The Siren's Secret

by Heather Ostler

  He motioned behind his desk, and Julia saw a black basin filled with glowing water.

  “I set up this portal right after Scarlet and Caleb left to look for Liam and Lancer. I didn’t know if they would need my help, so it’s been waiting, ready to go.”

  Julia focused on the portal now and put away the dagger.

  It had the same holder she’d used with it last year, and she strapped it to her leg.

  “Now that anyone could be working for Alexis, trust is not enough. You’ll have to figure out a system for you three.”

  Julia nodded.

  “Go now.”

  Without a word, she moved forward first and stepped into the portal. She thanked Mr. Knightly just as she disappeared into the water. Her thoughts were everywhere, and she hardly noticed the portal traveling sensation anymore.

  When she landed on the hard ground, she stepped aside and waited for Gabe and Sierra. Within seconds, both materialized next to her, secured with their weapons.

  Sierra shifted the bow and arrow on her back, and Gabe flipped around, taking in the surroundings.

  The cliffs of the Grotto coastline were rocky and lined up next to a jungle area. Julia swallowed and glanced into the wilderness. It looked similar to Sirenity.

  “So I guess we move, huh?” Gabe looked forward, hesitating.

  “Yes.” Julia began moving into the mouth of the jungle, and the dark canopy quickly blocked out any sunlight. “Gabe, give me all the details of my dad’s last location.”

  As they headed into the jungle, Gabe discussed every detail of her father’s last whereabouts. Rumors circulated about Sirenity being located near Grotto coastline, and that’s why Lancer and Liam looked there for Julia.

  “I’m guessing they started here and moved south,” Gabe said. “That would lead them eventually to the ocean.”

  Gabe had a great sense of direction, but after going twenty-four hours without sleep, their pace slowed. As the sun began to set, Sierra looked like she might pass out.

  “We need to set up for the night,” Julia said.

  Gabe sighed. “Yes, I suppose earlier is better.”

  Julia dug through the bag Riley gave them and found that she’d packed each of them a small blanket. Julia and Sierra found the flattest, safest spot they could find, while Gabe gathered wood.

  After he piled the wood into a circle, Gabe worked to start a fire. Eventually he made a small spark, which soon erupted into a large flame.

  “We’ll need to cook early on,” Julia said. “I don’t want Alexis finding us because of smoke.”

  “What do you plan on cooking?” Sierra asked, sitting cross-legged on her blanket.

  “We passed some plant roots that I recognize from Sirenity,” Julia said. “They’re called Ti, and they’re easy to cook.

  I’ll see what else I can find on the way.”

  She stood up to go, but Gabe caught her arm. A tired look came over his face. “You can’t go alone. We’ll just eat the food that Riley gave us.”

  Julia bit her bottom lip. “But I think we should save that for emergencies. If we can eat food from the jungle, I think we should.”

  Gabe’s personality had always been calm and rational.

  Now, however, he looked unreasonably tense.

  “You shouldn’t go alone,” he repeated.

  “That’s ridiculous. I’ll be fine. It’s only thirty yards back.

  Besides if you go with me, Sierra will be alone.”

  They both glanced to Sierra, who had fallen asleep on her little blanket.

  “And I’m not waking her up,” Julia said. “Gabe, I’ll be okay. I have the dagger. We’re going to have to rotate staying up, anyway. I’ll take the first shift and be back before you know it.”

  He released her arm. “Sorry,” he muttered. “I’m just—”

  “It’s okay,” Julia answered. “I’ll hurry.”

  The vegetable roots were easy to find, and she dug them up easily with her dagger. At least the dagger would be useful for something if it wouldn’t help her transform.

  When Julia got back to the fire, Gabe looked exhausted, and Sierra slept soundly. She took a piece of fire kindling and broke off a branch, spearing the vegetable root to cook it.

  Gabe watched closely, without saying a word. After five minutes, Julia dropped the roasted root in front of him.

  “It has a good flavor,” she said. “And you’ll feel better.”

  “Thanks.” He took the root and ate it quickly.

