Page 39 of A Siren of Beasts

The voice sounded male but it had a strange quality to it, like he was talking from the bottom of a hole or deep in a tunnel somewhere. I tried to keep any reaction off my face at what he said, and my assumption he was talking about Kezia. There’s no possible way this man could be her father, he was human, and he’d stolen our queen away at least two centuries ago.

“To think it would be the guardian that came to my aid is rather surprising, but I suppose you monsters take this whole mate business far too seriously,” he continued, not at all put off by my silence. “Tell me, Guardian, where are you hiding her? I felt her come into her magic even though I was continents away. That’s how it is with a wizard and their offspring, we always know when it’s time to begin their training. Although it happened unusually late for her, and I can’t help but assume her monster of a mother did something to cause that.”

Did this human truly expect me to answer him?

Unmoving, I just studied him trying to figure out just what he wanted. The way he talked made it sound like he detested our queen, when I knew he made her at one point believe he loved her. There had been talk about her adding him to her harem of lovers before the whole thing went wrong. Had all of that just been so he could use our queen? For what purpose? None of this made much sense, then again, I knew nothing about wizards.

“I suppose it was too much to expect you to understand what I’m saying. You and that snake were speaking in some primitive language but when I heard you say Kezia I’d hoped you’d be able to assist in locating her. On the off chance you do understand me and are playing dumb, know that I will find my daughter. The trouble I went to in order to bring her into this world means I won’t give up on her easily,” the wizard snarled at me, turning on his heel like he was going to walk away, then paused. “This time after I collect what’s mine, I’ll make sure to burn this forest to the ground. If a curse couldn’t destroy you after two centuries, then I’ll have to accept that this land will be brought to ruin and ash.”

The air where he stood shimmered and his form blinked out of existence.

Now I knew why I couldn’t sense him in any way. He’d used a spell to send a phantom version of himself. There was nothing for me to connect with because he was just a projection. While he could use magic in that form he wouldn’t be able to interact with the world around him in a physical sense. Why had he been searching for the naga? Had Jiti known something the wizard wanted to keep quiet? Should I have let the shattered monster live to question further?

No—he’d threatened my Little Siren and that couldn’t stand. We’d figure out what was happening on our own. The queen knew what the future held and this was the course she’d chosen, I had to trust in that. Queen Lixera never did anything that would have upset the flow of time but for this one instance, and it cost her her life. To me, that says whatever she saw was the only option we had to survive this.

Closing my eyes, I send out a telepathic sonar pulse across the land. I wanted to feel every mind and magical power source within the whole forest to prove to myself we’d hidden the castle well enough. Grieth and Kezia had built their net and placed it over the dwelling, but I added one of my own, knowing we needed to make sure we didn’t underestimate Kezia’s powers. After learning that the man whose sperm was used in her creation was a wizard, I was glad I’d taken the precaution. That vile bastard had been the only human I’d encountered with magic and he was powerful, it was one of the only reasons Queen Lixera couldn’t get away from him. The binding cuff he’d put on her sapped her of all her magic and strength, so how did she get free of it?

I was left with more questions and not enough answers, frustrating the hell out of me. It seemed I would need to pick Milin’s brain about what he knew, since he interacted with the queen on a different level than I did. Could this be why she’d picked him? How long ago had she seen the fate that she chose to alter?

Growling in irritation, I shrank my body and headed back into the forest. Other than those of strong magical power still living in the Hollowed Forest, I couldn’t sense the castle or my Little Siren. What had made me curious was noticing a magical signature I recognized making its way from the farthest end of the forest inward at a rather rapid pace. What I couldn’t tell was if this monster was going to be friend or foe if it was who I believed it to be. Either way, I’d have to alert the other three about the wizard and the monster heading right for the castle.

My need to protect my Little Siren tugged in my chest as worry bubbled inside me that I’d left her for too long. While the others used the word freely with Kezia, calling someone my mate was not something you did lightly, but if the growing bond was this strong already it explained why she was so upset at my leaving. There was no map or guide for how a monster such as myself bonded to a mate, but I’d felt the first strands of a connection the moment I held her in my hands. The more I was around her, touched her, and felt her magic, that small thin strand had been growing and twining into a much stronger bond.

What I didn’t know was if I deserved to have her after I’d failed her mother all those years ago. I suppose the difference was, Queen Lixera didn’t hold my heart in her hands like her daughter does.

eighteen

After cleaning up from dinner, and I wandered the second floor of the castle in far more detail than I had the first time I’d checked it. Many of the rooms were still empty but others had filled, making me curious if I’d been the one to make it happen or if it was getting to know the other four as well. There was a library that had floor to ceiling bookshelves on the vaulted walls. There was a staircase to the second level with a walk around. Rolling ladders were available to make it easier to reach anything I was looking for.

