by Nas Magkasi
As she swam, she noticed how lonely it was to swim without the other sisters. Mer had been right to want to expand their tribe. She was the last real siren and without her, sirens would be extinct.
She supposed having Mistico as a siren would be better than not having anyone at all. She hoped the transformation happened smoothly. There was nothing anyone could do to help her. The wizard was dead, and there was no choice for Mistico except to dive into the sea and accept her fate. There was a lot that Maj would teach her. She’d find her through threatening the sea creatures, that is, after she emerged from Persephone’s punishment.
When she neared Persephone’s cove, it looked as if the place was set on fire. The demon was definitely in the house. All the diamonds reflected red and orange flames.
“You promised me those siren bitches would get me my souls,” the demon bellowed.
“I didn’t promise.” Persephone sniffed. “I said they would try.”
“Well trying is not doing.”
Persephone looked calm as she lounged on the diamond chair. The demon loomed over her, but she didn’t look threatened in the slightest.
“We could’ve easily taken the humans if the wizard hasn’t ruined the whole thing. Luckily one of my sirens killed him before he were to do any more damage.”
“Your siren ate one the men I was trying to collect from.”
Smoke came from the demon’s nose. Persephone examined her nails. She was wearing the slinky silver dressed encrusted with a million tiny diamonds. Maj couldn’t help but admire her beauty.
“Yes, well, one of my sirens has been killed too. The cycle of life, isn’t it?”
She suddenly looked up and locked eyes with Maj.
“Come on Maj, come out from where you were hiding from.”
Maj slowly swam before the demon and Persephone.
“I’m sorry I failed.” She bowed her head down.
“Sorry doesn’t cut it,” the demon spat. “I want my souls. One of them is in heaven and the other is roaming the earth free. How are you going to rectify this situation?”
“I –“
Maj was at a loss for words. She didn’t know what she would do. Her only skill was to seduce and kill. To make a man to love her took another skill set that she was not eager to perform.
“.- don’t know.”
The devil chuckled. “Well, I do. Haven’t you read the contract? You should always read the contract before you sign, you know.”
“What is it?” Maj’s eyes grew wide. It was a demon. They were the nastiest creatures in existence.
“Clause 564 (b): should the sirens fail their tasks, they are prevented from eating human flesh for as long as they shall live.”
“Nooo!” Maj cried. “That’s no way to live.”
“In that case,” the demon continued, “when you die, you get to join me in hell. Tell me, are you good at doing chores?”
“Chores?”
“Are you good with numbers?” asked the demon. “I’m looking for an accountant.”
“Numbers? No!”
The demon continued to laugh, utterly relishing in her reactions.
“Please,” Maj said. “I’ll do whatever it takes to get Domenico’s soul for you. There’s another siren. Mistico, the wizard’s daughter? She’s been turned into a siren. I think Domenico has feelings for her. Together we can get him –“
“No, you can’t,” Persephone said. “She’s no longer a siren.”
“But how?” Maj wailed.
“Somehow the human found a way to cure her.”
“But, but – ”
“And what a shame too. She was a half-wizard. Do you have any idea how powerful she could’ve been as a siren?”
Maj’s head hung once more.
“Face it,” Persephone said. A smile played on her lips, but her words were cold, as they always were. “You’re useless now. You belong to no one.”
“I belong to you,” Maj said.
Persephone slowly shook her head. “I created you, but I don’t want you anymore. What do you do for me anyway? All you ever do is let me down. And I went through so much trouble, arranging this deal. You’ve let him down too. Want to know what my punishment for you is?”
Mistico slowly shook her head.
Persephone looked right into her eyes. Her eyes sparkled and shined, making her look as if she were kind.
“You will be alone at sea as long as you live. I will never agree to turn another girl into a sister for you. And lastly, you will never get to come back here to see me ever again.”
Maj sobbed.
She started to protest, but knew it was no good. Persephone never went back on her word. Neither did demons.
Domenico watched the sun set from his window. Orange and lavender streaked the evening sky. He held Mistico in his arms. It felt good to have her close to him all the time. What a fool he’d been, but he’d been able to heal from her unconditional love. She’d always loved him, whether as a brother, friend or lover. It was only now that he realized that. How he had always loved her. He would always care for her.
Circumstances had made it that they could become lovers. And they were. Happily in love and without guilt. He was sure that wherever Adriana was, she would give them her blessing. He thanked God and Zannan daily for helping Mistico stay human.
Tetro was still recovering. Every day there was a funeral. Sometimes a dozen men were celebrated for their lives and their bravery on the same day. Tetro was a village filled with brave men indeed.
While many lives had been lost, there was always more life being brought into the world. He planned to propose to Mistico as soon as the month-long funerals were over. Then she could move in and they would start a family of their own.
Tetro would be just fine.
As soon as the sun went down, he ushered Mistico to the dinner table. She smiled at him, the smile that had given him strength in the past year. Over the past week, his pain was starting to ebb away. He would spend his lifetime repaying her.
For now, he cooked her dinner. He had made her favorite dish: fried fish.
The End
