The Siren's Eyes (The Siren Legacy Book 2)

by Helen Scott

“I’m a fury too, and I’m your brother, well, half-brother.”

  “I don’t have a brother and my mom is Julie. Now, tell me why I was so drawn to this place that I couldn’t even see my sister to tell her I was alive before coming here!”

  “Well, this is your home. We have a room waiting for you, if you would like to see it.”

  “This is most definitely not my home.” Cin was starting to get angry. They weren’t listening to a word she was saying.

  “Lord Hades prefers that the furies live together close to Tartarus. That way, when he has need of us, we are easily reached.”

  “You know they have these things called cell phones. Amazing inventions, you should really give them a shot. It’ll give you a whole new level of freedom.”

  “Hyacinth, you need to control your anger before you turn into your vengeance form.”

  “Oh, you mean with the wings and black arms and everything? Yeah, been there, done that, and I don’t want to do it again.” She took a deep breath. “Please tell me why I’m here.”

  “Because you’re a fury.” Megaera beamed at Cin in a way that made Cin think the woman didn’t understand her frustration at all.

  “Okay, so I’m supposed to live down here in a cave and do what exactly?”

  “Mete out punishment for those who deserve it or those Hades decrees.”

  “And if I don’t want to?”

  “This is your job now,” Ben chimed in.

  “No! I’m not giving up my life to do this. I have a sister and a relationship and a career.”

  “Well, you would have to speak to Hades about that.”

  “Then I’ll damn well speak to him. I am not living down here.” Cin folded her arms across her chest and felt vaguely like she was a teenager again.

  Ben perched next to her on the couch. “We’ll figure this out, you know, but try and be open to it. This is a wonderful family to be part of. I know you’ll like everyone if you give them a chance and get to know them.”

  Cin sighed, feeling defeated. “I’m sure everyone is wonderful. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m just not ready to give up my life, especially since it feels like it only just started.”

  “You know, I started working at the bar to try to get to know you. I wanted to be ready in case your powers surfaced and you became a fury.”

  “My powers didn’t surface.” Cin put air quotes around surface and immediately regretted it. Why was she antagonizing the only people who might be able to help her?

  “What do you mean, child?” Megaera sat down on the chair opposite Cin, her dress spilling around her on the floor. She looked like she was Aphrodite rising from the surf, provided the surf was more of a blood color.

  Cin pinched the bridge of her nose. “I mean I died. The reason I became a fury was because I was murdered and my body burned to death as I lay dying.” She could taste the smoke in her mouth again as she spoke. She wondered if she would ever forget that taste, or the pain.

  “Your powers manifested through death?” Megaera raised a hand to her mouth, as though she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  “Yeah, I mean, there had been some clues—the red haze covering my vision and the yearning for violence—but nothing really happened until after I died.”

  Megaera motioned for her to continue.

  “I teleported to the island my boyfriend lives on.” Cin felt a momentary flash of guilt at calling Thad her boyfriend when they hadn’t really talked about it, but these were extenuating circumstances. “The guy who killed me was there. I lost it. The rage consumed me, especially when I realized how many other lives he had taken. My hands changed, my skin turned black, and my fingers became claws or talons or something. The only thing I could see through the red haze was him, and that was all that I needed to see.

  “If he hadn’t been locked in a cage where I couldn’t reach him, then I know I would have killed him. I pulled at the bars with everything I had, but they wouldn’t budge. He was taunting me. At some point I felt the wings rip through the skin on my back—first the one on the left and then, a couple minutes later, the one on the right. It was agony, and he just laughed at me, which made my rage even more potent. He’s still there, in that cage. Thad and Dem talked me down, taught me how to glamour my wings too.”

  Cin smiled at the last thought even as she felt like she’d spilled her guts to complete strangers, but strangely didn’t feel ashamed.

  “We need to talk to Hades,” Megaera said in hushed tones.

  “What’s wrong?” Cin looked back and forth between the two of them.

