Yes, she decided. It could.
Searching his strong face, his black eyes, she believed what her heart whispered.
It was a short drive to the restaurant, a small, family-owned Italian place called Vito’s. Lora had been there only once before with her father, on her fourteenth birthday. The restaurant’s atmosphere, perfect for an intimate, romantic dinner, had dimmed lighting, candles, and tables tucked away from the busiest areas of the restaurant. The waiter led them to a table in the back, next to a small window facing the rain-soaked street.
She tried to read the menu, but couldn’t concentrate on the words. Lora could only focus on her proximity to Ryan. She could feel his eyes on her, smell the salt air on his clothes.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
Lora nodded emphatically. She’d eaten nothing since breakfast. “Very,” she said, finally focusing on the menu. She ordered a chicken dish with a delicious description. After Ryan ordered, the waiter removed their menus.
“Tell me about you,” Ryan said, leaning forward to take her hand.
“What do you want to know?” she said.
“Everything.”
Lora laughed. “That would take a really long time. Narrow it down for me.”
Ryan let go of her hand and sat back in his chair. “All right,” he said. “Tell me about your childhood. Were you happy?”
“Mostly,” Lora said. “When I was really little, I remember being happy all the time. My best memories are playing at the beach with my parents. They loved me so much. But they loved each other, too, and I always felt safe.” The waiter arrived with their drinks, and she drank a sip of water.
She remembered being a small child, running and hiding among the cypress trees in her yard while her father chased her. She remembered racing through the sand to Devin’s house, baking cookies, swimming in the ocean on warm days. The bad memories so often managed to push away all the happy ones.
Sensing her mood, Ryan sat up. “I’ve lost you,” he said. “What are you thinking about?”
“My mom,” she said. “Losing her was . . . hard. She is a huge part of my good memories, but it’s hard to think about her without feeling sad at the same time.” A woman at the table next to them laughed loudly, breaking her daydream. “I still miss her.”
Catching herself, she remembered everything Ryan had been through recently. “I’m sure you miss your parents too. It happened so recently.”
Ryan took a deep breath and his hand caressed his forehead. “Yeah,” he said. “About four months ago.”
How could she have been so callous? The Sons eliminated Ryan’s entire family, stole them from him, and she’d been talking of her own sorrow. “I’m so sorry,” she said, squeezing his hand. “I shouldn’t have brought it up.”
“No,” Ryan said. “I don’t mind talking about it. To you, at least.” He picked up his soda and took a sip from the straw. “I guess their deaths weren’t a huge shock. The Sons of Orpheus moved quickly in our clan, killing everyone within a month. I didn’t expect to survive, actually. I wake up some days and have to remind myself I’m still alive.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, again. Her eyes stung, and she looked down at the table. Lora wished she could take away his hurt and sorrow. She wished she could wash away any despair he suffered at the hands of the Sons of Orpheus. But in a way, they were the same, she and Ryan. Sad children whose parents, or parent in her case, had been taken from them too soon. She couldn’t get over the pain. Instead, she learned how to handle it. To accept it as normal.
“Their deaths weren’t your fault,” she said, stroking his hand with her thumb. “They must be so glad you survived.” She let her eyes travel over his body as she spoke, unable to ignore his lean, muscled arms or his strong brow.
Ryan raised his head. “Have you heard them?” he asked. “When the ocean speaks to you, do you hear them?”
Lora shook her head. “I don’t ‘hear’ them the way you might think. I can sense the spirits whispering, but I can’t distinguish any voices. And I never met them, so I wouldn’t know what to listen for.” He regarded her tenderly, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze from across the table. “But if the power ever changes, I’ll tell you first,” she told him. “Maybe someday the voices will become clearer.”
Their waiter brought their plates, and they both attacked their food. Several minutes of silence passed before either one began to talk.
“Were you happy growing up?” she asked.
“Yeah,” he said. “I hated moving, but my parents loved me a lot. They might have been afraid of being discovered, but they never tried to keep me from being a Siren. We went to the ocean all the time. I still feel safest when I’m near the sea.”
“Mmm. Me too,” Lora said, nodding. “There’s no place I would rather be.” She ate another bite of her food. It tasted warm and delicious. “What were your parents’ talents?” she asked.
“My dad played the fiddle. My mom played the harp.”
Lora sighed. “Oh! I love the sound of a harp. I bet she played beautifully.”
“She did.” His voice rang full of sad memory.
“I wish I could have met them,” Lora said. “They sound like wonderful people. You were very lucky to have them.”
She saw Ryan swipe away a tear. His loss still felt raw. Four months ago his life had been entirely different. Now, she couldn’t imagine her life without him in it. The Sons of Orpheus were horrible monsters, but they had brought Ryan to her.
They arrived at a remote area of the beach as the sun descended behind the water and night enveloped them. The electric sand under her feet sent currents through her body. Ryan held her hand. A thick fog swirled around her with every step, but she could feel the energy which surrounded them as they closed in on the ocean together—stronger, more powerful than by themselves. Ryan was the catalyst. The sea’s whispers grew stronger until they were no longer whispers but chants, singing in her head, calling her forward. Calling them both forward.
