Chapter Five
Hannah
I couldn’t use my enchanting powers as I once did. My price for passage to Atlantis. Beannca, Sophie, and I had made a pact, and there was no turning back. Did I regret it? Was it the right thing to do? Or did Jack simply use us and leave us for the guardianship to clean up. I knew I wasn’t headed anywhere living in my rundown apartment, using my persuasion on unsuspecting humans, and living alone. That probably hurt the worst for me. It was fun manipulating people, getting everything you’d ever want with ‘siren magic’ as Jack called it, but the excitement wasn’t there anymore. I wanted someone to be with, someone to love, and love me back.
“Here, try this, and tell me what you think.” Sophie handed me a cup of tea.
I was invited to stay in Jack’s apartment, but I found myself more at Sophie’s. I looked down at the sick looking, pale green, steaming liquid, and smiled at her. I smelled it. The aroma was earthy and sweet at the same time.
“Come on Hannah, try it before it gets cold. It wasn’t made to be inhaled.” She took a sip of hers.
I took a delicate sip. Immediately, it was bitter, but turned minty followed by a tangy orange flavor.
“Are you sure this is just tea, and you didn’t sneak back any ambrosia to jazz it up?” I asked as I took another sip. “It really is pretty good.”
“No, I didn’t bring any ambrosia back. It’s Fae made tea I got from Jack’s apartment. He said it wouldn’t be a good idea to go outside the apartment, and said to help ourselves to anything there.”
I sat my cup down. “He’s been gone for two days.” I stated. “Does it take that long to recharge some shell so we can get to Atlantis?” The shell was to be our sort of telephone to the portal on Murk Island, our new home. “What is he doing? Bringing every guardian in Chicago here instead?”
“No,” she said calmly. “He said he had to go and have the calling shell reworked. I believe him. He is honest, and I firmly believe his actions are sincere.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You know we are working on only half-capacity of our siren abilities. Are you sure? Because I know a place…”
“Jack’s back!” Beannca flung open Sophie’s apartment door. “Hurry up and get in here.”
Sophie smiled at me. “See.”
We went into Jack’s apartment. He had the shell sitting on the countertop by the sink. Even though he had come back without the guardianship filed in behind him, and saying here they are, I still didn’t totally trust him. Sophie and Beannca on the other hand, were like two doves following him around and waiting for him to throw feed. I could have said no, and Jack wouldn’t had taken some of my siren magic. I would have gone back to my apartment or really, I could have gone anywhere around the world. Why didn’t I listen to my commonsense? Sophie looked at the shell and smiled at me. Now, I was here hoping that we’d end up in Atlantis.
“I apologize for my timing in this matter, but I had to find the right magician to rework the shell. It’s a rarity to have one, and even rarer to find someone to work on it.”
“So how does it work, and when do we go?” Beannca asked.
Jack smiled as he gazed down at the shell. “Well dear,” he cocked his head side to side. “You see it will work, but you need another siren to act as a sender.”
“What do you mean sender?” I stepped towards him with glaring eyes. My fist tightened. Why didn’t I listen to my head instead of my heart?
“Please just listen, Hannah.” He looked at me with his jeweled eyes.
Jack had us go into the living room and sit down. I’m used to acting on my first response—that’s how I had survived the last three years on my own. He poured us wine, and lit his fireplace. I felt anxious, but after a few sips of wine, I calmed down and did as Jack instructed—listened.
Jack said the shell is used to open the portal leading to Murk Island, and only that island. There are very few shells remaining, and the ones that weren’t destroyed are a rarity to own. Most were kept by the guardianship or held in libraries. He said the shell usually could work on its own, but the magician couldn’t bring it back to its original state. It had been too long since it was used, and nearly had returned to being just a shell.
“So you see, I didn’t plan on this, and I apologize.” Jack held the shell in his hand.
“So what does that mean?” I stood up and peered down at him. “How are we to get to Atlantis?” I waved my hands in the air. “We don’t even have our full abilities anymore to survive. Or are you going to keep us here as pets?” I could feel bile rise in my throat and my heart race. I wanted to punch Jack, and throw the shell to the floor along with several of his magical implements he had displayed on shelves.
“I’m not finished, Hannah,” Jack said sternly with flashing eyes as if he could read my destructive thoughts. “I simply didn’t plan on the shell working this way, but it does work.”
