Sirens

by M.M. Gavillet

  Chapter Ten

  Hannah

  “The calling shell belongs to Mae,” I said holding it in my hand. I knew Maggie would be coming for it one day, and thought it best that Mae have it to give her.

  “Yes, as all calling shells do.” Sean flipped through several white envelopes he had in his hand.

  I watched him scan with his eyes each envelope flipping them over and under one another. He reminded me of a dog twirling in circles until he found the right position to sit in.

  “I don’t think you understand,” I finally said since Sean was ignoring me. “The calling shell,” I shook my head.

  His eyes lifted to me. “Yes, what of it?”

  “I still have it, and I need to give it to her.”

  Sean tucked the envelopes under his arm, and walked towards me with his usual warm smile. His footsteps were soft on the marbled floor. The room was large with circular windows that streamed in the morning sun and made the white, sandy walls sparkle like ice crystals. We stood in what Sean called the greetway of the receiving hall building where we have been for the past two days.

  “Calling shells are not to be possessed by any individual, but kept in the implements department. That my dear Hannah is where you’ll be going today with Rae.”

  “Who’s—” I started to say when the large arched doors that were solid glass stained with swirling blue and green colors, opened and nearly blinded me with the light they reflected.

  I moved out of the bright light, as the door quietly shut.

  “Ah, you’re on time. Excellent.” Sean greeted the girl with white hair. “You remember Rae?” He glanced at me as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

  I nodded. “Yeah, she was there the day we arrived in Atlantis.” I kept my eyes on her. Rea looked a lot like Sean, and I had to ask the question that burned in my head. “Are you two brother and sister?”

  Both gave me a blank look before glancing at one another.

  “Do you mean closer in relation?” Rae asked.

  “Yeah, like having the same parents.” I knew my blunt question was well, very blunt, but I felt the need to ask as many questions as I possibly could.

  “We have the same mother, but father, we have different ones. As you know, sirens have trouble reproducing our race, and when a female siren can become pregnant…” Sean for the first time looked uncomfortable.

  “That becomes her duty?” I asked breaking the awkward silence.

  “Sort of,” he replied vaguely. “Now the business with the calling shell.” He motioned towards my hand. “Rae will take you where we keep all of our treasures, and maybe show Hannah as well as Sophie around until I return from council.”

  Rae nodded as Sean said goodbye leaving us alone in the sparkling room. I smiled as she kept her face expressionless. I cleared my throat, and waited for her to say something or tell me more about what we were going to do. Instead, Rae walked around me as if she was evaluating me in her own way.

  I stood uncomfortably still as she made a slow circle around me. Her hair was pulled back into a loose braid letting a few strands curl around her oval face. Her steady grey eyes were surrounded in her perfectly creamy complexion. Rae had an icy appearance that reminded me of a sunny winter morning with newly fallen snow still in a state of perfection before it had been trampled.

  “You are a grand siren, like me.” Rae finally said.

  “Sean explained that to us…about the different types of sirens.” I hoped she wasn’t going to be like this the whole time I was with her.

  “But you like females over males—interesting.” She added casually as my mouth dropped open. “Don’t be ashamed. It’s not uncommon for our kind to care for both sexes.” Her pale lips curled into a smile.

  She then slipped her hand into mine. “Come on siren; let’s get that calling shell where it needs to be.”

  I didn’t protest or suggest we take Sophie, like Sean had said. I felt like an oblivious child following a stranger after being told not to go with strangers, and here I was doing it. Rea had a dominating feel to her, and one that I wasn’t going to challenge. I was new here, and if I wanted to stay here, I had to do as I was told. Maggie would have to find a calling shell another way to add to her collection.

  “These are the academy buildings.” Rae stopped in front of a large three story building with the same style of door as the receiving building, except this one had glass stained in pinks and oranges. It too looked like it was made out of sand molded into gentle curves and arches. Various sizes of windows filled with glass matching the door, covered the front of the building. “This is the reception building.” Rae gazed up at it. “Behind it are the academy buildings that teach everything from using your abilities as sirens to history and even some mathematics.” I cringed at the thought of math.

