Siren Descending

by Katherine Smits

  Using every ounce of the self-control she’d learned from Thorne, she dragged herself away from him. “You can’t take me. I’m committed to the light.”

  Gelion sat back on his heels. “So you say today. I’ll wait another seven days. Submit to me before then, or Thorne remains in Hades.”

  The devil waved his arm and disappeared.

  I failed. How will I ever rescue Thorne in only a week? Please, goddess, let the mages figure out something. Sobbing she collapsed in a heap on the floor.

  ΨΨΨ

  Athenia only slept for brief periods during the night, waking from nightmares of Gelion hurting Thorne, her heart pounding until she ensured she was alone. The third time she woke, she lit a few candles. The light gave her a little sense of safety but not enough to get any real rest.

  At six in the morning, she tottered out of the hammock, stiff and sore. She made a quick call on her cell phone. When she hung up, she grabbed her clothes from the floor and stuffed them and a bikini in a waterproof bag, which she looped around her neck. Hurrying outside, she splashed into the water, and transformed to Nerei. A fast as she could go, she made her way to Anclote River Park.

  Behind a mangrove island, she shifted back. While still in the water, she yanked on the bikini. Then, she swam to the beach.

  Since it was only about six thirty, the few beachgoers were engrossed in metal detection or reading books under shady umbrellas. None glanced her way as she waded to shore. I hope Rowan arrives soon.

  After she waited a minute in the parking lot, his jeep pulled in and stopped beside her. He rolled down the window. “Are you all right? You sounded spooked on the phone.”

  “Gelion showed up again last night after I went to bed.” Her cheeks flamed at the memory of how close she had come to giving in.

  Rowan folded his arms across his chest. “What happened?”

  He still doesn’t trust me. What will it take to bring them to my side? “Gelion said he’ll only wait a week for me to give in to him and let him absorb my powers, or else he’ll keep Thorne in the underworld forever.”

  “That doesn’t give us much time.”

  Her leg muscles jumped with the need to move, to go, to do something. “We need to start now.”

  Rowan reached over and opened the passenger door. “Get in. We can call the others on the way. They can meet us at Willow’s house.”

  Weak from relief, Athenia sagged into the passenger seat. Rowan’s the leader. If he tells them to drop everything, they’ll do it. “Thank you.”

  He nodded. As they roared out of the parking lot, he handed Athenia his phone. “Call Willow first and then the others. After you dial the number, I’ll talk to them.”

  Everyone agreed without argument. When it matters, they act as a team.

  Rowan stopped at a coffee and pastry shop for donuts, bagels, and cream cheese. Athenia hated to waste the time buying food, but it only required a couple of minutes, and her stomach rumbled with hunger. We’ll all think better on full bellies. Besides, I need to change out of this bathing suit. Why do humans bother with them? I hate them. They keep me from feeling the water on my entire body, and wet ones are quite uncomfortable on land. While Rowan purchased the food, she went in the bathroom and changed.

  By the time Athenia and Rowan reached Willow’s place, Ash and Laurel had arrived. They wore the same outfits as the day before, rumpled enough they either slept in them or pulled them off the floor like she had.

  Since the morning was cool and the cloudless sky a bright dome overhead, they ate in the garden. Willow poured coffee and tea and provided a pitcher of fresh-squeezed orange juice to go with the food. Although Athenia loved the sweet, tangy liquid, she barely tasted it, and the doughnut sat like lead on her stomach, making her queasy. She perched on the edge of her chair throughout the meal, every muscle tensed with readiness to act, silently urging them to hurry.

  When everyone had eaten, Rowan rose. “Attention, please. Athenia had another visitation last night after we left. This demon or devil, or whatever he is—this entity—came to her, again, and pressured her to make the deal for Thorne. He added a new condition. He gave her a week to give in to him, or he keeps Thorne there, wherever he stashed him, forever.”

  Laurel looked at Athenia. “Where did this Gelion take him? I mean, physically. Although he told you he took Thorne to Hell, it must be an actual location. Do you think he might be underground?”

