I was ready.
Glenn awoke around ten, groaning. I nodded at him, “Hey.”
“Ugh,” he said, “hey. Sorry… sleeping on the job.”
I shook my head, “No, you needed the rest.” I twisted my fingers together. “Hey, Glenn, this might be poor timing, but I’m meeting Will at the park around noon.”
He groaned again, “Today, Sarah? Of all days?”
I frowned, “Yeah. I’m…” I felt a fluttering in my chest. My nerves were begging me to swallow the lie I was going to tell. “I’m breaking up with him today.”
Glenn’s muscles visibly relaxed. “That’s probably for the best,” he said. “Why the change all of a sudden?”
“I don’t want anyone to get hurt because of me,” I said honestly.
Glenn nodded. “He’d be an easy target. Okay, noon it is.”
“Thanks for understanding,” I mumbled. I could only hope that later he’d understand why I had to leave.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Score was at the park before me, standing by his parked car. He ran forward to greet me, his eyes shifting to dark green as he noticed my injuries. “Oh my god, Lyra! What happened to you?” he asked me in a whisper, brushing his fingers gently across my face.
I sighed, “Can’t really talk about it here.” I motioned for the trees.
Understanding, he moved with me through the little pathway to our beach. I felt wired, caged, but ultimately happy with my decision. My packed book bag was slung over my shoulder, drawstring tightened to a wide circle. I’d be ready to go as soon as I’d explained. The sooner the better.
We reached our spot. Score started to hum softly, but I couldn’t handle the wait. We’d be going soon, anyway. I grabbed his face desperately, pulling him to my lips for a hard kiss. His eyes fluttered open in surprise, and he pulled back. “Lyra, what’s going on?!”
I shook my head. “You’re right. We need to leave. I’m already packed. We can go whenever.”
A smile burst onto his face. “Really?! Seriously?!”
I nodded, “Yeah. It’s safer.”
He brushed his thumb against my jaw again, eyes suspicious. “How did you get this?”
“Another attack. An overwhelming attack,” I muttered. “Extras out to get me. It doesn’t matter. We can leave this place. We’ll be safe.”
He pulled me close, “We will be safe,” he said with determination. He gently tilted my chin up, so I was looking at him. His green and pink eyes closed. Leaning closer, he brought his lips against mine. Electricity zipped in a trail from our contact down to my core. The kiss was soft, passionate. His hands ran along my back. I didn’t know how to respond, but my body began to do it all for me, pressing me closer to him. My legs melted beneath me until he was supporting most of my weight. I gripped his shoulders feverishly, my body lit up with desire.
It was my first real kiss. The frantic one I’d stolen a moment ago didn’t feel like it counted— it just felt like the logical step, but my heart wasn’t fully in it. This time it was real. This meant something. My body relaxed into my decision. I realized how easy it would be to run away with him after all, to let the rest of the world fade away.
A twig snapped. My eyes flew open in paranoia. Score pulled away from me, raising his hands up, eyes panicked. I turned my head to search through the trees. My mouth gaped open at what I saw.
Surefooted, graceful, proud, and extremely angry, was Glenn. He had his bow drawn, the arrow aimed directly at Score’s head. His face was contorted into a scowl— his jaw was tensed, his eyes flashing, enraged.
“What is this?!” he demanded.
I blanched, taking a step forward. “He’s— we’re—”
“Sarah, he’s an extra,” he said slowly, as if I didn’t know.
Score took a single step towards me, “Now, wait a—”
“Move one more inch in her direction, and I’ll let the arrow go,” Glenn threatened. “And believe me, I’d love the excuse. Now tell me who you are! Are you trying to kill her?”
“What?!” Score asked incredulously. “No! Of course not.”
“Glenn,” I said softly.
Ignoring me, the elf continued addressing Score, “Why should I believe that?”
“Because it’s the truth!”
“Glenn…” a little louder now.
“I should put this arrow between your eyes just for fooling me. I can’t afford to be fooled anymore.”
“Glenn!” I shouted.
He whipped his head towards me. Finally.