  “Math,” I said with bitterness.

  Rae turned around with her stone-like expression and gazed at me with her steel colored eyes. Her cold stare made me feel I had insulted her, and I had better un-insult her fast.

  “I-I mean…math…it’s good…we need to have it.” I took a deep breath trying to compose myself.

  “Don’t hurt yourself.” Rae finally said turning back towards the building. “I don’t like math either, but Sean does.”

  “Well, the building is beautiful.” I tried to say something to change our conversation.

  “Yes, and once you get past the reception building there are several other buildings that encircle a court yard filled with trees and flowers. It really is pretty.”

  “So do all sirens go there for schooling?” I asked.

  “No, only the selected ones.” Her tone was flat, but had a tinge of resentment to it. “Come on, we need to keep moving.”

  We followed a narrow road that was covered in crushed shells embedded in what looked like cement. There were no carriages, bikes, buggies or anything motorized. Everyone walked on large sidewalks that wove and wound through the multitude of sand buildings like ribbons. I tried not to stare at everyone we walked by, but I found it difficult. I was surrounded by nothing but sirens—my people. If not dressed in the pale colored clothing, they looked like the humans I would pass on the streets of Chicago. There were men and women, and even a few children. All with different colors of hair, skin, and eyes. I smiled as we passed them with an overwhelming sense of happiness. I was walking among sirens, and I felt like skipping down the pathway like an idiot without a care in the world. I was really here…my heart pounded in my chest…my feet became light…

  “What are you doing?” Rae suddenly stopped, grabbed my arm, and turned towards me.

  A group of teenage girls passed by giggling with hushed whispers among themselves. “What do you mean?” I asked ignoring them trying to calm myself.

  “It’s spewing out of you like a geyser.” She then pulled me close. “Look, I know you are happy to be here, and I would be too, but your letting it spill all over the place.” Her eyes studied mine for a moment.

  “Sorry, I’ll tone it down.”

  “Stop it all together or you’ll draw attention to us.” Rae studied my eyes for a moment. She liked them, and wanted to stare into them longer than time would allow.

  Wow, I had felt a sudden rush of her emotion that was spewing out as well. I pushed it away. I was new here, and I didn’t want to screw up any chances I had at making a life for myself in Atlantis.

  “So, where are we taking the shell to?” I asked ending the overflow of emotions.

  “To the implements archives building, but first we are going to put a mark on you for your own good.” Rae grabbed my wrist and pulled me down the sidewalk.

  “Mark…what’s a mark?” I asked with no reply. “Rae?”

  We turned several corners, and went down many paths, some narrower than others. We passed a market area with people selling everything from clothing to produce. Some areas were crowded, and othe
rs took on a darker feeling.

  The tall, glistening buildings slowly downscaled to a tiny river of single level buildings. Rae guided me down a winding walkway littered with broken pottery and other unidentifiable garbage that had been swept into piles. The narrow path glowed in a soft golden light that made the area look more enchanting than it probably appeared later in the day.

  I felt a familiar sense that this place was the south-side, projects or slum of Murk Island. Some of the buildings had scrolling marks above their doors, while others had nothing identifying them except for the hooded sirens looming by the darkened entrance. I kept my sightseeing to a minimum as not to catch the attention of the wrong person.

  Without a word, Rae darted into a building that had razor sharp geometric designs painted around the doorway. I nearly tripped over my own feet at her sudden change in direction.

  Inside was dark, and it took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust, but when they did, I knew where I was at.

  “You want me to get a tattoo?” I stood looking at the walls covered with sample drawings, and the man sitting in the corner getting a tattoo on his arm.

  Rae turned to me. “Not for vanity’s sake, but for your protection.” She went over to the wall looking up and down at all the sample drawings.

  “Wait,” I said stepping behind her. “Protection from what?”

  “From my brother.” Her voice was even toned. “Do you have any seer marks?” She asked the cloaked figure giving the bald headed man his tattoo.