  Athenia rubbed her forehead. “He could be anywhere. Underwater, in the center of the earth, or a volcano. Gelion also called this place Hades and the underworld. He didn’t exactly provide me with much information.”

  Ash narrowed his eyes. “Thorne’s somewhere. Wherever it is, we’ll locate him and bring him back.”

  Rowan glanced at Athenia. “Anything else to add?”

  All gazes turned to her.

  “There’s not much else to say. I tried everything I could. I invoked the strongest spell in my grimoire, my siren song, even what I’ve learned of mage control. Nothing worked.” She bit her lip. I’m not sure I should tell them this. Heat flooded her face again. “I attempted to seduce Gelion into giving me a better deal. He laughed at me. If he’s not the real devil, I don’t know what he is. If we don’t try something else, Thorne will be lost forever.”

  Rowan directed a challenging stare at each person. “We won’t let that happen, will we?”

  Willow said, “Absolutely not.” She went to Athenia and took her hand.

  Ash came over and grabbed the other one. “We’ll save our brother.”

  Laurel joined them. She held Ash’s free hand. “We’ll find him.”

  Rowan gripped Laurel and Willow, so they made a circle. “Let’s begin.” They all squeezed once and let go.

  Rowan moved a few steps away into an open area. “We’ll stand at the compass points representing the elements we’re most adept at. I’ll take south for air.”

  Willow said, “I’m north for earth.” She stood opposite him about three paces away.

  Laurel shifted to her left. “I’m west for water.”

  Ash took a position across from her. “East for fire.”

  Rowan beckoned for Athenia. “Come into the center.”

  With everyone in place, Rowan gestured. Air currents eddied and blew around them. Birds and insects went quiet. The wind picked up, blowing Athenia’s hair back from her face.

  Laurel raised her arms. A gentle rain pattered on the grass, but all within the circle remained dry.

  Willow closed her eyes. The ground trembled. Petals fell from roses growing on a nearby bush, scattering red drops. The scent of crushed flowers filled the air.

  Ash made slashing motions. Flames ringed his head like a circlet.

  Athenia held her breath. Emanations from the magic around her washed over her skin, making her shiver.

  “Now,” Rowan said. “Athenia, think of finding Thorne, picture where he might be and sing.”

  “Okay.” She let her voice evoke yearning for someone lost, sending it searching for him throughout the world.

  Laurel said, “The water droplets allow me to scry. I’ve located him. He’s underground and far away.”

  Willow swayed back and forth. “I’ll dig him out.” A pit opened beyond them.

  As Athenia watched, the hole filled with water. “You probably hit the water table.”

  Laurel stepped forward. “I can take care of that.” She made a downward motion with her arms and the water drained. “Keep going. I’ll channel it away.”

  Rowan said, “I’ll bore with air to help you go deeper.” He frowned as though concentrating hard.

  The hole opened further down. Athenia couldn’t see any end to it, or any sign of Thorne, either.

  Laurel spoke again. “I still scry him, but he’s farther away than ever.”

  Sweat ran down Willow’s temples and shone on her forehead. “Can’t continue much longer. I wouldn’t have gotten this far without Rowan helping me.”

&nbs
p; Molten lava boiled out of the hole. Ash stepped forward. “This is where I come in.” He blew on the scorching crimson flow. It darkened, smoked, and solidified. The searing heat dissipated.

  Athenia sagged with relief. Was that all the way from the center of the earth? How far down can Thorne be?

  Laurel called water. It rushed over the rock and eroded it. Within a few minutes, the rock washed away.

  Athenia’s eyes widened. It should take centuries to do that, but she accomplished the feat in a fraction of the time. She’s amazing.

  Willow’s face was as white as a Florida beach.

  More time passed. An earthquake shook them. Cracks opened in the ground starting at their circle and extending in all directions.

  Rowan lowered his hands. He took Willow’s arm. “Stop.”

  “I can go on a little longer.”

  He turned her. “You must quit now. This isn’t working, and we’re causing harm to the environment.”