“He’s a siren, like me,” I said, exasperated. “We’re going to leave Whitecrest… together.”
His eyes flew back to Score, traveling the length of him, settling on his eyes. Glenn’s eyes widened as he noticed the swirling, changing colors.
His fingers twitched on the drawstring. I cringed. Finally, after a long moment of narrowed eyes scrutinizing Score, he said, “It is true.” He relaxed his draw, “Another siren.”
Score nodded, his shoulders slumping down in relief and defeat. “Yeah, another siren,” he sighed, running his hand through his hair nervously. “I’ve been keeping that a secret for so long, you’d think it would’ve felt better to get it out there,” he laughed weakly.
Glenn glared at him. “I should report this to the council,” he said. “It would be of great note to them.”
I made a gurgling noise, something between crying out and a sob. “No, you can’t!”
Glenn cocked his head at me, “Why not?”
“Because he’d be in the same boat as me,” I said, tears falling down my face. “Remember last night? An entire army came after me.”
From my peripherals, I could see panic on Score’s face, shock at the statement.
Glenn’s mouth became a thin line. His eyes narrowed in deep thought. Finally, he responded, “Fine, for you, I won’t say a word… if,” he continued, “you return home with me.” I turned my head to Score, torn. At this point, we’d be in worse shape together than apart.
It broke my heart, but I nodded, “Yes. Okay.”
Score looked flabbergasted. “Just like that?! You’re leaving with him?! No! Wait a—” he started. When he saw me shaking my head softly, I guess it took the wind out of his sails. “If it’s what you want,” he muttered, staring at the ground. He balled his hands into tight fists.
My voice caught on the words, “I don’t think what I want is a factor, Score.”
“You can stay in Whitecrest or you can leave— I don’t care,” Glenn said to him. “But you aren’t running away with Sarah.”
“Her name is Lyra!” Score spat bitterly.
Glenn’s brows raised, just barely. He amended his words, “You aren’t running away with Lyra, then. Go home, boy.”
He grabbed my wrist, dragging me through the trees. I was surprised at how hard he pulled. Glenn was usually gentle with me.
“Wait!” Score cried out, “Lyra!”
I turned back for a moment. A metallic glint caught the light and sailed towards me, a silver tail behind it. I opened my hand and caught the ring, his mother’s ring, in my fist. He’d snapped the chain off in his haste. It lay broken in my palm, still looped through the silver band.
I had a single moment to stare at Score, but he took the fleeting opportunity to cry, “I’m not giving up on you!”
Glenn sighed loudly, tightening his grip on my wrist. I shoved the ring in my pocket. I felt broken and confused as we stumbled from the woods to the pavement of the parking lot.
“It would’ve been better if you just let us go,” I said angrily as we walked back towards Marin’s house.
Glenn shook his head. His lips were a tight line. He was obviously angry with me. “Do you really think that would’ve been better for me? Really?” He stopped, yanking hard on my wrist, pulling me to face him. “You’re the first person within this goddess-forsaken Overworld or Realm that’s even bothered to show me the least bit of kindness, friendship!” he spat. “I won’t lose the
one person I care about— not to the council, not to an army, and certainly not to one boy.” He sighed gruffly, gently tucking a stray hair from my eyes behind my ears. He tugged me in close to himself. My heart beat faster and faster, like it was going to explode from my chest as he embraced me tightly.
He pulled away after a few moments, “And you won’t be getting rid of me so easily, either, so put that silly notion away. Let’s go home.”
I nodded, numbed. I’d dealt with too many conflicting emotions the past few days to be capable of feeling anything now. We made the curve of Marin’s driveway, entering the estate. I silently ascended the stairs, Glenn trailing behind me.
He slunk over to his corner and sat. He placed his head in his hands for a moment to collect himself, taking a few steadying breaths.
“Sarah… no, Lyra,” Glenn corrected, “I’m sorry you’re upset.”
I didn’t say anything. A tear trailed down my face, but I refused to sob or make a sound, refused to give him any response. I was done talking. I swiped at my eyes quickly, not wanting to show any emotion.
