Siren Dreams (The Rise of Ares Book 2)

by Jade Frances

  “I doubt I would be here if it was,” I mumbled back rudely.

  “Mmm. Ok, any darkness?” he stared at me over his steaming mug. I learned quickly that Demetrios could see through any lie you told him. I just hadn’t figured out whether it was a gift or intuition.

  “Just the usual, nothing I can’t control,” I told him.

  “Good, good, the ring must be working. Now what about your dreams?” he replied. My hands were getting sticky. I rubbed them on my jeans and started mindfully twisting my ring.

  “Much the same, always in the cavern, one scenario or another. Same outcome,” I stated, then hesitated, rubbing my hands on my jeans again.

  “Please continue Evangeline,” he urged.

  “Ok, erm, well, there is one particular face that’s always there. Watching. Yet never a part of the action,” I said, pausing only to glance at him. I could sense Pearce behind me, taking in every word. I hated that he was in the room for these sessions. With a sigh, I continued, “he’s blonde, blue eyes, tall. His features are soft though, I wouldn’t put him a day over 16,” I told him.

  “Why do you think he stands out to you?” Demetrios asked. Sitting back in my seat and throwing my arms up in the air, I answered.

  “I have no idea. Sometimes he seems familiar. Sometimes I feel like I need to talk to him. He is always just staring at me, watching. Unlike me, he can move.” Demetrios rose from his seat and began pacing. Minutes passed by in silence.

  “Maybe Oneiroi,” he muttered to himself. Eventually, he walked over to the bookshelves and pulled a few out. Taking them over to his desk, he sat down behind it. “Evangeline, I’m afraid we are out of time. See yourself out,” he said. Snapping his head up from the pile of books, he gave me another dazzling smile, “see you tomorrow miss Evangeline.” Confused, yet pleased to leave so soon, I made my way to the door. It swung open on its own, without Demetrios palm. I threw a glance back, but he was flicking through the pages of two books at the same time and paying me no attention. Strange, I thought. Shrugging it off, I made my way to my room to change for training.

  As I pulled on gym wear, dread I had pushed aside, now began seeping through my pores. Training with Pearce was the last thing I wanted to do right now. We hadn’t trained together since Moorway House. A loud thump on my door was my cue to leave. How bad could it be? Pushing all feelings aside, I walked out and followed Peace through the grounds and into the forest. The girls had mentioned they’d been training in here, away from the watchful eye of others. Made sense. Staring at the back of Pearce’s head, I wondered just how deep into the forest we would go. I could see the muscles in his shoulders were contracted and tense, his fists were clenched tight at his sides. A slight pang of guilt hit me, I created this atmosphere between us. For a split second, I wanted nothing more than to reach out to him. But the image of Aresollo disappearing through a portal made its way into my mind and replaced any momentary guilt I was feeling.

  Dropping the hand, I hadn’t even been aware I had raised; I continued to trudge silently behind him. Five long minutes later, Pearce halted and turned to face me. The stony gaze I had grown so used to, told me that he was very much in guardian mode.

  “Four laps, then we begin combat,” he instructed. I opened my mouth to argue but didn’t get the chance. “Now,” he barked. Huffing, I threw him a filthy look and started jogging. As I ran, I thought back to our previous combat training. None of which I had used when I had put my life in danger. A tingle of energy to my left alerted me to Pearce as he leapt toward me, going for the element of surprise. I ducked and dropped to the floor, rolling swiftly to the right. I only just evaded him. Using one of the trees to propel me back up, I spun into a defensive stance, readying myself again. My eyes met his, and for a second, something other than stone flickered through him. “Good,” he stated. Shaking out my arms and legs, I tried to relieve some tension. Adrenaline was coursing through me.

  “What now?” I asked. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

  “Now, we fight.”