  Cold, draining sensations ran over Athenia’s body as the others all let their control go at the same time, like stepping into a snowstorm after a sauna. Heat still sizzled around her body, but a penetrating chill seeped at the edges. She shivered. “What else can we do?”

  Panting, the mages collapsed to the ground.

  Rowan raked his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry. Thorne must be in a different dimension or somewhere so far away we can’t reach him.”

  Tremors raced over Athenia’s body. “You saw him. Surely you can bring him back.”

  Laurel gripped her hand. “We know how scared you are, but it will be days before we can try something like this again. Right now, we’re drained.”

  Ash growled. “We won’t give up. I promise, we’ll think of something.”

  Willow’s eyes filled. “I’m so sorry, Athenia.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Rowan called her on Monday morning. “How are you, Athenia?”

  Stuffed sinuses gave her voice a nasal quality. “Anxiously waiting for you guys to think of something. Are your powers back yet?”

  “Sounds like you caught a cold,” he said, his tone concerned, “but Nerei don’t suffer from human illnesses.”

  “No big deal, my voice is muffled because I’m holding a scented cloth to my face to cover the reek of dead fish.”

  “Why don’t you come stay with one of us? You shouldn’t be out there all alone.”

  “Thank you, but I can’t. I need to be here.” From swollen, red-rimmed eyes, she peered around the empty cabin.

  “In case Thorne escapes and comes home?”

  She blew her nose. “Something like that.”

  A pause. “If he could get away on his own, he would’ve been home by now.”

  “So, we rescue him,” she said, infusing as much confidence as she could into her words.

  After a few seconds he said, “The whole group has been working on it day and night, but—”

  “Don’t tell me you can’t do it. There must be a way.”

  “I’m sorry, we can’t think of anything. Besides, we’re not restored yet. What we did took more out of us than anything we’ve ever tried before.”

  She brushed tears away. “If you can’t help, I’ll figure it out myself.”

  “Any ideas on how to find him? We’ll assist you.”

  On a cough, she cleared the lump from her throat. “Not without your control of the elements. The deadline is only a few days away. Do you think you’ll be at full strength before then?”

  “Some of our powers should be back.”

  “Not good enough. What I have in mind will require functioning at maximum capacity. I won’t take the risk of bringing anyone who’s still recuperating. Trying anything when you’re at less than optimal condition could put you and Thorne in more danger.”

  “What are you planning, Athenia?” he asked, his voice’s inflection a little sharper now.

  “Nothing yet. I’m still thinking about it.”

  “When you decide, you’ll tell us.” An order, not a question.

  “Sure.”

  “I mean it, Apprentice.” Taking on a cold, formal cadence, he commanded as the mage leader, not a concerned friend. “While Thorne is gone, the rest of us take responsibility for you, especially me. You need to inform us where you’re going, what you’re doing, and how you plan to do it.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I said, I’ll tell you.”

  “Well, all right. If I don’t hear from you by tomorrow night, though, I’m coming out there.”

  “Okay. ’Bye Rowan.” She hit the off button. Now, I need to figure out how to do this and get away from here by afternoon at the latest.

  Pulling out her grimoire, she found the section on supernatural summoning. Which one can I call to take me to Hell? I tried Surgat, but he was too strong. Maybe I should summon a different demon, one less likely to break free.

  She flipped through the volume. What about Valac? A winged boy on a two-headed dragon, Valac can find lost treasure. She pursed her lips. No, not good enough.

  Other pages mentioned several more demons. There’s Vinea, or Vine, as he’s sometimes called, a lion holding a snake and riding a black horse who can take souls. I could command him to bring Thorne back to me. However, the devil took Thorne’s physical body, too. Besides, it says here Vinea needs the devil’s permission. No way he’d get that, so he can’t help.

  Again, she read through all the demons. The second page showed a rendering of Bathin, a strong man with a serpent’s tail astride a pale horse. The description says Bathin can transport a person wherever they want to go using astral projection. I’ll have to be careful, because he’s frightening, but he’s the best one. The recommendation section says to offer him something for payment to entice him to cooperate with me.