“You need some time,” he muttered. “I’ll be outside the door.” He glanced at me, hardening his eyes, “Don’t try anything stupid. I’ll hear it.”
The door shut softly with a click. I gripped at the comforter of the bed and twisted it in frustration. It wasn’t fair! Glenn had no right to keep me here! How dare he prevent me from being with Score, with my own kind?!
I had to bite my tongue to prevent myself from yelling at him. I refused to give Glenn the satisfaction. I refused to let him know how upset I was. I stalked to the bathroom instead. A bath might help to ease the day’s tension and allow me to cry in peace if needed.
While the roaring of the water could mask it, I let myself sob quietly as I sat on the edge of the bathtub. After about fifteen minutes, the tub was filled with foamy lemon scented bubbles. I twisted the knobs and inhaled sharply, feeling deflated. I had cried enough.
I began to strip down, but as my hands reached along my hips to pull off my jeans, I realized I still had Score’s ring in my pocket. I pulled it out, my breath catching in my throat. I swallowed a fresh sob before it could bubble from my mouth. Discarding the destroyed chain from the band, I slipped the ring onto my finger.
What were the odds? A perfect fit.
I slipped off my clothes, sinking into the tub. I let the warmth of the water wash away my day.
Closing my eyes, I pinched the bridge of my nose. My sinuses still throbbed from crying. I sank below the bubbles, trying to imagine what it felt like to be Marin, a mermaid underwater. It seemed much simpler than being an endangered species.
I broke the surface, taking a deep breath, then wrenched myself from the bathtub.
I squeezed the dripping water from my hair, wrapped one of the fluffy towels around myself, and made my way to the wardrobe to fetch some pajamas. Glenn was still giving me privacy, remaining in the hall. The door was closed tightly.
I opened the wardrobe, pulling out some lounge pants and a tank top. The glint on my hand caught my eye.
I sighed, staring at the ring on my finger. It really was lovely. I frowned and twisted it off. Digging through my packed book bag, I fished out my family music box. Inside I’d stashed my father’s ring.
My fingertips traced the carvings along the top of the box. A pair of birds, similar to the one on my dulcimer, to Score’s guitar, were on the top, an asymmetrical border around them.
I never did have a chance to show this to Score. A pang of regret hit me. He could’ve read the siren writing that was scrawled on the sides of it. I popped the latch open, somewhat disappointed that no music played. I retrieved my inherited ring, comparing it to Score’s.
His ring was obviously a woman’s. It was delicate white gold, or silver, or maybe platinum. It was designed with two small triangular white diamonds flanking a large oval shaped opal. The ring my parents had left me was similarly obviously a man’s. The size of the band was quite large. It was a simple ring that appeared carved from one enormous opal, with a similar silver metal on the inside. I held the two up to my eyes, studying them, contrasting them.
A jolt ran down my spine, causing little tremors of excitement in my muscles. In front of me, on the inner lid of the music box was a carving that looked amazingly similar to the profile of the two parallel rings. I set the rings down onto my night table, willing my heart to calm down.
My fingertips traced the carvings. It isn’t similar, I thought, it’s exact.
I scooped the rings into my palm. I slowly pushed my father’s band into the carving that appeared to fit his. It snapped. There was a popping sound, like a mechanical latch whirring and swinging into place. My heart racing excitedly, I fitted the second ring, Score’s mother’s ring, into the other carving. Snap. Whir. Click.
I was expecting the music box to start— for a song to play— but that wasn’t what happened. Instead, the top of the box sprang open. The carvings had obscured the small seams, hiding the compartment completely. A tray popped up. Resting on the wood was a large piece of thick yellowed paper that was folded tightly.
I lifted it from the tray. It felt stronger than regular paper, and it practically hummed under my fingertips. I unfolded it carefully. The creases were thinner than the rest of the page, a product of being crammed in the little box for so long. I held it up before me.
My eyes widened. It was a map.
Read Ahead for an Excerpt From…
Glenn placed a hand lightly on my shoulder, cocked his head and gestured behind him, “Ready?”