  He stopped, and looked over his shoulder towards us. I couldn’t see any of his face that was covered completely in blackness from his oversized hood. I thought of the few horror movies I had watched where there were creatures just like this one. I bet if he’d remove his hood there’d be just a skull for a head with red glowing eyes. I wanted to run away, and started to take a step back when Rae grabbed my hand. She glanced at me with warning eyes.

  “He’s just a mark giver, and nothing more.” She reassured me in her stern voice.

  “Yes, I have a few seer marks,” he replied in a whisper. “Over there,” he motioned with a tilt of his head towards the opposite wall.

  Rae pulled me with her as she quickly scanned the scroll-like drawings.

  “Here,” she said pointing to a pinwheel looking mark that had arrow shaped ends.

  “That’s ugly. It looks like a wicked children’s toy gone wrong.” Once again I got a scolding glance from Rae.

  “It will keep you protected.”

  “Why would Sean want to hurt me?” I asked since Rea was being vague and I was growing tired of it.

  Rae didn’t answer, but instead pulled the tattoo sample from the wall, and then turned to me. “He doesn’t want to hurt you. He wants to use you for something that could shatter our very existence here.”

  Mae

  Every time I woke up from my tiny cat naps, I asked if I was still pregnant. Karinna would always smile and answer yes each time. I couldn’t believe I was still pregnant, and achingly wanted Nolan by my side. He would be overjoyed, but angry at me for coming here. I hoped Maggie could explain things to him as to why I did this.

  “Would you like to go for a walk today?” Karinna asked standing beside the large window. “It’s warm out and the waves are calm along the beach.”

  “Do you think it’s alright? I don’t want something to happen.” I felt my body had turned into delicate glass, and even sitting up could be dangerous.

  Karinna smiled. “As long as you don’t run and jump into the ocean for a long swim.”

  “I don’t think I will do that,” I said with a chuckle.

  “You know, Mae, your siren abilities are strong here in Atlantis. You have more strength than you realize, and I’ve got the perfect companion for you to go on a stroll with.”

  It had to be Nolan—he was here already.

  Karinna opened the door and in walked a woman dressed in a gauzy skirt and short sleeved shirt with greying dark hair pulled up loosely. She smiled at me warmly as Karinna exited like a silent breeze. The woman shut the door behind her and gazed at me with eyes that I had seen before.

  “Do you remember me, Mae?” She asked sitting beside me.

  “I-I don’t know…yes…maybe.” My visions and dreams were filled with a woman who looked exactly like this, but could this be her? “Your eyes…” I whispered gazing into them. They were the same as mine.

  “You were a child when you left, and I wasn’t sure if you’d remember me.” I closed my eyes listening to her voice.

  “You’re my mother,” I said softly.

  Her smile and her eyes confirmed what I said as she reached for my hand. I squeezed her hand to make sure she was really standing in front of me as tears welled in my eyes.

  “You were in my dreams for so long. I can’t believe it’s you.”

  My body trembled as I leaned over and hugged her tight. I could feel her joy as well as her sorrow. Where words would have been said, quietly we felt each other’s feelings—good and bad. I felt her sorrow and guilt for sending me away that slowly dissolved into true happiness. Her time of waiting was over—she had her daughter again. I reassured her that I wasn’t mad at her for sending me away. She didn’t have a choice, and risked sending me visions all those years. We embraced quietly making up for the many years apart.

  “I was always with you, Mae.” She looked into my eyes as if she was searching for something. “Your dreams and visions were more than just that. I was with you reliving the past. I wanted to make sure you would retain the memories the librarianship would try to erase. “I felt what you felt at times, and that made the visions even stronger between us. I also know about Nolan, and the child that will be my granddaughter.” She smiled deeply, bringing wrinkles to form around her eyes.

  I shook my head. “How do you know it’s going to be a girl? Is that a siren ability?”

  “No, sight sirens like you and me, can only have daughters. That’s the way it has always been.”

  “Sight siren—I don’t understand.”

  My mom smiled as she stood up still holding onto my hand. “Get dressed and let’s take a walk on the beach because there is much for you to know.”

