Siren Calls (The Rise of Ares Book 1)

by Jade Frances

  “Are you ok Evangeline? I brought you some water, I wondered when you would wake. You have been asleep forever, it’s the afternoon.”

  Her voice was like an echo inside my head. Breathing in and out slowly, I waited for my eyes to adjust to the light again. Turning towards her, I stared straight into the same blue eyes from my dream.

  “Evangeline?”

  I sat on the bed with some help from Avetta. I needed to clear this foggy mind of mine. I felt drained.

  “I… I’m sorry Avetta, I feel ok. Not meaning to be rude, but why are you here?” I choked out through the staggered breaths I was taking.

  “Oh dear Evangeline, this will be harder than I thought, lay down.”

  She gently put one hand on my back and one on my stomach, laying me back onto the bed. Avetta was very strong for an old woman.

  “The block on your gift is strong, seemingly fading out any reality to do with it. I was here last night, dear, teaching you the basic origins of the sirens. Your birth rite. And I suppose we touched on what became of them.’

  Hold on a second, that was, “my dream,” I blurted out loud, interrupting her.

  Looking at Avetta, I tried to piece everything together.

  “Your dream? What was your dream?” she asked, brows creased.

  “Well, I had a dream you were here and talking to me about everything you just said and... erm... Akila.’

  If she was actually here, why hadn’t it seemed real.

  “Mmm, that’s odd, dear. Maybe it filters through to your subconscious. You had fainted, overwhelmed. Out for the count you were, didn’t go down without a fight though dear. Strong you are.”

  Her voice was so calm, her eyes no longer puzzled but more understanding.

  “Have you been here all night?” I questioned, trying hard to remember.

  Snippets of the evening started coming back to me. The words ‘that young girl was you’ flashed through my mind.

  “I stayed all night, then early this morning left to get cleaned up and changed, and here I am now.”

  Avetta giggled as she spoke, such a sweet harmonic sound. Staring at me with a big smile on her face, I felt calmer. I was seeing everything more clearly, but it doesn’t mean I believe it. I smiled weakly back.

  Avetta stood up and walked over to my wardrobe, I watched her as she picked out sweats and a baggy t-shirt.

  “What are you doing with my clothes?”

  “Well, I will not fit them child! It is time. Might as well rip that band aid off fully dear!”

  With that, she threw the clothes onto the bed next to me and walked out muttering to herself. I got up, slowly this time, to make sure I didn’t lose my balance again. After getting dressed, I wandered into the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, I saw how horrendous I looked. My hair was like a lion’s mane and I soon gave up trying to get a brush through it and just shoved it up in a high ponytail. Finishing with brushing my teeth, I then headed towards the kitchen. Whatever world Avetta lived in, clearly was not the same as mine. Normal people took fainting and sleeping half the day as a worry. It sure didn’t mean you were up and ready to go.

  As I reached for the kettle to make myself a coffee, I was interrupted. A hand shot out in front of mine, snatching it away from me. I turned and wished I hadn’t. Avetta’s face was thunderous. Her eyes were narrow and her lips pursed tight. What had I done now?

  “There will be no caffeine intake, get used to it. You will learn to create your own energy. Understand? Good.”

  I didn’t even have time to answer. Muttering to myself, I thought it was when Avetta said rubbish like that, that she was just a crazy old lady.

  “Evangeline, I am not crazy! I may be old but not crazy,” she winked at me, then turned to walk out.

  I stood there for a few minutes, in shock and still craving a coffee. I should be careful with my thoughts around her. This was such an irrelevant change I had to make, giving up coffee. Eurgh. Rolling my eyes, I looked longingly at the kettle. Avetta’s face reappeared around the door.

  “I saw that eye roll! We haven’t got all day, you slept through half of it! Hurry!”

  Rushing off to find my old ratty trainers, I put them on as quickly as I could. Walking through to the living room, I found Avetta waiting.

  “Ready. Where are we going?”

  I felt like I was always asking questions, but never really getting solid answers.

  “You will find out soon enough,” she replied.

  See, never a straight answer. I pondered on this for a moment. Staring at her blankly hoping she would clarify further, all I got was a smile.

  “So how are going to get there?” I asked.

  Not holding out much hope for much of an answer again.