  Julia cooked three more for him and two for her. The roots had a slightly different flavor than they did in Sirenity. They tasted sweeter on the island, but they stil satisfied her hunger.

  Riley also packed glass water bottles for all of them, and Julia drank half of hers after eating.

  “We’ll have to find a water source tomorrow,” she said. “I feel like we’ve made some progress today. I just wish I could do something to get on their track.”

  Gabe nodded sleepily. “I have some theories. Tomorrow we’ll move faster.”

  “Okay,” Julia agreed. “You can go to sleep now. I’ll take tonight’s watch.”

  Within five minutes, Gabe fell asleep. Though Julia felt exhausted, she didn’t have a problem staying awake. Sierra and Gabe probably hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in days.

  Right before the sun started to rise, Gabe opened his eyes and took over the shift for Julia. She slept for at least two hours and awoke to Sierra sitting on a bench next to her.

  She silently sorted out something, and Julia rubbed her eyes, looking closer.

  “They’re berries,” Sierra responded to her confused look.

  “I’ve been gathering them from around this area. Gabe made me promise to ask you which ones were poisonous before we ate any.”

  “It’s a good thing too.” She picked up a handful of maroon berries. “These are poisonous.”

  Gabe, who looked over a map, raised his eyebrows knowingly. “Aren’t you glad that I made you wait?”

  Sierra ignored his comment. “How about the rest?”

  Julia scanned the other colorful berries Riley had taught her about. “They’re fine,” she answered.

  They each ate a serving of the berries and then packed up to go.

  As they headed out, Gabe stepped closer to Julia. “So I already told Sierra, but I spoke with Caleb before he left.”

  Julia’s heart raced as they continued forward on the dirt pathway through tropical plants. “And?”

  “He had a theory that Alexis’s hideout was near the southern side of the coast.”

  “But still in this area?”

  “Exactly.” Gabe’s eyes became focused on the pathway ahead of him. “I know Caleb was grasping at straws, but at least it was a lead. And I think we should head there.”

  “Do you know the way?”

  He hesitated. “I have an idea.”

  Julia felt with each passing minute that time was running out. Why wouldn’t Caleb have been more specific?

  “Well, I trust you,” Julia said. “So follow your instincts.”

  Because of the jungle’s canopy, the day never became too hot, even though the air felt extremely humid. Every five minutes or so, Gabe would wipe his brow as he led the way.

  The journey continued until midday, when Julia stopped them for lunch.

  “I don’t see a lot of plants around, so I think we’ll have to just eat some of the bars that Riley gave us.”

  As they sat on a mossy log, Julia immediately felt energy come back into her body as she ate one of the five bars Riley packed for her.

  “Sierra,” Julia said after swallowing. “Remember how the queen back in Sirenity looked exactly like you?”

  Sierra took a bite of the bar and chewed before answering. “Yes.”

  “Why did she look exactly like you?”

  Gabe looked at Sierra, his face confused.

  “I’ve been thinking about it,” Sierra said, watching the jungle floor. “I know I
was adopted, and as weird as it is—“

  “You think she’s your twin?” Gabe interrupted.

  She shrugged. “I don’t know how else to explain it. I mean, I was adopted from Ossai, we don’t know who my family is, and I look exactly like her, even down to the tattoo on her neck.”

  Julia shook her head. “Then there’s no other answer. But how is that possible?”

  “Hold on.” Gabe looked upset. “She tried to kill you.”

  “But she thought I was an imposter.”

  “That’s still no excuse,” Gabe answered. “And if you are her twin, then that would make you some sort of royalty.”

  Julia hadn’t thought about that before. “Oh my gosh,”

  she whispered, “Sierra, he’s right.”

  Sierra gave them an exasperated look. “I’m not royalty.

  Even if I am related to that queen, she wants absolutely nothing to do with me.”

  “But don’t you want to know your birth family?” Julia knew what that feeling was like. Before she found out who Alexis was, she had spent hours wondering about her mother.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Gabe said. “Please, don’t go back, Sierra.”

