by J G Barber
She caresses her round belly. “I will not apologize to you. You chose me, and I chose this life. I’ll show you how to deal with Erik. I’ll model for you how be fierce.”
Paul walks into the living room, interrupting Laura’s monologue. “How’s our son doing?” He rubs her belly.
“Solid.” Unable to maintain herself, she steps away from him.
Paul caresses her shoulders. “How’s his mother doing?”
She shrugs his hands off. “Feeling vulnerable. I don’t like it.” Paul cradles her in his arms and holds her for a few minutes while she cries. Emotions processed, Laura returns to her new normal self. She slips out of his arms and faces him. “We need to talk about what happened in Seattle.”
Now it’s Paul’s turn to step away from Laura. “What do you mean?”
She gets in his face. “I want the truth about Monica.” As if on cue, Alexei returns from the market with two sacks of groceries. “You’re just in time, Alexei. Paul’s going to tell us about Monica.”
“Laura, this is a private conversation.” Paul helps Alexei unpack the groceries. He places the fish and meat in the refrigerator and decorates the counter with produce and fruit.
Laura grabs Alexei and sits him down with her on the couch. “No private conversations when we’re talking about sirens.” She settles in for a long talk.
Paul remains standing, behind the kitchen counter. “After we closed the deal with New Century, Lorelei hosted a party at that big old mansion. The one on the south end of Whidbey. She called it ‘the celebration of desire.’”
Alexei explains. “The sirens have hosted these parties for centuries. It is how they reward their familiars and recruit new ones. It is also how they lure their wealthy targets into slavery by addiction. The sirens had no problem finding young women enchanted by the promise of becoming mermaids one day, and wealthy humans who would trade their souls for the sensual rewards they received as a part of the familiar community. The sirens amassed a great deal of wealth this way.”
“Lorelei drugged me,” Paul continues. “I’ve never been so fucked up in my entire life. She fed me some crazy super foods that made me more vital and horny than I’ve ever felt. It was all a set up. For whatever reason, they intended for me to mate with Monica.”
Laura flies off the couch to the opposite side of the kitchen counter. “You had sex with Monica?”
Paul meets her fierce gaze. “Yes I did. And you fucked Leucosia. I think we’re even.”
They both look to Alexei, their eyes questioning if he knew these secrets. He offers them no tell. She storms into the kitchen. “And now Monica’s pregnant with your child?”
“Looks like it.” He evades her and stands behind the couch to create some distance between them. “That whole night was a blur. I told you, they fucking drugged me until I was out of my mind. All the sirens were standing around us, singing. I think it was a mating ritual.”
Laura thinks about it more. Her rage boils over. “There’s no way we’re even. I told you not to drink. But you didn’t listen. You drank and did drugs. You got so shit-faced you slept with Lorelei and Monica. You fucking slut!” She slaps Paul so hard he falls to the floor. Laura storms around the room to process her rage.
Paul checks his face for damage. He considers a counter-attack with details from the surveillance video of Laura with Leucosia, but defends himself instead. “It was sexual assault.”
Alexei grabs Paul’s hand and pulls him to his feet. “You have the Sirenian gene.”
“What? I’m from a long line of siren hunters.” Paul watches Laura pace the room, preparing himself for another attack while she struggles to breathe through her rage. He decides he’s safe for the moment. His analytical brain connects what Alexei said with the clues Lorelei gave him back in Seattle. His denial tries to override the inevitable conclusion, that the sirens intend his second son to father a new generation of Sirenians.
Alexei rests a reassuring hand on Paul’s shoulder. “There are other chapters to the story. We don’t know all the details about what happened before Erik’s time.”
“You know how I survived Lorelei’s song of self-destruction, right?” Paul says. “I remembered something before Erik. From Atlantis, I think. I was in a room full of colors and light. I was meditating. There was a green light that protected me.”
“Yes, you have both genes,” Alexei says. “Atlantean and Sirenian.”
Curiosity wins out over simmering rage. Laura joins the conversation. “If Paul has the Sirenian gene, Monica must have it too. What are they planning to do with the child?”
