Chapter Three
Hannah
I had no money to buy an amazing dress, but I did have the ability to use persuasion in strong doses even in the most delicate situations. I wanted to look really hot for the Green Man’s party. I knew there would be a lot of important members of the enchanted community there who owned companies and businesses in this realm and others. I would get to rub elbows with the elite, and maybe one of them would like me. Then I’d be offered employment, and make real money.
Even though it was the nature of sirens to use persuasion, I hated to have to depend on it all the time. I wanted for once in my life to make an honest living. Everything I had in my apartment was purchased by my talent. I enjoyed using persuasion, and to use it was as natural as breathing, but I wanted to something more. I knew the librarians provided employment and even schooling for the enchanted community, but when you’re wanted on several counts of enchanting, the only place for you is in a prison-book.
I wanted to change my life, and the Green Man’s party was my only chance—I had to make it work. And to make it work, I had to look the part.
“Can I help you?” The sales clerk asked as I stepped into the store filled with dresses that started at the rate of my monthly rent, that is, if I paid rent for my apartment.
I smiled at her. The enchantment I sent out was already ahead of me.
“I’m looking for a dress to go to an important party. I need something sophisticated and not too sparkling. I also want it mid-thigh, but not too short. I want it to be elegant with enough glam that it isn’t boring,” I said as the clerk nodded obediently at my request.
“Have a look over here,” she said as we went up a flight of stairs to an open balcony, past the plastic enclosed wedding dresses and through another door.
The clerk had led me to a smaller room filled with all kinds, colors, and styles of dresses. Some were displayed, but most hung on racks in the plush carpeted room with a chandelier overhead. Half circle windows lined the outside wall. An iced bottle of champagne sat on a small table under the windows with glistening etched glasses beside it. The room was luxurious, not that the rest of the store wasn’t nice, but this was where the important people got to shop.
“This is our exclusive design room. Most of the dresses here are one of a kind, and are made by Vine.” She motioned with her hand at the racks of dresses.
Vine. That meant this store had a connection to the Fae world since Vine is a Fae owned company. Librarians probably shopped here. I wonder why she had brought me here. She must be able to sense who I am through the enchantment. First time for that. For right now, I was the only one in here and I’d have to be quick just in case a real librarian might decide they needed an amazing dress.
My persuasion was working well on the clerk, and I scanned the dresses quickly. I knew what I liked and found a dress in the matter of minutes. I pulled it off the rack and held it up to me as I looked in the mirror. It reached my mid-thigh, and was covered in looping rows of silver sequins. It was sleeveless, and would hug my every curve.
“That’s a new one,” the clerk said. “Here, it comes with a wrap.” She held out a shear piece of grey material.
I held the wrap in my hands. It was very soft and so delicate that I thought I would have ripped it if I put it on.
“It’s made out of silk from Atlantis, and is very strong.” She took the wrap and tugged on it with her hands. “See, even when I do this it won’t rip. It was first used in the uniforms made for the Alliance there, and was just recently released for use in civilian clothing. Vine of course, has exclusive rights to it.” She was very informative and my enchantment on her was running smoothly.
“I think I will try this one on,” I said taking the wrap from her.
It fit like a glove and was almost like it had hung on the rack just waiting for me to come in and try it on. My every curve was hugged and cleavage visible, but not too exposed. It was sexy, sophisticated and perfect.
The sales clerk wrapped it up and put it into a box with a copper colored ribbon tied around it—like a present.
I handed her a fake credit card I got from a Monopoly game. This would be my last enchantment, and it was for a good cause. This dress…the party…it would be a new beginning for me. She ran the card through the machine that was on a shelf in a small niche in the wall. I stood behind her and watched. She then turned around with a big smile and gave me the card back.
“Thank you, and would you like to leave your contact information? Twice a year we have a show exclusive to just the librarianship.” She asked in a pleasant tone.
“Oh, I travel a lot, and it would be hard for me to attend, but thank you for the invite.” I replied quickly.
She handed me my receipt which stated that my card couldn’t be read. As far as she was concerned, it was a legit transaction. I signed her copy with a fake name and she showed me to the front of the store.
“If you change your mind about being on our mailer please let us know.” Her customer service just didn’t stop.