“I can hear it,” Ryan said, tightly holding her hand. “When I touch you, I can hear the ocean speaking, but it’s never spoken to me before. I’ve only heard the ocean sing.”
Lora rested her head against his shoulder. “It only speaks to Guardians. Which is a shame, because the ocean’s voice is such a beautiful sound.”
Ryan nodded in agreement. “It is beautiful,” he said. “But some of your clan would say your voice rivals the oceans'.”
“That reminds me,” she said as they continued toward the water. “What is your gift?”
“I sing,” he said, staring out at the dark water before them.
This surprised Lora. Most male Sirens played an instrument. Very few of them were able to entrance with their voice. “You’re a rarity,” she said. “Eric is the only other male Siren I’ve met who sings.”
Shrugging, Ryan nodded. “I’ve never met another one, either, besides Eric.”
Hearing this news only strengthened her convictions that they were a good match. She wasn’t like most Sirens, either. Having Ryan near made her regard herself in a new way. He made her feel unique, not strange or weird.
The ocean’s chanting grew stronger and louder as they drew closer to the water, and a gusty wind swept her hair around her shoulders. The wind again billowed around her, but this time she could feel the magic it contained, sent from the ocean. It thrashed around the pair with a powerful force that made Lora catch her breath. She heard Ryan do the same.
“Amazing,” he whispered, moving so his body pressed against hers. Lora closed her eyes and began chanting along with the sea, matching its rhythm and passion. Her body tingled with the power growing within her breast until she trembled, filled with the ocean’s spirit. The salt sea air circled around them, whipping her clothes and her hair. It grew stro
nger. The ocean’s passion flowed between their joined hands; Ryan’s presence fed her gifts. She already felt stronger.
The wind still soared around their bodies as the chanting continued; then slowly, very slowly, she raised her hands and felt the ocean do her bidding.
Like a giant maelstrom, the ocean water became a wall in front of her, growing in size as it joined the wind, circling around the pair. The water created a towering cylinder of black surrounding them. Ryan gasped at the powerful tornado of water. With outstretched fingers, he touched the sea wall. The ocean’s chanting grew louder and louder, until it resembled a chorus more powerful than the roar of the heaven. The tall wall of water astounded her, magnificent and majestic, the most amazing sight she had ever seen.
The water lowered to the ground and pooled at their feet. In the water, a dim glow started and then intensified. Golden light traveled from the water to their feet, bathing the two of them in its radiant glow. The ocean said her name one last time, whispering three final words, before retreating from the beach, the glow subsiding.
As the wind died down, the ocean’s chanting ended, and the beach returned to its calm state. When the water had again settled, Lora turned to face him.
“You are a goddess,” Ryan said with heavy breaths. “I’ve never met anyone so powerful.”
But she hadn’t possessed power like this before. Although she could control the sea in some ways, and although it spoke to her, the unfamiliar energy which flowed through her body tonight felt much stronger.
Lora remembered what Devin had said to her long ago, soon after her mother had died, when Lora could barely leave her room in the morning. “The power is within you,” Devin had said. “But no Guardian is complete on her own, for each must have a counterpart.”
As she remembered the conversation, the last words the ocean said to her made perfect sense.
Είστε υποχρεωμένος. “You are bound,” it had said.
“It was you,” Lora said, facing Ryan. “You gave me the strength and the energy. Devin told me I needed a counterpart, and promised my counterpart would open the Guardian’s door. That’s why I started hearing the clan after the meeting on Silas Weatherby’s boat. It’s you,” she said again, staring at him with large eyes, soaking in every inch of his face, trying to memorize this moment.
Inside, she felt the bonds forming between them, the bonds of a Guardian who has found her counterpart. Her strength grew; she could feel a new connection to her clan, feel their wants, their needs, their sorrows and joys, despite the distance between them. It was not as she had imagined it would be. The feelings were there, and though she couldn’t discern individuals with perfect clarity, she finally understood how Devin seemed to know what was going on at all times. All doubt in her abilities washed away, leaving her refreshed and renewed. Devin had described this moment to Lora so often, the moment Lora had feared would never come, the moment which permanently changed her.
Ryan made the change. Their destinies were one.
Ryan put his cheek against hers. “I’ll give it to you as long as you want it,” he whispered to her. “I’ll give it to you forever.”
Lora’s heart leapt at his touch, and at his offering, as her body tingled with a deep longing. Ryan’s lips met hers. They were soft at first, but grew with increased passion as they pressed against hers. Lora drank in his scent, his taste, wanting more. The ocean’s water lapped around their feet, filling her body with electricity, blessing their union.
Breathless, Lora pulled away, smiling with swollen lips. “We are bound forever,” she said, for there was no doubt, no hesitation. Not anymore. Though Lora had met him only two months ago, she was confident she and Ryan’s fates were intertwined. Her deepest core told her they would remain together for the rest of their lives. The sea had united them as counterparts for eternity.
Will sat on her front porch as Ryan pulled his car into their driveway. Lora’s heart grew heavy within her.
Ryan frowned. “What is he doing here?” he asked.
