The Siren's Secret

by Heather Ostler

  Julia watched her as she took a hideaway key from a candleholder outside of her office door.

  “Is my secret safe with you?” she asked with a smile.

  Julia nodded and followed her into the large room.

  “I’m glad you came to see me.” Scarlet flipped on the lights and sat gracefully behind her wooden desk. “I’ve been wondering how you’re doing.”

  Julia smiled, but it felt forced. “I’m … doing okay,” she answered. “But I think I need to talk to you about something that happened a little while ago.”

  Scarlet leaned forward. “Is everything okay?”

  “I’m not sure.” Slowly, she unwound her bun and let her long locks of red hair fall past her shoulders.

  “What do you think?”

  Scarlet’s eyebrows furrowed as she surveyed her hair. “It just changed?” she whispered.

  “I took a bath and when I got out,” she said, pulling softly on some of her red hair, “it was like this.”

  “Have you told your father?”

  “I haven’t told anyone. Not even Sierra,” Julia replied. “I know it’s because I’m part siren, but it’s getting worse every day. Eventually it will all change to red. How am I supposed to keep my identity secret if this is happening?”

  Scarlet’s eyes were wide.

  “Can you still shapeshift?”

  Julia bit her bottom lip. “Not as fast as I did before. I’m worried. What if I slowly become more like a siren and lose my werecat abilities?”

  “That won’t happen,” Scarlet assured her. “You must keep shapeshifting though. Don’t let this deter you, all right? I’ll contact your father—” She paused. “Except I know that he’s on a mission right now. I guess I’ll have to wait until he comes back.”

  “But even when he does,” Julia began, “I’m not sure he could do anything about it.”

  Scarlet put a hand up to her temple. “We’ll find someone, or something, to help you.”

  “But what can we do?”

  Scarlet’s eyes moved over her hair. “Do you want to dye it? I know it would only be temporary, but it wouldn’t be hard.”

  “No. I can keep it hidden for now,” she answered. “But if it gets to the point where I can’t hide it, I’ll let you know.”

  “And I’ll contact your father the second he’s back from his mission.”

  “I appreciate it.” She stood up. “Thanks, Scarlet.”

  “Julia, please let me know if I can do anything to help.”

  She seemed sincerely worried.

  “I will.” Julia sighed and then left the classroom.

  It felt strange to think that Liam and Caleb knew about the prophecy, but that Scarlet was completely in the dark.

  What would she say if she did know about it?

  When Julia returned back to her dormitory, she found it empty. Sierra could have been at the library or perhaps on a date with Owen Sidelander.

  At the idea of relationships, Julia thought of Terrence.

  She had her magical tablet back, but she doubted he knew; otherwise, he’d have written her.

  She still loved Terrence, but after what Caleb had said, Julia knew she needed to end things. She felt tormented by the idea, and she’d been putting it off for weeks now. But until she sorted things out, she couldn’t be with him anymore.

  She wished so desperately to tell Terrence the truth that she was a siren and she was cursed. They could never truly ever have a relationship. If he knew, maybe he wouldn’t be as hurt.

  Whatever happened, though, Terrence could never know about the prophecy. He would be beyond livid and maybe do something reckless.

  The best thing for Julia to do—the only rational thing Julia could do—was end things now. It wouldn’t have to be dramatic; she could just write him a short note about needing a break. Terrence wouldn’t have to know about all the chaos in her life until she had sorted it out.

  Nervous, Julia pulled out the silver parchment and wrote the letter.

  Terrence,

  I’m so sorry about the lack of communication between us. I wasn’t doing very well in school, and as you know, my dad decided to punish me harshly. I wanted to let you know that I’ve made up my mind recently about a couple of things. First, I feel that we are moving too fast.

  She paused knowing that once the words were written, there was no going back. Forcing herself, she finished it quickly.

  We need to take a step back and slow things down. Please don’t be upset by this. I just need time, and if you care about me, you will understand that. It was nothing you did. I just need to find myself.

