The Siren's Call

by Candace Osmond

  My deranged sister began smacking a fist against her own head and paced the floor between us.

  “Maria,” Mom said, still holding on to the calm tone despite being scorched by the child she pleaded with, “Just let Dianna go.”

  “No!” my sister screamed in anger. “Tell me why. Tell me how I came to be this way. Why you couldn’t love me!”

  “I tried!” Mom replied, breaking. “I tried so hard to love you. With every fiber of my being. When Martha pulled me back to the past, stole me from my family in the future, I grieved myself sick. I wished for death.”

  My throat ran dry as I gawked at my mother, telling her story, saying words I never knew. Giving me a whole new image of how she departed from my life. I’d thought she’d drowned at sea for so long, then, discovered that she’d in fact lived and fled back to her own time. I’d thought she’d abandoned me and dad. But now… to find out that she was taken from me…

  Mom’s face paled as her eyes spilled over with tears, mouth gaping helplessly. “I-I had no idea,” she said to me. “When you were growing up. The things I collected. The research I’d done. I became obsessed with finding out who this mysterious Cobham was. She hadn’t existed in my time…”

  My stomach dropped as the tightness in my throat squeezed further. “Because she hadn’t existed,” I said mostly to myself. “Maria, she… you didn’t give birth to her until you went back. But that would mean–”

  Mom nodded solemnly. “I was meant to meet your father. It was part of my destiny to have you, Dianna. This–” she craned her face around the room, “is all meant to happen in some form or another. Time doesn’t exist like we all believe it does. It’s a mess of paths, intertwined and striving to exist all at once.”

  I stared in awe at the woman speaking, how she verified my suspicions about the world. About time and how much fate had played into my life. Dictated every detail and steered me to where I now stood. Details, they’re all irrelevant. It’s the bonding of souls that tie us together. Dragging us through the murky sands of time.

  “Enough!” Maria screamed at us. She neared my mother and held the tip of a dagger to her nose. “I don’t care for those parts. You know what I want!”

  Mom inhaled deeply. “I thought the only thing that could repair the hole in my heart was another child,” she continued, glaring at Maria. “I summoned a siren and begged for a baby. Offered anything in return. Even my own soul. The creature asked for a favor, one she could call upon at any time.” She paused and shook her head, lost in the memory. “A fool I was. I accepted. I would have given anything, and the siren knew it. Before long, I was with child.”

  Maria’s clunky leather boots paced the floor as her long black jacket fanned behind her.

  “So, what happened after that?” I asked. Mom smiled at the sound of my voice speaking to her but then yelped as Maria touched the hot poker to my arm, eliciting a scream from me as it burned through my shift.

  “I will ask the questions!” she spat in my ear. She turned to our mother, pointing the burning rod directly in her face. Her eyes wild. “So, I am not born of this earth?”

  “No,” Mom said apologetically. Her aging, but still beautiful, face turning down into a frown. “You’re not. You were conceived by the magic of the sea and grown inside my body. How do you think you came to possess the ability to manipulate a siren’s call?”

  My stomach toiled at my mother’s words. A siren’s call? A mythical lure? Had Maria truly been calling to me this whole time? Coaxing me to witness my mother’s death and possibly face my own. I had to get free. My mind kicked into overdrive and focused on wiggling my hands free of the ties that bound me to the canopy above my head. The ropes weren’t as tight as Maria had probably intended and I felt them loosen with every slight move I made. I did it slowly, carefully. Determined not to call my deranged sister’s attention to it. A long sword hung on the wall, the fire glistening against its blade, inviting me to reach out and take it. If I could just break free and lunge for the weapon, I had every confidence I could take my sister down.

  But could I save my mother in time?

  Maria, seeming to fight with Mom’s words, back away, shaking her head and beating a closed fist against it. Mumbling no, no, no under her breath. Mom inched forward on the bed, discreetly, closing the space between us.

