Chapter Thirteen
Hannah
A lot can happen in four months. Everything can go south on you, or everything can go pretty good. I’ve gotten used to things going pretty good. With Rae’s help and Sophie’s support, we’ve finally got a spot in the Alliance’s yearly Atlantian Conference that’s open to all races of Atlantis. We will get to speak on behalf of all sirens—mer and non-mer. I’ve given two speeches at University Hill to referral groups that elected me as their spokesperson at the conference. Sean had agreed to help, and was glad he didn’t take over Atlantis by force. Sirens were the race to end needless battles, not start one of their own.
“Are you ready?” Sophie asked as she straightened my collar of my long silk jacket.
“I look like a window curtain in this.” I gazed down at the flowing material.
“It’s called a debate coat, and was worn a long time ago when sirens would moderate negotiations.” Sean smiled down at me with Beannca by his side.
“You’ll do well,” Beannca said as she gave me a quick hug.
“Come on, you’re next,” Rae said motioning for me to come on stage.
She was dressed in the same jacket, and together we would dress a window very well with our flowing ensemble.
Rae acted as my assistant as it would have been at an actual debate. The point of my speech was to give sirens a place in the Alliance to serve them. With basically baby-steps, sirens would gain respect and trust of the Alliance as they once had. I talked about myself, and my life in Chicago. I tried to be personal and truthful as possible with the promise of loyalty to the Alliance.
When I was done the stone-faced panel of eight shuffled their papers and gazed at one another. I lowered my shoulders as Rae, who stood behind me reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze.
The panel then talked among themselves, and then turned back to us.
“It is good to hear your views, and we will consider your inclusion to the Alliance. But first, a series of tests with strict overseeing will determine any consideration.” Said a man with greying brown hair dressed in a black suit. “Thank you for coming.”
With that simple speech, and a rare “thank you for coming” as Rae told me later the Alliance never thanks anyone for coming, and speaking from my heart, the siren race had a chance of reclaiming their place in Atlantis.
“I still can’t believe that we did it,” I said walking beside Sophie as the waves brushed against our feet. “All I wanted was to escape here, and not get shoved into one of those stupid books the librarians have waiting for us. I never dreamed I’d help make a difference to sirens.” I still had fragments of my speech, and the look on the Alliances’ faces running through my head.
“We may go down in the history books.” Sophie chuckled as she bent down to pick up a shell. “And to think, it was something as innocent as a shell that brought us here.”
I gazed at the shell with her.
“Do you miss home?” I asked referring more to Ann— the kid she took care of.
Sophie drew in a deep breath. “I do, but I’ve got to move on here with you by my side.” She smiled. “For a moment, I was part of Ann’s life and she was of mine, but that time has passed. We were important to each other and in our memories, we always will.”
I smiled at Sophie as she threw the shell into the Sanudra Ocean, and it landed with a small splash in the rolling waves.
Mae
I found out sirens gestation time is much shorter than humans. My belly was round, and it seemed like my daughter never stopped moving. Nolan and I would just sit and talk to her, or place our hands on my stomach in hopes to feel a tiny hand or foot press onto our hands.
We lived with my mother in her house that was nestled in the rocky cliffs of Port Mer. She lived in the original part of town where the streets twisted and turned around the brightly colored homes laden with window boxes filled with the sun-loving flowers. It was a small community where everyone knew everyone, and I found it easy to fit into the way of life here.
Nolan worked at the extension office of foreign implements for University Hill. He said they had so many items that were taken off the black market, and still needed to be categorized and labeled. At first he worked a lot of hours, but as my pregnancy was nearing an end, he cut back on his hours as we waited for our daughter to arrive.
“I found a house in the country that would be perfect,” I said as Nolan and I walked the shell paved streets of Port Mer’s market area.
“How far in the country is it?” Nolan asked as he helped me select some potatoes for dinner tonight.
I shrugged my shoulders. “It’s on top the hill, and there are a few other homes around it. There’d be enough room for a garden and for our daughter to play.” I smiled at Nolan. “It’s perfect for us.”
“But then I’d have farther to walk to work, and we’d have more to maintain.” Nolan paid the vender. “I kind of like the conveniences of living in town. I found a nice apartment just two blocks away from your mother and there’s a park between it and the ocean. It has a magnificent view.”