He removed his penetrating eyes from me, and held up the shell. “Usually only one siren was needed to work it, but this one will open the portal with two sirens acting as connections, one navigating it, and another to communicate with the portal.”
“But that’s four sirens,” Sophie said.
“Here,” Jack took my hand and placed the shell in it.
The white shell began to swirl with colors. I looked at Jack.
“There, you have your navigator, and,” he took the shell from my hand, and held it in front of Beannca and Sophie, “it’s the same color of blue, so you two are the portal connections.”
“What about communications?” I asked as Jack put the shell back in my hand. It slowly turned to clear glass, like the crystal figurines you find at some fancy gift shop.
“The shell will guide you to her.” Jack stood in front of us. “I hate to be hasty, but my timing with this matter has been cut short. I promise to help you as much as I can, but the guardianship is requesting my presence elsewhere.” He seemed to be bothered as he rubbed his chin. “Be prepared to leave in two days to find your communicator.”
“But can’t you find another siren here in Chicago?” Beannca asked.
“It doesn’t work that way.” Jack stood by the fire. “I just bought that shell a couple weeks ago at an auction in Avalon, an illegal auction.” He glanced at us from over his shoulder. “It’s funny how fate works,” he said with a chuckle. “I have an awful time keeping my wizzarding desires at bay, and had the overwhelming desire to construct a room mood altering device. Nothing worked in the lines of spells, so I started to consider sirens. That’s when I spotted you, Hannah.” He smiled. “Then, just by chance, Sophie came to my apartment and shortly after that, Beannca was sent here to be secretly protected.” He turned and faced us with a pleasing smile. “It’s fate at work and she’s quite the craftswoman. She gave me the magic I needed, and she’s giving you the opportunity to return to Murk Island, the last sanctuary for sirens.”
“So how do we know when we find the communicator?” I asked.
Jack let out a sigh, and looked at me with his twinkling eyes. “The shell and your virtues will guide you. I’ve only taken a slice of the cake, and you Hannah Black, have only scratched the surface of your abilities.”
Mae
My dreams and visions of my childhood had become very vivid to me. I wanted to tell Nolan, but found it hard to let the words out of my mouth. I felt things were colliding, things were coming full circle, and a destination had been reached. But what was that place?
I couldn’t have a child to complete our family. Were Nolan and I to grow old together childless? It was a curse. But the only thing was, the curse wasn’t something that could be removed or neutralized. It was a thing, but more solid and real. I was the curse, and I was taking Nolan down with me.
“Mae, come here—got something to show you.” Nolan’s voice seemed cheery, and I bounced down the stairs to see what it was.
He held a rectangular box in his hand with a light green bow wrapped around it. He smiled from ear to ear as he shoved it towards me.
“What is it?” I asked thinking it wasn’t our anniversary, my birthday, or any other celebration.
“Just open it,” he said in a soft voice.
I took the box, slid the silky ribbon off and removed the tissue paper. Inside was a tiny white gown with silver stitching—an infant sized piece of clothing. I looked at Nolan with wide eyes.
“Nolan, I don’t understand.” I sat the package down.
“Maggie called me this morning.” Nolan smiled as I ran the tiny sleeve through my fingers.
We had met with Maggie only briefly. She discussed the process and filled out an application for us. I didn’t get too excited, and really, didn’t think we would have any luck at adoption.
“It isn’t a sure thing yet, but Maggie told me that things looked really good. It’s just a matter of time and getting things in order. Maggie said more likely it would be a girl, and she is from Avalon. There’s a lot of unwanted pregnancies there Maggie said, and the best place for her to search for us.” Nolan wrapped his arms around me and smiled. “Mae, we’re going to be parents soon. We are going to have a daughter.”
Sophie
We had two days, and then we were to go and find our communicator to the portal. Logic told me that my actions were wrong, but my insides spoke differently. I felt like I had been blinded, and had become a zombie to Jack’s commands. But at least this was a chance, and I felt him sincere, not only through his actions, but from what my insides told me.
The calling shell had hardly left Hannah’s hands. She told me she had never felt anything like it before. It was like a spark had ignited, and was growing stronger. I hoped whatever was happening to her, would lead us to our communicator for the portal.