  The warm sand covered my feet as I looped my arm through my mom’s and her through mine. We stood facing the endless shades of blues and greens of the sky meeting the ocean. My mother went on to described the different types of sirens and what they meant. Most were grand sirens or element sirens, but there were a few who were sight sirens. That is what I was, and my abilities would never stop growing like other sirens. We could have enough power to take over Atlantis if we wanted and given enough time. Our abilities were boundless, and just as strong hundreds of miles away as they were inches away from someone. We were held in awe just the same way as feared. We were thought of as abnormalities at the same time priceless works of art. I knew I had power, and most of the time held it back, but now I had a definite direction and knew I was in the place I had always belonged.

  My mother lived on the other side of the island, but was staying here until I had my baby. The thought of having a child still was hard to comprehend, and I felt at any moment fate would take her away—again.

  Night had fallen, and I stood on the balcony listening to the each wave come in. It was a relaxing sound that was music to my ears. It was slow and soft like a warm spring breeze that curls around you. I had enjoyed spring mornings in Deadwood, and felt a pang of homesickness. Suddenly, I felt heat radiate behind me, and then the gentle touch of hands around my waist. I would have jumped or screamed, but I didn’t because I could sense it was Nolan.

  I turned to face him, and without a word, he kissed me.

  “Mae, you scared me,” he said holding my face in his hands making my eyes reach into his.

  “I never meant to scare you. I just had to do this.” Our eyes searched one another’s. “I couldn’t stay…you’d e
ventually be miserable. That was my intentions on coming here, but now other things have happened.” I stepped back and placed my hand over my stomach with a smile.

  “It’s a girl—I know, I was told, and I met your mother. Maggie informed me on everything.” Nolan curled me in his arms.

  We stood on the balcony gazing out at the Sanudra Ocean illuminated by the moon. We had finally found our place where we could be happy and start the family we had dreamed about for so long. Our lives were finally complete.

  Sophie

  “You got a tattoo?” I asked in disbelief even as it stared back at me on Hannah’s shoulder. “We haven’t even been here a week and you agreed to get this for protection from Sean who has been nothing but gracious to us?” Sometimes instead of a mate, I felt I had adopted a child.

  Hannah looked away. “I didn’t want to, but what was I supposed to do? Say no to them and then get deported back to the loving arms of the librarianship?”

  She had a point.

  “You should at least say something to Sean, and tell him the circumstances and above all, that it wasn’t your idea.” I stressed that part.

  “I can’t do that. I can’t be a tattletale.” Hannah shook her head and went onto the balcony.

  I didn’t follow. Hannah was right, she’d be a tattletale, but at the same time, Sean needed to know to stop this whatever was going on between him and Rae. I didn’t want Hannah to be in the middle of their battle.

  Suddenly, the door to our room flew open and a wide-eyed Beannca came in. “Guess what girls?” Her face beamed with a smile. “We are going shopping!”

  Honestly, this girl would stop the world to go shopping.

  “Shopping?” I questioned. “Aren’t there more important things right now than going shopping?” I asked as Hannah stood beside me.

  “Shopping sounds good, and it would do you some good to loosen up.” Hannah gave me a crooked smile, and nudged me on the shoulder.

  I let out a sigh, shook my head, and knew I’d be giving into whatever they wanted to do. Ann had that trait too. She could swindle me into many things like staying up late watching movies or having ice cream before dinner. Innocent enough, but when you’re a siren working for a librarian watching their child, you follow their rules.

  “Hey, nice tat,” Beannca said noticing Hannah’s tattoo. “It looks like the sun. Did you just get that?”

  “Yeah, when I went with Rae to take the calling shell to the implement archives building. It’s really amazing what they have here.”

  “Maybe I’ll get one too.” Beannca shrugged her shoulders.

  I bit my tongue. I desperately wanted to say that you just don’t go out and get a tattoo without knowing what it means. Some marks in the enchanted community are very powerful, it isn’t like going and getting a cute butterfly on your bum! I continued to bite my tongue, smiling instead.