As I trailed a hand along the spines of the books I discovered there were some I could read. Books about various countries, some I knew while others were new to me, but I was excited to learn about them. Even if I was in a new world I was still curious about everywhere else. I’d never dreamed there was a land full of monsters and magic. While I’d been trapped in the castle, books had been my lifeline to the outside world. It had given me hope to dream that one day I might get to see them too.

Not in the mood to read, I left the library and continued until I came to a room that seemed like a workshop. Various woodworking tools were laid out on workbenches and stacks of wood in all different colors were stacked on one end. The room was filled with that fresh bright scent of wood, with the spicy tang of sap. I lingered just to be able to breathe it in a little longer. Having no idea who would be interested enough in this for the magic of the castle to designate a workshop, I left—reluctantly. Then at the end of the hall, I frowned seeing a set of double doors that hadn’t been there before.

Pushing them open I gasped covering my mouth with my hands at the stunning beauty that was before me. The whole room was glass, with a domed ceiling that rose above the trees to let in light. Well, it would if it wasn’t nighttime, but now, on a night with a full moon, it set alight the most stunning conservatory I’d ever seen. Beautiful lush plants grew everywhere with night-blooming flowers filling the air with their scent. A rectangular reflecting pool was in the middle of the space with a fountain in the center filling the air with its gentle sound.

A pebbled path curved and wound its way through the space, leading to various places to sit and admire the plants. There were stone benches, lounges, a table with two chairs, and a recessed area filled with pillows. It was like someone had taken my vision of paradise and created it here in my new home. Slowly, I wandered the path smiling like a fool as I spotted other blooming plants that would make their appearance in the sunshine. Whoever created this did so that no matter when I came here there would always be blooming flowers.

When I reached the pool I realized it wasn’t just for decoration, it was much deeper than I expected, almost like the bathing pools. Near the steps to enter the water was a neatly folded towel, cleansing oil, and a comb for my hair. Everything I would need to be able to wash, but that didn’t make sense. Imp had told me there was a bathing room up on the third level. He was supposed to show me after dinner but I’d asked for some space since my meltdown over Hisceas. That whole thing still irked me and I didn’t like feeling that way about anyone. I’d been taking care of myself, by myself, my whole life. So why would I feel so upset and bothered over my gentle giant deciding he needed to leave? They assured me he’d be back but I’d learned a long time ago to stop counting on that.

Still only in my robe, I undid the tie and slipped it off my shoulders, letting it fall to the stone floor. Kicking off my shoes I dipped one toe into the pool and was surprised to find the water at a pleasant temperature. It wasn’t hot like a bath but it wasn’t freezing like the sea had been. It didn’t offer a shock but was still refreshing at the same time. Each step took me a little deeper into the water but when I stood on the bottom the water only came up to my waist. It was perfect, there was no fear of me downing in this body of water.

Along the edge of the pool was a ledge underwater as if created for people to sit on it. Maybe this wasn’t strictly for bathing but one of those relaxation pools to help combat the heat of hotter climate countries. The idea made me grin as I took a seat and patted the top of the water like I was a child unable to contain their excitement. Grabbing the towel, I rolled it up and put it behind my head so I could lean back and stare at the night sky. Never had I felt more relaxed, safe, or content as I did at this moment—and it was amazing.

My mind seemed to drift so I was in a languid state of relaxation listening to the water and feeling the caress of the moon on my skin. I didn’t know how long I stayed like that when someone else joined me in the pool. The ripple of the water lapped at my skin as they entered, the only sign of their arrival. In a way that I didn’t understand I knew without a doubt who it was and it made me almost frown at how relieved I was.

“You found the place I made for you,” Hisceas commented as I felt his presence standing in front of me. “I’m glad to see that you enjoy it and are able to find peace here.”

Eyes snapping open at his words I slowly sat up and looked at him. “I don’t want you in my head right now,” I informed him.

There was a flash of sadness in his gaze but he nodded. “Of course, Little Siren, but I didn’t need to read your thoughts to know that bit of information. The look on your face and the way your power is filling this room, staking its claim, told me how you were feeling.”

Frowning I looked around the conservatory, but I couldn’t see what he was talking about regarding my magic. “How do you know?” I questioned. “That I’m claiming this place, I mean.”

“In time and with practice you will be able to see the shimmer of others’ magic. It takes training your brain to access a part of your mind you didn’t know was there, but I have no doubt you will pick it up with ease.”

I gave a halfhearted hum of agreement as I stood, then paused when I noticed my skin glowing like I was the moon itself. “What’s happened to me?” I asked, my pleading gaze rising to look at Hisceas.

“Nothing has happened to you, Little Siren,” he said softly reaching out to me, I started to shy away, but he moved faster. Catching my wrist in his grasp he just held me there, not allowing me to retreat from him. “Do not run from me, Kezia, please.”