,” Rekkus muttered before shutting the door behind him.

  “He needs to give her some breathing room,” Serena said from behind Kaleb. “That’s all she wants.”

  Filling his lungs with air until it hurt, he steeled himself before turning to look at her. “I don’t think it’s in his nature.”

  “You could be right.” She stepped toward him but paused, unsure again. “I’m sorry if I hurt your feeling earlier. It’s not that I don’t want to be with you it’s just…”

  “Alaska’s cold?”

  She nodded. “Really…”

  Kaleb shushed her before pulling her face to his so he could kiss her senseless. “We’ll figure something out.”

  “Okay.”

  Kaleb smiled against her lips. “Okay.”

  Chapter Six

  SWISH—REKKUS’S FIST BARELY MISSED hitting the side of Kaleb’s head. He might not be able to land many on the man, but at least Kaleb had gotten really good at avoiding taking some on his own. But today something was different; Rekkus kept stopping to sniff the air—a strange thing for anyone to do, in Kaleb’s honest opinion. There was just an overall feeling on the island that something wasn’t quite right.

  Actually, everyone from Myron to Rekkus was acting off. Serena had been surprised when Yavonka announced at breakfast she didn’t want to swim today. She said she didn’t feel safe. Serena had then excused herself and gone to find Cyrus. When she returned, she said she was going for a quick swim and would see him “after his ass whooping.”

  Even though her voice was light, he could tell something wasn’t quite right. Maybe it was the tension still between them since their discussion at the hot springs, but he didn’t think so. Not focused on the man before him, Kaleb was unprepared for the kick to the chest that sent him flying. Expecting the usual reproof he heard when Rekkus gained the upper hand, Kaleb was surprised to be helped to his feet.

  “I think we should call it a day.”

  “A day? You’ve only made contact with me twice, hardly the beat the shit out of the guest you usually go for.”

  “It would appear neither of us is focused today.”

  “What the hell is going on?”

  Rekkus looked as if he was about to say something, then shook his head. “I hope to be able to tell you very soon, but not yet. Do me a favor: can you go check on Dana on your way back to your cabin?”

  “Of course.” The hairs on the back of Kaleb’s neck stood on end, and seconds later the alarm on Rekkus’s walkie-talkie went crazy. “But I think the soon just became now.”

  “Damn it. Come with me.” Rekkus turned off the alarm and started running as Cemil squawked at Rekkus to get his ass to the lake, immediately. “You, I think, are about to find out the island’s little secret.”

  Rekkus ran through the woods with Kaleb fast on his heels, though it took every ounce of energy Kaleb had to keep up. When the woods opened to the forbidden lake, Kaleb stopped and leaned over his knees to catch his breath. Able to finally breathe, he stood. It was then that he saw the handful of beautiful women standing waist-deep in the lake. And they were angry.

  Angry at Serena, who was giving back every ounce of anger they were throwing at her. Looking at the most imposing of the women before him, Kaleb saw what he couldn’t believe he had missed at first glance: the similarities in their faces. This had to be Serena’s mother.

  Kaleb walked closer and would have taken Serena in his arms, but Cemil placed a staying hand in his path. “I wouldn’t if I were you.”

  “I’m not afraid of a little cat fight.”

  “Cat fight doesn’t begin to explain it. And here comes Sarka. This is gonna get ugly,” Cyrus said, pulling a set of orange ear plugs out of his pocket and placing one in his ear.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Earplugs. Should have brought you a set I guess.” He shrugged as he shoved the second bud into his other ear.

  “What the hell is going on?” Sarka demanded, stepping within inches of the lake.

  “What?” Cyrus asked loudly.

  Cemil ignored Cyrus and turned his attention to Sarka who was standing next to Serena.

  “You’re not welcome here, Mother.”

  “Serena, your year is up.”

  “That’s not possible.”

  “Your year is up as of sundown tonight.”

  Two of the women came forward, and as Kaleb was getting ready to jump in, Sarka put herself between the women in the water and Serena. “I do believe Serena informed you that you aren’t welcome here.”

  “I do not listen to you, witch.”

  “Oh, I think you’ll be listening to me. This island isn’t big enough for more than one bitch, and that bitch is me. Now, I suggest you get off my island before I have my security team throw your scaly asses off.”