I lowered my head as my heart had been set on the home in the country. Nolan lifted my chin to meet his gentle eyes. “How about this: I look at your dream home and you look at my dream apartment. Deal?”
“Sounds fair, but I think you will forget all about the apartment when you get a look at the house.” I teased him with a wink.
He wrapped his arm around me. “Once you see the view, you’ll forget all about that house—I’m telling you…the ocean is just steps away…”
We laughed together as we walked down the street to my mother’s home.
I didn’t sleep much as I was always uncomfortable. I often went outside at night, and stood on my mother’s porch and gazed at the moonflowers. They were a magnificent plant that bloomed bell-shaped, white, and very fragrant blossoms that displayed their beauty only at night.
Everything was so peaceful here, like time had forgotten about this place. The ocean was always the constant background noise that was like music to me. It had a way of soothing my nerves as my pregnancy had nearly come to an end.
Karinna had unexpected business to tend to, so that left Zach to visit me weekly.
“So how are you today?” Zach would always ask.
“Ready to have my baby.” He laughed, but I was serious.
“The normal term of pregnancy for a siren is five months, but it can go as long as six,” Zach said as he gathered his tape measure that he measured my belly with each visit. “Since it’s the storm season and you’re really due anytime, I’ve decided to have you and Nolan come to Meropsis. It’s the best place, in my opinion, to have your baby.”
My pregnancy was almost over. Though my body wanted to have my baby, I felt that blanket of darkness cover me again. I wanted to stay in this state where it was safe.
Early storms delayed our travel to Meropsis. I watched the calm, blue, gentle waters turn to an ugly shade of grey. I wished siren persuasion could work on the ocean as it had done that day when a tornado nearly destroyed Deadwood. Nothing could stop the storms from coming—no matter how powerful you were.
Just like every pregnant woman, I had cravings for certain foods at certain times, and this time I craved the sugar cakes at the local bakery.
Between the rain showers was when everyone came out of their homes to either go shopping or finish whatever they were doing outside. My mother and I walked two blocks away to the market area. Several people asked how I was doing, and wished me luck. They were sincere people here that had bound themselves together in a tightly woven community. I could see it in their faces, and the way they talked to one another. I was glad to be here, and fortunate to be able to raise my daughter here among good people.
Suddenly, a sharp pang ran through my stomach to my back. It was enough to make me stop and cradle my swollen belly.
“Mae?” My mother said as she dropped her ba
sket and wrapped her arm around me.
I looked at her as another sharp pain ran through me and something warm ran down my leg.
“You’re in labor,” my mom said noticing the pool of clear liquid I feared to be blood pooled at my feet.
I couldn’t speak as I whimpered in not only pain, but fear.
I felt my surroundings were slipping away as I focused on my mother’s smiling face. She told me it was going to be alright.
“I need to get her home. Ned, can I use your wagon?” She asked some passerby that she knew.
Not only did he let us use his wagon, he helped me back to my mother’s house. I was glad Zach was there, but Nolan was nowhere in sight.
“Nolan!” I finally yelled as my mother’s and Zach’s words turned to just noises. “Nolan!” I yelled again as Zach took me into the bedroom.
“Where’s Nolan?” I asked trying to focus to hear an answer.
“He will be here soon…went to University Hill for an emergency. I’ve already called for him to come back,” Zach said in a forced comforting voice.
The pain was constant, and sweat poured down my back as the light and voices around me began to fade. It was like a fog had surrounded me, and like the storm in Deadwood, it had a message.
Where words would had been, feelings and emotions took their place. It wanted me to follow…it wanted me to join it…it was here to give me a choice.
“You cannot survive and your child cannot survive…a choice must be made,” the voice, calm and gentle, said.
“No,” I replied trying to push it away, but it was no use.
“Give the power to your child, and come with me.” It commanded. “Both cannot survive…”
I knew what I had to do. I had to let go to save…
“One more push, Mae,” Zach said looking at me with his rounded eyes.
With all my might I pushed Nolan’s and my baby into this world, and along with her, my power.
“Come with me now,” the voice encouraged.