  Her eyes began to fill with tears as she imagined him reading her words.

  Please don’t write back to this. I’m so sorry.

  After a minute, the words dissolved into the paper, disappearing. Soon Terrence would read them.

  She shoved the parchment in her nightstand drawer and jumped into her bed. Pulling the covers over her head, she let herself cry into the darkness. Her heart ached in a way that she hadn’t known; it felt as if it had literally broken.

  The tears never stopped, but eventually she fell asleep.

  When she woke up the following morning, Julia felt rested and, for a couple of glorious seconds, forgot about her letter to Terrence. Then the memory came rushing back. She had been tormented by the sorrow even in her dreams because she knew she’d seen his face while she slept.

  She got ready for the day and took special care to hide her red hair.

  As her classes went by, Julia tried to catch up from the assignments she’d missed and the lessons she’d ignored. Mrs.

  Oree and Scarlet had been patient with her, letting her off the hook. Ms. Dour and Mr. Knightly, however, weren’t as easy to convince.

  Mr. Knightly in particular gave Julia a hard time. He wouldn’t let her make up any of the three quizzes that she had failed, and he wouldn’t accept any late work.

  “How can I make up my grades?” Julia asked as politely as possible.

  He looked at her indifferently. “I only let students fix their grades with makeup reports and assignments that you can do over the summer.”

  Julia clenched down on her teeth. “So I can’t do anything to help my grades until summer?”

  “I’m afraid not,” he answered. “So I’d advise you, Ms.

  Levesque, to be on time from now on and start doing better on the tasks I give you in class.”

  He looked down at his desk and began filling out paperwork. Clearly he had nothing more to say on the matter.

  For the next couple of days, Julia did everything in her power to apply herself in class. She listened intently to every lecture, took notes diligently, and came to class early. Though they hadn’t done shapeshifting activities for the past week, Julia made sure to be prepared if they did.

  Things had settled down between her and Sierra, and they overcame their anger enough to at least speak with one another. One evening, Julia muttered an apology to Sierra, who returned the gesture, her mood thawing.

  Things weren’t completely back to normal with Sierra and Gabe. Julia felt as if her relationship with them was only on the surface, but at least they were talking with her again.

  On the last week of February, Julia made her way from the dining hall to transformation class. Mr. Knightly had announced that they would be meeting in the gym as they started more werecat obstacles. They would be timed once again, and Julia knew she couldn’t afford to mess up.

  Mr. Knightly announced each student’s name before they raced around the track in werecat form for ten laps. So far Conner, Melanie, and Camilla had all beaten their previous times. Celeste had tied her past score, and Ziphilia had sur-passed her last time by thirty seconds.

  “Very impressive, Ziphilia,” Mr. Knightly said. “Congratulations. You currently hold the best record.”

  “Thank you,” she answered, trying to catch her breath.

  “All right, Julia. You’re next.”

 
Julia made her way to the front of the track. All eyes were on her, and she turned away, ready to shapeshift.

  “Remember, do not go until you hear my command,” Mr.

  Knightly rang out. “Understand?”

  “Yes.”

  It became quiet as she waited, eyes closed.

  “Now!” Mr. Knightly called.

  Julia quickly envisioned herself changing into her white tiger. She could see the beautiful creature, strong and powerful with her mind controlling its every move. She homed in on the same energy that she always used to shapeshift and took a deep breath.

  She did everything right; however, it took longer than it ever had before.

  “Now,” Knightly said again, as if Julia didn’t hear him the first time.

  Her heart began to race as the seconds ticked on and nothing happened. She could see everything so clearly in her head, but her body wasn’t responding. She felt anxious as whispers began to rustle through the students. What was going on?

  Mr. Knightly sighed. “Julia, why aren’t you changing?”

  he asked.

  Slowly she turned around. “I can’t do it,” she whispered.

  “I can’t shapeshift.”

  “What do you mean?” His face was confused. “Do you want to try again?”

