Legends Mate

by Jennifer W Smith

  “Luna, just Luna.” She withdrew her hand and dropped it to her lap where she smoothed the short skirt of her dress.

  “What brings you to the Wiccan Haus?”

  “I’m here for relaxation and rejuvenation,” she said. “And you?”

  “The same. I came south for the warmer weather.”

  “Oh.” She scanned the room for the waiter. If she could just get her dinner, she could eat quickly and leave. This giant’s presence overwhelmed her, and, when he smiled at her…she somehow forgot to breathe.

  “Yeah, I came down from Canada. I raise sled dogs. Some run races like the Iditarod. I do hate leaving them, though.”

  She’d never heard of dog races or the Iditarod. But hearing about the animals made her recall seeing a furry face nestled in among this woodsman’s clothing earlier. “What happened to your stowaway?”

  When recognition reached his eyes, they twinkled with mirth. She tingled at the deep vibrations of his laughter.

  “You must mean the cheeky fellow about this big.” He stretched his thumb and pointer finger to indicate the size of his beady-eyed friend.

  “What is it?”

  “He’s a red squirrel. He fell from a tree when he was a baby, and I nursed him back to health. The little guy stuck around.” He lifted one bulky shoulder. The shirt fabric strained against it.

  “What do you call him?”

  Elbows on the table, he held up a palm and shook his head. “I didn’t name him.”

  “He sounds like a pet.”

  “He’s not.”

  She prodded. “Do you name the dogs?”

  “Well, yeah, but the sled dogs are for my business.” It seemed he failed to see the connection.

  The waiter stopped at Nate’s elbow. “Have you decided?”

  Luna picked hers up and scouting for the sushi Cemil promised. Thankfully, it was first on the list, and she pointed to the item she wanted.

  “We also have ahi tuna with an Asian glaze for tonight’s special.”

  “Sounds perfect. It’s my favorite.” Nate handed over the menu.

  While the waiter jotted down their meals and drink orders, Luna made a mental note that Nate loved ahi tuna…and he ordered it rare. Surprised, she’d expected him to order a plate of red meat. How coincidental they were both being served their favorite meals at the Wiccan Haus.

  Should she start a conversation? She fiddled with her napkin for a moment, not sure what to say next. If she didn’t, he might catch on to how much his nearness rattled her. Then he laughed again, and his warm, good-humored personality put her at ease. Soon, she was smiling at his amusing sled dog stories. The waiter returned and delivered their drinks. Luna gratefully took several generous sips of wine, guessing the heat in her cheeks had to be from the alcohol because she wasn’t one to blush—ever. She might resemble a teenager, but she was over two hundred years old.

  Dinner arrived, and she didn’t rush to eat but, instead, savored the food while listening to his stories. To her delight, Cemil was right about how fresh the sushi was. With her stomach content, she leaned into her chair and watched the waiter remove their plates.

  Nate set down his drink. “So, tell me more about you. Where are you from?” He smiled at her.

  She returned his smile much less enthusiastically. What could she say? “I’m from nowhere in particular. I move around a lot.”

  “Do you move around for your job? What do you do?”

  “Do? Um. I make therapies for the skin like soaps and oils. And I make herb and spice combinations to enhance the seafood I prepare.” It wasn’t a lie. She did it for the water god. Several guests had finished their meals and left the dining room. Before Nate could say anything else, she swiftly slid out her chair and stood. “It was nice talking to you.”

  He viewed her with surprise. “Yes, I enjoyed talking with you as well. I’m sure we’ll see each other again—and I look forward to it.”

  She lifted a slender shoulder, agreeing it could be a possibility, but she couldn’t help grinning and hoping it was. “Good night, Nate.” Walking away, her nostrils flared again, inhaling his earthy scent.

  “Good night, Luna.”

  What was it about Nathaniel Quinn? Why did he linger in her thoughts? Up until her arrival on the island, she was consumed with how and why she hadn’t been enough for the water god. She realized now, if she hadn’t come to the Wiccan Haus, her obsession would have driven her to madness. She’d never forget the bitter sting of betrayal, but the sting had dulled since meeting Nate.