  Ben was as white as a sheet, and Megaera looked like her puppy had died. She didn’t know what was wrong with the two of them, but she had the sinking feeling she wasn’t going to like whatever was about to happen.

  “Come on!” Megaera stood and swept out of the room, the train of her dress forcing Ben to walk a few feet behind her for fear of stepping on it. When she didn’t immediately jump up to comply with Megaera’s orders, they both stopped and stared at her.

  “Come on, Cin,” Ben said as he walked over and extended his hand to her.

  They traipsed back up the tunnel and into the side of the monstrously huge building she’d seen earlier. Megaera kept them moving so quickly, Cin didn’t even have time to look around for fear of being left behind and then getting lost in the maze of rooms and tunnels that composed the massive building.

  She had been expecting to meet Hades in his throne room where he could pronounce her fate. Where they ended up was more like a greenhouse or conservatory, all bright and open. She could even smell the flowers and trees. There were plants everywhere. Cin felt like she’d accidentally wandered into the jungle instead of a palace in the Underworld. Winding through the bushes and trees, they ended up in a sitting area that was surrounded by brightly colored flowers.

  A man sat at a table in the center. He had a cup of coffee or tea in front of him and appeared completely relaxed. Cin found him hard to focus on at first; the darkness that seemed to envelop him was at odds with everything else around it.

  He stood as they approached, and Megaera dropped into a quick curtsy in front of him. Ben bowed at the waist briefly, and Cin noticed that even when he straightened, his eyes remained focused on the floor.

  “My lord, please forgive the intrusion.” Megaera inclined her head as she spoke.

  “Meg, it’s been centuries. You know you’re not an intrusion, especially while Persephone is gone. Please come and sit. Tell me what’s wrong.”

  As Megaera moved toward the table, the man, who she assumed was Hades, finally noticed her. “I see you have a new recruit.”

  “Yes, Lord Hades. That is what I wish to speak with you about.”

  Hades approached Cin. “And who might you be?”

  “Cin, my uhh . . . my lord.” She couldn’t stop her voice from inclining at the end, making it sound like she was asking a question.

  Hades’ blue eyes pierced her own with a knowledge of death that spoke to her on a level she didn’t understand.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Cin.” He held out a pale hand.

  She shook it. “Pleasure to meet you too.”

  “I think I see your problem, Meg.”

  “My lord?”

  “She died before she became a fury, correct?”

  Megaera nodded in return.

  “How did you know I died?”

  “I’m Lord of the Underworld. I know a soul that has passed through its gates when I see it.” Hades chuckled. “Did you not teach her any manners before bringing her to me?”

  “She just appeared and we came straight to you. I apologize, Lord Hades.” Megaera inclined her head.

  “Lighten up, Meg. I’m just kidding. And why is it that at every meeting, I have to beg you to stop calling me Lord Hades? We’ve known each other for eons. I consider you my friend. Let go and relax a little, would you?”

  Meg carefully didn’t respond.

  “Now, I suppose yo
u’re concerned about her status since she died and came back to life? You’re worried she’s somehow one of Circe’s creations?”

  More nodding.

  “Circe is locked in the pit, as you well know. You’ve even been the one to torture her a time or two. Cin is not one of Circe’s. She’s a minor goddess.” Hades turned back to face Cin. “How did you die, my dear?”

  “I was stabbed and left to burn.”

  “Ah ha!” His excited outburst made them all jump. “It’s the fire that did it, you see? It burned away her mortal side. Now, we are left with this lovely minor goddess.”

  “So I’m not a fury?” Cin’s brain swirled with the implications of that information.

  “Oh, no. You’re still a fury, but you’re a full-fledged fury, unlike Ben, who is still coming into his power.”

  “Does that mean I can go home?” Cin’s heart leaped with joy at the thought of going back to Thad.

  “Isn’t this your home?” Hades’ gaze fell on her, curiosity making his eyes glow.

  She felt like he was analyzing her every movement. “No, sir.”