  Hours went by as we danced around each other, evading one another’s attacks. The trees were a useful tool in our combat; I had only ever trained in open space. I was tiring, my muscles were burning, and my moves were laced with fatigue. That was the moment Pearce made his move. That was when he caught me off guard. Using a high tree branch, he swung himself toward me. I tried to avoid the brute strength of his legs, but I was too slow. With a thud, I landed square on my back, on the rough forest ground. That would hurt later. My arms were pinned by Pearce’s above my head. My body was wedged between his legs. Rays of sunshine filtered brightly through the gaps in the trees, lighting the specks of grey in his eyes.

  “Checkmate, you got me,” I whispered to him, breathless. Bending a little lower, he sighed in my ear.

  “Always, little siren.” The warmth of his body so close to mine and the words of endearment were creating a reaction in my body I couldn’t control.

  The need to be closer was overwhelming. I arched my back toward him. Not looking away from his piercing grey eyes, I tugged a hand loose and ran it through his messy chocolate brown hair.

  “Evangeline,” my name was a whisper on his lips as his eyes fluttered closed. I ran my tongue over my already damp lips. Leaning forward, I pulled his head down to mine. I watched hungrily as his lips parted. Just as they were about to meet, Aresollo’s escape flashed through my mind, again. Every muscle in me tensed. I froze, only mere inches away from Pearce’s face. His eyes flew open, sensing the tension coursing through me. For a second, he looked wary, not daring to move. I willed the image of Aresollo to leave my mind. An inward battle I was slowly growing accustomed to. Fighting against the conflict inside me, I moved my other hand to stroke the side of his face. Pearce instantly leant into it, his relief apparent.

  “I just need time,” I whispered, hoping he would hear the silent promise that I would try to overcome this. A small, sad smile crept onto his face, but his eyes glistened and sparkled with hope. Standing, he held out his hand to me. Taking it, I sighed. It was progress, for now.

  The world around me went black, but still the screams rode the darkness and made their way to my ears. Loud and clear, they pierced through me as if they were my own. I could barely see, but minor flashes of lightning lit the cavern every few seconds. It was in those moments I got a glimpse of the chaos erupting around me. The brawls were vicious, every blow meant to be deadly. Bodies were strewn everywhere, and fresh blood lined the stone walls and floor. The stench of death hung in the air; it was pungent. The world between worlds, once such a beautiful space available only to those worthy, was now a site for a bloodbath. It was filled with hatred and malice. When I took in the body count of the casualties from both sides, the heaviness in my chest got worse. It didn’t have to be this way. I tried to scream, tried to move, but I couldn’t. I was stuck. Only able to watch the horrors unfold before me. Silent tears streamed down my cheeks as hopelessness took a hold of me.

  Again, I would watch my friends perish. Again, I would watch Aresollo make his escape. Again, I noticed the blonde guy. This time he was on the opposite side of the cavern to me. Just watching me and my turmoil. Staring straight back at him, I tried to speak, to shout, to tell him to get help. It was useless. No words came out, they never did. I watched as he slowly turned and walked into the darkness. Only to reappear five feet closer to me. Well, that’s new, I thought. The darkness seemed to be a part of him, clinging to his body like a shadow. Closer and closer he got to me, fading and reappearing. Seemingly, he was as oblivious to the surrounding chaos as it was to him. When he finally stopped in one place, only two feet away from me, he cocked his head and studied my face. There was something so familiar about him, I just couldn’t quite grasp what it was. Slowly, his arm reached toward me. Again, that was new. Before he touched me, he whipped his hand back as if I had shocked him. Throwing me a contemplative look, he started to fade and eventually disappeared again. Leaving the spot he
was standing in empty, with only the sound of my name fading into the darkness after him. Had he just called out to me?

  Waking up with a jolt, I tried to hang onto the already fading memories of my dream. It had been different this time, like somehow, I had connected further with the guy. One burning question I had, was why did it seem like we were not a part of the dream itself, but only outsiders looking in? Something I could talk to Demetrios about, I thought. Rubbing my weary eyes, I headed for a shower. Whenever I had a dream like that, it drained me of energy, both the human and magical kind. Just as the warm water started cascading around me, buzzing began in my mind.