  His strikingly handsome image was lodged in her cerebrum. She’d had to force herself to look elsewhere or be caught staring at his hair; its textured darkness was like bark after a rainstorm. It beckoned to her, tempting her to reach out and touch it. Lost in thought and imagining her hands in his hair, before she knew it, she walked past the boutique. She skated to a stop and grinned. The shop was open. Thoughts of Nate evaporated as the tailored merchandise filled her vision.

  An hour later, Luna arrived at her door, holding a generously bulging shopping bag with the Wiccan Haus logo on it. She had been alone in the elevator, yet a sudden breeze tugged the tendrils of hair around her temples. When she turned in its direction, a man she’d seen downstairs stood next to her. He’d sat at a table in the same room. The only reason she remembered him was because he, and the guests at his table, only ordered drinks—tall glasses of red liquid. She regretted giving him a polite smile earlier when their gazes met across the dining room, though he was handsome in a dark and mysterious way.

  “Hello, beautiful, why don’t you invite me in?” He casually leaned against the doorjamb and lifted his manicured brows.

  How did he sneak up on me? The stories she’d heard of blood-drinking beings came to mind. He must be a vampire.

  “I’m not in the habit of inviting strange men into my room.” Annoyed by his arrogance, she glared at him.

  He ignored her remark and went on as if she hadn’t spoken. “You know, I bet you have an amazing voice.”

  “What?” Panic made her voice go hoarse. Apparently, her kind was easily detected by nonhumans. On this side of the realm, this would be a weary adjustment, especially when she was new to encountering a variety of nonhumans.

  He smiled—a mouth open, teeth-showing grin.

  Fangs! Yes, definitely a vampire. She grumbled under her breath.

  “Don’t let the fangs scare you, little siren. You could sing to me all night, and it would have no effect. You could sing…scream…sing. Whatever while we—”

  “Oh, is that right?” she asked, her composure regained, never one to fear others.

  He thinks my singing is my only weapon. Ha! Her singing and underwater lifestyle labeled her a siren, but her species had a little something extra.

  “What about my teeth?” Her innocent looks gave people a sense she was delicate and defenseless—the allure was part of her charm. Luna found it gratifying to let her inner monster show, like now, when she was pissed off. With a jerk to her neck, she unhinged her jaw allowing her mouth to open unusually wide as her lips parted like a freak show clown. The soft flesh of her cheeks gathered at her ears while her razor-sharp secondary teeth slid from her gums and jutted in his direction. The vampire recoiled. She only stayed transformed for a moment—just enough to see the vampire’s smug grin slip away like a receding wave.

  “Impressive. A shark in a mermaid’s body.” He stood straighter, trying to look suave after his apparent shock.

  “I’m not a mermaid. I don’t have a tail. I’m a siren from another realm. Learn the difference, you ignorant bat.”

  “Your words are as sharp as your teeth. Good evening, siren.”

  A swoosh of air was all that remained of his presence. Luna breathed a sigh of relief.

  Chapter Three

  After a restful sleep, Luna woke to the cries of seagulls. Their pitchy screeches made her thankful flying birds never evolved in h
er realm. Her stomach grumbled, driving her from the soft bed and into the bathroom. She smiled at the tub she soaked in last night, crediting it with her peaceful slumber. The basin contained traces of dry salt.

  Freshened up, she reentered the bedroom and found a note slipped under her door. She swooped down to retrieve it. The invitation was from Selena for a private hydrotherapy session. The note stated she was to meet Selena by the lake this morning at ten. Glancing at the clock, Luna still had an hour before her session.

  Clad in the swimsuit she purchased last night in the boutique, she grabbed the matching wrap and adjusted it around her slender waist. The ensemble was one of many newly purchased outfits and accessories. She slipped her feet into a pair of confining sandals and wiggled her toes. The excitement over her new footwear waned as she paraded around her room getting a feel for them. Determined to wear her fashionable sandals, she snatched her satchel and left the room.