  “Where do you consider home?”

  “With Thad.” The answer was out before she’d even thought about it. When she paused for a moment, she recognized it was true. He was her home. It didn’t matter where he was; all she wanted was to be with him. The realization settled over her like a warm blanket on a cold day.

  “I see your yearning for him. You truly do think of him as your home,” Hades said as his hand reached up to stroke his goatee. “Who’s your mother?”

  Megaera and Cin both answered at the same time.

  “Tisi.”

  “Julie Porte.”

  Hades turned to Megaera again. “Tisi’s girl, huh? So that makes Ben her brother! Very nice! Another fury for murderers. Very good. Very good.” He paused and paced up and down between Cin and Meg. “Can she control her form?”

  “Not yet, but this Thad is teaching her.”

  “Thad, hum? The siren brother?”

  Cin nodded.

  “I will make you a deal, Hyacinth. Since you are a full-fledged fury, you can go home to your Thaddeus on three conditions. First, you return at least once a month to take lessons in control from your mother and aunts, spending at least a weekend with them and your brother. Second, you will become an agent of vengeance in the mortal realm, meaning you will claim the souls of those who are guilty of heinous crimes and bring them to the Underworld for punishment. Last but not least, your siren will sing for you. If you are truly meant to be together, then you may stay. If his song hypnotizes you, then you will return to live here with us and I will dispel the effects of the song.”

  “I don’t know what to say.” She was going to be responsible for bringing souls to the Underworld? Would that make her the grim reaper or something? And what effects of the song would he need to dispel? She was so out of her league.

  “Tick tock. I do have souls to greet, you know, and you did interrupt my lunch.”

  Cin glanced at Ben, who nodded at her. She knew it was crazy, but she didn’t have any other way to get back to Thad.

  “Okay, I’ll do it.”

  “Wonderful!” Hades clapped his hands together and went to sit back down at the table.

  “Why are you doing this?” Hades looked at her with a lifted eyebrow. “Why are you making a deal with me? Letting me leave? What’s in it for you?”

  “A happier employee, for one. Also, you’re more valuable to me in the mortal realm. Your mother and aunts don’t go to the mortal realm anymore. They haven’t in a long time, for various reasons. Needless to say, having a full-blown fury whom I can have pick up some special souls and bring them down here means quite a lot. Your brother will help. It’s part of his condition for living in the mortal realm too.”

  Cin felt light-headed.

  “Ben, will you escort your sister back and bring her up to speed? I’d like to have her functioning in the field in a few months, if possible.”

  “Yes, my lord.” Ben bowed and began to leave, motioning for Cin to follow him.

  “Thank you, Lord Hades. This means more than I can express.”

  His midnight-blue eyes seemed to cut through her. She felt like he could see the very depths of her soul, and maybe he could. He smiled, nodded, and then sat down, chatting with Megaera. Cin turned and followed Ben out.

  Chapter 29

  By the time she arrived back at Thad’s place, her brain felt like mush. Ben had been a waterfall of information as soon as they had left Hades and the Underworld. She tucked her special Hades-and-furies-only cell phone into the back pocket of her shorts before going to look for Thad. She had jumped into the kitchen, expecting him to be close by. When he wasn’t, she started getting worried.

  She could hear something. Following the noise to a window by the fireplace, Cin found Thad. He was swimming, his beautiful body gliding through the water like he was made to do it. She couldn’t see if anyone else was out there with him from this angle, but knew that by the time she made it around to the door in the bedroom, she’d be able to tell if he was alone.

  Cin hoped that the suit she’d found at her mom—at Julie’s house—still fit. She couldn’t wait to go out there and surprise him. Her mind filled with images of the last time they were in the pool together, and her body tightened, a low heat uncurling within her.

  The bag was where she had left it before her sojourn to the Underworld. The stretchy swim fabric slipped against her fingers as she yanked it out from underneath other clothes. She raced into the bathroom and shucked out of her clothes, eagerly wriggling into the bikini bottoms and wrestling the top on around breasts that were significantly larger than when she’d purchased it.