  She laughed and stood up. “Guys, I haven’t made any decisions yet. I need time to think about it. Right now we have more important things to worry about. Let’s get going.”

  Julia and Gabe stood up too, and they began their journey again, heading toward the southern side of the coast.

  “We should be able to get there tomorrow,” Gabe said as they thrashed through a thick area of tropical plants. Luckily, the bars had provided enough energy for the trio to pick up their pace, and they traveled fast.

  The day began cooling as it got closer to dusk. Once again, Sierra spotted a flat enough surface to sleep on, and Gabe began making a small fire.

  “I’m going to grab some food,” Julia said to Sierra while Gabe focused on the fire. “I’ll be back soon.”

  Sierra tilted her head, concerned, and Julia pointed to the dagger on her leg. She gave her an “I’ll be fine” look. Without another word, she quickly slipped out of the small grove of trees.

  The jungle was black now, and Julia tiptoed, trying to look closely at the different plants. One plant held a strange, orange fruit, and Julia racked her brain trying to remember what Riley had said about that particular one. The memory didn’t come easily, so she decided to extend her radius. Even an extra ten yards would make a huge difference.

  Julia walked to a different area when she felt a hand grasp her shoulder. Within seconds, she was pressed against someone, sword out against her neck.

  She tried, much too late, to reach for her dagger and realized she wouldn’t be able to hypnotize her captor because he stood behind her.

  The grip against her only became tighter, and the sword pressed against her neck made her choke. She couldn’t speak, and she clenched her eyes tight.

  “Who are you?” the voice behind Julia growled. It sounded deep, dark, and threatening.

  She didn’t answer. This Guild member could take her straight to Alexis, and she wasn’t going to confess so easily.

  She determined she would keep the Guild members away from Gabe and Sierra. She clenched her teeth down tightly.

  “Say your name!” She wanted to kick her attacker, but something about the voice made her stop. It seemed familiar.

  It belonged to someone she knew and trusted—someone she had loved.

  “Terrence?” she whispered.

  The grip on her neck loosened, and he pushed her forward away from him.

  She flipped around and reached for her dagger. If Terrence didn’t recognize her, he’d only see her as an enemy. She had to be prepared.

  Dagger in her hand, she faced him.

  Terrence’s eyes were cold and hostile, and he held his sword straight out at her throat.

  “Terrence,” she said again. “It’s me, Julia.”

  His eyes didn’t light up in recognition; instead, he glared at Julia. “That’s what you want me to believe. But I know how sirens think. You’ve hypnotized me to think you’re Julia, but you can’t hide your hair and eyes.”

  Julia couldn’t hold out the dagger any longer. Hearing his voice made her long to be close to him.

  She had never received closure on their relationship; she’d never had the chance to explain why she broke things off with him, or why she had left so suddenly.

  “I’m so sorry, Terrence,” she said. Her hands shook and she dropped the dagger. “Please, you have to believe me.” A tear left her eye and trickled down her face.

  “Stop it!” he yelled. “You’re a siren sent to mess with my mind. You’ve only dropped your weapon as a sign of surren-der because you know I could kill you in one blow. It means nothing to me.”

  A cry escaped her lips. “Please, Terrence. You have to know it’s me. Remember, how you taught me to shapeshift?

  Or when you snuck into my room after the Soldier Union dinner?”

  Terrence’s eyes opened wide, and some of the anger lifted.

  “I bumped my knee on the dresser because you were hiding and—”

  Terrence lowered his sword. “Is it really you?”

  Julia lifted her hand, which contained the large diamond ring.

  “It’s me, Julia Levesque.”

  Just like every time before, the ring stayed in its diamond state, unchanged by the truth.

  “Oh my gosh.” Terrence sheathed his sword, sprinted forward, and took her arms.

  “Julia?”

  The tears ran down her face, but she felt safe. “I’m a siren,”

  she said. “My mother is a siren, and I didn’t know till this year. That’s where I’ve been, and that’s why I broke up with you. I didn’t want you knowing what I was.”

