“No! Get out!” I screamed.
The others rushed towards me and I shouted for them to get back. I could not hold it in any longer. Someone was controlling my body. It was like I was watching a different person and not myself.
Rhea slowly walked towards me and I screamed inside for them to run.
“Protect the Siren.” The voices screamed.
Someone made my hands move and a bright light escaped, and knocked Rhea high into the air.
“Stop it.” I screamed inside my head. “Leave her alone.”
“Rhea!” yelled Sophia.
Naaz was about to move but my body was quicker to react. Another bright light came from my hands and exploded. Naaz was sent spiraling through the air and landed hard on her back along with Rhea.
“Stop it, Ellie!” shouted Marcus.
My head turned into the direction of Sophia and Marcus, they showed true fear across their faces. They stood together, hoping to stand their ground against me.
“Bow before us.” The voices said.
“Stop this!” Sophia yelled.
“If you do not bow, then you will join them.” The words came out of my mouth but they were not mine.
Sophia quickly put up her barrier, protecting Marcus and herself. Both of my hands were forced out. Jets of blinding light were sent forth towards Sophia’s barrier, the wave of light covered over her barrier hoping to find a way in. Something inside me laughed as I watched her struggle against the power. I could see Sophia battle against the tide but I was powerless to do anything but watch. Within seconds her barrier soon shattered around her, leaving Sophia and Marcus defenseless. She stood there with her face full of horror. Marcus quickly placed himself in front of Sophia, baring my path.
“No not them!” I screamed. I fought for control for my own body but they weren’t letting go. Each of the sirens wanted a turn at my body like I was a brand new toy for them to play with. I fought against each of them and I could feel their influence disappearing. Sophia took her chance and ran towards Rhea along with Marcus.
I screamed and the ground cracked around me. My body began to tremble from the force of the scream, I kept on going and I could feel their grip fading away. My vision had grown darker and my head felt heavy but I had to keep going. One at a time the souls drifted away from my body, I had won. I inhaled deeply, I had finally had control of my body. The scream had drained me of all of my strength and I could feel my body falling to the floor.
Chapter Ten
Dense fog had surrounded me. Did the other leave me here? My body didn’t feel right, even after I fought for control of it, it just didn’t feel like it belonged to me. Soft voices echoed around me, it was a nice change from the other voices that screamed at me. Still laying on the ground floor, I picked myself up with difficulty. All of my muscles ached with pain, I just felt devoid of strength.
“Am I dead?” I blurted out.
But this doesn’t look like heaven or anyone’s concept of it. Just lots of fog and empty vast of nothingness. There were no pearly gates, no fluffy clouds or anyone to show you where you will be staying for the rest of your undead life. I started to walk about, looking for anything that was worth noticing.
“Hello!” I called out nervously.
Something appeared in front of me that made me jump back. The fog around me gathered and I watched in awe as something started to take shape, it seemed to be of a human and it was slowly coming together piece by piece.
I took a few steps back, not knowing if it was friend of foe. The white fog ended with a glittering glow and out stepped a tall man, he was half naked from the waist up, his strong body showcased how muscular his arms and chest were. He looked like he could take on a thousand men. His piercing hazel eyes watched me as I took him in. He walked slowly towards me and I felt like running it the opposite direction.
“Hello.” He said. His voice, soft and gentle, nothing what I thought it would be.
“Uh, hello.” I said nervously. “Am I dead? Are you here to take me away.”
The tall bald man laughed to himself. “No dear Siren, I just want to talk.”
“Jeez, why does everyone kidnap me and want to talk, I’m sick of it.”
“I didn’t kidnap you, you brought yourself here.”
“Wait, I brought myself here?” I asked confusedly.
He nodded.
“Well, that’s something new.” I mumbled.
“I want to talk about, Rhea and Naaz. Do you think you should be with them?”
“Why what’s it to you?” I am sick of people telling me what to do.
“That’s quite the attitude you’ve got there.” He said.
“Sorry, it’s been a rough couple of days.”
“I can see that.” The tall man replied.
“What do you mean? Have you been watching me?”
“I am just an observer, nothing more.” He answered.
“So you have been watching me?” I asked again.
He didn’t say anything, I just watched him as he just stood there. What the hell was he?
“Ellie?” he said.
“Yeah, hold on, I’m thinking.” I replied.
“There are people out there who want you to succeed and some want you to fail, I’m just here telling you your options.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, there are people out there, who want you dead, and some think that being with them two won’t end well.”
“I make my own decisions and I do feel safe with Rhea, not so much with Naaz though.” I said to him.
“There is still darkness inside that one, watch what you do around her.”
“Who, Naaz?” I asked.
“No, Rhea. She might say she is a new person but she hides a dark secret that still haunts her to this very day.”
“Are you talking about Idina?” I asked.
“No, there is something far more worse she hides and it has taken hold of her.” He said.
“She would never hurt me, she protects me.” I told him
“There will come a time when no one can help you.”
