“I don’t think I can do this now, Pollux. I need to try and make things right with Jeremy, even if it’s over.” She shook her head. “I can’t imagine what he thinks was going on.” She gulped. “There’s too much … ”
“Weirdness?” I supplied. If Meg’s looks could kill, I’d be sizzling on Emeril’s grill.
“Strangeness and secrecy and Siren juju,” she said slowly. “I think we should keep it friendly.”
Pollux had a cute lopsided grin that was more pronounced than Caz’s. I could see that there was something between him and Meg—why couldn’t she?
He held her with his eyes. “Okay, whatever you want—for now. But I don’t give up easily, Meg.” He stole a quick kiss before she could object. “I don’t give up at all.”
Oh yeah, she’s feeling the love. Her blush and lack of strong objection were proof. Jeremy is a nice, sweet guy, but he’s last year’s look—out of fashion and so done.
Pollux vanished.
That left Hades.
“Now that those sappy goodbyes have been exchanged, it’s my turn.”
Meg reached for my hand and we held tight.
“Here it comes,” she said out of the side of her mouth.
“He can’t do anything to us,” I whispered with a false bravado.
With a sly smile and a slow lick of his lips, Hades leaned his head between ours and murmured in our ears, “This isn’t goodbye, girls. You might need me one of these days … ”
Acknowledgments
Charlotte Bennardo
To everyone mentioned in Sirenz—ditto.
Thanks to all the people who’ve touched my heart with their enthusiasm for our writing success. There are so many, but I only have room for a short list: my parents Jeanne and John Zurawski, my sister Brenda Garretson, Aunt Dolores, the United Methodist Church bell and singing choirs, Pastors Vicki and Christina, Roni, Loretta, Arline, Dawn, Anita, Jeannie B., Gina, members of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the bloggers for taking time to read and review, and most importantly, to Natalie: co-author, co-conspirator, co-defendant, co-star, co-worker, and co-creator.
Natalie Zaman
To my friends and family, especially Raz, Asim, Mari, Vin, and Mom.
Huge thanks to Brian Farrey-Latz and Sandy Sullivan at Flux for once again making Sirenz sing, Natalie Fischer-Lakosil for believing in my not-so-many projects, and Kirsten Cappy and The Curious City for helping us share Meg and Shar’s story. A thousand loves to the NJ-SCBWI and blogging communities whose members supported us from day one.
And, of course, to Char, the calm yin to my raging yang (and vice-versa!).
About the Authors
Charlotte Bennardo
A moderate shoe freak, Charlotte Bennardo divides her time between writing, her three sons, writing, her family and friends—and writing. When she’s not wearing out her laptop keyboard, she likes to swim, garden, play with her cat, and hang out with her best friend and co-author, Natalie. Married, she lives in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Visit Charlotte at charlottebennardo.com and charlottebennardo.blogspot.com, and on Twitter at charbennardo.
Natalie Zaman
Natalie Zaman learned that it’s hard—but not impossible—to farm in high heels. When she’s not chasing free-range chickens, she’s writing, knitting, or plotting a road trip. She lives in New Jersey with her family—about five minutes from Charlotte. Visit her online at nataliezaman.blogspot.com.
Visit Meg, Shar, and Hades at www.thesirenz.com
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