  “Maybe we could check out the clothing stores, and sample the local ware.” No one else was going to get a tattoo, I was going to make sure of that. “We could get Mae a gift.”

  “Ooo! Yeah, something for her baby. Good idea, Sophie.” Beannca looked like a race car idling that would take off with squealing wheels if someone would have yelled go. “Come on, Rae is waiting downstairs.”

  “Rae,” I said in a questioning tone as Hannah latched onto my hand.

  I had seen Rae when we first arrived through the portal, but I didn’t know her at all. I also couldn’t sense anything she was emitting as to her true intentions. I’d have to do this the old fashion way of questioning and waiting for her to slip up.

  Rae was dressed in brown pants and a white tunic style shirt with a silver bag hanging from her shoulder. Her white hair and grey eyes sparkled in the sunlight as she greeted us with a warm smile.

  “We haven’t been properly introduced.” Rae looked at me. “My name is Rae and I was on guard with Sean when you arrived through the portal.”

  “I’m Sophie White,” I extended my hand in a shake.

  She looked at me with hesitation, and then reached for my hand. “I’m sorry, we usually just bow in formal greetings. I forgot the shaking of hands is a human way of greeting others. It’s a pleasure to have you, all of you,” she looked at Hannah and Beannca, “here in Atlantis.”

  Rae seemed genuine, but I still had my doubts about her. I wanted desperately to ask her about Hannah’s tattoo, but I didn’t. Now wasn’t the time.

  “Sean is busy today, and asked me to take all of you on a tour of Murk Island.” Rae opened the door for us.

  The morning sun was warm and eased my stressed muscles as I dreaded going on a tour right now. Though I wanted to see Murk Island, I wanted to know what they were going to do with us.

  “Rae,” I said her name with a smile. “Everyone has gone above and beyond welcoming us here, but one thing troubles me.”

  “You want to know what is going to happen to you.” Rae stood in front of me with the sun illuminating her white hair. “I can tell you that is what Sean is doing now. You see, we don’t get many sirens escaping here by portals or any other means. Your case is special, and I can reassure you that you won’t go back to the librarianship. We’ve evaluated each of you as to what type of siren you are. Now, we need to find the right placement for each of you.”

  “Placement where? Doing what sort of duties?” I asked.

  Rae’s lips curled into an amused smile. “Sophie White, you worry too much about the details. You need to loosen up and breathe every once in a while.” Her eyes sparkled with what looked like years of mischievous behavior experience.

  Agitation began to fill me. It wasn’t Rea’s head on the chopping block, it was ours, and just before I demanded to know more or refuse to go, Hannah’s soothing hand slipped into mine.

  “Come on it will be fun, and Sean said for her to take us.” She squeezed my hand turning my attention to her. “What can happen with an innocent tour of Murk Island?”

  Plenty can go wrong, I wanted to say, but instead, I held my tongue with a smile and hoped nothing did happen to jeopardize our chances.

  Beannca

  “I think I like the blue one better,” I said turning to Hannah. “What do you think?”

  She shrugged her shoulders as she looked at my reflection in the full length mirror. “I like the lavender one better. Especially since the fabric is really sheer.” She pinched a section of the material between her fingers. “And besides, the lavender one has tiny rhinestones in it,” she said with a raise of her eyebrows.

  I smiled, glad Hannah was helping me as she and Sophie had picked out a few outfits to wear. I took a long time to pick things out because I was so indecisive.

  “Are you about done, Beannca?” Sophie asked with a large canvas bag hanging from her shoulder.

  “We’re just about done.” Hannah replied before I could say anything. “It takes a while sometimes to find the perfect pieces to wear.”

  Sophie let out a tiresome sigh as Rea came up behind her.

  “We are on no time schedule, and besides, it takes Sean sometimes a couple of days to find placement for just one siren and he’s got four to deal with. So really, just enjoy Murk Island and all its amenities right now.”

  I looked at myself in the mirror. “Yeah, the lavender one I think would be a great choice.”