  She almost laughed when she saw herself in the mirror. She looked like a cartoon. All boobs and hips, plus a little in the middle. It was all she had, though, so it was either this or a T-shirt again, and with her limited supply of clothing right now, she didn’t want to waste a T-shirt.

  Sneaking out onto the patio, she watched Thad in the pool for a moment. His lithe body cutting through the water was enough to get her motor running. When he turned from his lap and swam away from her, she slipped into the pool, moving slowly so she didn’t make too many ripples.

  Thad turned and started heading back her way. Her heart kicked up its tempo in anticipation of reuniting with him. She could tell as soon as he’d seen her. His pace slowed, and as he got right up to her, he dove down and scooped her up.

  Cin yelped in surprise.

  This was not the welcome she’d been expecting.

  It was better.

  He swung her into his arms and spun them both around in the water. She shrieked with laughter. She hadn’t been able to laugh like this since this whole thing started. Cin looked up at him. Thad’s smile was radiant. The corners of his eyes crinkled with joy, and she loved seeing him this way.

  “Hey, stranger.” His voice traveled over her skin, giving her goosebumps.

  “Hey yourself.”

  Thad spun them slower until he released her legs to stand her upright in front of him. “How was the Underworld?”

  “Not what I expected. Hades didn’t have flaming blue hair, and he was actually a perfect gentleman.”

  “Are you saying I have competition?”

  Cin pretended to think about it for a moment. The thought that really crossed her mind was kissing those luscious lips of his.

  Pressing herself into his body, she whispered, “Never.”

  Just as she was about to back away, his hands looped around her waist, his fingers dipping to brush the top of her ass. Cin pushed up the inch or two that she needed and pressed her mouth to his.

  The chemistry was immediate. Her blood felt like it was on fire for him. She’d never felt like this with anyone before. Their tongues intertwined as his hands moved south to grip her firmly by her behind and secure her against him. By the time the kiss was over, they were both panting.

&nbs
p; “Did you really not expect me to notice you come out in that bikini?” Thad chuckled.

  “You knew I was there the whole time?”

  He smiled and kissed her sweetly.

  “And here I thought I was going to surprise you.”

  “Impossible. I just wanted to see what your plan was since you were being so sneaky.” He smiled again, and it was like the sun breaking through clouds. The joy coming off him was infectious.

  She ran a knuckle up the side of his face, tangling her hand in his hair. “You’re lucky I like you, ruining my surprise like that. What’s a girl to do?”

  “I’ve got something you can do.” He nipped at her earlobe as he spoke, sending a shiver of anticipation down her spine.

  “Later. I promise.” She kissed his neck in kind.

  “Gods, that bikini,” he muttered as he put some distance between them.

  Their fingers still entwined, they walked out of the pool. Thad handed her a towel and took one himself.

  “So you met Hades, huh? He let you leave to give me one last goodbye?” Thad’s gaze was shuttered, preparing for pain, as he sat down to towel off.

  “No. He gave me a few conditions, but provided they are met, I can live in the mortal realm. Apparently I’m a minor goddess now.”

  Thad’s head snapped up. “So not a fury?”

  “Nope, definitely a fury, but apparently because my mortal side died, it’s just the immortal stuff that’s left, which makes me a minor, very minor, goddess.”

  “Wow.” Thad scrubbed his hand over his face.

  “Is that bad?”

  “No, that’s amazing. I didn’t think, that is, I wasn’t sure what your immortal status would be.”

  He stood and crossed the ground between them in a single stride, crushing her to him once more as he laid another blistering kiss on her lips.

  “You keep doing that . . . and you won’t . . . hear the conditions,” she said in between kisses.

  “Right, sorry.”

  He pulled her toward the lounger and sat, moving her to straddle him. Cin delighted in all the close contact, not to mention the promise of what was to come.

  He cleared his throat and leaned back slightly. “So, what are these conditions?”