I nodded my head and headed towards the door just as a large group of young girls entered the store. They were talking like a bunch of buzzing bees, and I had to say excuse me several times to get past them. They let me through just as I caught their scent. They weren’t just a group of giggling girls, they were young librarians.
My stomach lurched as I pushed the door open and into fresh air. Relieved, I drew in a deep breath as I walked down the sidewalk. That was close, and I was thankful that most of those young librarians didn’t have their reception abilities fully developed yet.
I turned the corner and smiled. It was a beautiful day and I had an amazing dress to wear to the party. Now all I had to do was work on my resume I thought to myself as I looked down at my gift wrapped package not paying attention to what was in front of me.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” said a concerned male voice.
I dropped my package and was nearly knocked to the ground. A brown haired boy, tall and strong, hung onto my hand preventing my fall. He was cute…young, and…smelly. He wasn’t just a boy, he was a guardian. I could sense it.
I pulled my hand from his and picked up my precious package. He could sense it too as more guardians gathered around catching up with him.
“Hey I think all the girls went to some clothing store not far from here.” One of them said looking down at his phone as my eyes locked with the brown haired boy’s.
“I’m going to get something to eat. Do you guys want to go?” Another one said, and soon I was surrounded by four very young guardians.
“You’re the siren…” he started to say and I quickly manipulated him with an enchantment.
“No, I wasn’t.” I looked into his eyes and pushed past them.
“Who was that, Kelen?” One of them asked.
“Just some lady I accidentally ran into.” The brown haired boy named Kelen replied. “Come on, I’m hungry too. Who knows how long they’ll be in the store.”
I smiled and wished all guardians were that easily manipulated.
Mae
“Do you think the two guardians that I saw at the market are gone?” I asked turning towards Nolan.
“Probably just passing through,” he said with his back to me.
It was Sunday, and the only day Nolan would sleep in. The sun was barely breaking over the horizon, and I couldn’t help but to worry. Something deep inside of me felt it had been interrupted, and now clouded over in murkiness. Just like the still waters of a pond, the past sediments of my life had been disturbed. Something was coming, something was changing, and I couldn’t put my finger on it. I didn’t want things to change. I had all that I wanted right here next to me and around me.
Nolan loved me so much, he quit or more like was dismissed as a guardian. He did it for me and for us. We lived under the wire of everything in this nowhere place of Deadwood, Kansas. And we were
finally happy.
The guardianship had been silent in our lives for over a year, and now suddenly they showed up.
“Are you sure they were just passing through?” I asked resting my chin on Nolan’s shoulder. “Why would they stop at the market?”
“Why do a lot of people stop there? It’s a popular market, and maybe they were on vacation.” Nolan turned to me and looked at me with sleepy eyes. “Mae, quit worrying about it.”
I drew in a deep breath wishing I could turn it off. Nolan pushed back my hair and pulled the sheet around us like a cocoon. I nestled my head in the crook of his shoulder and let out a satisfied sigh. I reached for his hand and laced my fingers through his. His hands were beautiful, like an artist had sculpted them. They used to be a lot softer, but since Nolan had been with me, they had turned calloused and tortured. Even through the cuts, blisters and a couple of scars from working on our little farm, I still found them attractive.
“I like your hands,” I said my thoughts aloud.
Nolan chuckled as he examined them as well. “And why do you like my hands, if I dare ask.”
“Because they are strong and even though they are roughed up, I still find them attractive.”
Nolan flipped his arm around and I caught a glimpse of his guardian tattoo. Even though I was aware of it, I hated to look at it. Nolan had chosen me over a prosperous career as a guardian. I knew he loved me, but sometimes that love scared me. He had given up a secure life to be with me—a siren. And one that couldn’t even control her own power.
I pushed my fears away, and flipped myself over Nolan. I pinned his arms down by his wrists, and smiled victoriously. I pinched his rib cage between my bent legs as his eyes widened at my sudden movements.
“You know the chickens aren’t going to be happy if they aren’t let out soon,” Nolan said with a smile.
“You’re thinking about the chickens right now?” I asked in an agitated voice. “Really…the chickens, they can wait.” I lowered to kiss him with my hands still holding his wrists. “Make love to me Nolan,” I whispered.
