Siren Calls (The Rise of Ares Book 1)

by Jade Frances

Avetta had jumped out of her seat and was swiftly nudging me towards the door and out to the beads. Once I was through them, I looked behind me, too stunned to even speak. Avetta, though, was already retreating through the darkened hallway, muttering to herself again and throwing her hands in the air. Confused and scared. I wondered what in the hell she had done to me? Either side of my face was still absolutely freezing where she had touched me, and I could feel a headache coming on. All I could do was walk straight out of the shop. Hopefully, some fresh air would help. The look on her face was lingering at the back of my mind. Her words, her touch and her panic were all a bit too overwhelming. One silver lining was I had taken the steps to find out who I was. Avetta may have reacted mentally, but I had a hunch she knew a lot more. There was something she was afraid of, something she knew about me I didn’t, and she didn’t want to talk about it yet.

  Walking back into my flat, I felt as though I was seeing everything in a fresh light. It had been so dreary the past couple of months. I had made it that way. I tidied and brighten the rooms up. Turning on the radio that had sat idle for far too long, I started busying myself. It was therapeutic. As I was tidying, I thought about past events that had occurred. Mine and Taylor’s friendship breaking down had led me, in a way, to get back on track with finding out who I am. If he hadn’t have left, then I wouldn’t have spoken to Avetta. Now that I have, I felt a small shimmer of hope. Part of me that had been lost was started to reconnect again. Within just a few hours I was feeling much better, and the flat was looking bright and cheerful to match my new mood. I picked up the phone. Slightly hesitating, I dialled Taylor’s number. Now that I’m in better spirits, I want to make sure he’s ok. A thought crossed my mind that maybe he wouldn’t want to talk to me.

  “Hello, Tay, It’s Eve....” There was a small rustling at the end of the phone. The line clicked and went dead.

  I put the receiver down, feeling deflated. Taking a deep breath, I decided it wasn’t worth worrying about. He probably had a new number. Walking over to the sofa, I pulled out my laptop. My fingers were searching through the various pages on the screen. Avetta had seemed shocked when she came to the realisation that I really knew nothing. Searching up sirens again, I thought I would try to educate myself a bit. After reading for what felt like hours, I still did not have a clue how it was linked to me at all. I looked down at the necklace and back up at the page and saw the same similarity I had noticed before. This was my only connection, but I had never really been a believer of myths or legends. Anything I haven’t seen with my own eyes, I just would not believe in. I did have a lot of doubts though, god knows what to think anymore. I felt so desperate to find out a piece of who I am that I was comparing myself to mythical creatures. I closed the laptop. No point stressing over things I knew nothing about. I would wait for Avetta. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t do my own research as well.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The next few days went fast considering I was constantly checking the time and counting down the days just waiting for Avetta to contact me. I didn’t know what shape or form to expect it in, but I was aware of everything all the time just in case I missed it. I was waiting as patiently as I could. I heard something fall through the letterbox with a gentle thud. I got up and started walking towards it. A new feeling spreading through my body. There was something important here. Just the daily newspaper. Hhmm, no, that couldn’t be it. Walking back to the sofa, I sat down and started turning the pages. Nothing that interesting was going on in the world. Reading about yet another break in two towns over, I noticed the word tonight was circled. Flipping through more pages, I could see other words with the same circle around them. Strange. Starting at the beginning, I wrote down each word. A gasp escaped my mouth as the sentence came to a finish.

  Tonight, don’t answer the door I will walk straight in. Expect me at 9.

  So, this was the message I had been waiting patiently for. I never would have thought this would be how I received it. Clever. New excitement flowed through me. It was tonight. Avetta would be coming tonight. Maybe, just maybe, I will find out new things about myself. I wonder what she will talk about and what I could ask her. I rushed around the flat, quickly tidying the mess from the day. Time was passing quickly. The butterflies that had appeared in my stomach were in full force. They probably should have made me feel sick. I noticed a tingling feeling in my hands. Weird. I could sense something good would come from this. It had been a long time since I had felt excited about anything. I was slightly anxious at the same time though; it was daunting. After deciding I was satisfied with the cleanliness of my flat, I went to the bathroom to grab a shower. Jumping in, I watched as all my doubts and worries washed away. The shower is a place of peace. Somewhere I can collect my thoughts.