  “You were a beautiful baby,” mom continued. “Happy, cheerful. You filled my life with love and joy, helped my heart heal from the pain of losing Dianna and Arthur. But the sirens waited until I was at the peak of my happiness to collect the favor. They asked me to sail out to sea, to a hidden island, and bring back a stolen gem from a cursed ship. They said I may not come back alive, but that my task was to try. I-I couldn’t… I couldn’t leave you. Not knowing that there was a high chance I could die and leave you an orphan. So…”

  I couldn’t believe my ears and my brain raced to click all the pieces in place. Mom’s task… it was The Black Soul. The siren’s heart. She was supposed to get it back and break the curse. But, clearly, she hadn’t. Because that perilous mission had been thrust upon me. My mother’s cowardice had inexplicably altered my own fate and put me on the path to finish what she couldn’t do.

  “So, you didn’t go,” I finished for her.

  Mom hung her head in shame. “No, I didn’t.” She looked up, begging for Maria to look her way. “And the sirens cursed you to punish me. They took your soul and filled you with darkness.”

  Maria paced the room in front of the fireplace, furthest away from us. Muttering things under her breath and stomping madly as she did. I watched in horror as my sister became even more unhinged than she already was, and I quickened my attempt at releasing my wrists from the ropes. I could almost slip one hand out, if I really pulled hard enough. But that wouldn’t be any good and Maria would notice. I had to get both free at the same time.

  Just then, Maria stopped pacing and threw her head back in a mad cackle of laughter as she bound back toward us. My blood ran cold. But she disregarded me altogether and went straight for Mom. She hauled her from the bed and tossed her to the floor before reaching into her jacket pocket and pulling out a tiny object. No bigger than a piece of jewelry. My eyes narrowed to see what it was. A ring. A familiar ring. A silver band, white stone like a diamond or quartz. Far too modern for this era.

  Maria spun around and looked at me. “You know, it was damn near impossible to find a witch who’d removed herself from the circle. I thought I’d never find one, in fact.” She held the ring up, catching it in the firelight. “But did. Right here in Southampton. It took some convincing, but the stupid seamstress finally bent to my will.”

  Seamstress? I thought as I looked at the ring again, trying to remember where I’d seen it before. My mind just couldn’t place it, the memory was just too old. But, when I peered down at the floor and saw the fear and disbelief in my mother’s eyes, I suddenly recalled just where I’d seen it.

  On her finger.

  It was the wedding ring my father had given to my mom so many years ago. I’d admired it as a little girl. And, now, Maria had a witch… “Madam Guthrie?” I asked her.

  “Oh, you know the old bag, do you?” my sister said. “Stubborn woman, she was. Claimed to have given up the practice of her people’s magic. But she did just fine.”

  Maria twirled the ring in her fingers before reaching for the dagger sheathed at her side. It slipped out of his scabbard with a shrill sound. My wrists were nearly free. One good yank and they’d both come loose. I just had to wait for the right moment.

  “Now it’s time to finish this,” Maria told us and bent down to the floor next to our mother.

  Before I could make sense of what she was doing, the sound of flesh squishing from the pressure of a blade and the wetness of blood sticking to it filled my ears. Mom let out a guttural cry and curled into the fetal position on the floor behind my sister’s crouched figure. When Maria moved aside, I could see that she had stabbed our mother in the stomach. Blo
od seeped through her white shirt faster than I could comprehend and the color quickly drained from her agonized face.

  “No!” I yelled. “Why? You don’t have to do this!”

  The bloody blade pointed to me. “Yes, I do,” Maria said with all assurance. Then she placed the ring on the floor next to Mom and forced Mom’s fingers to curl around the thick hilt of the dagger. “And I’ll do this, as well.”

  It all happened so fast. If I had realized a second sooner, perhaps I could have stopped it. But I watched, unable to move as Maria lifted our mother’s hand and brought it down in one swift, hard thrust. Crushing the stone of the ring. A blinding light shot out from the impact and threw Maria back several feet.

  I took that as my chance.

  Tearing my raw skin, I yanked as hard as I could and broke free of my ties. I dove for the floor, for my mother, but it was too late. The light had grown, opened up the threads of time and sucked her body into oblivion. Just like I had done not so long ago.

  “No!” I screamed, my throat ripping raw from the cries. “Mom!” My fingers clawed at the marble floor, but it was no use. She was gone. All that remained was a pool of her blood.