  “We will run, dear. Problem?”

  I stumbled back slightly, shocked with her response. She must be about eighty, surely, she won’t be running.

  “Are you ok to run Avetta?”

  “My dear, I may be old, but I, unlike you, create my own energy,” a small smile crept across her face.

  Yeah, yeah, I get it; I thought to myself. All she goes on about is energy. Rolling my eyes again, I started towards the door after her.

  “Saw that as well, Evangeline,” she shouted back to me.

  As soon as we got outside, Avetta started jogging down the street. Stepping off the pavement, I could feel the sun beating down, spreading its warmth everywhere. Surely that would make it hard to run, I thought. I could get dehydrated or overheat. Shaking my head.

  “Stop making excuses,” I muttered myself and began to jog. Catching up with Avetta in a few long strides.

  All the time we were running, I kept throwing quick glances at Avetta, looking for any sign of exhaustion. I sighed in defeat, quickly realising that she wasn’t tiring out. Wherever we are heading, we would clearly run the entire way. I was finding it hard to breathe. I had paid no attention to my surroundings. Avetta stopped next to me and I finally looked around, noticing we were on a beach.

  “Are... We.. There..” I choked out in between my staggered breathing.

  “Yes. You do not have to run anymore,” she turned to me with an enormous grin on her face, then turned back to whatever she was staring at.

  She seems excited! I shuffled around her, trying to see whatever she was looking at. The view was amazing; it was beautiful. I could see the reflection of the sun’s rays on the water, the waves were lapping up the rocks on the far side to the right. The white foam, spraying anything that was near. The sand looked like it was glistening a golden colour from the lowering sun. It was such a vibrant sight, I mentally took a picture, it seemed unreal. Why hadn’t I been here before, I wondered. Avetta started walking towards the rocks on the far side.

  “Come on Evangeline I don’t have all day remember.”

  After speaking, she turned and winked at me. A flash of excitement in her eyes. Was I not going to live down sleeping through half a day! I followed reluctantly. When her back was turned, I paused for a moment. Turning to take a quick look back at the beautiful scene we were leaving. With a deep contented sigh, I turned around. Best get moving. Avetta, however, was gone.

  “Avetta,” I called, panic rising as I scanned the beach and couldn’t see her anywhere.

  “Evangeline! Hurry! Someone might see you!”

  I looked to where the voice was coming from. Literally in the rocks! Or the other side, my brain said logically. They stood at least five feet taller than my height. At least. How in the hell did she get over so fast? Puzzled, I climbed the jagged wall. The sharp edges of them were digging into my hands, making it hard. As I reached the top and looked over, I got my first look of the sheer drop on the other side. You have got to be joking. It was making me feel sick just looking down. Avetta was standing there on the ground, smiling up at me. My head was spinning. How did she expect me to get there, how did she get down there! Jump and plummet to my death, I suppose. It was way too high and there was a weird shimmer about halfw
ay down that lingered mid-air. I didn’t fancy dying today, that’s not what I signed up for.

  “Just close your eyes and jump. No harm will come to you. Trust me. Don’t be weak!” she called up to me.

  I heard the waves crashing against the rocks to the side of me, nearly drowning out the sound of her voice. I felt the sun beating down on me as it got even lower in the sky.

  “Just jump, you won’t die,” I told myself sarcastically.

  Avetta was not doing a good job at convincing me, that was for sure.

  “Evangeline. Enough sarcasm and jump.”

  I could feel her teasing eyes boring into me. What the hell, she had survived it, so could I... right? Shutting my eyes and taking a deep breath, I jumped. I felt a gentle breeze blowing my hair around and pushing against my feet as they searched for the ground. Suddenly the breeze disappeared, and it felt more like I was being sucked through a tunnel. After what seemed like literally a blink in time, I felt my feet touch the ground with a small delicate thud. How odd! At least I didn’t plummet to my death! Ha! Feeling proud of myself, I grinned and childishly stuck my tongue out at Avetta. Who took in my expression and laughed.

  “We are nearly there, come on. Next time keep your tongue in your mouth.”

