Tainted roots

Perched on the jagged rocks along the carved pathways and along the top of the cliff, were over twenty sirens. Even in the dark, I was able to make out the bright feathers of every shade, covering their bodies. The varying shades added depth as they worked their way from their taloned feet, up their legs until stopping at their waist. Wings made up of darker-hued feathers were attached to their outstretched arms. Which made me wonder how hard it was to use their arms.

Their upper bodies and faces weren’t birdlike, they were picturesque women, their faces works of art. With skin tones ranging from the palest of white, to so dark their skin was almost pure black. Feathers were braided into their multi-hued hair. Thankfully their chests were covered by scraps of fabric.

The haunting song didn’t let up, and neither did the whipping wind. An unbearable urge to follow the singing and get a closer look at the sirens invaded my body. Telling me they wouldn’t hurt me and I’d be safe. Safer than I’d ever be on this ferry. The same one that did nothing to keep up safe from the kraken. I could be safe, all I had to do was jump over the side and swim toward the jagged rocky shore of the cliffs—

Shaking my head, I cleared away those types of thoughts, reminding myself to resist the lure of their song. This was different than the lovely lullaby of the woman that had knocked me out instantly in Portland. I could feel the intrusive thoughts trying to wind their way through my mind. My body lurched forward toward the railing, only stopping when my claws shot out of my nails and dug into my palms until they drew blood. The pain snapped me out of the song’s thrall. For now.

We needed to get away from these bird bitches. Now.

Ari’s hands were clamped so tightly around the railing, that if the ferry wasn’t enchanted to withstand just about anything, it would’ve already snapped. Her eyes were squeezed shut, teeth gritted, and her head bowed.

I was so focused on fighting the song, I hadn’t noticed Gemini and Koa joining us until Koa’s hands landed on my shoulders, turning me to face him. Strain showed on his face with the tightness around his golden eyes, the furrow of his brow, and his heavy breaths. He gave my shoulders a firm squeeze, making me realize I had been pulling from his hold, trying to get closer to the railings.

Not only was this song invading my mind, but my body as well. Making my body move without me realizing it. Mythics had a better resistance to the sirens than humans, who would’ve already succumbed to the song, long before they could even realize what was happening.

Koa grabbed my chin, pulling my gaze back to his. The urge to be near the sirens sank into my bones, and the only thing stopping me from giving in was Koa. His gaze held mine, grounding me and reminding me not to listen to those whispering voices invading my mind.

Nearly all of my attention went to his thumb stroking my jaw, leaving tingling warmth in its wake. My wolf had been quiet ever since the song began, lulled into a hypnotic state. In a surge of energy, she burst to the surface with such a force, I would’ve fallen over it weren’t for Koa’s hold on me.

With the whipping winds and the siren’s song, I barely heard Gemini’s yelled words. “The mountains!” My eyes drifted to the mountains, barely able to make out their shapes through the fog.

“How?” I shouted back, finding it harder than usual to speak.

The wind must’ve distorted her words, or maybe the lure of the song made me mishear her because I could’ve sworn I heard Gemini shout, “The boats!” Her words didn’t make any sense.

At our confused looks, she rushed over to the railing at the side of the ferry nearest to the mountains. She glanced back at us with a pinched expression, her struggle against the song’s lure clear as day. With jerky movements, she pointed over the side of the ferry, leaning over the edge.

Koa took my hand, pulling me over to the side. I sought out Ari’s hand, pulling it away from its punishing grip on the railing and yanking on her hand for her to follow us.

I leaned over the side, sweat dripping down my forehead and back from the strain of fighting the song. Surprise filtered through the haze as I stared at the side of the ferry stupefied. Floating in the water beside us were three small boats, lining the side of the ferry. They weren’t tethered but remained glued to the side nonetheless. Had these fuckers been here the last time? I had been wondering how the creatures got to and from the ferry all this time, but never did I consider this.