  The running water made it easier for me to think clearly. The gentle sound of the trickling water hitting the base of the shower tore me from my daze. Looking down at the wrinkles over my hands, I realised I had no idea what the time was or how long I had been in here. Turning off the shower, I quickly stepped out. Rushing around, I grabbed old sweatpants and a t-shirt, my comfortable clothes. Walking through to the living room, I noticed the light was off.

  “That’s odd,” I muttered to myself.

  I’m sure I left them on. Flicking the light on as I passed, I walked towards the windows to close the curtains.

  “Good evening, Evangeline, you are late.”

  Even though I recognised her voice, it didn’t stop me from jumping with fright and freezing on the spot. Slowly, my eyes scanned the room, wondering how I had missed her. Avetta was sitting in the armchair in the farthest corner of the room. A quick glance at the clock told me it was twenty past nine.

  “Well, come and sit child, we don’t have all night.”

  I was late, in my own flat, typical. I stumbled forward to take a seat opposite her.

  “Avetta what will we be talking about? Me?”

  The enthusiasm in my voice was clear but looking up at her face I could tell this isn’t what she had expected of me.

  “Slow down, Evangeline. There is a lot for you to know before we move on to training.”

  As I took in her words, I felt confusion sweep through me.

  Avetta sighed.

  “You’re confused Evangeline,” there was a slight hint of concern in her voice.

  “What training?” was all I managed.

  I sat there, not knowing where this conversation was heading. What the bloody hell was I to be trained for?

  “Evangeline, in due time we will get to that. For now, all I want you to do is listen. Can you do that?”

  She was tranquil and didn’t move as she spoke. The question didn’t seem like it needed an answer, or any response. But I nodded in agreement, just in case.

  “Oh, one more thing, Evangeline. I need to know if you are ready, what we are about to embark on will inevitably change your life forever. Whether it be good or bad, I cannot tell at this time. But I will promise you I will be there for you, with you, every step of the way. Either dead or alive.”

  The words sent shivers down my spine and I cowered slightly, not knowing how to take what was I was being told. I would get nowhere being scared, I asked for this.

  “I’m ready,” I blurted out. Avetta didn’t look satisfied. Her eye’s continued to bore down into me.

  “Truly believe what it is that you are saying, Evangeline.”

  I tried to concentrate on the words swimming round and round in my head. Why am I trying so hard? I can’t make that decision yet, I had no knowledge. I’d learnt nothing at this point. I’m ready for the change it might bring. I’m positive I can handle that. I looked up, hoping she would believe the sincerity in my face.

  Avetta was glowing, the grin she was bearing stretched from ear to ear. Her shining white teeth were glinting in the light. The beauty of her face amazed me. Her cheekbones were set high in their place, striking out. Blue dazzling eyes set just above her nose and her mouth was the
perfect shape to compliment her features. Avetta started chuckling. I cocked my head to one side, confusion sweeping through me yet again.

  “What’s so funny?” I questioned, hoping I didn’t sound rude.

  “I can feel your thoughts, sometimes hear them. I’m very in tune with you, Evangeline.”

  As she spoke the words, I could see her studying my face as if searching for a reaction. She was bewildering me more and more. Was she telepathic? That could be easy to believe, many people claimed they were. There had to be some truth to it, I suppose.

  “Now Evangeline, I need you to be open-minded and expect the unexpected. I want nothing you hear to startle you,” she paused for a brief second, testing my reaction again.

  “Telepathy, as you cleverly guessed, is one of my many gifts. Although it has its limits. I have to build a connection to feel or hear what someone is thinking.”

  I sat in awe, not knowing what to think. So many questions were in my mind, but I didn’t want to interrupt her.

  “This is not about me or the gifts I possess. In time we will talk about yours, more so discover them, should I say. You have a lot to learn beforehand.”