  Even though Rae said not to hurry, I didn’t want to spend the whole day at the clothing boutique. Hannah and Sophie helped me finish up. It was fun, and I didn’t want it to end. It was like being with Bridget again.

  “What’s wrong?” Hannah asked. “Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts on the black capris and silver shirt.” She put her hands on her hips and looked as though she’d shove them in my bag regardless of my answer.

  “No,” I half smiled. “I like them. You picked out really nice things, it’s just that…” I felt tears sting the back of my eyes. “Bridget could pick out
things for me just like you can. You both have a really good sense of style.”

  Hannah had a stunned expression that quickly turned to uncomfortable.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

  Hannah waved me off. “No, it’s a nice compliment, and I’m glad I helped.”

  Sophie had stepped outside the store with Rae, but came back in when we didn’t follow. “Are you guys coming?” She asked.

  “Yes, mother, we are,” Hannah grabbed Sophie by the shoulders, turned her around and out the door.

  I followed behind Sophie and Hannah as Rae led the way. So far, Murk Island was like a vacation to me—one I knew couldn’t go on forever. Everything from the beach to the village we were shopping in, what Rae called University Hill was something that you’d see in a magazine and wished that you could go there. But most importantly, I was free of the librarianship as well as Aaron. I slowed my pace realizing that I didn’t have rules and regulations hanging over my head, and Aaron couldn’t get me here. I managed to do something that so many other sirens could only dream about, that is, if they even had a glimmer that Murk Island existed. Really, the way sirens were treated wasn’t fair.

  “Keep up Beannca,” Hannah turned around and grabbed me by the hand.

  “Oh, sorry,” I now walked beside Hannah and Sophie on the other side of her with Rae guiding us through the busy midday traffic.

  The sun was overhead, and shone down on the buildings that Rae said were made of sand and a clear emulsion that hardened very quickly. The emulsion came from the ground stones from the bottom of the Sanudra Ocean that were clear as diamonds and the pulp of some of the palm trees. When mixed, they made a sticky substance that hardened like cement.

  “Beannca, if you are interested so much in the history of sirens and Murk Island, we can go to the Lygia Museum.”

  “That actually sounds interesting.” Sophie looked at me with raised eyebrows.

  “I would love to go as long as everyone wants to go.” I looked at Hannah.

  She smiled. “But first, let’s get something to eat.”

  Rae said she knew the perfect spot that was a little off the beaten path, but was her favorite.

  We left the bustle of shop lined streets paved with crushed shells and sandcastle-like buildings of University Hill to the windswept hills filled with sparse grass and tiny daisies that looked too delicate to be blooming in such a windy place.

  When I looked back, you could see the town we just came from, and it was just as spectacular here as it was walking like an ant among the sculpted buildings.

  A tiny path carved from just foot traffic, led down a steep hill to a ravine. A rushing stream ribbon its way through tall trees with fern-like leaves that made a canopy over a flattened area.

  Tables made from irregular shaped rocks sat on tall podiums with chairs constructed from intricately woven twigs surrounding them. Lanterns hung from the trees illuminating their golden light that was lost to the beams of sunshine filtered through the limbs like spotlights.

  “This is beautiful. This is a restaurant?” I asked in disbelief. It looked more like something from a fairytale with its unique décor and the large tree that acted as the kitchen.

  “It’s called Siren’s Dell, and is usually packed on the weekends and holidays. We’re in luck today since most sirens don’t have time to come up here.”

  “Welcome, my name is Myra,” said a girl with hair so red, it looked like it was on fire. “Is this all in your party?”

  “Yes… and could we have a seat by the stream?” Rae asked with an approving nod from Myra.

  She led us down the flight of rock stairs to the large patio covered with the same grey rocks that had moss growing between the irregular shaped joints.

  “Today’s special is tuna imported from earth made into a salad and served with fried sweet potatoes.” Myra announced trying to make it sound exotic.

  Hannah, Sophie and I exchanged surprised glances. Really…tuna from earth?

  No menu was handed to us so we all looked at Rae.

  “What do you suggest?” Sophie asked looking at Rae.