Gemini swung her leg over the railing, dropping down into the boat. Whatever was holding it to the ferry also prevented it from rocking or toppling over. With that reassurance, I planted my hands on the railing, fighting the overwhelming urge to turn around and run toward the sirens.

Koa grabbed my hips, lifting me up and over the side before counting down and releasing me. My senses were dulled down, having half my focus on staying out of the water, and because of that, I landed right on my ass.

“Fuck.” I groaned, rubbing my smarting tailbone.

Terror pitched my stomach when I looked up on deck and didn’t see Koa or Ari. I shouted their names, my voice being ripped away by the roaring wind. My hands frantically scraped at the smooth side of the ferry, getting ready to climb up the side to find my sister and my mate. Standing on the lip of the boat, I was able to peek over the railing and nearly fell over at the sight. Koa jumped over the other side of the ferry and into the water.

Panic took over my body, pushing away the effects of the song as my stomach sank and my chest clenched. The only thing stopping me from a full-blown panic attack was the cord, bright and warm and still pulsing in my chest.

He was still alive, for now. I couldn't allow myself to fall into terror’s clutches, I’d be useless to Koa and Ari since she too wasn’t on deck. I kept telling myself over and over that they’d be okay and they could handle themselves.

Gemini was studying something at the front of the boat when I yelled, “Koa and Ari are in the water!”

Her eyes widened with horror as her lips moved with words I couldn’t hear. The next thing I knew, the boat lurched away from the ferry, moving without a motor or oars. As we rounded the back of the ferry, I scanned the inky surface praying they hadn’t been pulled into its depths.

The water was choppier than it was before, a couple waves making their way into the boat.

I couldn’t find either of them anywhere. All I knew for sure was that Koa was alive. I had to hope that the same could be said for Ari, I couldn't let myself think otherwise or I’d fall apart.

The boat easily cut through the waves, barely even rocking as we continued searching for them. I still felt the pull of the siren’s song, but my worry for my sister and mate pushed everything else to the side.

We’d been searching for what felt like several minutes, and the longer it took the more hopeless I felt. I was only a couple of moments away from removing my bag and shoes, when Koa breached the surface of the water, gasping as he lifted Ari so her head was above the water.

My relief was short-lived when I saw how close they were to the jagged rocks, where a siren waited.

Using one arm, Koa tried to backtrack and paddle away, while his other was wrapped around Ari. Her eyes were shut as her head limply lay against his chest. They were over twenty feet away from us, and despite Koa’s attempts at swimming away, the sloshing water kept pushing them back toward the rocks, where multiple sirens eagerly awaited their next victims.

Despair sank into my chest and had my stomach twisting. “We’re not going to make it.”

As if pulled by a string, Koa and Ari were yanked out of the water, flying through the air. Gemini’s hands moved in a simple gesture as she directed them into the boat. Where they landed with a loud thump that should’ve toppled the boat but didn’t.

A piercing shriek broke through the melodic singing, bringing my attention to the sirens standing along the cliff, all closer than they were before. Their attention was aimed at us, and boy were they pissed.

“Get us out of here!”

“On it!” Gemini’s movements were quick as she created a portal.

Koa was still holding onto a motionless Ari, coughing up water as he tried to sit up. His body shook from either the cold, or from exhaustion, or possibly both. I couldn’t tell if Ari was breathing, but right now that didn’t matter, we needed to be as far away from this tiny ass boat as possible.

Almost like it was proving my point, the river became choppier, with waves crashing over the sides every few seconds. The sirens at the top of the cliffs took flight, soaring through the air as they circled us.

The portal whirled to life at the bow of the boat. Hoping this one didn’t backfire on us, I bent down and wrapped Ari’s arm around my neck, lifting her from Koa’s arms. Shooting one last glance at Koa, I all but threw myself and Ari through the portal.

Why couldn’t we ever ride the damn ferry without trouble finding us?