  Luna exited the elevator and drifted toward the breakfast bar. She wrinkled her nose at the smell of coffee. Guests grazed the offerings. About to turn away, she glimpsed a tray of smoked salmon on a cracker. Filling a plate, she sat in a quiet corner to eat and hoped to be left alone. She stood as soon as the last bite touched her lips, leaving behind a plate of stripped crackers.

  Outside, the salty air rejuvenated her almost instantly, lifting her spirits higher. Could she hope for a new beginning? She followed a floral-lined path, unexpectedly appreciative of the nature around her. A tiny, yellow bird flittered from tree to tree. Its birdsong was substantially different than the seagull’s cry, and, surprisingly, it enchanted her. When the bird bounded farther into the trees, away from the path, Luna felt compelled to follow it. The pine trees grew closer together while more and more colorful birds appeared in them, singing in concert. She wandered farther into the woods. Male voices echoed in the distance disturbing her serenity.

  In a far-off clearing beyond the thick brush, three men stood, talking. Two of them wore all black. The third was Nathaniel Quinn. She froze; her shoulders tensed. Why seeing Nate rattled her more than the others, she didn’t know. All she knew was she didn’t belong here in the woods, off the beaten path, where it could be interpreted she was spying on them. Her light feet carried her away in near silence. However, not five hundred yards away, she encountered another man. He peered through slim binoculars in the direction she was trying to avoid. She thought she might slip past him unseen, but he lowered the binoculars a moment too soon.

  “Oh, hey there!” He spoke just loud enough for her ears.

  Meeting a stranger in the woods put her on alert. She eyed his wood-carved walking stick, his pocketed vest, and his ball cap with an embroidered bird. She blinked her large eyes at him. Hmm, I almost sat with him in the dining room last night.

  “Are you a fellow birder, by chance?” He adjusted his cap and tapped at the lettering.

  “Er, I was just taking a walk.” She continued to move in the direction of the path, leaving him to his pursuit.

  However, he followed her. He progressed quickly for a man with a cane and caught up to her.

  “She kept a steady pace, unable to shake her uneasiness.

  “Did you see anyone else out here?” he asked casually.

  She swiveled to look at him, thinking it an odd question. It seemed like his binoculars were trained on the three men—not the feathered animals.

  Her questioning expression seemed to get him talking. He stammered, “Well, you see, it’s the birds. They seemed to have been startled by someone or something. Perhaps you startled them.”

  The trees opened to a clearing of grass sprawling toward the path. Luna sighed, thankful to escape.

  “Where are my manners? My name is Charlie. Birdwatching is a hobby of mine, and my doctor gave me orders to rest my knee after a bad fall. So, I came to Wiccan Haus to kill two birds with one stone as they say…two birds…one stone. Because I like birds.” His goofy grin revealed crooked teeth. “Sorry I get nervous around pretty girls.” He hid momentarily under the brim of his cap.

  The water god often vowed I was the most beautiful of all the sirens and my voice held no comparison. Her stomach rolled at Charlie’s last comment. Flattery from this walrus. Ukk.

  Before she could fire off a snarky remark, a yellow bird swooped past, catching her attention. It landed on a bench situated at the path’s edge. She halted, realizing it was the same species she’d followed into the woods. Charlie stumbled to a stop as well and seemed pleasantly surprised. He ginned at her expectantly.

  Deciding to give the poor fellow a break from her serpent’s tongue, Luna pointed. “Look. The yellow one is beautiful. What’s it called?”

  “Oh, indeed!” Charlie raised his sleek mini binoculars though the animal wasn’t far away. “Mmhmm. Indeed. Very rare. I’ll have to consult my guidebook.” He set the binoculars against his lean chest and tugged a camera from a vest pocket.

  Luna reluctantly stood still until he took the snapshot. She prepared to bolt—it was time to lose this guy.

  A sudden, loud rustling behind them sent the delicate creature into flight. A deep, authoritative voice bellowed, “I’ll take that camera.”

  Luna and Charlie spun around. Two men dressed in black stood outlined by the pines.

  “Oh. Oh, dear. Who are you?” Charlie shuffled about, gripping the knob of his cane.