  We are home, Sandra shouted. Never thought I would miss this hellhole, but damn, those wolves are a mess. Where you at? She added. Chuckling, I told her I was in the shower and asked how the trip went.

  Fine, he’s here. Meet us for breakfast? Rose answered.

  Sure, be there soon, I replied.

  Ten minutes later I took a seat at the table and laughed as I caught the tail end of Sandra’s opinion of the wolves.

  “They’re just such, such… Animals!” she was saying, horrified of what she had witnessed of pack life. Weirdly, I was jealous she got to experience it, even if it was only for a brief time.

  “How’s Darryl?” I asked.

  “Fitting in far too well, did we teach him nothing,” Sandra grumbled.

  “They sleep everywhere and anywhere. There’s hair all over the place, and god only knows what the mess was in the kitchen. It was really filthy. Place smelt like wet dog.” Rose blushed as soon as she realized the insult in her words. Again, I laughed at the pair of them.

  “Well, they are half animal, and half man. Did you expect any less?” I asked them.

  “Not the point. That was our home as well,” Sandra moaned. Rose was grinning, but still reached over to give Sandra a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

  A hand clamped down on me, at the same time that a tray slammed down on the table.

  “What the-?” I spun in my seat to see who the intruder was. “Personal space you arse…” I veered off the rest the second green eyes met mine. “Oh, Adam, hi,” I stammered.

  “Evvy,” he nodded politely. As he sat in the seat next to me, his eyes flicked behind me. It was then I realized it wasn’t him that had touched me. Subtly shrugging Pearce’s hand off, I reminded myself that he was my guardian to protect me and had always seen Adam as a threat. Taking two deep breaths, I turned to give him a reassuring, stand down, kind of smile. A slight nod was what I got in return, but still he didn’t move away from me. He was probably closer than what a guardian should be. Judging by the looks on the girl’s face, they had noticed it.

  Mmmmhmmm back on track with lover boy? Sandra sent. Choking on the orange juice I had just taken a sip of, I sent her a look that I hoped would silence her.

  Fine later… she added.

  “So, what do you think of the academy?” I asked Adam, who was devouring his food like it was the first time he had seen such delicacies.

  “Much the same as you, I’m guessing. It wasn’t hard to spot you girls, no one sits anywhere near you,” he said between mouthfuls.

  “Doesn’t take a genius to figure that out,” Sandra spat, earning her a quick dig from Rose.

  “I don’t want to be here anymore than you want me here. I just want the tour over,” he snapped at Sandra, who smartly replied, “got that right.” Adam growled at her and Sandra held her hands up in mock surrender. Staring down at his plate, he decided that he’d had enough and stood to leave.

  “If anyone sees Avetta, tell her I’ll be in the forest. I need to run,” he announced.

  “Adam, wait,” I reached out to him, but he pushed me away.

  “No Evvy, I’ll not stick around where I’m not welcome. Come find me later to talk,” he said and stalked away from us without glancing back.

  I turned to Sandra, ready to have a go at her, it surprised me to see that she actually looked slightly remorseful.

  “I don’t not like him, you know, he’s just hard to trust, and always moody!” She mumbled.

  “Just try giving him a chance, he proved what side he was on in this. Hell, he nearly lost his life for us, Sandra,” Rose hissed. A small chortle from behind me made its way to my ears.

  “Plus, who knows how long we will be around each other on tour,” I chirped in, hoping Pearce would take note. I sensed him shuffle behind me and turned to give him a pointed look. He was tense, as always, but this time I could feel the anger streaming through him. “Are we training today?” I asked.

  “No,” he replied bluntly. Well, that was that then. I turned back to the girls, who were each raising their eyebrows at our small interaction.

  Don’t ask, I don’t know. You’ll get forehead lines if you keep looking at me like that, I said, more so to Sandra.

  Cow, there’s too much testosterone round here, she grumbled.

  Actually, that raises a point! Avetta had mentioned Ava’s transfer is almost complete. She should be here just before we leave for the tour, Rose butted in.