His words shook me, I would never be alone again. “Is that a threat?”
“No, just a warning.”
It was my turn to ask questions.
“What are you? Why am I here? And who the hell wants me to succeed, succeed at what?”
The blue eyed man laughed and his strong shoulders jumped up and down. “Well, I am sort of an observer, I am neither good nor evil, and second, you are in the nether. A place between worlds and finally, the people who want you to succeed are unknown to me, sadly.”
“Well that was a mouthful, thanks. At least you were honest with me, unlike some people they just skate around the facts.” I said.
“You are playing a dangerous game, Ellie, think of who you are creating ties with, be careful. There are people who want you to be safe including one special person.” His voice softly said.
My heart skipped a beat. “Kate?!” I asked with tears forming in my eyes.
He didn’t reply but I knew it could be her. “Be careful.” He stood back away from me and something expanded from his back up into the air. Two large grey wings were thrown up into the air ready to soar into the graying fog. He gave me a quick smile and shot off into the unknown. Before I could think of how to get back, I found myself falling through the air and back down to my body.
I opened my eyes to see bodies bent over me.
“She’s awake.” said a familiar voice.
“Let her have some space.” another said.
Their face’s moved from my view and the bright new sun showered its blinding light upon me. I laid there for a moment just staring at the sky, stunned at what I just saw up there. Or was it down below? Whatever he was, I didn’t know whether to trust him or not. The group of people who I could trust was getting smaller and smaller.
I sat up and I felt like a house had fallen onto me, I felt like crap, worse that crap.
Many hands offered me their help but I ignored them and got to my feet myself. My legs wobbled underneath me, but I held my ground.
We were still by the sewer where we escaped from. They hadn’t moved me. They probably didn’t want to touch me.
“Are you ok?” Sophia asked.
I looked around to see the others had worried looks on their faces, all except Naaz. Her face, frozen with a scorned look.
“She may still be possessed.” said Naaz.
“Knock it off Naaz. You’re just pissed cos’ Ellie knocked you on your ass’.” Marcus said.
Naaz gave him a frightening look and turned her back on us.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m sorry I said those horrible things before.” I crocked. My throat felt tight and sore.
“We all said horrible things to each other, it wasn’t us, it was that orb.” Sophia said.
I looked down at my hands and the burnt flesh was healed.
The others agreed with her. “What did happen anyway?” I asked.
Rhea took a deep breath and explained. “Well Ellie, your emotions connected with the wisp and it started a chain reaction; it made everyone feel angry because they were in fact, feeling your emotions.”
“How?” I asked.
“Well, it was the orb. It intensified your anger and the orb could not handle that sort of power, so it overloaded, making it shatter.” Rhea said.
“So those things inside were-.” Sophia was cut off.
“Those, my dear, were dead Siren souls.” Naaz interrupted.
I knew what she said was true, when they were inside I could feel each and every one’s pain and torment that they felt in life. Their strong will nearly took over my body.
“It felt horrible, I thought I was going to mad with their anger.” I said.
“Well it’s over now.” Marcus said.
“But, what I want to know is why were they protecting Ellie?” Sophia asked with a puzzled look on her face.
“They thought we were a threat.” Naaz explained. “Especially, Rhea and I.”
“Why did they think you would harm me?” I asked them.
Rhea was about to answer but Naaz gripped onto her hand hard and spoke for her. “I don’t know, but it worries me.” she replied.
I noticed the silent words that Rhea and Naaz exchanged with just a look. What are they not telling me? I want answers.
“Anyway, let’s get back, before something else happens.” advised Marcus.
We all agreed and grabbed onto Rhea and Naaz’s hands. The same feeling came over me and my stomach knotted inside. Shapes and colours flashed passed my face as we headed back to Naaz’s dark home.
We landed in the cold hall with the others. I was too tired to talk so I abandoned them at the hall and I made my way into the fiery cozy living room. I found my comfy sofa and got comfortable. I didn’t want to talk to anyone, not with everything that had happened. How could they ever treat me the same again after what I had done. If I was them I wouldn’t even go near me again, but that wasn’t me. I would never intend to hurt them, but did they know that? The fear I saw in Sophia’s eyes, I will never forget that as long as I live and I wish never witness it ever again.
The words of the hazel eyed angel echoed inside me. I would have to be careful around the others. I don’t want to end up on my own again, not like last time. His warning about Rhea threw me off. I trusted her the most, but he’s right, there is darkness inside her, and sometimes there are little moments when I can see it. I don’t want to be here when she finally decides to give in to it.
Chapter Eleven
I woke up to chattering voices coming from outside the door. The voices were of those that I knew. I quietly made my way towards the door to have a peek. They were all in the hall talking to one another in hushed tones. I pulled the door open to have a better listen.
“I’m getting worried about her powers.” Sophia said.
“I know what you mean, she’s growing stronger every day, and no one would have been able to come back from that.” Rhea agreed.
“She was possessed by multiple spirits all at once, and she comes out unharmed? I don’t know even if I could come back from that.” Naaz said.