“No, I want to see my daughter’s face,” I barely whispered as my mother asked what I said. She didn’t understand, but the voice did.
I clung to life and tried to focus on the tiny baby Zach held in his hands.
“It’s…it’s a…boy.” A combined look of fear with surprise filled Zach’s eyes.
I had a son, not a daughter. I smiled, and reached for him as the voice pulled on me to follow.
Blackness engulfed all around me. I felt no pain or fear as I followed the voice to a light that was so bright and comforting. I knew it would be alright and so would my son.
Sophie
I couldn’t stop crying. Mae was gone, and it seemed Murk Island had greyed slightly since she had died. We went to her funeral, tried to console Nolan and her mother. Nolan was like a zombie, and blamed himself for not being there. I felt his grief and blame that he had put on himself. I thought of trying to do a persuasion to relieve him of something he didn’t have control over, but that would just be a mask.
We all held Mae’s son, Laik. Mae’s mother, Laura, named him after Mae’s father. He was a tiny baby that I found comforting to hold. I missed being a nanny, and I knew the chances of becoming one again were slim.
Most of the people had left Laura’s tiny house as it began to rain outside. I walked from the kitchen to the living room trying to put a slightly fussy Laik to sleep. Nolan sat in a chair staring blankly into the fireplace as Zach talked quietly to Laura. I stood there for a moment watching them. They looked serious in their conversation, and then Zach’s blue eyes lifted to me.
I walked over to them just as Laik’s eyes closed, and he let out a comforting sigh. I couldn’t help to smile as he finally gave into sleep.
“Laik can’t stay here, Sophie.” Laura looked at me with her red and swollen eyes.
“What? Why not?” I asked still rocking the sleeping baby.
“A sight siren rarely is able to give birth to a live baby, and it usually is a girl—never a boy.” Zach’s words were grim. “We have to protect this child…from the Alliance. He will be a very powerful siren when he grows up, and we can’t leave him unprotected.” Zach gazed at me as I understood what he was saying.
Laik was never supposed to be a boy, and with his unique birth, so came an area not known to them. He would be powerful, but he needed guidance and a secure upbringing.
“Look, this is sudden, but a decision must be made.” Zach stood in front of me and spoke in a low voice. “Sophie, come with me to Kangee and help raise this child. You are the best choice having been a nanny your entire life.”
My mouth opened, but no words came out. A part of me wanted desperately to go, while another wanted to stay with Hannah. I looked over my shoulder at Hannah as she talked to Beannca, and then back at Laik. The answer was clear. Laik needed me more.
“I will go with you,” I said with a smile as I placed a kiss on Laik’s forehead.
Beannca
It’s been a month since Mae died. I still found it hard to believe she was gone. Nolan went with Sophie and Zach to Kangee where Laik would be raised. I already told Sophie I was an honorary aunt along with Hannah, and would come to visit as much as I could. I felt things were slowly turning into something normal. Myra and I shared an apartment in the hustle and bustle of University Hill. I loved it there as it reminded me of a large city with all of its activity and noise that was music to my ears. Slowly, with each day, I felt secure in my life and believed no one could take that away.
“Someone’s here to see you,” sang Myra. “And he’s got something for you.” She rubbed her hands together as she whisked by me with a big smile.
“What are you talking about?” I asked as I finished wiping off the chairs that would soon be filled at the Siren’s Dell.
She replied with a giggle as she went into the kitchen. It was four in the afternoon on a Saturday. We’d be busy soon, and here was Sean standing at the entrance with a large smile that matched Myra’s.
I walked up him. “You and Myra look like two gloating cats. What’s going on?” I crossed my arms.
He shook his head. “Do cats gloat?”
I let out a huff. “You know we are going to be busy, and I’ve got to finish the chairs.” I huffed with raised eyebrows.
Sean’s smile deepened, and his eyes twinkled like I’d never seen before. I tilted my head, and started to ask him what he was doing when he pulled out of his pocket a small box-ring size..
“What is it?” I asked feeling I already knew where this was headed.
“Open it,” he said.
Inside was a ring with a tiny stone that flickered back at me with a multitude of colors.