  I saw one corner of her lips twitch upwards, as if fighting back a smile.

  I couldn’t think straight, I had so many questions. I did, however, let out a small chuckle. The fact she even thinks I have gifts, proves she might be a bit on the mad side. Looking up into her eyes, I saw disappointment shimmer through them. I instantly regretted my doubt, but still it sounds mad.

  The atmosphere between us was changing. The excitement I had felt was fading away. I was understanding the reality. Avetta wanted me to listen. I might not believe in gifts. But looking at Avetta now, I could see her belief in mine and her own held a significant burden. I was acting immature and impatient, and she didn’t expect this. She had asked for me to be open-minded. Although, a part of me wanted to believe every word of what she was saying. Maybe I wasn’t taking it seriously enough and that had to change. Quickly glancing at her again, I saw her face had relaxed. She was smiling again. Not as dazzling as last time, but it was close. I wonder if she had read my thoughts again. Looking at her face, I noticed her eyes were glowing a bright blue. They had changed. That wasn’t what shocked me, though. It was the emotion they held. Pride shone through. I smiled back at her.

  “Very good Evangeline, you are a fast learner. That was a very mature thing for you to realise. My respect has grown for you. Now can we carry on dear?” she paused for a second, looking at me warily.

  “There will come a time for you to ask me questions, but it is essential that you listen for now.”

  My mind was trying to come up with anything productive for me to say. This was the moment I had been waiting for. Whatever knowledge Avetta held, she will now pass onto me. I gave a quick nod to show I understood.

  “Ok Evangeline, concentrate. I will tell you the basics because this is all that is necessary for you to know just now.” She paused. “There is a myth, you will know of it by now, The Sirens. You will forever wonder about them as you have been for the past few months. They were women, but not ordinary women. They have been portrayed in many ways. Most commonly as bird-like creatures. Wings of a bird and the body of a woman and what we call mermaids.”

  She paused again, shooting a quick glance in my direction. Did she think this would shock me? I held all emotions inside, not showing anything. Like I had hoped, she carried on.

  “The origins of sirens began many centuries ago, before even I was born. Since then they have developed and adapted in many ways, physically and mentally. Becoming increasingly rare. Very few know of their existence. If we go all the way back to the beginning. Many moons ago, Sirens were seen as dangerous women, but beautiful.”

  I stared, anxious for her to carry on. There was only so much I could research. It was amazing hearing it from Avetta. The way she was staring into the distance made it seem like she was seeing something other than the room we were in. It gave the impression that she was somewhere, in a moment and at a time, that neither of us knew.

  “They caused the wreck of ships and the deaths of many by the use of their sweet singing. They are highly connected to death. Evangeline you must remember this, not one Siren ever, throughout all of time has possessed the same gift or talent in one generation. The three most common Sirens were known separately for their gifts. All could manipulate the elements. The first gifted with air, the second with the gift of earth and the third the gift of water. However, there was talk of a fourth, very rare. Pretty much unknown, who was notably the strongest of them all and gifted with light.”

  I was so wrapped up in what she was telling me, that I didn’t notice her clicking her fingers in front of my face.

  “What’s wrong Avetta?” this was the first question I had asked since she started. Surely that wouldn’t be seen as interrupting.

  “Nothing dear, just seeing if you were concentrating, but I can see that you are clearly engrossed. So where did I leave off... mmm... here’s a bit of history. By the fourth century, when Pagans belief gave way to Christianity, they discouraged belief in sirens. After this, the myth slowly drifted into the background until it was nearly non-existent. Until around 70 years ago, when a war erupted between those with various… let’s just call them gifts. Some were trying to control others. For many years this war went on. Various changes of leadership occurred on both sides. Sirens who were not natural born fighters, but enchanters and seductresses. Inevitably lost this war. Only a few got away. If this is too much for you to take in, please tell me.”

  I shook my head and smiled, urging her to go on. If this is what I needed to know, then it didn’t matter how much I had to take in. Or how overwhelming it might be.