“Can we stop talking about Ellie like she’s a danger to us, she’s not.” Marcus said.
My heart skipped a beat when I heard Marcus trying to defend me, but at the same time it scared me. Why would I need defending, was I a lost cause, an evil villain to be disposed of?
“I know what you are saying Marcus, I would never abandon her, no matter what happens.” Rhea explained “but her powers are growing too fast, and she might not be able to handle them.”
“I would never leave her.” Marcus added.
“We all know that.” added Naaz.
“No one is leaving anyone.” Rhea said.
“What do you think the council will do to her?” Sophia asked.
“I don’t know. We haven’t had a Siren out in the open for a long time.” Rhea replied.
“I won’t let them take her away!” Marcus harshly said.
“Keep your voice down. No one will take her and I will make sure they don’t get a chance.”
“You’re quite keen on her aren’t you?” asked Naaz.
Marcus remained quite.
The four of them stood in silence, I decided to join them. I opened the door and pretended to rub the sleep out of my eyes. They saw me and greeted me with fake smiles.
“You’re awake.” Rhea said.
“Yeah, I just needed some rest.” I answered.
Rhea rushed towards me and pulled me into a tight embrace. I felt so safe in her arms, I could feel all my troubles falling away, but the angel’s words popped into my head at the worse time. She has darkness inside her. I tried to wash the tainted words from my mind.
Marcus stepped forward and greeted me with one of his smiles.
“I’m glad you’re safe.” He softly said.
“Thanks.” I replied.
Naaz cleared her throat to interrupt us. “There is a matter of the Siren souls.”
I stared at Naaz confused. “What, those white things?”
“Yes, since you released them. They will be looking for fresh hosts.” replied Naaz.
“And I guess that’s not a good a good thing.” I asked.
“No, not really, Ellie. They are full of hate and they can hurt people.”
“Wait, wait.” I held up my hands and stopped everyone “you mean they are out there on the lose?”
“Well, yes and you freed them.” Naaz said.
“But why were they in there? It’s not like they volunteered for it. When they were inside me I could feel their lust for life. They died an unnatural death, there was a lot of hate inside them.”
Rhea looked uncomfortable with the question I posed to her. “Well?” I waited for their answer.
Naaz stepped forward and shared the answer. “Those Sirens were hunted down and killed for their souls.” She said nonchalantly.
Did you know about this?” I asked while trying to remain calm.
I didn’t need an answer from Rhea, it was written across her face.
“And I used that thing, without knowing, I’m just as bad as the person who made it.” I could feel my voice breaking.
Then something rushed into my mind and I felt sick. “Did you make it?” I asked Naaz.
Naaz smiled her signature sick grin. “It’s something I would do, but I didn’t, it was a gift from an admirer.” She said.
“You’re lying!” I shouted.
“That’s enough!” Rhea called out.
I felt the rage bubble inside me and I tried to calm it.
Marcus stepped in between us. “It’s getting late and we have been through enough today, and we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow, so let’s get some rest.”
“Sounds like a good idea to me.” said Sophia.
I didn’t want to talk anymore; I just walked back to the room with a sick feeling insid
e my stomach.
I tried to sleep, but my mind was in overdrive. It kept on replying events around and around inside my head and I couldn’t take it anymore. Everything was so messed up. I got off the sofa and I noticed that Sophia was sitting close to the fire, staring at the fireplace. Sophia was unknown to her surroundings and I didn’t want to intrude on her. I quietly tired to make my way out of the room.
“You can stay if you want.” Sophia’s child like voice said.
I jumped when she spoke.
“I don’t want to interrupt you or anything.” I whispered.
“No it’s ok, I was just thinking, that all.” She replied.
I took a seat next to her on the thin threadbare carpet. The heat of the fire felt good against my cold skin. Sophia was silent but I could tell she wanted to talk about something.
“Is there something wrong?” I asked.
“You can tell?” she said.
“Well it’s not that hard, when you got that look on your face.”
“It’s just everything is just getting out of hand.” she said.
“I know what you mean, it’s getting hard but we have to push through.” I replied.
“I don’t know why I’m having a hard time it’s you who’s in the middle of it all.” Sophia said.
“I sometimes have days when I just want to say, ‘to hell with it’ but I don’t because I know I’ll never see you or Rhea again.” I tried to give Sophia a supporting smile. These words I spoke to Sophia, I didn’t know whether or not I believed them, but something inside me screamed for me to keep going and never look back, but could I really do that?
“What about Marcus?” she asked.
“What about him?” I tried to ask nonchalantly.
“Would you miss him?” she asked.
I tried to find the words but my brain failed me.
“I see the looks you give him.” Sophia commented.
“No, I do not.” I replied.
“He’s really interested in you.”
“Well it’s his job, he has to be interested.”
“But some of the looks he’s given you.” Sophia fanned herself.
My cheeks started to flare.” Really?”
Chained (The Siren Series #2) Page 9
