Siren Calls (The Rise of Ares Book 1)

by Jade Frances

  Our meetings always exhausted me, but over time I realised that I could mentally prepare for what was in store for me and it eased slightly. Although I was feeling anxious, I couldn’t shake the terrible feeling the mist had brought me. It was just sitting there in my gut, refusing to leave, and making me edgy. I had always been open to change; it had become a part of me now. Adapting to everything that was thrown at me. This feeling was different though, the mist didn’t feel like it was bringing a good change. Something wasn’t right, and I didn’t like it. A loud bang made me jump, and I felt my body go rigid. Standing in a defensive position, I turned towards the noise. Looking out to the balcony, there was nothing there, just a chair laying on its side. Relaxing, I walked out to pick it up. The atmosphere outside was making me nervous. Rushing back in, I locked the door behind me. Something was about to happen; I could sense it.

  There was a loud and abrupt knock on the front door, and I ran to answer it. Maybe Avetta was early. As I unlocked the chain, I could hear heavy breathing on the other side.

  “Who is it?”

  “Tay.”

  As soon as I unlocked the door, it was pushed open with a force so strong; I had to jump back to avoid getting hit. I saw a flash of white and then right there in front of me was Taylor. His sandy brown hair glistening with drops of rain. His t-shirt was soaking, making it cling to his skin. Showing off his toned stomach and muscly arms. I stood there staring at him in awe. This was the first time I had seen him in ages.

  “You’ve changed! Where have you been?” I whispered so low, I wondered if he had even heard me.

  “I’m not here to talk, you have to leave,” the tone in his voice was hostile. His eyes were darting around the room.

  He was making me even more nervous. We hadn’t spoken in ages and now here he was, bursting through my door speaking nonsense. I felt the instinct to comfort him rush through me. He needed it. Taking a step forward, I curled my hand around his arm.

  “Tay, what’s wrong? Are you in trouble?” the concern in my voice released something in him.

  His pupils dilated. Eyes wide. He was scared.

  “Eve, please. It’s not me that’s in trouble, it’s you!” His voice was calm, but his body was stiff. “They want you! Damn it, Eve! You should have stayed living a human life!”

  His eyes kept flickering between anger and sadness, then back again. He seemed furious with me, though. In that moment, I felt scared of him. I stumbled backwards, hurt and intimidated by his outburst. I was backed against the wall with nowhere to go though. I could hear my heart thumping in my chest and my breathing unsteady. I didn’t want to look up at him. So I didn’t see when he started slowly walking towards me. I felt his hand brush my cheek and looked up to see that his face had smoothed, and his body was more relaxed. There were tears building up in the corner of his eyes.

  “What do you mean a human life Taylor?” I whimpered.

  “Eve,” was all he managed to choke out.

  He raised one hand to rest next to my head on the wall behind, then slowly leant himself forward, raising the other to reach out and stroke my cheek again. I trembled under his touch. But he felt so warm and comforting. He traced his fingers round my face and along my jaw. I didn’t know what to say or do. I just stood there, silent and still. I felt uncomfortable with him in that moment. We had never been this close before. But something told me it would not last, so I remained still.

  “Eve, please listen to me. I don’t have a lot of time to explain. I have been to Avetta she has gone. She told me to give you this,” he removed his hand from my face, making me shiver slightly when the warmth disappeared.

  Pulling an envelope out of his back pocket, he handed it to me. It had Evangeline written on the front and sure enough it was Avetta’s messy handwriting. Then something clicked. How did Taylor know about me and Avetta? I had not felt this confused in a while. On top of that, I was really worried. If Avetta had left, then something must have happened. Yet again, I seemed to be the only one who knows nothing. Absolutely nothing about what was going on. All I was given was a damn letter.

  “Where will I go, Taylor?”

  I was getting hysterical as the reality of everything slowly dawned on me. Everything Avetta had said about The Veil, was it real? Was I being hunted, like I had been as a child? I looked up into Taylor’s eyes, lifting my hand to the one he had resting on the wall next to my head. Curling my fingers around his, I gripped his hand tight, not wanting to let go. I could feel a small flutter of warmth inside, along with a tingling sensation running through my arms. I’d not felt this kind of energy since that odd guy.

  My hands were warm, they were glowing. I knew what was happening.

  “Ow! Eve, what are you doing? Let go of my hand! Eve!” Taylor was begging, I could hear pain in his voice.

  I completely forgot that I was holding onto him. Without losing control, I released his hand.

  “Oh!” Taylor gasped.

  I looked to where he was staring. My hands looked like they were alight, fire and light mixed.

  “Cool,” I whispered.

  As I looked back up into Taylor’s face the excitement vanished. He was backing away from me. Fear in his eyes.

  “You shouldn’t have done that. It will just make it easier for them to find you, they will sense your energy!” his voice was almost a whisper.

  He cast his eyes to the floor.

  “Eve just leave.”

  Pulling my energy back into myself with surprising ease, I walked towards him slowly. I ran my fingers through his hair soothingly and he looked straight into my eyes.