  “As I said, only a few escaped the violent war, some fled and hid. Others attempted to blend in with the human world. This worked for a while with the war calming down, but someone had to win. The most recent leaders of the cause did, we call them The Veil. Eventually they tracked down the last remaining survivors that we know of. But there were whispers one had survived longer than the others. It was said that she conceived a child. Her name was Akila. There is not a lot I know of the rest of her life. But I will tell you what I do know...”

  I was sitting, rocking back and forth, my knees held up to my chest. I no longer feared knowing anything, it intrigued me. I craved to no more, about Akila particularly.

  “Akila was a strong survivor, as I have just told you. Somehow, she went undetected, blended with humans well enough to form a life of some kind. I don’t know who fathered her child. I could not imagine how hard it was for Akila to remain hidden and blend in a normal society. It went against the very nature of Sirens. The obstacles she must have faced should have meant death for her many years ago. Immortality is not a quality sirens possessed. It’s not known which gifts she had, which is also unusual. Anyway, the talk was that Akila gave birth to a daughter. The date of her birth was unknown. Akila had sensed a change, a terrible change. To protect her child, she decided they could not stay together. Between them, they let off too much energy that could be tracked. So, she left her daughter with others who were gifted. The child, supposedly, would have more strength and power than Akila herself. Her daughter lived many happy years with the gifted until they were brutally murdered. This wasn’t common knowledge to just anyone. We all live in a separate world to what humans do; do you understand this, Evangeline?”

  The way this story of Akila’s life was unravelling shocked me. It was so mysterious and Avetta herself didn’t know the entire story. What she knew was still hearsay. That was also what made it more interesting. It was an unsolved mystery. I sat with my eyes wide, nodding in agreement so that Avetta would continue.

  “So, this child’s adoptive parent, as we will call them, died tragically. The only reason we could think of was...” she was hesitating, I leaned forward to hear her. The next words came out in a whisper.

  “The Veil tracked
down Akila’s child. A new Siren born could be nothing but either dangerous to them, that, or an incredible addition. It was only after our side spent time tracking Akila, that we learnt of her death. The trail ran cold from there. However, her child survived. Somehow, she had lived through everything, against all odds. She knew nothing of her past, her adoptive parents’ last act before death was to wipe her memory and put a block on her powers. Whispers around the communities were that she is beautiful, with long black hair, tanned skin and eyes that shone blue like the ocean.”

  Taking a deep breath, Avetta stared at me.

  “Evangeline. That young girl is you...”

  As her words swam around in my head, at first, I didn’t understand what she was saying. Slowly, I realized. I had just been told that my mother is Akila. My nightmare was real. My adoptive parents had been murdered because of me, and I had survived. I felt dizzy; the room was spinning; it was too much for me to take in. I could feel my brain shutting down with the overload of information. Avetta’s voice sounded distorted and far away, I could vaguely hear her saying my name, but I couldn’t see anything. Only the darkness swarming in. I tried to push my way through, tried reaching Avetta. But I couldn’t, I was exhausted. The minute I gave up struggling, the darkness washed over me. I resigned into a peaceful pit of black.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Icould feel the warmth on my face, tickling my cheeks. I found it hard to open my eyes; the light was so bright. Forcing them open, I sat up slowly, feeling a bit disorientated. I had the strangest dream; I thought, rubbing my head. It was all so clear. Like my nightmares always were. Avetta had come over and was talking about Sirens and a woman named Akila. She was my mother. It was all so complicated. It hurt my head to think of it. Waiting for my eyes to adjust, I looked around my bedroom. The sun was shining through my window and the curtains were open. At least that explained the warmth I felt on my face. I don’t remember even getting into bed. The sun was getting slightly lower in the sky, meaning I must have slept through half the day! I groaned. Throwing the quilt off, I got up. My bedroom door opened, and I jumped off the bed in shock. A bit too fast. My head started spinning, and I lost my bearings. Which sent me tumbling towards the bed again. I felt a warm hand gripping my arm, steadying me.