  I didn’t know whether she was serious, but I could see her shoulders rising every so often. I guess she was laughing. As we walked, I looked around in amazement. It was even more beautiful down here than on the beach, and to think it was so hidden away! Our surroundings had changed completely. Instead of sand, there were stones around us on both sides. Forming what looked like walls. It was like we were walking through a passageway; the sky was barely visible above. Light filtered through, just barely. Odd, considering I had only jumped down. Couldn’t be that far. We walked through a massive archway that was formed from the rocks. Avetta started running, and I ran silently behind her.

  Soon, we broke out into what looked like a cavern. Avetta was sitting on a massive rock a little way off, giving me time to look around. There was a small opening on the far side, through which water was trickling. Small gaps in the walls that arched high above us were letting the sun partially shine through. This sent rays of light into the flowing crystal water. Everything seemed unreal. A room that has naturally formed itself, I realised. The walls of rock constructed the entire rounded space. Parts that the sun hit were shining so brightly, throwing rainbow like colours all around if you looked hard enough to see them. There were the odd rocks that jutted out here and there, looking dangerous. I spun round, admiring every inch of the cavern. It was striking and so silent. All you could hear was the gentle flow of water. Following its path, I could see that it divided the cavern into two sides. Sitting like a calm river between them. It seemed a very fitting place to represent my life. Two worlds divided.

  “It’s beautiful isn’t it, we call it the world between worlds. Only those gifted can enter through the portal. We will be here a lot.”

  I hadn’t noticed Avetta sneaking up beside me. A bloody portal! Is that what she said, I had jumped through a portal! Cool! Unexpectedly, I watched as she crouched down, then suddenly she was in the air and within a fraction of a second, had reappeared on the other side of the water. I was aware of my mouth hanging open as I looked towards her.

  “Now you stay on that side Evangeline. Your training starts now. That is your half, this is mine. Evangeline...”

  She smiled at me coyly.

  “Do not be so shocked at things I can do, remember to keep an open mind. Now concentrate. Let’s begin,” she shouted a little too enthusiastically for my liking.

  After snapping my mouth shut, I looked over to her and grinned, picking up on some of her enthusiasm. Bring it on old lady, I thought, even though I knew I shouldn’t underestimate her at all.

  “Where do you want me to stand?”

  I don’t know what she expected of me, hell; I didn’t even know what we would be doing. But I was determined to give it my best shot.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Over the next few weeks, it felt like there were not enough hours for me to fulfil everything that I wanted. I went to work during the day and then met Avetta at the same time every night, in the world between worlds. The harder I tried to form my energy, the more exhausted I became. I just wasn’t improving. I always felt drained, physically and mentally. Avetta would push and push me, but nothing seemed to work. I don’t think that even she thought it would take this long. I was determined to figure out what I was doing wrong. I wouldn’t give up, I kept telling myself.

  As I stood back in the cave, I thought to myself, today has got to be the day.

  “Evangeline, protect your territory. Feel the anger, feel it in your body. Now bring forward your energy!”

  I looked at Avetta like she was mad, but I will try. I thought of someone being in my personal space, something I rarely liked. I could feel the now-familiar heat rising through my body, but still nothing was happening.

  “Mmm, ok, this isn’t working. Think of something stronger, something that makes you mad. Lose control, then release it.”

  Ok, something to make me lose control. I thought of the day I visited the orphanage. Ava didn’t want to talk to me. Heat burned through me, moving swiftly through my body. Embracing it, I replayed that day over and over. Starting to feel excited, I could feel it flowing through my veins. It reached my throat, and I opened my eyes. Holding onto the heat. I could feel the rage burning through me. I was finding it hard to breathe. My hands felt like I had placed something in them, I looked and saw that they were glowing. A fiery glow, like the same heat I could feel inside, was forming right there in the center of my hands. Looking towards Avetta, she took a step forward, edging closer to me. A snarl formed in my chest and erupted as soon as she took another step. Unexpectedly, it caused the fiery glow to vanish. Watching it disappear in my hands, I felt deflated.

  “Evangeline, what happened?”

  I disappointed her, I could tell from her tone. I suddenly gave in to exhaustion, my knees gave way, and I knelt on the floor trying to get my breath back.

  “I snarled at you, I didn’t mean to,” I tried to explain.