  “What? How did I not know this?” I blurted out loud, making the guardians jump slightly. Rose looked at Sandra, who shrugged her shoulders.

  “Well, you’ve been preoccupied. Then you took yourself off with the search party,” Rose mumbled.

  “Still, someone could have told me,” I replied.

  A little while later, and I was sat on the leather couch in Demetrios’ office. He was cheery today, bouncy even, which just added to my darkened mood.

  “What’s wrong Evangeline? You are positively radiating with negative energy and you’ve barely spoken since stepping foot in here,” he said to me, whilst pouring himself his third mug of tea.

  “I am just so sick of always feeling or being out of the loop, all my life it’s been that way. I’m tired of it,” I moaned.

  “Ok, what has occurred for you to feel this way today?” he asked.

  “Ava’s transfer is almost ready; she will get here maybe Sunday. No one told me or kept me updated on it,” I replied.

  “Did you ask?” Demetrios spoke again.

  “No, I shouldn’t have to,” I answered. Tutting at me, he shook his head and placed his mug on the table.

  “You do know, everyone’s lives do not, and will never, revolve solely around you and your feelings. When was the last time you asked one of your friends how they’re feeling?” Shame hit me like a brick wall as his words sunk in. I had been selfish, in my own bubble of turmoil. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d asked anyone how they were. I just fell into a routine of food, training, and bed. “Ah, and there we have it,” Demetrios gave me a small, reassuring smile and didn’t push the subject further. Bringing my knees up to my chest and wrapping my arms around them, I rocked gently back and forward. I had never been so consumed with own feelings, I always put others first. I at least tried to, anyway. I guess I lost a part of me somewhere along the way.

  “Pearce told me once that killing takes a part of you that you would never get back. But war in general takes things from you, doesn’t it? Not just to kill,” I muttered.

  “You have been through a lot, Evangeline, at a young age. No one expects you to be the same person that walked into that cavern,” Demetrios told me gently and reached out to take my hand. Forcing a smile, I glanced at the clock and announced that it was time for me to leave. “Evangeline, take care of yourself, that darkness within you is dangerous, don’t feed it,” he told me.

  “Demetrios, it’s just a mood,” I replied as I walked out the door.

  As we walked through an empty hallway for once, Pearce reached out to grab my arm. Holding me in place, he gazed into my eyes.

  “I just want you to know that I knew nothing about Ava’s transfer,” he said.

  “It’s fine, I’m just overreacting,” I reassured him. A blink later, and his eyes lit up. He looked excited.

  “Barak just told me we are all training together, last minute. We need
to head to the forest,” he told me. Wow, interesting, we hadn’t trained together well, ever. I felt some darkness wash away. Maybe this is what I needed.

  “Best not keep them waiting then.” I pulled my arm gently from his grip. It turned cold the second his touch was missing from mine.

  “Guess not,” he replied.

  The walk through the forest was serene. Neither of us spoke. I took the time to enjoy the surroundings in our silence. I’d never taken the time to simply look at the flowers that were budding here and there, and the buzzing of the bees, wild and free. All too soon, we broke into a small clearing. I could see the girls had already started doing laps. I groaned and looked at Pearce, who gave a nod in their direction. My go ahead to join them. Jogging over, I met the girls in the far corner.

  “Any idea what this is about?” I asked them both.

  “Avetta wants us to explore our connection, especially the transference of energy we experienced,” Rose informed me. Sandra stopped to bend and stretch, looking every bit an athlete with her slim build and bright pink gym wear.

  “Don’t drain me again bitch, that was a killer,” she said to me, but there was a teasing glint in her eyes.

  “Sandra, do you have to be so bluntly spoken,” Rose scolded her. Sandra gave her a small shove and Rose rubbed her arm as if it hurt.

  “Just the trust sis, took days to recover from that,” Sandra said.

  “And it took Evvy a couple of weeks to recover from her ordeal!” Rose snapped back.