Jack had showed us visions of Murk Island, but what was it really like? I had seen brochures of fabulous looking holiday locations at the Witherspoon mansion, and one time I went with them when Ann was just four. It was a beautiful place, but nothing what the brochure had displayed. Was Murk Island the same way? The more I thought about it, the more my insides churned. Beannca, Hannah, and I had acted on a whim, and under the intoxicating effects of alcohol. Why didn’t I ask more questions? I could just kick myself and at the same time, I felt we were headed in the right direction.
I rolled the mailing sphere Ann had given me in my hand. I had a message enclosed telling her how wonderful everything here in Chicago was, and I would be a nanny to another young girl soon. It was of course a lie. I couldn’t tell her my real plans. I mostly told her that I missed her, and hoped school was going well, and don’t forget that she needed to make sure she wore her librarian trainee pin every day so she didn’t get docked for appearance. Ann had always been a free spirit that always wanted to discover new things, and found tradition boring and useless. I tried to teach her that it was just as important as discovering new things and ways of doing things. It’s important to see where you had come from and know where you are going. I had told her that so many times.
I smiled as I re-read my letter before sealing it. Ann in many ways was like me. And now, I’d probably never see her again.
A mailing portal caught my eye as soon as I stepped off the elevator. With the hallway quiet, I tiptoed towards the lobby area.
The mailing portal looked more like a blackened mirror that swirled with grey smoke. I brushed my finger across the screen. It prompted me what region I would be mailing to, who would be receiving it, and how quickly it needed to be sent. I followed all the instructions, and the tiny portal no bigger than a five by seven picture frame, hummed and flashed with the word ‘send mailing sphere’. I inserted my sphere, and then it was gone.
The humming slowed, and I was given a receipt. I stood there for a moment and hoped that Ann received it, and I wouldn’t get in trouble.
“Writing a letter back home?” Jack’s voice behind me asked. I jumped as I turned around to face him.
“Don’t sneak up on me like that,” I said holding my chest. “You nearly scared me to death.”
He held up his own sphere. “I’m not sneaking up on you. I’m sending my mail.”
“Oh,” I said and stepped aside. “Sorry.”
“There’s no need to be sorry,” he smiled. “You miss your home and loved ones. That’s understandable.” He pressed buttons on the mailing portal. “But you also need to be very careful.” Jack slid his eyes to me.
“The girl I watched, Ann, gave me the sphere so it will directly go to her.” I stood beside Jack as he put his receipt in his pocket.
“There are some things I’m concerned about.” I walked beside him as he headed back to his apartment. “Could we talk privately?”
Jack studied me with his eyes for a few seconds. “You are having doubts about your little adventure coming up?”
“Actually, major concerns.”
“Very well, let’s go inside and talk,” he said with a smile.
We went inside his apartment, and Jack made me a cup of tea. He opened his blinds to let in the early morning light.
“Ah, this is a pretty morning. Don’t you agree?” He asked.
“Yes, pretty, now what I…”
“The colors of the sky, or what we can see of the sky, are similar to sunrises on Murk Island.” He looked at me. “That is what you’re inquiring about? You want to know what Murk Island is like, and what to expect when you get there?” He asked and I nodded.
“I can reassure you, Sophie, that I would never mislead you. I’ve brought you, and Hannah, and Beannca this far without misleading or harming you. I’m true to my word, and I can understand that you are concerned. I can tell you that Murk Island is inhabited by a few sirens—male and female. They are protected by Atlantian laws and are governed by the Alliance there. Once you are there, there is no coming back here. You will become a citizen of Atlantis and considered a citizen among the race of sirens.”
I took in a deep breath and sat my cup down. “But what if we can’t find our communicator? What if we run into trouble along the way?”
Jack gazed at me for a moment and then opened his blind farther blasting me with sunlight. “Then Sophie, you must not find any trouble.”
Beannca
“Jack, you said you only took a small portion of our powers.” I watched him flip through a book that sat on the counter laden with various potion bottles. “But,” I sat down on the bar stool across from him, “I…” I looked away, and he lifted his eyes to me.
“But you what?”
I looked at the two books he held in each of his hands. “You’re busy, and I’m bothering you.”
“No, I’m not that busy that I can’t listen to you.” He sat the books down. “If you are concerned about your abilities, they will return to you. Though a portion is gone, you should start to feel them getting stronger, even as we speak. I promise that I would never hurt any of you, and I even took an oath on the matter. So Beannca dear, don’t worry.” He smiled.