  Since the grimoire described him as a daytime spirit, she started working right away. First, she assembled purple candles, salt, and sandalwood incense. For some strange reason, he’s supposed to like the element of lead. I should offer something made of the metal to attract him and give him the object as payment. What’s around here might he want?

  She googled on her phone. One website says lead’s used in fishing lures, scuba weights, artists’ supplies, batteries, and cosmetics. Thorne doesn’t need equipment for the water, and he doesn’t own any lures, either, since I catch all the fish. Before I came to live with him, he called them, then scooped them out of the water. No drawing materials or paint. Neither of us has the talent. I do own lipstick. Though I’ll wear my brightest red, I doubt cosmetics will work for payment. I need something else, something shiny and pretty.

  Searching the cabin, she opened drawers and cabinets. High in the top of one, pushed to the back, she found a lead crystal decanter. Although he likes wine, Thorne doesn’t use this. Since the lead could leach out, the container, it’s probably not safe or healthy. I’m surprised he has it.

  A quick stab of guilt pierced her. Taking something that isn’t mine is wrong. What if he keeps it because someone special gave it to him?

  After a short hesitation, she removed it from the shelf. I need something to give the demon, and this is all I can find. So long as he survives, Thorne can add it to the list of things to hate me for.

  Once again, she dressed in her red gown. Since Bathin is a male, I should make myself attractive for him, and this dress is seductive.

  She took special care with her make-up, slathering on plenty of foundation, blush, and powder, and then adding eye shadow and mascara to highlight her eyes. Lead is in all these products, so I can’t go wrong using them.

  Finishing by coating her lips with slick and glossy Dragon Girl, Fireball lipstick, she pouted and checked the effect in the mirror. Her mouth appeared twice as large as normal and sensuous. Better.

  To connect with the earth, she left her feet bare.

  Athenia eyed the athame, cleansed and wrapped again in a new silk scarf, but shook her head. No blood. Surgat established a connection with me through it and
managed to siphon enough of my strength to rebel against me. This time, I’m taking more precautions, because I’m the only one who can save Thorne.

  She picked up the candles, incense, salt, and decanter. Maybe Bathin has other appetites as well. I want to appeal to him. She added a bottle of cabernet, a wheel of brie, and a loaf of Cuban bread she had purchased for her dinner. All for a good cause. Besides, if I’m successful, I won’t be here to eat any of this myself.

  To amp everything up, she included some ginger root and an amethyst crystal. Now, I’m ready.

  Outside, she invoked a protection field over the cabin. No one will be able to break in. There’s not a lot to protect, but I wouldn’t want Thorne to return and find his home burglarized. Though this won’t keep the mages out, I’ll be gone by the time they arrive.

  ΨΨΨ

  Athenia made her way to her special spot in the woods and set the conjuring items on the ground. Damn, I forgot a corkscrew. Instead of going back, she called on her power. First, she heated the glass a little. Once it expanded, she hooked an elongated nail into the loosened cork and pulled it out. Might as well go for it since I’m taking risks anyway.

  As she lit the candles and incense, the palmetto bushes on her right rustled and swayed. Something’s coming, and sizable, whatever it is. Alligator? As long as I stay away from him, he probably won’t bother me.

  Prepared to sing a song to make herself invisible or sooth a grumpy gator if she needed to, she moved to the other side of the clearing and waited.

  “Are you out there Athenia?” Laurel emerged from the bushes.

  Athenia stalked over to her. “Why are you here?”

  Laurel eyed the candles and other items. “Aha, I knew it. When Rowan said you agreed to tell us what you planned, I figured you’d lied to him.”

  Narrowing her eyes, Athenia glared. “You assumed, because none of you trust me.”

  With a laugh, Laurel, shook her head. “Well, I’m right. What tipped me off is that’s what I would do if Rowan were in Thorne’s position. Anything to rescue him.”

  Weakness caused Athenia’s legs to tremble, and she dropped down on a large, flat rock. “Sorry, I should have told you guys. But you’d expect me to wait until you regain full strength, which could be too late. Besides, I don’t think I can take anyone with me, although you probably won’t want to go once you find out what I plan.”