  “Oh Evangeline, you nearly had it. You let instinct take over. This is what we are looking for. You have no idea, do you?” she had a comforting tone to her voice now, which helped me calm myself more.

  She was right though; I had no idea, still.

  “Evangeline, dear. You have used your gift before when your adoptive parents were murdered. Can you not remember?” she was questioning me.

  If I remembered then I would know, but I don’t. So obviously I do not understand. Closest I had were my dreams, but they were just that. Dreams.

  “You know that is not true Evangeline, your dream is a memory. Why do you think it has repeated itself for ten years? You’re connected to it and you know it deep down. Stop denying yourself and let it all out.”

  As much as there was comfort in her words it was just making me angry now.

  “Evangeline, your mother gave you away to save herself. Where is your father? Taylor left you. You pushed him away. Maybe you’re just like your mother!”

  My anger was building up. She had no right.

  “That’s. Not. True.” I yelled back through gritted teeth.

  The fire had risen to my stomach, spreading through my arms and legs. I slowly rose into a crouch, snarls ripping through my teeth. I could feel the fury my eyes held. Warmth spread, ending like a weight in my hands.

  Avetta took a step forward again. The snarls were now coming out with more aggression. I let them take over, leading me. My hands were getting hotter. It was irritating me and taking my focus off my anger. I looked towards Avetta and she was smiling; I knew that had been her plan; she had shouted at me to trigger my anger. I couldn’t help but let it all go and laugh.

  “Evangeline you will not learn if you keep doing this. Embrace your anger. Forget everything else. Focus on that one emotion.” she was shouting
at me again.

  I thought I was doing well, that’s why she had been smiling. Clearly not. I was feeling exhausted again. How long had we been at this? I didn’t even really know what my gift was. Maybe if I did, I could channel it better.

  “What is my gift, Avetta? Maybe if I knew, it would help,” I panted through the deep breaths I was trying to take.

  She stared at me for a moment.

  “I’m not entirely sure dear, I can’t get a good feel on it. Maybe light or fire. I was sure you are the fourth. I think you have had enough for one day. Good progress.”

  My mind wanted to carry on, to try to grasp my gift. My body, however, was exhausted. There was no way I could physically try again. I got up slowly and followed Avetta towards the exit. Looking back, I took in the stunning cave. The place where I would train for however long it took. A small smile crept across my face, progress. Change was coming. Avetta had mentioned I might be the fourth, the strongest of all. Fancy just dropping that bomb casually. She was guessing; I didn’t feel it at all, not yet anyway.

  Avetta had gone home on our way back, and now I had arrived at mine. I walked in, shut the door, and barely made it to my bed. I was so tired. Lying in bed, I stared out of the window. Today’s events had taken all my energy, and I wanted so badly to fall asleep. There was too much whirling around in my brain. Outside, I could see the sky getting darker, stars forming high above. The leaves on the trees were swaying slightly in the light breeze. It was so calming. A feeling of serenity washed through me and I finally, slowly, felt my eyelids beginning to drop. The world outside fading, with darkness replacing it.

  Waking up with a jolt, I looked out of the window, half expecting it to still be dark. Another new day greeted me. Watching the rain pattering against the glass, I thought back to what I had learnt about myself recently. My new life. The day I had moved out of the children’s home, I had believed then that, that was the start of my new life. Never had I imagined that it would turn out like this. Sometimes I had to catch myself and think if it was even real. Avetta constantly reminded me not to get too ahead of myself. It would put me in danger and there was still so much for me to learn. There were things that Avetta herself said she couldn’t teach me, but that I would discover them in my own way. Our relationship had come so far, we had a bond that was strong. She had taken quite a motherly role in my life, something I never thought I would have. Walking out onto the balcony, I felt the rain pattering gently on my bare arms. I could smell it in the air, the atmosphere was turning dreary. The rain was only a light drizzle though, not enough to soak me. It was followed by mist, which hovered around me and clung to my body. Like it was calling to me. My name a whisper in the distance. Strange. Running into the living room, I needed to get warm. I felt unusual. Cold and bothered by the mist outside. The clock chimed loudly, making me jump. Six chimes. As the time dawned on me, I got anxious. Avetta was due at seven and I wasn’t ready. So early in the morning I groaned, and no coffee.