“He’s one of my best friends,” Lora said, “and he doesn’t know you very well. Will is probably just being protective.”
“He doesn’t need to be protective,” Ryan said as Will stood and stormed toward the car. “You have me to take care of you.”
“Try to be nice,” she said, pleading. “For me?”
Ryan kissed her hand. “Fine,” he grumbled. “For you.” Ryan jumped out of the car and was at the passenger side door before she could get out on her own. He helped her out of the car and put an arm around her shoulders.
“Be nice,” she reminded him, wondering why she hesitated to share her new relationship with Will. They were merely friends, after all, though Fiona had insinuated otherwise. She hoped Will would be receptive of her new boyfriend. She couldn’t deny the strange rivalry existing between the two men in her life.
Will’s mouth turned down and his brow furrowed, glaring at the new couple. Lora could not help but notice his hands were clenched into fists. “Where have you been?” he asked, his voice hard, his steel eyes not leaving her face.
As she opened her mouth to speak, Ryan answered for her. “She was with me.”
Will’s eyes glanced at Ryan, but turned back to Lora. “You’re supposed to be careful. I promised your father I would protect you if you left the house, but you’ve been gone all night and never once called to tell me where you were!” His tone sounded angry, much more than chastising. It dripped full of malice, and his fury frightened her.
Taking a step back, Lora grasped Ryan’s hand. As she had expected, he trembled with anger. Giving his hand a quick, reassuring squeeze, she summoned her patience. She had to believe Will’s anger emerged from worry over her safety. She would feel the same way if he were in danger, so she couldn’t blame him.
It had grown colder since they left the beach, and the clouds served as a dark cloth over the moon. She shivered. “Let’s go inside and talk about this,” she said, noticing Will’s seething gaze focused on their joined hands. The calm, steady friend with whom she was so familiar did not exist at this moment.
“No,” he said. “You and I need to talk, but he has no part in this. He’s not one of us.” Will spit the words as if they were poison to his mouth.
Lora heard Ryan growl, a low guttural sound deep in his throat that alarmed her. “Stop!” she shouted at Will. “Stop it, now. Ryan is a Siren, he is one of us, and he is with me. Whatever you have to say to me, you can say to him too. Will, he’s my counterpart.”
Will’s face became unrecognizable with rage. “Him?” he hissed. “He’s your counterpart?” His voice sounded like a hoarse whisper as he continued to glare at their joined hands. Deep inside, Lora’s stomach felt sick and her heart beat the song of betrayal. He cared for her deeply, more than she had realized. The torment on his face was evidence enough.
“Yes,” Ryan said. “And I can protect her as well as you can.”
Will moved backwards, his gray eyes now as dark as the clouds above him. He clenched his teeth and said, “We’ll see.”
Lora could only watch helplessly as he turned and stormed to his car, slamming the door with a force which made her wince. The tires of his car squealed as he drove away, down the street and out of sight.
She shuddered, picturing his twisted features in her mind. “He’s so angry,” she said to Ryan, moving closer to him as he put his arm around her shoulders. “I’ve never seen him react so strongly before. He’s been sad, but never had so much hate in his voice, at least not toward me.”
Ryan led her to the front door. With trembling hands, as much from the cold as from the memory of Will’s fury, she fumbled for her keys. They slipped from her fingers and dropped on the ground. This brief action broke her, and helpless tears gushed down her cheeks.
Sobbing, Lora slumped
to the ground, putting her hands to her wet cheeks to wipe them away in embarrassment. “I’m sorry,” she murmured between sobs. Her nose ran and no doubt her mascara streamed down her cheeks, which probably did nothing to enhance her appearance.
“Don’t be,” Ryan said, helping her up and into the house. He led her to the couch and sat down next to her, pulling her close to embrace her. His comforting touch was calming. “Will loves you,” he said, stroking her hair. He kissed the top of her head. “I can’t blame him for caring, and so I understand his anger.” Chuckling, Ryan pulled away to search her face. “It’s probably the first time I’ve actually understood any of his actions since I’ve met him.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
Ryan shrugged. “He’s just . . . different,” he said, his answer vague.
“No,” Lora said, sitting up, her tears forgotten. Lately, she had seen a change in Will also, and was relieved someone else noticed it too. “You can’t say he’s ‘different’ and then drop off. What do you mean by different?”
Frowning, he shifted on the couch and turned his gaze out the window. A large cypress in the back yard swayed back and forth, keeping rhythm with the ocean’s song. “I think Will is a hard guy to read,” he said with a sigh. “I didn’t want to say anything to you before because I see how close you are, but I have a tough time figuring out his motives most of the time. I mean, he appears to be loyal to the Clan and a decent guy, but wouldn’t even help Nicholas when that asshole Douglas beat him up.”
Lora nodded. She had been so worked up over Will’s disapproval of her actions and had not stopped to wonder why he hadn’t stepped in to help. “The fight in the cafeteria, too,” she said, still staring at the Cypress as her mind moved quickly over this new understanding. “Why wouldn’t he help me? He just ignored it and turned away.”
Voices of the Sea Page 17