“Sean…” I croaked out as I could hear Myra and the cook squeal with excitement in the background, but I didn’t care if they watched, I was being proposed to.
“I’ve never met anyone like you, Beannca. You’ve showed me so many things, and I want to share so many more with you.” He bent down on one knee and held my hand. “Is this how they do it on earth?” He asked for reassurance.
I bobbed my head with gaping mouth.
“Good. Then will you marry me, Beannca?” He finally asked.
I looked at him and then the ring. “Yes, Sean, I will marry you.”
He lifted me up, and we hugged and kissed as Myra practically danced around us. I felt a ribbon, long and unbreakable, tied my life together. Fate had smiled down on me, and nothing could block the light that shone down on Sean and me.
Even though I had just been proposed to, I still had to work. Sirens Dell would be busy and I had to concentrate. I waited tables as Myra ran the bar waiting for our bartender to arrive. I was glad when he finally showed up along with another waitress. Even though it was chaotic at times, I enjoyed the challenge of running a restaurant and trying to please its customers at the same time. I thrived in it, and found it not only tiring, but rewarding as
well.
“Beannca, you have a request from a customer. They asked specifically for you to wait on them.”
I was sitting in the kitchen taking a short break, and admiring my ring. “Who is it?” I asked the new waitress.
She shrugged her shoulders. “He’s at table 23.”
She left and I let a smile escape my lips. It was probably Sean up to something. I fluffed my hair and went into the busy dining area to the secluded table 23.
I gazed at the man that sat casually at the table, and I nearly fell to the ground. My heart began to pound as I thought of running, but he had already caught sight of me. It was Aaron…he had found me.
He took a sip of his drink and motioned for me to come over. I had no choice.
“What do you want?” I asked sternly.
“Do you ask all of your customers like that?” He motioned for me to sit.
“I’m working, I can’t sit.” He chuckled.
“Suit yourself,” he said with a smirk. “You’re doing well here?”
“Look, I have to get back to work.” I started to turn when he caught my wrist.
“No, you don’t.” His eyes darkened. “I’ve been trying to find you for some time and finally did. Beannca, you didn’t think escaping was that easy, did you?”
I didn’t reply.
“I’m going to make this quick.” Aaron hissed as he pulled me closer. “You can make this easy or hard. If you come willingly, the guardianship will be none the wiser of your little siren field trip to Atlantis. On the other hand, if you fight, I will take not only you, but the rest of your friends as well. Oh, and the guardianship and I know the Alliance would like to hear that a sight siren had a baby—a boy at that.” Aaron leaned back in his chair and smiled at me. “I’m at least giving you a choice. And you might win if you fight me, but is it worth risking the lives of others?”
If I was strong enough and could get away with it, I’d grab the knife on table 22 and slit Aaron’s throat. But I knew that wasn’t an option, and I couldn’t risk the lives of my friends. The choice was as simple as that, and it pained me to have my happiness crumble to the ground. Aaron didn’t notice my ring. I slipped it off and let it fall to ground. The librarianship would strip me of all belongings, and they could never have that tangible piece of my happiness. It belonged here, in Atlantis.
I left with Aaron unnoticed. It grieved me to leave this beautiful place that had truly become my home. Sean would wonder where I went, and he would be hurt along with Sophie and Hannah. But they’d be safe along with Mae’s baby. I was a single sacrifice, and it was worth it to know they’d be safe here in paradise. Aaron, even though he’s as evil as they come, would keep his word. I guess it’s just a guardian thing that is ingrained in them.
I went through the motions of being charged with Bridget’s murder and the sentencing with numb thoughts. In my head, I was in Atlantis holding onto Sean’s hand as we walked along the beach with the wind blowing gently and the warm waves caressing our feet. No one, not even being forced into a prison-book, could break through and torture me. I was strong and one day, I would return to Atlantis.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
M.M. Gavillet lives in west central Illinois with her husband, two children, one dog, three cats, several ducks and two demanding guinea pigs where she drinks more tea than any sane person should and likes to play in the dirt planting flowers. She has been spinning stories since she was little, but only recently discovered her passion for writing.
You can find out more about M.M. Gavillet and her other novels as well as new releases on her blog at mmgavillet.blogspot.com
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Sirens Page 14