  “Wait, are you sirens new here?” Myra asked looking between Hannah, Sophie and me.

  I wasn’t sure how to answer and by the looks on Hannah’s and Sophie’s faces, they didn’t either.

  “Not me, just them.” Rae motioned towards us.

  “I thought so. You two don’t have your marks yet, but you just recently got yours.” She nodded towards Hannah. “Well, anyhow welcome to Murk Island and the Siren’s Dell. How about if I bring you some complimentary appetizers while you decide.” Myra nodded and left with a bounce in her step.

  “Alright, you need to explain something to us.” Sophie’s eyes turned dark as she glared at Rae. “What are these marks, and why did Hannah get one?”

  Rae leaned back in her chair as another couple was seated a table away. Sunlight flickered through the trees and the stream trickled by us as Sophie, along with Hannah and I waited for Rae to reply.

  “You are protective of your lover, and I respect that, but I did it for her own protection. Hannah is a strong siren. I can see that, and her power without the mark, is noticed by all. And what I mean by all is everyone with good intentions as well as bad.”

  “Why didn’t Sean tell us about it? Why did you take Hannah and secretly get it done?” Sophie tried to contain her anger, but it was quickly noticed by the man and woman seated by us.

  Rae casually took a sip of her water Myra brought us, and looked passively at Sophie. “Because he planned on using Hannah’s as well as all your abilities to put in motion a plan he has been working on for the past two years.”

  Sophie gave Hannah a look of dismay.

  “It isn’t the end of your world.” Rae said with amusement. “Let me ask you this.” She leaned closer towards us. “Would you like to have a choice as to your future here on Murk Island or would you like to be at the mercy of someone else’s plans that you know anything about?”

  We all looked at Rae without a word. “I don’t need any siren abilities to see, no, you wouldn’t want to be at the end of someone’s whim and command at all times.” She leaned back in her seat with a troubled look on her face as she looked up at the trees with a sigh. “I can tell you,” her eyes fell on all of us, “it isn’t fun, even if you are on one of the most beautiful islands in all Atlantis.”

  “Here we go,” Myra, with her musical voice and child-like face said as she sat a platter of what looked like fried green beans. “These are called fried fairy legs, and before you out-of-towners think they are actual fairy legs, they are really a batter made with several herbs and cheeses all fried into what our chef thought looked like fairy legs. It’s one our specialties. Enjoy.” She left with a smile.

  We all looked at the fried fairy legs and then back at Rae.

  “These are really good if you dip them in the sauce.” Rae took one and dipped it into the marinara sauce.

  Sophie, of course, had more questions that we all wanted answered, but Rae said she would explain later where there weren’t so many ears.

  I watched Myra as she waited on several people, and thought back to my employment at the Glass Guardian. I really did miss the customers, planning parties and even going out buying supplies as glamourous as toilet paper. Even though it wasn’t a prestigious job, I truly felt alive when I worked there. But that life was all gone, and a blank canvas was my new direction now.

  “I hoped you enjoyed your meal,” Myra said as Rae paid her. “Oh, thanks,” she said as she tucked her tip into her pocket.

  Everyone grabbed their bags and headed towards the steps. I lingered behind and caught Myra as she cleared another table.

  “Can I ask you a quick question?” I asked and she nodded. “Do you hire here much?”

  Myra smiled. “In fact we need another waitress. Here, let me get you an application.”

  H
annah, Sophie and Rae stood at the top of the steps and shook their heads as to what I was doing. I mouthed the words getting an application, but they didn’t understand me until Myra came back with a rolled up piece of parchment paper.

  “Wow, this is fancy.” I unrolled it surprised to see it was blank. I looked at Myra with questioning eyes.

  She smiled with a small laugh. “I know, it doesn’t give you much direction, but what the owner likes to see is why you want to work here. He doesn’t want your past work history or references that may or may not remember you. The past doesn’t matter to him. He wants to know why you want to work here.”

  I rolled the paper back up, thanked Myra, and then took one last glance at the Siren’s Dell hoping I could work here one day.