  Rekkus growled and stepped toward Serena, grabbed her by the arm, and pushed her into Kaleb’s arms. “When your sisters start singing, you need to sing like your life depends on it.”

  “But—”

  “Make that sing like his life depends on it, and you know it does.”

  Rekkus started to strip naked, leaving Kaleb gapping. “What’s he going to do, fuck them off the island?”

  Cyrus looked confused. “What did you say? What did he say?”

  Then everything seemed to fall into place one of the women dove into the water, her tail making a loud splash. As he was about to process that information, Kaleb looked toward Sarka. A pale, green-tinted glow of white light surrounded the tall woman, spreading out to the people standing with her. Others, all women from the Haus, had joined the group; Myron, Trixie, Lakshmi. He counted thirteen not including Rekkus, Serena, and himself. And somewhere in his subconscious, Kaleb knew that Sarka had called in her coven.

  “Siren, sing!” Rekkus demanded. And then he did the impossible. Where a naked Rekkus had once stood, was now a large, angry black tiger. And the damned tiger seemed to shrug at him before he leaped to the water’s edge. There was no way that had just happened. Kaleb turned to Cemil for answers.

  “You did say it was a cat fight.” Cemil shrugged before patting Serena on the shoulder. He dragged Cyrus away before the man could say what again.

  Kaleb’s head was spinning. Too much coming at him all at once. He looked at Serena, closed his eyes, and prayed that when he opened them he would be in bed with her and all of this was just some sort of weird dream.

  Instead, he found her looking at him as if her heart was breaking. “If you believe nothing, believe I love you.”

  “Serena?”

  “I am so sorry.” Serena pulled him with her, until her feet touched the water. One sad little smile, and Serena opened her lips and the most beautiful voice began to sing to him. She got through one line and everything around him faded to nothing.

  “Keep singing,” Cemil said from behind her. She could hear her mother and sisters all singing together, trying to drag the men with them into the depths of the lake, but they hadn’t anticipated that the Rowan siblings were well prepared for nearly any situation.

  But her focus remained on Kaleb, the man she loved, the man who would never look at her the same again. She sang like she had never sung before. And she knew she had him, knew she could at that moment drag him into the depths of the ocean and he would put up no fight. He would die just to have her one more time. Right then, she felt her heart break. Kaleb, the man whose only goal in life was to rescue people, would awaken from her spell and wish her dead.

  She could hear the frustration in her mother’s voice as it turned from glowing beauty to a shriek of disbelief. “What kind of magic is this?” she demanded with such rage that even her sisters were forced to stop singing.<
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  Serena stepped away from Kaleb, knowing that her spell would last a few more minutes. “Mother, it’s over. Leave, please.”

  “Why did our songs have no effect on the men?” her youngest sister demanded in a snit.

  Cemil smiled. “Because my dear, what you have to offer doesn’t interested me in the least.”

  Her mother started out of the water but stopped as Rekkus reared back on his haunches and gave her a warning swipe. “Be careful, sea witch. Our kitty here has a taste for fish.” Sarka laughed.

  “And him.” She pointed to Cyrus. “How did our song not affect him?”

  “Huh? What did she say? I can’t hear a dammed thing,” Cyrus yelled.

  “You see, Mother? They were ready for you. Please just leave. Let me be.”

  “But you are to be queen one day.” Her mother’s face softened.

  Serena entered the water and grabbed her mother’s hand. “I can’t be the mermaid you need me to be. I can’t kill a man to create another life. I just can’t be that creature.”

  Her mother sighed and nodded. “I would like to force it, but it appears I have been out matched by a team of witches and a cat. You are my daughter and rightful heir to the throne. I can’t change that, and neither can you. But perhaps Poseidon himself has a different path for you. It would be best for now if you didn’t return to the palace. I shall send for you when the time is right.”

  Serafina pulled Serena into a hug. “I shall miss you.”

  They turned away and headed back into the water, one by one disappearing into the depths of the lake.

  “Call if you are ever in need. I will come,” Serafina said before disappearing with a splash of her tail.

  Serena walked back to the starry-eyed Kaleb and placed a palm against his cheek. She brushed her lips against his and backed into the water. Letting her despair overcome her, the shallow waters of the lake churned as if a hurricane had blown in.

  “Where are you going?” Sage asked, walking ankle deep into the lake, unconcerned as water splashed at her skirt.

  “It’s time for me to leave.”