I let out a sigh. “It isn’t that.” He gave me a curious look. “I can’t feel my abilities getting stronger because I’ve never used them. When the librarianship told me I was a siren, I had no idea what they meant. Only through, and by chance, I read a few things and heard a few things. I knew we were to have abilities, but I didn’t know what they were or how to summon them. I never felt anything magical, and wasn’t even sure if I had any.” I shrugged my shoulders. “But I guess I do since you took a portion of them.”
Jack smiled, and waved his hand over the counter strewn with bottles, books, and dried herbs. “See this?” He asked, and I nodded. “I’ve been around for a long time, made many magical implements, but that doesn’t mean I know everything. It’s trial and error. And,” he placed his hand on a small intricately carved wooden box, “if I don’t keep
trying, I won’t get anywhere.”
I looked between the box and Jack. “So, what you mean is that I should try to find my siren virtues?”
“It’s already in you. You just have to learn how to summon them.” He continued with his reading, and then opened another bottle as he read.
“But how do I do that?”
Jack lifted his eyes to me. “That is something only you will know how to do. Every siren or actually, every magical creature is different. When the time comes, you will know.”
Jack was helpful, at the same time, he wasn’t. Why couldn’t there just be a switch to turn on or a magic word to say? Of course I never tried my abilities and growing up in an orphanage, I was never taught anything about who I was. I never knew what it meant to be a siren—it was just a word the librarianship labeled me. I was a member of the enchanted community with a pass to enter the librarian and guardianship world. I didn’t belong, and would never be considered one of them.
I went to the freezer to put ice in my glass of water. The cubes weren’t frozen yet, but I put the slivers of ice in the glass anyway. And as I filled the ice tray up again, I felt I was like the ice shards in my glass. I wasn’t quite liquid and I wasn’t solid—I was caught in the middle not sure where I belonged.
Aaron had contacted Jack and told him that he’d be over this afternoon to visit. I haven’t heard anything from Aaron since he brought me here. I wondered how Bridget’s investigation into her death was going. I still mourned her, and wished the only person, who truly cared for me, was still here.
It was one in the afternoon, and if I still worked at The Glass Guardian, we would still be serving lunch. I’d be seating guests and then later, I’d help with the clean up and get ready for the evening guests. I loved working, and making Bridget proud. A tear welled in my eyes as a knock came to the door.
Jack came out his study, and motioned for me to go down the hallway. We were expecting Aaron, but Jack wanted to make sure it was him and only him.
I heard Jack open the door. “Welcome Aaron Gorick, please come in. And good, you’re alone.” He closed the door behind him.
I came out of the hallway, and Aaron rushed towards me. He lifted me in his strong arms, and we kissed.
“I’ve missed you,” I said gazing into his eyes that now reminded me of a comforting cup of coffee loaded with cream.
He smiled as tiny lines formed around his warm eyes. I’ve never seen them before, and suddenly felt a wave of uncertainty run through me. Though I have looked into his eyes many times, and knew how many colors existed there, something new was in them. It ran through me like a sudden wave, and it was so strong, I thought it could’ve pushed me to the floor.
“I missed you too, Beannca,” he said. Even his voice had a tinge of something strange.
“Well if you don’t mind I have work to do. And I don’t think you are in need of any of my entertaining services.”
Aaron nodded, and Jack slipped quietly into his study down the hall and shut his door. Aaron motioned for us to sit on the couch. I sat next to him still holding onto both of his hands. They were strong and gentle at the same time. I ran my thumb across the top feeling the slender bones underneath.
“This is the last time I’ll get to hold your hands like this.” I looked up at Aaron. Jack told us that no one knew of his ‘little project’ with siren magic, and told us to not tell anyone about us going to Murk Island.
I wanted more than anything to tell Aaron. He’d understand, he was a different kind of guardian, and he’d brought me here to protect me. I knew he loved me more than anything.
“Why do you say that?” He asked with amusement in his voice. “How do you know?”
His eyes were filled with curiosity. I opened my mouth, but no words came out at first. “I—I don’t know. It just feels like it, and really,” I laced my fingers through his, “how long can we be like this? I can’t stay in hiding forever, and you can’t come and secretly visit me.”