  From behind, I heard Maria scramble to her feet and my sense kicked into overdrive. I had to protect my baby. I had to get out of there. I lunged for the sword that hung on the wall and yanked it from the small hooks that held it there. In the nick of time, I swung around and met my blade with hers in a loud, piercing screech. The sensation of the impact reverberating up through my tired arms. Slack from lack of blood flow.

  But I persisted.

  I fought with everything I had, meeting her sword with every swing as I backed away toward the door.

  “I don’t know why I tried to save you,” I told my sister. “I should have just wished you dead! You’re a monster not fit for this world.”

  “Like it or not, little one, I’m the only family you’ve got left!”

  Her sword advanced but I pushed back, giving two quick swipes and catching the skin of her cheek. She recoiled, giving me that split-second window I needed to reach for the doorknob. I gave it a twist and flung the door open before running out into the hall. Stunned, I glanced around at the massive paintings and gaudy décor, recognizing it and placing the cold marble floor from the room I just left. Maria followed me out, swinging her blade causally at her side, delighting in my realization.

  “Clever, no?” she said. “I was right here under your nose the entire time. Roselynn Wallace was supposed to bring you to me, but she failed.” Maria spit on the floor. “She tried and tried to get you to stay put long enough for my call to work. Even burnt down that tavern to force you here. Still, she failed. Worthless bitch. I should have killed that man of hers and been done with it.”

  Oh, my God. I was still in The Siren’s Call. What part of the massive mansion, I’d no idea. But I had to call for help. I had to try. I sucked in a deep breath and screamed at the top of my lungs, “Henryyy!”

  Maria erupted into a fit of crazed laughter. “He won’t hear you.” Her dark eyebrow cocked to the side as her sword arm tightened and raised the blade. “Not in time, anyway.”

  She advanced quickly, savagely, hardly giving me a chance to deflect. But I kept up, bringing my blade to her time after time after time. Until my arm began to tire even more than it already was and I could feel the ache in my bones. My limbs turned to jelly, and I couldn’t lift my sword from the floor.

  No one was coming, I realized and then fell to my knees as I finally faltered. Too tired to lift my sword once more. Maria sauntered over to stand in front of me as tears streamed down my face. I said a silent goodbye to my baby, to Henry, and my friends who slept soundly somewhere in that very building.

  I’m sorry, I thought. I’m sorry I couldn’t beat her.

  I heard her blade raise in the air and I glanced up defiantly. I wanted to stare her in the eye when she took my life in hopes that the light draining from my face would haunt her for the rest of her miserable life. However long that may be.

  Her mouth twisted to the side, ready, hungry for my blood. I braced for the blow but gasped as her body jerked forward, and a blade burst through her chest, spraying hot blood onto my face. Trembling, I scampered backward, away from the swords, away from the collapsing body of my sister. She craned her neck and twisted her body to reveal the person who so boldly took her life.

  “Henry!” I cried out, the relief flooding through my voice. My eyes were on him as he stepped over Maria’s lifeless corpse on the floor and dove for me. My body, shaking from adrenaline, fit inside his embrace and he rocked me back and forth.

  “Shhh,” he hummed in my ear. “It’s okay. It’s over. It’s all over.”

  I knew he was right, but I let Henry hold me tight as he continued to whisper the words. Again, and again. Waiting until it finally rang true in my mind and I could accept that it really was. It was all over.

  Maria Cobham was dead.

  ***

  We stood on the cliffs on Southampton, looking out over the docks and the bustling early morning traffic that busied about. We’d gathered there quickly, the whole crew with Henry and I. After he’d pried me from the floor, covered in my sister’s blood, we’d emerged to find that the sun had come up and that we had a serious decision to make. One that had to be made quickly. I’d gathered my things and called the crew outside and told them what happened.

  “I still can’t believe that Wallace had a part in this,” Lottie said.

  “Don’t blame her,” I told them all. “Maria was blackmailing her. Roselyn didn’t have a choice. Tell her that I know that now, okay?” I motioned to Lottie who was fighting back tears. “Tell her?”