Alexei tells the two sisters what Paul already concluded. “Breed.”
Paul surveys the counter for a snack. He grabs a banana and peels it. “That would take them decades.” He stuffs half the banana in his mouth.
Watching Paul eat makes Alexei hungry. He grabs a banana and peels it. “They survive today because they are patient. They will raise the child in their ways and collect suitable mothers. Others like Monica who possess the Sirenian gene. These children will grow faster than ordinary humans. It will take them fifteen years to achieve their goal.”
“This is just wrong. We can’t allow my son to become a breeding stud for the sirens.” As Paul finishes his banana, he puts the puzzle pieces together. “Lorelei made a point of introducing me to the global call to self-destruction that would end humanity. Holy shit! They’re breeding an army of sirens to sing that call.”
Erik’s thoughts speak to Laura. We must kill the child.
Laura’s motherly instincts win out over her fading rage at Paul. “We can’t kill a child!”
We have no choice, Erik says with finality.
The three of them stand in silence as they digest this new reality. Each of them reaches a conclusion.
Alexei already knew the truth. He’s been making plans with the local group of siren hunters since before they arrived in Mexico. He’s known the men for years, from his siren hunting days with Paul’s father, Robert and his deceased partner, Dutch. Alexei decides it’s not the right time to tell the Douglass couple about the local group.
Paul reflects on his brief experiences with his Atlantean ancestry and the abilities he tapped into in Seattle. “I need to learn more about my ancestral memories. The answer must be hidden in them.”
Laura grabs her smartphone. “I’m calling Ellen. We need help.”
Chapter Four
“I didn’t like that job, anyway.” Ellen catches up with Laura as they exit Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Airport. No checked luggage. Her smartphone, a backpack and the carry-on she’s pulling have everything she needs. She holds up a picture of her condo-apartment. “When you own a prime piece of real estate in one of America’s most expensive cities, Airbnb is a wonderful thing.”
“You never told me you bought that apartment,” Laura says. “When?”
Ellen smiles with pride. “Years ago, with the money Dad left us. Just finished paying off the mortgage. Now it’s an income property. The taxes still take a big bite.”
A stack of churros catches Laura’s attention. She stops at the kiosk and purchases two. “What did you do with all your stuff?”
“It’s in storage.” Ellen refuses the offer of a churro.
Laura finishes the churros as they arrive at an old sedan taxi waiting at the curb. Paul greets Ellen with a big hug. “Is this the power of traumatic bonding?” Ellen says, looking at Laura.
“I guess so,” Laura replies, surprised by Paul’s affection towards Ellen.
“Are you kidding? You saved my wife and son. How could I not love you forever?” Paul opens the door for her. “We’re glad you’re here.” The driver stows Ellen’s bag in the trunk as Paul opens the door for Laura.
They drive across town to the rental house. Paul grabs Ellen’s bags while Laura pays the driver. Alexei greets them outside.
“Alexei!” Ellen runs into his arms. “Sobranie?”
“Always.” Alexei fishes a pack of Black R
ussians out of his combat pants. He escorts Ellen through the house to the patio, the designated smoking area.
Ellen scans her surroundings. “Bring me up to speed. What have I gotten myself into here?” Alexei lights two Sobranies and hands her one. He tells the tale of their encounter with the Labrys and the sirens as they smoke. “What does Erik have to say about all this?” she asks.
Alexei takes a deep drag, sucking the rest of the nicotine out of the cigarette. He checks to confirm that Laura and Paul are not in earshot. He snuffs out the cigarette and exhales. “Erik’s council no longer serves us.”
Ellen flicks her ashes into a handcrafted ash tray, exchanging smiles with Laura. “I can tell you, Laura will not allow Erik’s will to dominate Jason’s life. She’ll teach how to set boundaries.”
“It will not be necessary.” Alexei allows himself a moment of sadness. “We will express our gratitude to Erik in a ceremony. Then we will release his soul. His ancestral gifts will remain a part of us after he returns home.”