Not only was Sunday a day to sleep in, it was also the day I did the laundry, cleaned the house, and weeded the garden. I loved the solitude of the countryside, the fresh air, and the openness that surrounded our two story farm house.
It was mid-morning, and I had nearly weeded the whole garden. Nolan had gone into town to pick up a few groceries. I looked at the weed-free garden, proud of my hard labor. I leaned against the hoe, and wiped the sweat from my forehead as I smiled at the colorful bachelor buttons blooming in array of blues, pinks, and lavenders. They were cute flowers that graced the edge of my garden for a couple of years now, reseeding themselves every year.
Just as I started to turn away, a gust of wind swirled around me and through my garden like an invisible snake. The wind chimes fluttered, and the cawing of a blackbird poisoned the peacefulness with its shrilling call. Suddenly, a distant memory crashed into my thoughts.
A hand pulled me through a large crowd all moving in one direction as the rumble of thunder erupted in the distance. I was a child, scared and wondering where I was being lead to.
“Hurry Mae, the portal won’t wait for you,” a woman with the same color of eyes as mine said in a worried tone.
My little legs were numb from walking for so long. The woman pulled harder on my hand as we approached a silver ring that looked like a frame of a mirror that stood on end. White and silver liquid filled the inside of the frame that looked to be twenty feet tall. I stood in awe of its amazing stature.
“You be good, listen to what they say, and you’ll be fine, little daughter,” she said giving me a kiss on my forehead.
Before I could say anything or kiss her back, another hand grabbed me. She called me daughter. I reached for her, but the crowd of noisy people separated me from her. A blast of light, fragmented faces and voices filled my head. The woman with the same eyes as mine had haunted my dreams and visions since I could remember. And that woman was my mother from a place and time that had been erased. I knew now who she was, but where I had come from and my past had all been conveniently erased by the librarianship for my own protection. I knew this, and also knew I wasn’t alone. Other siren children suffered the same thing when our world crumbled.
Her voice, the hum of the portal, and all the welcoming faces that were foreign to me, faded as I sat on the ground. The wind blew gently, and the wind chimes played a soothing tune. I stood up with a sharp pain radiating from my stomach and down my legs. I had sat too long and it was obvious from the water hydrant I had left on to fill up a bucket of water. I stood in a pool of water and mud and… something red.
The striking color covered my bare legs and stained my socks. I suddenly felt another wave of pain run through me.
Not again…
Sophie
All those years raising Ann, the relationship I had with her, the future we would have had, were gone. She would miss me, yes, but then she’d forget me. I would eventually grow into someone that had been there as her nanny until she started school. Soon her life would be filled with other things, and I would be pushed farther and farther back into her memories until my name would just be associated with a title.
I looked out the window at the people below. My eyes, as if magnetic, were drawn to a mother and daughter crossing the street. The girl had long dark hair that reminded me of Ann’s. That could be us crossing the street. I’d take her to her first day of classes and pick her up when she was done. I’d be there for her and maybe help her with homework. I would have an important place in her memories, and an important place in her life.
“Sophie,” I could hear the Green Man’s voice through my locked front door. “Sophie,” he repeated.
“Coming,” I said opening the door.
He was dressed in a long green coat edged with black satin on the collar and cuffs. His fedora style hat had peeks of his wild hair poking out from under it. I tried to contain my laughter at his jester crossed with circus ring leader appearance.
“You’re wearing that?” He pointed at my long skirt and white blouse.
I looked down at my ensemble. “What’s wrong with it? Any respectable nanny would be dressed this way.”
He shook his head and made that same ticking sound from his mouth that he made from first examination of my apartment. “Oh darling, you are not a nanny, governess or a watcher of bratty children anymore. Therefore, you cannot dress that way.”
I looked up at him pushing my tears back into my eyes. I wasn’t a nanny anymore. Ann wasn’t my responsibility or even in my life anymore. I could still feel her though like an appendage that had been cut off and the ghost-feelings still remained.
“Suck it up dear.” The Green Man’s words shot through me.
“That’s rude.” I protested with crossed arms. “You have no idea what I’ve been through.”
“I beg to differ, dear. You’re not the only one who’s been screwed by the librarianship or guardianship.”