  Anger surged through her as she caught Camilla smiling at her.

  “No,” Julia said, upset. “I don’t want to do this.” She ran from the track over to her book bag.

  “Do not leave this classroom!” Mr. Knightly said to her.

  She headed for the door ignoring him. There was no way she could possibly stay.

  “If you leave right now, you’ll be expelled!”

  She hesitated, stopping in her tracks. “It doesn’t matter,”

  she said, leaving.

  Bolting to her room, she couldn’t help but let the hot tears stream down her face. So that was it. She really couldn’t transform anymore. She had lost the gift of shapeshifting because she had become a full siren.

  She burst into her room and began pacing around. What happened now?

  It began to snow outside, and she paused in front of the window to see the trees still reaching toward the nonexis-tent sun. The day felt dark and dreary. Everything outside looked just as dead and hopeless as her future at Lockham.

  She had tried to either ignore or overcome any problem that pulled her down. Lancer would never let Ossai know what she truly was. Sierra and Gabe had tried to be civil with her, but it was clear that Julia had been severed from their friendship. She had ended things with Terrence, and now she couldn’t even shapeshift.

  Julia dropped onto the cold, hard ground and let out an antagonizing yell. She couldn’t ignore what had happened in her life. Everything she held dear to her had crumbled into despair and nothingness. What did the future still have for her? The answer rang out in her mind: nothing.

  She stumbled up from the floor and into the bathroom to grab a tissue. She blotted her face and glanced in the mirror.

  Shock seized her as she saw her reflection. Long, bright red hair covered her whole head.

  Grabbing a handful on each side, she pulled her long locks in disbelief. She didn’t even look like herself anymore.

  She had fully transformed into a siren.

  She took in the image, shaking. Even her eyes had changed. No longer were they the deep brown that they’d always been. Now they were so dark they were almost black.

  Julia backed away from the mirror looking at her fright-ened and changed face. “No,” she whispered. “No.”

  Everyone would know about her siren identity. Lockham would be terrified of the vicious, manipulative siren. Lancer would lose credibility for having a siren daughter. Julia would probably have to leave Lockham.

  Class would be out soon, Sierra would see Julia like this, and there would be no hiding it now. She needed to take action, figure out what would become of her. Her only option was to talk with Loretta and go back to Sirenity.

  Her heart beat wildly as she made the decision. She had to leave—now.

  She flung out her nightstand drawer, grabbed a writing notebook and pen, and scribbled a note to Sierra.

  Sierra,

  I had to leave and go back to Sirenity. I need to sort things out about who I am and what kind of a future I have. I will be safe there, and I promise I will return, though I can’t say how long I’ll be gone. Please tell Scarlet, and only Scarlet. She’ll know what to tell my father. Do noT worry about me. I will be fine. loretta will help me. I’m sorry, but I have to do this. Do not come looking for me.

  Julia

  After she signed her name, Julia left the notebook on Sierra’s bed.

  It was minutes before classes ended for the day.

  She didn’t bother grabbing anything but the lie detector ring that Caleb had given her last Christmas. It seemed like the only useful, waterproof thing to take. Leaving their room, Julia sprinted down the hallway toward Scarlet’s office.

  A few students had left class early, and Julia hid behind a stone pillar as two small girls passed, chatting avidly. She tiptoed behind them and made it to Scarlet’s office without being noticed.

  She listened intently outside of the office and heard nothing. Grabbing the key out of the candleholder, she scrambled to open the door.

  Scarlet would be hurt when she found out Julia stole her office key and used it to leave Lockham. She ignored the guilt and closed the door quietly.

  The back door in her office led to the pool, and Julia unlatched the lock and pushed it open. It was steamy and warm in the pool room, and the scent was clean. Her senses tingled as she made her way down the steps that led to the uncovered pool.

  She sat down on her knees and stared into her reflection.

  The vivid hair and dark eyes were so strange and unnatural to her, she could hardly look at herself.