  “Tell me why Taylor, what is going on?”

  His pain was clear in the way he was looking at me. It cut through me. What in the hell is happening? I couldn’t stand seeing him like this. I put my other arm under his and curled it round his back. Tracing his spine with my finger, I laid my head on his shoulder.

  “Taylor, I’m not leaving you. Not like this.” I whispered into his ear.

  I yearned to see him smiling again. I didn’t expect it when he pushed me away, the force of it sending me flying halfway down the hall.

  “You. Don’t. Understand. They. Are. Coming,” he struggled to get the words out.

  Taking a deep breath, he started again.

  “They sent me to find you Eve, just like Adam.”

  I flinched at his words. He wasn’t lying, I could sense it. But, with Taylor here, surely, I was in no danger.

  “I couldn’t do it Eve, I couldn’t give you up. It was never part of the plan anyway, but now they are coming. I’m so sorry!”

  I watched as he crumbled to the floor, his knees giving way. He put his head in his hands.

  “What plan?”

  I couldn’t move. They, I’m guessing I was right, are The Veil. Avetta had touched on them briefly. They were the ones that haunted my dreams. Taylor, the only person I had ever trusted and let into my life outside of the children’s home, was a part of them.

  “Taylor! What plan?”

  “Eve, please don’t be scared of me, you will understand soon! Forgive me! There are things you don’t know yet!” he was genuinely upset.

  I didn’t want to think about all of this. He was giving me no answers.

  “Taylor, I am scared. I’m worried and anxious. How can I leave you!” I whispered across the room.

  Taylor’s face shot up out of his hands and he rose from the floor. Closing the distance between us in two long strides, he grabbed my face between his hands, looking intensely into my eyes.

  “As long as I’m here with you Eve, they will find you. You need to leave, just trust me.”

  I could feel tears streaming down my cheeks. I couldn’t bare anyone else leaving me. I felt my rage growing; the energy whirling inside me agreed. I might know nothing again, but I wouldn’t let him go without answers.

  “Please, Eve. I can’t lose you like this. There is a plan! Just listen! Pack your stuff and go!” his voice wasn’t a
s harsh, but it still cut through me.

  I could tell that this was final. My resolve faltered. Any minute now he would walk out the door and I wouldn’t see him again. I felt his hands drop from my face, saw his body turn. I lunged towards him at the same time he turned around. We collided with a bang and fell to the floor. Smiling at each other goofily. For just a moment, it felt like everything was normal. Taylor stood slowly, chuckling quietly he pulled me close into his big arms. I could feel his breath in my hair, his chest rising and falling. I didn’t want it to end like this.

  “I’ll miss you,” he whispered into my hair, and with that he released me from his arms. Ready to leave.

  This time I grabbed his hand and pulled him back with all the strength I could. He looked surprised as I wrapped my arms around him tightly, not wanting to let go. He reacted almost instantly, pulling me in even closer and ruffling my hair. As I took a deep breath, I whispered,

  “Goodbye Tay.”

  Feeling him freeze beneath me, I leaned back to look at him. There was no emotion at all.

  “Bye Eve.”

  I saw his lips move but barely heard the words. Then in a blink of an eye he was gone. Leaving me dazzled and slightly overwhelmed. I looked out of the window and saw the sun beginning to rise. I was still in shock with everything, but I couldn’t think about when or if I would see Taylor again. For now, it looked like I had no choice but to leave.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Iran into my bedroom, grabbed my travel bag, and started packing some clothes. I wasn’t concentrating on exactly what I was putting in. I had no plan and nowhere to go. Walking back towards the living room, I spotted the envelope that Taylor had given me on the table. Picking it up, I hesitated to open it.

  “What could go wrong that hasn’t already,” I told myself as I ripped it open.

  The sheet of paper fell out of my shaky hands to the floor, bending to pick it up I could see Avetta’s writing.

  Evangeline, I have prepared for this day.

  Ring 476954 ask for Rosemary or Sandra.

  They will give you directions.

  I am in a hurry, I’m so very sorry for abandoning you this way, but it’s for the best, just now.

  I am no match for them alone.

  Be safe and remember what we have learned together.

  Do not worry my child, everything happens for a reason, the fates see to it.

  The girls will take good care of you.

  Avetta.

  Although I had believed every word Taylor had said, reading Avetta’s words made it that much more real. She had gone. Taylor had gone. I was alone. Having to ring people I didn’t know and put my trust in them. Yet I still didn’t really understand exactly what danger I was in. My life was changing, again. When Avetta had asked if I was ready, I thought I was. This, however, was too overwhelming for me. Maybe I wasn’t ready after all. I couldn’t go against her wishes, not if there really was danger heading my way. So I walked over to the phone and dialled the number. The ringing seemed to go on forever, the same dial tone repeatedly. I was about to hang up when someone answered.

  “Hello,” the voice travelled through the phone.