I drew in a deep breath, and gained my composure. “Thank you for inviting me to shop for decorations for my apartment, but I think I will pass today.” I started to shut the door when his boot wearing foot caught the door.
“Not so fast, siren,” he said with a raise of his left eyebrow. “All apartments need to have the proper style and I insist that we not only do this, but redecorate your attire as well.”
My mouth hung open, and my mind scrambled for the right words to retaliate with. I wasn’t used to this kind of temperament, and I was getting tired of dealing with this rude neighbor.
“I beg your pardon,” I said not coming up with anything else.
“Oh, come now. You don’t have to beg me, you just have to come along, and I promise,” he said with a crooked smile, “you’ll have fun, and besides if not, I’ll be forced to call the guardianship to report your un-neighbor like actions.”<
br />
“Just for not going shopping with you?” I asked.
He tilted his head side to side as if contemplating the idea, and then smiled widely at me.
“Yes. Now come on Sophie,” he tugged on my arm and pulled me into the hallway. “We have a lot to do, and I don’t have all day to do it—got a party to plan.”
We went out of the Fisher Building and got into a limo that pulled up as if on cue when we exited the building. The Green Man quickly got in and tapped on the smoked glass divider, and then we took off.
“Where are we going first?” I asked as he pulled out what looked like a cell phone.
“A clothing store called The Little Black Dress.” He continued to look at his phone and then closed it. He looked at me with a smile. “I’m not taking you shopping until we fit you with the right clothes for a siren.”
He was beginning to irritate me. He didn’t know what I liked or what my tastes were. Who put him in control anyway? And how much clout did he have with the guardianship or librarianship for that matter?
“And may I ask, what are the right clothes for a siren?” I half laughed at him.
“It doesn’t really surprise me that you know nothing of your heritage or the history of sirens. No, of course not. You were taken as a young child like all the other sirens and your memory, if you had any depending on your age, was erased. That’s why I was thrilled to have a siren living on my floor. I know lots about sirens, and not only what they like to wear. You see the guardianship thinks you are as safe as a new born kitten, but those kittens grow up, and with the right training and guidance, can develop claws.”
I looked at him with surprise. He claimed to know about sirens, which I knew nothing about, and I was one. The only thing was, I never thought myself as one. I was Ann’s nanny and before that, a student at the academies for librarians. The word siren had as much meaning as saying the word hat, dress or coat. I was told I was a siren, but that word never had a meaning attached to it. And to be obedient, I accepted whatever the librarianship told me.
“I can see that I’ve confused you with a lot of information for you to digest,” the Green Man said as he tapped me on the hand with a smile.
Suddenly, the limo came to a stop.
“Ah, we’re here,” he said and opened the door.
We got out and the limo took off. Nestled between two other buildings, was a large glass front building with the name The Little Black Dress in black letters painted on a silver background.
“Come on we need to be on schedule,” he said opening the door and waiting for me to enter.
Inside was filled with everything from elegant evening wear to jackets and pants.
“Jack!” A short man, nearly a head shorter than me, yelled coming out from between the racks of dresses. He was dressed in a black vest and stripped pants. His blonde hair was long in the back and thin on top and held in place with a black band.
He shook the Green Man’s hand vigorously and smiled. “It’s been a couple of years since I’ve seen you. How have you been?” The man, who I could only guess was the clerk said.
“I’m well, and sorry I haven’t visited you, Sam. You know, busy, busy, busy,” The Green Man, I know as Jack now, shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
“Oh, I understand completely.” Sam replied in a jolly voice. “I could only guess an important wizard as you finding the time to come to any of my parties.” His laughter turned to slightly hurt-filled.
“Yes, yes, yes,” Jack continued to be jolly. “It seems timing was the problem. You know the guardianship is always wanting, wanting, wanting something from me.”
Jack was nervous, not only obvious in his actions, I could sense it. I had suddenly felt it run through me like lightning and if I didn’t help him, I’d be standing here listening to Jack repeat random words three times in a row getting nowhere.
I cleared my throat and smiled at the elvish looking clerk with the pointed nose and beady eyes.
“My name is Sophie and Jack here,” I said nodding towards him, “said this was the best place to buy clothes for sirens, and had the most knowledgeable clerks working here.”
