"A change of clothes is next to the dumpster two buildings south. We will debrief tomorrow." Glen's proud voice sounded, and I nodded.
"You got it, Boss." Then I went out the door, down the elevator, and out the service door without so much as someone looking my way.
As soon as I found the bag, I changed into black leggings, boots, and a large gray hoodie. I stuffed the silky, gorgeous dress into the bag, knowing they were going to want it back so they could burn it. I sighed as I zipped up the bag. I was going to miss that dress.
As soon as my feet hit the sidewalk, I felt the buzz of a call coming in on my phone. I should've known better than to answer it without looking.
"Hello?"
"Is that sharp tone any way to greet your mother?" I rolled my eyes and felt all my muscles clench.
"How are you, Mother?" I hoped she didn't hear the annoyance in my voice, I wouldn't hear the end of it.
"Fine, fine. You know that tomorrow is the ceremony, and you are obligated to attend as one of the royal family. Is there a reason you are not here yet?” Her angry, annoyed tone told me just how she was going to take the news I was about to give her.
“Oh, well, I was in the middle of a job, and I figured I could get an early boat out tomorrow." I bit my lip, hoping that this would pacify her and I would escape her wrath.
"Really, Celine!? Are you going to show up in biker boots and a leather jacket like last time? I really can't take much more embarrassment from you." I gritted my teeth and took a breath, reminding myself it was only one day. As soon as the mate ceremony was done, and I watched my mom bless the new mates, I could leave.
"No, Mother. I will make sure to be there in the appropriate attire." She huffed, her doubt in my accomplishing the littlest thing hurt, but I stuffed that down with all the rest.
"Well, let's hope so since you are coming late and, I assume, leaving early?" The snide question was a trick to keep the conversation going, and I knew it, but I still fell for it.
"I have to get back to work." It was a lame excuse, but the only one I had.
"I still can't believe that when I called in that favor to Glen, he would go behind my back and recruit you. He knows I didn't want that life for you." She complained about this every time I talked to her and mentioned my job.
"I will be dressed and ready in the morning before the ceremony. See you tomorrow, Mom." I tried to not fight, it was useless when I was always the disappointment.
"Yes. Make sure you are appropriate. No black, Celine, I mean it." I opened my mouth to say okay when I heard the click of the line hanging up.
Great. I get to go home for my bi-annual dose of being reminded by my mom and my community that I was a failure to everyone.Tomorrow is going to suck.
Chapter 2
Icouldfeelthesalty spray on my skin, hating that it felt so good. That the ocean had this warm feeling of home. The kind of feeling people talk about when they see the people that they loved and loved back. My true home was never like that.
I stood on the edge of the tugboat that was sifting through choppy waters to get me to the island. Siren Island
My hands tightened on the metal H-bitt at the front of the boat, making me stay here to see the island as I approached. Mother will be disappointed that I didn't ride in on some fancy yacht or fly in with some millionaire on my arm. That would make the sting of embarrassment that I was for her less, more tolerable.
"Land ho," someone behind me yelled, and I sucked in a ragged breath.You are a strong and capable woman. You take care of yourself and take down bad guys for a living. You can handle your own damn mother.
I had to psych myself up to make sure that as soon as she looked at me, I wouldn't just let her words pierce me as they always did. I swear, if it was anyone else in this world, I wouldn't bat an eye, couldn't care less. Someone could call me a cunt hoe bag that sucked nasty cock for a living, and I wouldn't bat an eye, but one disappointing sigh from my mother, and I just crumbled. I go right back to that eighteen-year-old girl that had all the potential in the world and then, at the moment of truth, utterly failed in the most miserable way, looking to my mother for guidance, and I was to blame.
I would’ve been fine with anyone, Celine. Do you know now that my line will die with you? Do you think this will save you just because you're pretty? What worth does a siren have who can't mate?
All of those words and the many more she has thrown my way come crashing back, swarming my head with all her anger and disappointment. So much so that I had to leave this island, leave the only home I have ever known, just to make sure I didn't do something drastic. It was the best decision I have ever made, but having the blood I do still requires me to fulfill my siren princess duties.
So here I was, going to another mating ceremony, going to be paraded around as being the cautionary tale for all female sirens. Make sure that your song calls to a mate, or else you are useless.
The wind sailed through my hair, messing it up in the best of ways, the ways that made me feel free. Free to be who I was without the pressure. Free to be the mistake that everyone here thought I was. Free to let go.
I opened my arms and closed my eyes, knowing that this trip would be cut short soon and I would need to face the music, but I just wanted to feel like I could fly away, even if it were only for a moment. I imagined being a bird in the wind. Watching the waves crash along the coast, drifting closer, slicing my wing right above the water to feel the cool deep blue ocean. Knowing that I could switch directions at any single moment.
“Lady, we are here.” I was jarred out of my fantasy as I felt the boat jerk and pull into the harbor. I saw my mother, along with two palace guards, her face pinched and her arms crossed. It was a normal look for her when I arrived. It's hard to remember a time when she didn't look like she ate something sour as soon as I came into her line of sight. I watched as she moved her arms to tap her finger to her wrist, which had a nonexistent watch on it.
My mother was a beauty in all her natural state. Brilliantly bright blonde hair that cascaded down her back, perfectly smooth and soft sun-kissed skin, pink, plump lips, and her eyes a cerulean blue that looked like they swirled when she focused on you. Her nails and makeup were done to natural perfection. Her perfect hourglass figure was hugged in a shimmering gold dress that showed off all of her curves. When I was little, I thought she was a goddess because of her beauty and poise—the perfect epitome of femininity.