Ellen nods as she finishes her cigarette and grinds it into the ashtray. Alexei lights two more Sobranies. They stand in silence and smoke together as they each reflect on Erik’s impact on their individual lives.
Paul walks through the streets of Zihuatanejo alone, arriving at a tourist market in the central plaza. He walks through the chaotic array of booths and tables with local crafts, produce, foods, and corporate food products. The vendors lure him to check their wares. He doesn’t hear them.
I can’t blame her for being pissed off, he tells himself. I fucking impregnated another woman. He shakes the thoughts out of his head and refocuses on his mission, to find a gift for Laura. It presents itself. A pair of throw pillows for the couch that match the color scheme of the Aztec blanket she loves. “Cuanto?”
“Dos mil.” The vendor grins. She’s a short, squat elderly woman missing many of her teeth, dressed in colorful Aztec colors, all handmade clothing.
Paul shakes his head. “Very expensive. Muy mas caro.” He considers negotiating, but her smile wins him over. He counts out two thousand pesos from a stack of hundred peso bills. She hands him the pillows.
He continues his walk, a pillow in each arm. Claircognizance overtakes him. He marches to the border of the plaza and heads down an alleyway, not considering the risk of doing so.
Monica awaits him, surrounded by four bodyguards—imposing Mexican men dressed in sunglasses, black button down short-sleeved shirts, brown slacks and sunglasses. They grin to Paul, showing off their gold-adorned teeth. Monica motions to men. They surround Paul and point their automatic pistols his head.
She looks him in the eyes. “You killed Brianne, you fucking asshole.”
“Yes, Monica. We did.” Paul clutches the pillows. “Are you going to kill me now?”
Monica remains silent for a long while, letting Paul sweat his fate while she sorts through her emotions. “Mi amigos.” She signals the men to holster their weapons.
“Oh, how I’ve missed you, Paul.” She wraps her arms around his neck and gives him a deep tongue kiss. Paul drops the pillows. “Wow. Only a male with the Sirenian gene could light that kind of fire in me.”
She models her figure and then lifts her swollen breasts to draw Paul’s attention to them. “They sure are getting bigger, aren’t they?” The four men flash golden grins at Paul as they admire her endowments. They look down when Monica catches them looking. “Yes, it’s true. Hotter than I ever was. Who knew motherhood would make me so horny? I know you want some of this action. Just guessing, but I’ll bet the little Wifey isn’t satisfying your needs these days. Now that she knows the truth about us.”
Paul pries his hand free of her grip. “What do you want, Monica?”
Lorelei’s eyes overshadow Monica. “I told you in Seattle. Our son needs his father.” She takes Paul’s hand and rests it on her belly. He tries to pull away. Her strength catches him off guard. She forces his hand to caress her belly.
Lorelei and Monica in the same body confront Paul with more than he can handle at the moment. He pries his hand free and steps back to breathe through a storm of emotions. Desire. Fear. Violence. The bodyguards sense his feelings. They draw their weapons.
“Tranquilo.” Lorelei sings, pushing her hands toward the ground. The men fall into a trance and re-holster their weapons. “I thought you’d be happy to see me, Paul. To see us.”
“I—I don’t know how to deal with this.” He breathes, centering himself, then grabs the pillows off the ground. His actions reactivate the bodyguards’ suspicion and they draw their weapons again.
Lorelei lets Paul sweat again. “Sister Monica is a true devotee to the Sirenian mission. I can’t tell you how much we love her for bringing the father of New Sirenia into the world. And for sharing her human body with me.” Monica smiles with Lorelei’s signature grin. “Queen Leucosia authorizes me to invite you for a visit. Come see our new home. The island lies just off the shores of Barra de Potosí. It’s breathtaking! And full of temptation. I know you know how difficult it is to resist our temptations. For me, it’s luring those dumbass whale-watching tourists to their deaths. But alas, we have more important work to do.”
His stare penetrates her eyes. “You know my wife wants to kill you, and my partner knows how. Why are you telling me where you are?” The bodyguards poke their gun barrens into him.