  Without another word, he embraced Julia, pressing his lips against hers. For one wonderful moment she became lost in their kiss. A feeling of comfort and relief filled her entire being. Everything would be all right.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  I can’t believe it.” Terrence had finally let her go.

  “What are you doing here?”

  Julia smiled. “I’ll answer that, but first I need to get back to Gabe and Sierra.”

  “They’re here?” he asked, pointing into the jungle.

  “Yes, and I don’t want them to think something happened.”

  “I’ll come back with you. Then you guys can stay with the Soldier Union. We’ll keep you safe.”

  “Okay,” she answered happily. Julia couldn’t believe the relief she felt finding Terrence. She took his hand and quickly led him back to their camping spot.

  Gabe, who sat on a tree stump, jumped up in alarm when he saw Terrence. Gripping his sword, he walked in front of Sierra and kept his aim steady.

  “Gabe,” Julia said. “It’s Terrence. I found him. He’s with the Soldier Union.”

  Sierra turned to Gabe, waiting for his reaction. It took him a few moments, but when he saw Julia’s hand intertwined with Terrence’s, he lowered his sword.

  “We actually found the Soldier Union?” Gabe asked.

  “Yes.” Terrence smiled. “Come stay with us. We’l join forces.”

  Gabe nodded and then leaned forward to shake Terrence’s hand.

  “It’s nice to finally find someone,” Gabe replied. “Hopefully we can help each other out.”

  Once again, the trio packed up their few belongings and left their spot.

  “It’s nice to see you again, Sierra.” Terrence nodded at her as they left the clearing.

  She seemed happier now too. “Thanks, Terrence. I’m glad you’re okay. I’ve been so nervous for all of the soldiers.”

  Everyone became silent as they moved through the black jungle for twenty minutes. Terrence kept one hand on his sword, extended out, and the other hand tightly wound around Julia’s hand.

  Finally he approached a cave with brush blocking the entrance. Bending down low, Terrence
made a low whistling call. Within a couple of seconds, the call was returned, and Terrence entered the cave, Julia following behind him.

  They stooped to enter the cave, and the air became chill-ier. Julia felt the side of the cave’s wall, cold and rough, as they moved forward. It wasn’t until they were twenty yards into the cave that a small campfire came into view.

  Eleven other soldiers stood with swords out, around the fire. Julia recognized a few of them but most looked unfamiliar.

  “Terrence,” one of the older soldiers called. “What are you doing with that siren?”

  “She’s not just a siren,” he responded. “It’s Julia Levesque and her friends from Lockham, Gabe and Sierra.”

  Most of the men didn’t seem convinced.

  “That’s not Lancer’s daughter,” a shorter man said with a scowl on his face. “What are you thinking?”

  “He’s not lying,” Julia answered, squeezing tighter onto Terrence’s hand. “I’m half werecat, half siren. Alexis is too, but she never told anyone.”

  The older soldier shook his head slowly. “Alexis is a siren?

  How could that be?”

  Julia swallowed. “She kept it a secret from everyone.

  Including my own father. I didn’t find out I was a siren until this year. That’s why I left Lockham, and that’s why my dad is missing now—” Her voice caught at the end of her sentence, and she didn’t know whether it happened because of emotion or fear.

  Terrence pulled her in closer. “She speaks the truth,” he said. “Look, she’s wearing a truth ring.” He took Julia’s hand and raised the translucent diamond up high.

  “So you believe her then?” the older soldier asked.

  “Yes.” Terrence looked at Julia’s face, lowering her hand.

  “I know it’s her.”

  “All right then,” he answered gruffly. “We’ll trust you. Just know this is in your hands.”

  Terrence nodded, and doing so dismissed the matter.

  The other soldiers began moving around, gathering in circles over maps or cooking food on the fire. Two soldiers in the back of the cave feverishly scribbled notes down from the older soldier.

  “Thank you, Terrence,” Julia breathed. “Thank you for knowing it’s me. I didn’t want to waste any more time—I just want to find my father.”