I nodded stiffly. We headed up to the tower that contained the scrying pool. When we arrived, Glenn closed the door behind us and locked it with a solid click.
It was as private as it could be in this house.
We gazed into the water. It remained black. Glenn cleared his throat, “Member of Her Majesty’s Guard, Glenn, checking in with the council in regards to the siren.” The water rippled for a moment, and the darkness brightened just a tiny bit.
There they were, looking exactly as we’d seen them before, nine council members seated in a ring.
“Ah!” Lady Amaranthe said, “There you are. We were wondering if we’d hear from you at all.”
“We were delayed,” Glenn said apologetically, “Sarah was speaking with Princess Marin.”
“Alone?” the Lady said, her brow arching sharply.
“The Princess is adequate at defensive magic,” Glenn explained, “and they were within King Dorian’s estate.”
The Lady’s shoulders relaxed marginally, “I do hope you are not shirking your duties, Glenn,” she reprimanded. “Especially with that horrid attack at the commencement of Auct.”
Glenn’s mouth hardened, but he didn’t say anything for a moment. Finally he sighed, “You’re right. I will keep closer contact.”
“Unnecessary, but we appreciate it nonetheless,” Marin’s father said. He grinned boyishly, his gaze moving to me. “We have fantastic news. A family of naga in Florida have accepted guardianship of you. You’ll be departing in the morning.”
My heart thudded dully in my chest. I was leaving Whitecrest.
“I’m…” I said slowly, “grateful for the thought, council members, but with all due respect—”
“Right now,” reminded the vampire councilman carefully, “you are under the protection of this council and, in particular, His Majesty King Dorian,” he gestured towards Marin’s father. “We feel that his generosity has gone far enough. The naga have been kind enough to take you.”
The Lady of Flowers nodded. “Indeed,” she said, smiling widely. “In fact, this allows you to return home to the Amaranth Guard, Glenn.”
He frowned, “With the attack three weeks ago, I hardly think it’s prudent to—”
She raised one hand, silencing him, “The attack has been handled by the council, and those responsible are no longer a threat. Those who wish harm on the siren have been suitably disbanded. The menace
is eliminated. The naga will provide adequate protection.” Her eyes hardened, “You may come home, Glenn.”
“I…” he said slowly, “I understand.” He bowed his head.
King Dorian smiled, “Good. Then it’s settled. You’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
Acknowledgments
I owe many thanks to the following people whose patience, wisdom, or overall awesomeness made Prelude possible.
To my amazing beta reader, Alicia: your feedback is more valuable than you know. Thank you for your patience, advice, input, and enthusiasm. This series would not have been written, and certainly not so quickly, without you.
To my cover artist and beta reader, Alexis: your designs are beautiful, your input fantastic. Thank you for bringing my characters to life! And thank you for your wild theories. They’re my favorite.
To my publicist and editor, Mariesa: thank you for your advice, your expertise, and your critical eye. You’ve been invaluable.
To my line editor, Jessica: not only have you acted as an alpha reader, you devoted plenty of nights to fixing commas and clumsy sentences. It wasn’t easy, but the product is worthwhile. Sonata is coming up soon. Hope you’re ready!
To my mother, Lynne: what can I say? You’ve been unfortunately subjected to every version, every rewrite, every addition, every revision, every exhausting night awake, every plot twist, every meltdown, every moment. You’ve been my cheerleader, my fan, and my mentor. This story would not exist without you— it would be some half-formed thought scribbled on a notepad or lost on a few kilobytes in MS Word.
And finally, to my husband: it hasn’t been easy, I know. I never knew the depths of how much someone could love until now. Nothing tests one’s devotion like writing a novel— let alone a series of them. I love you, Darin.
About A.M. Hodgson
We’re not saying A.M. Hodgson is a deadly ninja by night. But we’re not not saying that, either. When she’s not making up fantastical plotlines and endearingly flawed characters, she’s reading, playing video games, or being forced to socialize with real, living, breathing people.
Prelude (The Rhapsody Quartet) Page 29
