Page 61 of Siren in the Rain

Coral strokes my cheek with her thumb. “My dear grandson, I am heartbroken for all the pain and suffering that you’ve endured. I would like you to come visit. We can provide the healing magic you need.”

“How?” Now I’m curious. What on earth could she mean?

She smiles. “Sirens have many different abilities. Within our sept, we have a Spirit-Healer with the power to mend the wounds of the mind and the soul. While your friends have been instrumental in getting you resources from the human world, I believe a visit to the place of your mother’s people would provide a deeper level of restorative treatment.”

“Even though I’m not a full siren?”

“Of course. The Spirit-Healer can use her powers on anyone with siren blood from our sept. Plus, I believe that being among your kin for the first time will speak to the side of yourself that your father and stepmother sought to control and contain.” Coral’s eyes glisten. “It will also give you time to get to know me and your aunt better.”

“Please let us do this for you,” Anemone adds in a soft voice. “Our failure to find you and protect you for so long weighs heavily on us. We want to help in the ways we can.”

What they’re suggesting sounds nice and all, but they are still strangers, and I have no idea what I’d be in for on an island full of sirens—not all of whom might be pleased to have me there.

Wolf Boy’s urgent plea from earlier also echoes in my mind.

“This is a lot to take in. I’m just not sure…” I trail off hesitantly.

Coral and Anemone look at one another before turning back to me.

“We’re not asking you to permanently relocate,” Coral says. “Not yet, at least. Just a short visit. A week, perhaps?”

The idea’s tempting. I’m intrigued to see what the sept’s like and learn more about my heritage. The Spirit-Healer I’m not so sure about, but I’m willing to meet with her.

I decide to voice my main concern. “I’ve never really had much interaction with sirens other than my mother and now both of you, so I don’t know how welcoming everyone will be to someone like me.”

“You are and always will be a member of our sept,” Coral replies.

Anemone nods. “The sept welcomes all those from our community bloodlines, as well as their mates and other loved ones.”

My curiosity is piqued but the prospect of going alone is rather daunting.

Griffin’s face flashes in my mind and I try not to groan at the obvious implication. This fated-mate nonsense is getting harder and harder to deny.

“Could… could I bring someone with me?”

Coral’s features soften in understanding. “You may certainly bring your mate. We would welcome him with open arms.”

I don’t even have to speculate. I know Griffin will say yes. In fact, I can already picture his bright smile if I ask. No doubt he’d be even more excited than me about visiting the island.

“We’ll come, but I’d like a few days to prepare if that’s all right.”

“Of course. We can work on making arrangements on our end during that time,” Coral says. Both she and my aunt beam at me with obvious pleasure.

As if signaling it’s done with all this talk, my stomach starts growling. We all laugh before hunting down the sushi that Harper promised for lunch so we can enjoy a meal together for the very first time.

Chapter

Fourteen

Shae’s List of Life Goals

8. Visit Japan someday and fulfill all my nerdiest fantasies from childhood, including a visit to the Studio Ghibli museum!

(Addendum: See if Griffin maybe wants to go with me. As friends.)

Shae

A fine spray of the sea mist brushes against my face from where I stand on the deck of the small ferry taking Griffin and me to the Silverstorm Island, where my grandmother and the rest of the sept live.

---