He drew in a deep breath and removed his fingers from mine. “You’re right,” he said regretfully. “The investigation into Bridget’s death isn’t going well. Actually, there isn’t really an investigation.” Aaron’s voice filled with disgust as he looked away. “They are charging you with murder, Beannca,” he said bluntly and even though I knew they would, his words shot through me like a knife. “It isn’t right, and time is running out. I can’t keep you here with Jack. It’s too dangerous for him and for you.”
I pulled closer to Aaron wondering if he knew about the calling shell, Atlantis, and the whole plan Jack had devised. Of course he had to know. Aaron cared for me, and would even help us get to Atlantis. He could probably work the portal, and we wouldn’t have to find another siren.
“You mean you know—” I started to say.
“I’ve got an apartment in Avalon located in Sidhe Hills historic district that you can stay at. I don’t use it much, but it will be a safe place for you.”
I shook my head. “Avalon?”
“Bea,” he said and placed his hands on my shoulders, and smiled. “You’ll be safe, and no one will know you’re there.”
He didn’t know about Jack’s plan. I wanted to tell him, but knew I couldn’t. Instead, I smiled back.
“And you can transfer to Avalon?” I asked hopefully as the smile faded from his lips.
“No,” he said regretfully. “I can’t leave Chicago.”
I felt my heart sink into my chest.
“Bea, I can’t simply run off. I’ve obligations to uphold, and tradition to follow. And there’s something else.” He pulled out a silver ring, and held it between us.
It was unmistakable. Tiny designs, called marks, curled around the ring that would turn gold when Aaron was married.
“You’re getting married?” I could barely get the words out of my throat.
“It’s an arranged marriage. And one that I didn’t approve of.” I stood up, and went over to the window.
The city below moved this way and that. They were oblivious to what was on the thirteenth floor of the Fisher Building, and I was oblivious to the reality that would always be there. I had been living in a true fantasyland, where everyone I thought, lived happily ever after.
Aaron stepped behind me, and ran his hand down my arm. I jerked away, and then turned to face him.
“I didn’t have intentions of this, and if I had a choice, I’d choose you. Bea, you have to understand,” he said softly, “I have traditions to stick to, and this is part of those traditions.”
I gazed into his eyes studying them. “You said if you could, you’d choose me.” He nodded his head hesitantly. “What if there was a chance, a way, an opportunity for us to be together.”
Aaron shook his head. “Bea, what do you mean?”
“Would you come with me if I knew another way?” I asked feeling the anger, hurt, and pain swirl inside of me. Was it mine or his?
Aaron looked at me with confusion. “I don’t think there is, darling.” He said with a small smile. “Look, I enjoy the times we had and the things we did, but I can’t just leave. We can’t run away together. It simply can’t work that way.”
My loving gaze had turned into a glare. “Is that all I was to you—a time and a thing you did?”
“Bea,”
“No!” I yelled. “I’m not going to be put into some jewelry box of a home somewhere so you can come and open it up to play with me when you want.”
Aaron’s face crinkled with hurt at first, but then like the wave that crashed into me before, I could feel his disgust towards me.
“I’m trying to help you, Beannca, but if you don’t want that help, I can’t vouch for your safety.”
In the matter of seconds, I felt I had opened a small crack that had always existed in Aaron. He liked me, yes, but he only liked me for one reason.
“Leave me,” I said. I could feel his true emoti
ons cast over me like an ocean spray.
“You’re being stupid about this.” He warned. “The guardianship is after you, and they don’t take lightly to a murder of one of their members.”
I held my eyes on him. “I said go,” I said in a calm voice.
He straightened, and then slipped the ring on his finger. “You sirens are just like they say in the text books. You are difficult and unable to reason with everything.”
I let a smirk escape my lips. “No, Aaron Gorick, you just assume something that you read was true. You never got to know me for who I am.”
He pursed his lips together, and stormed towards the door. It was as simple as that. The only man I had ever been with, and thought loved me back, was gone. I was nothing more than a play thing to him. I should be crying my eyes out, but I wasn’t. Suddenly, I felt a new purpose in my life. I wanted to be a siren, but I still didn’t know what that was.
“Beannca, are you alright dear?” Jack asked timidly from the edge of the hallway.
I unclenched my fists as a crackling sound, like someone stepping on thin ice, erupted behind me. I turned to see the large picture window fractured with tiny cracks. I looked up at it in awe, and then turned to Jack.
“Well, my dear, it seems you’ve found your siren magic.”