  She nodded.

  Finn stepped forward. “Christ, do ye have to go so soon?”

  I flung myself into his giant arms and he placed a kiss atop my head as I heard a slight sniffle come from his nose. “Yes, if Mom’s ring was from the future–” I choked back tears. “Time isn’t really on our side right now.”

  The big Scot chuckled and wiped away a fallen tear. “’Tis never on our side, Lassie.”

  “I know,” I told him. “And I’m sorry. I’m going to miss you so much. You have no idea.” I glanced around at the crew before me. Finn, Gus, Lottie, and Benjamin. Seamus and John had gone into town the night before, but they’ll understand, once Gus told them.

  “Augustus,” Henry spoke and held out a hand. Gus accepted it proudly. “You’re the captain of The Queen now. She’s yours. Treat her well.”

  “Aye, aye, captain,” Gus replied, holding his head high and then glancing to Lottie. “We all will.”

  Lottie grabbed hold, pressing me against her in a crushing embrace. “Don’t forget me, alright?” she said in my ear.

  “I could never,” I whispered back to her. “I love you, Lottie.”

  We broke free of our embrace and I returned to Henry’s side. “Are you sure you’ll all be alright to sail back to Newfoundland?”

  “Aye,” Finn churred. “We’ll be just fine. I reckon we’ll wait out the winter here. Git on Wallace’s nerves for a while. She owes us as much.”

  “You’ll be happy aboard The Queen,” I said to Benjamin. “I promise. They’ll be your family.”

  He nodded sadly and pursed his lips. “I know, sweetness. I know.” He nudged the snow on the ground with the toe of his boot, unsure of how to really say goodbye. I knew the feeling. “Are… are you sure you can’t wait just a little longer? I mean… I just got here.” Benjamin grinned sadly.

  I pulled the man into a desperate hold. “I wish there were more time,” I said in his ear. “But I have to go now if I have any chance at all.”

  I pulled away, reluctantly, aching with every inch I put between myself and my friends. I had to keep reminding myself that I was leaving them with everything they could ever need. They’d be alright without me. Without us.

  I sighed. It was time to go, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave them. To tur
n my back to the people I’d come to love. Come to call family. But I had to remind myself that they had each other, the ship, and enough treasure to last ten lifetimes.

  “Go!” Finn bellowed, making the hard choice for me. “Git on outta here!”

  I looked at Henry and he secured his grip around my fingers. We ran off down the path that led to the bottom of the cliff, toward the water. When we reached the bottom, the brave man stopped and turned to face me. His dark eyes gleaming down with a mix of joy and uncertainty flashing in their reflection.

  “Are you sure?” he asked me.

  “Of course,” I told him. “I know what to expect. I know where we’re going. But… are you sure? Are you ready?”

  Henry held my face in his hands and covered my mouth with his. The warmth of his lips soothing my bones and filling my soul with love. My pirate king. My everything. When he pulled away, he smiled.

  “I am always sure when I’m with you,” he said to me. “And, I’d say it’s about time we have our happy ending, don’t you? We deserve as much.”

  I pulled the final pearl from my jacket pocket and pinched it between my fingers as my heart beat wildly. I tossed it in the shallow ocean and squeezed Henry’s hand.

  “Yeah, it’s about time.”

  Epilogue

  I sat on the front porch, newly painted a fresh white, and wrote in my brown leather journal, as I often did on days like this. Filling it with tales of my adventures as they rushed back like recent memories.

  The sun began to set over the harbor and cast a ripple of purple and orange on the sparkling water. I smiled at the sight of the sunlight touching the pale reflection of the moon. With closed eyes I held the nearly full book to my chest, dreaming of a time when I ruled the sea with my friends. Recalling their faces and the warmth of their love.

  Behind me, footsteps sounded across the wide porch and sidled up next to me. I opened my eyes and smiled at my Henry. My husband. My soulmate. He’d adjusted to life in Rocky Harbour just as I’d always imagined. As if he belonged there. He still wore the ratty old sweater that Aunt Mary had knitted for him before she passed, and told me he’d just come back from fishing in the harbor.