A content smile erupted on Sam’s face as his eyes twinkled between me and Jack.
“Of course,” he said looping his arm through mine, “We have dressed many of the enchanted community. Though I do have to say, a siren,” he emphasized as he winked at Jack, “is a true delight.”
I was taken to the back of the store where Jack and Sam sorted, agreed, disagreed, and eventually compromised on a selection of clothing for me to try on. All the time while they discussed non-stop what would be best.
The second outfit I tried on was a pair of jeans with a cream colored top and crocheted vest in a light blue color. I liked it, but somehow it wasn’t me. As Jack and Sam went from section to section, I decided to look for myself.
I found several skirts, pants, blouses, and dresses that were nice and looked like they would suit me.
“No, dear, those won’t work.” Jack said handing me a sapphire blue dress that looked like it would hardly cover my body. “I think we have enough picked out for you that will work and this,” he pointed towards the dress, “is what you will wear to my party this weekend.”
I examined it on the hanger and gave Jack a questioning look. “This is very,”
“You,” he finished my sentence. “Now, go try it on.”
To pacify both of my clothes hunters, I put the dress on and it fitted like a glove. The material shimmered, hugged my every curve, and gathered at the waist with a small rhinestone pendant. It had one long sleeve and my other arm was bare. I gazed at myself in the mirror, and for the first time I felt something had sparked inside of me. Can a dress do that?
“Come out so I can see, Sophie. I’ve got other engagements to attend to.”
I stepped out and got two surprised, speechless, and approving expressions from both Sam and Jack.
“Now that dress was made for you,” Sam said walking around me. “Yes. Perfect. No alterations needed.”
Jack stepped in front of me with a giddy smile on his face. “Now, you’re a siren.”
Beannca
“Sorry I am late,” Jack said coming through the door. “My new neighbor has a frightful sense of fashion. Had to practically pick everything out for her,” he said putting his hat on the hook beside the door. “The request for my services never ends!”
I was sitting on the couch drinking a glass of wine I helped myself to waiting for him to return. “Would you like something? I make an amazing double pixie.” I thought the colorful drink would suit his flamboyant personality.
“My favorite, but no,” he said sitting beside me and taking my drink from my hand. “I save my consumption of other worldly spirits for the evening hours.”
I nodded my head thinking I’d overstepped my boundaries. I was used to the night club-night life way of things, and sometimes it involved alcohol during brunch. I couldn’t help but to feel slightly embarrassed.
“Thank you for having me.” I looked at him and he replied with a smile. “I mean with everything that is happening—I mean, I am really putting you at risk.” He waved me off.
“If I felt it too risky, you wouldn’t be here. I know you are thankful, and I like your guardian boyfriend—he has a good head on his shoulders. And I would like to keep him as an ally, so I don’t mind helping him out whenever I can.” Jack got up and went over to his shelf beside the fireplace.
Jack’s apartment was huge and luxurious with large windows, beautiful furniture, and every amenity available. Even though I found my “safe place” amazing, I still wondered what was going to happen. I had been here only a couple of days with no word from Aaron.
“Have you ever heard of a calling shell?” Jack suddenly asked and turned around with something in his hand.
I shook my head and wondered if it was a mixed drink.
<
br /> “I didn’t think so.” He sat in the large leather chair in front of me. “This,” he held up a palm-sized white shell with a large end that delicately swirled to a pointed tip, “is a calling shell from Atlantis.”
“It’s beautiful,” I complimented.
“That’s nice, but no it isn’t. Not as beautiful as the other shells from where the sirens once lived.”
I sat speechless as I looked at the pale shell. “What-what do you mean?”
He smiled, and then examined the shell by twirling it in his fingers. “Do you remember anything about the revolution…the uprising…and finally the evacuation?” I shook my head. “You were probably too young to remember, and what little memory you had was probably erased by the librarianship.” He sat the shell down with a delicate clank on the glass table.
I looked at the shell that sat between us. It was a piece of my homeland. I never thought much about it, but always wanted to know.
“What does it do?” I asked.
Jack shrugged his shoulders. “I really don’t know since sirens are the only ones that can work it. But what I do know,” he leaned closer to me, “it can lead you back to Atlantis, your home.”
Sirens Page 3