  “Um, Hi, I was given this number from Avetta,” I whispered down the phone, still unsure whether this was the right thing to do.

  “Evangeline! Sandra! It’s Evangeline, it’s time! Sorry, no time for intros. I need you to get to Moorway house. In any way you can but get here. Fast!” and with that I heard a beep, and the line went dead.

  Stunned, I got a pen and paper and wrote Moorway house, wouldn’t want to forget it. I ran around packing more stuff and grabbing my emergency stash of money taped underneath my chest of drawers. Time to ring a cab, I guess. Shortly after, I heard a car horn outside. I would miss my flat, who knows if I would ever come back. I looked over to the picture of me and Ava hanging on the wall. When would I see her again? My life was changing so drastically. Closing the door quickly, I felt tears threatening to pour from my eyes. I made a run for the taxi.

  “Moorway house please,” I told the driver as I climbed in the back.

  The driver’s eyes opened wide.

  “That house has been abandoned for years, you sure it’s the right place love?” He asked in a husky voice.

  “Yes, I’m just meeting someone there,” I replied, hoping my voice was as steady as I wanted it to be.

  “Well, I hope you’re not in a rush, it will cost a fair bit as well.”

  His voice was irritating me, just drive I thought.

  “I don’t care how much it will cost just get me there!” I snapped back, regretting it as soon as I saw the shock on his face. Resting my head back on the seat, I watched as the houses slowly started drifting past.

  I had been in the cab for what felt like hours. With no sound other than the purring of the engine. The driver had given up talking to me and I was making no effort in return. The sky had turned dark and stars were glowing. The driver had said it was a long way, but I didn’t expect it to take this long. Memories were flashing through my mind as the last house drifted by, giving way to nothing but countryside. I thought back to my last day at the children’s home, my first day at work, the fun times with Taylor, to mine and Avetta’s training and now… countryside. My life in the past few months had consisted of swapping and changing people, replacing one after the other and learning so much about myself. The one thing I had wanted was to make friends, but had I made the right choices in who I trust?

  “Here we are, that’s £125.60 please.”

  The driver’s voice startled me, I must have drifted off. I searched through my bag for the cash and handed him a bunch of notes. Too many, probably. I jumped out muttering a thank you and watched the lights of the car dim as it turned the corner. Leaving me in silence and darkness. Turning to look at Moorway house, it was more like a bloody mansion. Maybe it would have been beautiful in daylight, but in this darkness, it seemed creepy and isolated. The windows were dirty and old, yet the door that sat in the middle of a massive wrap-around porch seemed new. The front gate was hanging off its hinges, a for sale sign lying on the floor next to it. Bricks were crumbling around the edges but as much as there were many faults, the more I looked, I saw beauty in it and a lot of potential. There were no lights on inside. The girls were probably not here yet. Why tell me to hurry if they weren’t here themselves. Rolling my eyes, I pushed the gate open. A loud creak broke the eerie silence of the night. Hearing a door open, I looked up. I could see it was slightly ajar, but I couldn’t see who was on the other side. I had been certain that no one else was here.

  A body appeared from behind the door, drifting almost gracefully. It was hard to tell in such darkness. It slightly reminded me of my nightmare, but something told me there was nothing to worry about.

  “Rosemary? Sandra?” I whispered through the silent night air.

  A single loud howl was what the night carried back to me. It broke through the tension, piercing the surrounding night. It didn’t sound human at all. Whoever had appeared through the door was now running towards me. Fear coursed through me. I couldn’t move. I didn’t know what to do. Too big to be a girl, I could see muscles rippling through their arms and legs. Something about the way they moved, scarily comforted me in a way. Reminding me of something. Suddenly I was on my back on the floor. The breath knocked right out of me. I felt like I was suffocating. Something was pushing down on my chest, I couldn’t breathe. My head started going hot and stuffy as I was losing consciousness. My eyes couldn’t focus. Distantly, I could hear screaming.

  “Leave her alone!”

  A voice I vaguely recognised, then I heard another one. A husky one, one that I had never heard before.

  “How do you know this is her? You know nothing! How could you jeopardize this! After all this time!”

  Then the voice that I had recognised replied, “look at her necklace, you fool!”

  Those were the last words I heard as my eyes fluttered closed. I saw nothing but bl
ackness, and for the moment, forgot why I was even here.

  There was something cold and wet on my head, and I struggled to open my eyes. I heard the voices before I could see the faces they belonged to. Voices I had a vague memory of hearing.

  “Avetta was right, she has been living with humans for too long. She is supposed to be stronger than us. The last connection,” said the voice that sounded like wind chimes.

  It had a calming effect on me, soothing almost. That didn’t last long when the harsh words of the husky voice were spoken.

  “Don’t know why we are bothering, we have stayed unnoticed for this long. Now we will throw it all away for this weak girl!”

  They were talking about me as if I weren’t there. The words stung. I had no clue what was going on, but these people obviously did. The last connection. What did that mean? It hurt to think too much, and my head started going foggy again.