  “Rekkus, head of security.” Rekkus tipped his head in the other man’s direction. “Cyrus Rowan.”

  Rowan. The four Rowan siblings run the Wiccan Haus. Luna eyed Cemil’s brother but found the head of security more interesting. What are you, Rekkus?

  Rekkus prowled over. Charlie rapidly pushed several buttons and turned off the camera. Luna’s thoughts quickly shifted to Nate. Why had the three men met in seclusion? And where had Nate gone?

  “I was simply shooting wildlife, sir,” Charlie said.

  “Cameras are not permitted on the island. We strive to preserve the privacy of our guests. I will have your property returned to you upon your departure.” Rekkus held out his hand.

  Luna took this distraction to speak up. “I have an appointment. I don’t want to be late, so I’ll see you at dinner.”

  Cyrus gave her a pleasant nod. The other two barely gave her a glance as they discussed the confiscation of Charlie’s equipment. Scanning the trees for Nate one last time, something shimmery caught her eye. The translucent shape appeared in man-like form. Fascinated, but not wanting to miss her opportunity to slip away, she continued toward the path without a backward glance.

  Luna met the path’s end, a smile on her lips. The saltwater lake beckoned her, though she hesitated when she noticed the instructor talking to another woman, likely the appointment before hers concluding. After the two women finished talking and the guest strolled away, Luna approached the hydrotherapy instructor.

  “Hello, you must be Luna. I’m Selena.”

  Luna closed the gap between them and shook the hand Selena offered. “It’s nice to meet you, Selena.”

  Their gazes locked, an immediate connection registered for both of them.

  “Wow, you’re really her—the Selena from the royal mermaid family,” Luna said a little breathy.

  Selena smoothed her pale hair from the crown of her head down to the tightly woven braid hanging over her slender shoulder.

  “So, you’ve heard of me?” She seemed flattered.

  Luna glanced around to ensure their privacy. “Yes, you…and your kind. The sisterhood where I’m from told me stories about your family and how you left them.”

  “Yes, Luna, I’ve managed to break tradition. You can, too. I already see it in you—strength and bravery. I will help you. You shouldn’t fear change.”

  What did Cemil tell you?

  “I’m not like you. You wouldn’t understand.” Luna was quick to dismiss Selena’s advice.

  Selena assured, “Siren…Mermaid, we are not so different.”

 
She had a point. They were similar species. However, Luna wasn’t ready to become fast friends just yet. She tested the waters first and pointed out their biggest difference. “You have a tail.”

  While Selena stood on her shapely legs out of the water, she indeed could transform in only a shallow depth. “A fin,” Selena corrected. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

  Okay, she doesn’t rile easily.

  At the mention of a fin, Luna’s curiosity piqued. “I have never seen your kind, though I’ve swum in these oceans numerous times.”

  “We stay hidden.”

  Luna understood this. Sirens revealed themselves only when they wanted to be seen. “We don’t hide. We don’t fear the people where I come from. The clans and tribes fear us.”

  “Mmhmm.” Selena’s expression softened in understanding.

  After hesitating and scanning the tree line again, Luna returned her gaze to her instructor. “Selena, can I ask you something?”

  “Of course, I’m here to help you. I will be open and honest. You can talk to me about anything.”

  “Do your sisters drown their lovers, too?” Luna detested the act—detested she couldn’t control her bloodlust.

  “I’m afraid it is a practice among our kind.” Selena nodded and wrinkled her nose.

  Luna swallowed the lump in her throat. She’d finally met someone who understood both the impact and implications of such crimes and, most importantly, agreed with her. For the first time, she’d found someone outside of her sisterhood who cared about what they did. The sirens at home lacked compassion—but they hadn’t been loved and cherished by a god. The water god changed Luna more than just physically.

  Despite their pasts, Luna sensed Selena’s current contentment. “How do you deal with it, knowing your options for love and companionship are limited?”

  Selena’s lovely eyes sparkled. “I made a change and came here to the Wiccan Haus. It’s truly splendid I fell in love. I’m now married, and no longer have that burden. And being away from my aquatic family has allowed me to live a better suited life.”