“Oh Paul.” She pushes the men away and wraps her arms around Paul’s neck. To make sure she has his full attention, she pushes her breasts into his chest and brushes her lips against his. “You know I know you better than that. You would have found me, eventually. Let’s just cut to the chase, shall we?”
Paul pushes her away. “You can’t defend your gossip by yourself. Not in your condition.”
She slides a finger down his chest to the tip of the bulge showing through his pants. “I don’t have to. I have the Cartel Nuevo Ciglo at my beck and call.” She steps back and strokes her hand over each bodyguard’s shoulder.
Paul clutches the pillows as he watches her strut away. The men follow her like obedient pets. Holy shit.
“You thought each of us was the fuck of a lifetime. Just wait until you do us both. Come to me, Paul.” Her siren song echoes through the alley, stirring all the feelings he thought he left behind in Seattle. He tucks the pillows under his arms and runs into the marketplace. He keeps running until he can longer hear her siren song.
Chapter Five
No one asked Alexei where he got the old Jeep. He loaded the back was with pallets for firewood before he arrived. Paul, Laura and Ellen just climbed on board, trusting Alexei to deliver on his promise. He drove them to Playa Blanca, south of Zihuatenejo, where they could find a private spot on the beach.
Alexei and Paul break up the pallets. They carry the wood down onto the beach and start a bonfire under the full moonlight. Once the fire is going, Alexei instructs them all to remove their shoes. Laura and Ellen join them in a circle around the fire. It’s time to liberate Erik’s soul. The four of them join hands in silence.
Alexei breaks the circle. He places his right hand on Laura’s forehead and his left hand on her heart. “My dear brother Erik. Your will has guided the siren hunters for five centuries. We have traveled many miles together, faced many challenges, and overcome them all to continue the mission today. Thank you for your service, brother Erik. The time has come for us to claim our sovereign destinies. We release your spirit from this earthly existence. May Odin choose you to roam Valhalla.”
Laura’s body jerks as Erik’s spirit separates from her body and merges into the flames, stoking the fire. For an instant, the four of them see Erik’s visage in the flames. The flames release a cloud of smoke. Erik’s visage dissolves into the smoke and disappears. Alexei lays his hands down Laura’s seven chakras, from head to base, tapping each one before he moves his hands until the next. He covers her feet in sand and taps them to complete the process.
Laura checks her feelings. She runs her hands up an
d down her body. “Is that it?”
“His passage is complete,” Alexei says. “We must rely on our own wits now.”
“Impressive,” Ellen says. “First time I’ve witnessed an exorcism.” Alexei scowls at her. She winks back.
Paul inspects Laura. “Do you feel any different? I felt it when his spirit left me.”
“Nope. I feel the same.” She considers the question further. “I’m glad for Jason that he’s gone.”
They spend a few more minutes in silence, taking in the moon and the fire. Alexei cups handfuls of sand to extinguish the fire. The others follow his lead. Once it’s out, the siren hunters head back to the Jeep and drive toward town and their new home.
The life of a siren hunter comprises brief periods of intense action followed by long periods where nothing happens. Coping is a part of the journey. Managing investments, mastering a topic of interest, following a training routine, and indulging in favorite addictions—ones the sirens cannot use to weaken your will or manipulate you, that is—are all part of the siren hunter playbook.
The new pillows, and Paul’s many other attempts to repair the damage done when he told Laura the truth about Monica, don’t buy him any favor. Her repeated recounting of the facts to her sister doesn’t score him any points with Ellen, either. The two sisters partner in the preparations for childbirth, cutting Paul out of his supporting role. They commit to working with Alexei to get ultra-fit. Ellen learns everything she can from Alexei to transform herself into a warrior-sorceress.
As a result, Paul never tells the others about his encounter with Monica and Lorelei at the Zihuatanejo marketplace. He’s convinced that Alexei already knows where the sirens are, and they’re just biding their time until an opportunity presents itself. In the meantime, Paul’s feelings of rejection combine with his re-stimulated longing for Monica to create a smoldering lust he can’t get it out of his system. He takes up beach running. The sun, sand and life along the beach help him process his desire and find his center.