  “Riley,” she whispered into the water. “I need you.”

  Seconds later, the water in front of Julia swirled, and a portal appeared. Riley swam through looking amused.

  “Julia,” she called. “What a pleasant surprise.” She took in Julia’s hair and new eyes. “How can I help you?”

  “I need to go back to Sirenity. This time for a while.”

  She expected Riley to protest or warn Julia about the decision she was about to make. However, Riley only nodded.

  “If I go through the portal, can you make sure that it closes after?” Julia asked.

  “The portal wil be long gone before anyone realizes you left through it,” Riley answered calmly. “But we must leave now.”

  Julia swallowed and glanced behind her. She was leaving Lockham.

  She slid into the pool and immersed herself in the warm water. When she was fully submerged, she swam next to Riley and finally into the portal.

  The water swallowed her up, and soon darkness surrounded her. She traveled through the rushing water back to Sirenity.

  A few seconds later, she climbed out of the small pond into the jungle area.

  “Release the portal from Lockham,” Riley commanded the water. A force pushed through the water, and a small wave erupted over their feet. “It’s done,” she said, turning to Julia. “You are safe.”

  Julia let out a sigh of relief and glanced at the sky. “Why is it dark?”

  Riley smiled. “It’s nighttime.”

  The palm trees whispered to one another in the wind, and birds’ calls rang out shrill in the dark.

  She and Riley sprinted through the jungle until they finally got back to the familiar beach. Besides the ocean, the night was quiet, and the sirens slept in their small beach homes.

  “Follow me,” Riley said. “I’ll show you where you can sleep tonight.”

  She led Julia to a vacant palm tree–covered hut surrounded by sand and leaves. There was a cot bed inside and wooden shelves lining the wall.

  “Don’t worry, Julia. You’ll be completely safe. Take time and rejuvenate.”

  Julia
climbed onto the cot, surprised at how comfy it really was. “Thank you, Riley. And thank you for coming so quickly to my aid tonight.”

  Riley’s eyes glimmered in the darkness. “It’s what sirens do for each other.”

  She slipped out the front door of the tiny hut, and Julia let herself sink into the cotton cot. Even though she was in a foreign place, she trusted everyone there, and she felt safe.

  Julia closed her eyes and let herself slip away.

  It felt warm when Julia woke up, and she panicked for a moment, wondering where she lay. Then it al hit her. She stumbled toward the mirror on the dresser and studied her reflection.

  A siren stared back at her, with vibrant red hair and black eyes.

  Julia opened the hut’s front door and exited into the jungle of Sirenity. Riley sat on a rock not too far from her.

  “Hi,” Julia greeted and watched as Riley held a finger to her lip and pointed. Julia looked in the direction and saw a rainbow-colored bird. The bird tilted its head at Julia and then took off in flight.

  Riley smiled. “Sorry, I was just admiring the rainbow parrot. They’re pretty rare. So how did you sleep?”

  “Good,” Julia answered. “I actually didn’t dream for once, which is really strange. I usually have very vivid dreams.”

  “It’s a spell Loretta has put on the island. She didn’t like the idea of anyone invading our dreams.”

  Caleb’s image came into Julia’s mind. “I knew someone who entered my dream once.”

  Riley’s eyes opened wide. “He entered your dreams?

  What was he looking for?”

  Julia paused. “It’s a long story.”

  “Well, I’d like to hear it. We have all day. But first Loretta would like to see you. Follow me.”

  Winding through the jungle and around the shore, Riley led Julia to Loretta’s large beach home. Loretta sat outside in a woven chair conversing with five other sirens.

  They all stopped when Julia arrived and took in her appearance. Loretta smiled and stood up.

  “Julia!” she exclaimed. “You look incredible.”

  “Thank you,” Julia answered quietly. Did she look ugly to them before? Perhaps normal hair colors were boring and plain.

  “We’re so glad that you came back.” Loretta strode toward her. She wore a long green dress that dragged on the sand.