Page 7 of Voice of the Ocean

“General Xandra, these are our current initiates. Initiates, I would like to introduce you all to General Xandra and our team,” Captain Io said proudly. “This specific team is tasked with missions involving errant ships.”

The general swam forward, radiating dominance. Even Captain Io looked small in comparison to her large blue frame and roping muscles. General Xandra’s black eyes scanned each initiate, pausing for a moment when she reached Celeste. The princess lowered her gaze, and soon the general moved on.

“Good tides, recruits,” Xandra said, her tone deep and gravely. “While we still do not know why this ship entered our lands, it is our job to stop them before they can pose a threat. No survivors.”

The feeling of Maeve’s gaze on her made Celeste aware that she was picking at her scales. She dropped her hands to her sides, embarrassed. She’d expected to feel excited. Proud. After four cycles of training, it was hard to believe her chance to prove herself was here at last. But all she felt was tense.

“We will swim in pairs,” the general continued, swimming up to the first of the initiates. “Your name, Recruit?”

“Nautica,” the siren answered, bowing their head in respect.

“You will be with Officer Zale.” She gestured to a siren with skin striped in orange and cerulean. Zale bowed his head in response, and Nautica fell in line beside him. “Your name?” Xandra asked the next initiate, who turned a brilliant shade of red.

“Analora,” she said, twisting her soft purple hair tightly around her fingers. Analora was paired with Officer Wrasse, a very slender siren with sharp features and pale blue skin. And Leif was paired with Captain Io, their regular drill instructor. When Leif swam up to join Io, the instructor clapped him on the back so hard it made Leif cough. Celeste and Maeve covered their mouths, stifling laughter.

“Your name, Recruit?”

Under General Xandra’s hard gaze, the cecaelia dropped her hand as though it’d bitten her. “Maeve, General.”

“You’ll be paired with Officer Rae.” Xandra nodded to a silvery siren. Celeste’s eyes widened. She’d heard stories of Rae. Of how she’d led the rescue of two sirens from a human fishing boat after they’d been caught in a net. After they were safe, Rae drowned the entire crew in a matter of minutes. A living legend.

“And last, Princess Celeste,” the general said, not needing to ask her name and not pretending otherwise. “You will be paired with General Echo.”

Celeste nodded, trying not to let the surprise show on her face.General?Echo was beautiful, as all sirens were, but she’d stand out in any group. Her skin was a soft peach, like Celeste’s, but she was covered from head to fin in red and white stripes. Spiky fins protruded from her hips, fanning around her like a lionfish. She appraised Celeste, her bloodred hair billowing around her heart-shaped face. Beyond her beauty there was an intensity that made Celeste recoil. Why would someone so highly ranked be on this mission? Each squad only required one general to lead. Was it the mission? Or was ither? Did Madam Auralia think Celeste needed someone to watch over her? Or... did the queen have something to do with this? Celeste’s stomach twisted.

“If there are no questions,” General Xandra said with a look that didn’t invite questions, “then let us move on to the subject of your final examination.”

This was it. The final thing that stood between Celeste and her future.

“This evening you will be judged on four metrics: how you follow instruction; how you blend within the group; your knowledge of procedure; and, of course, your Song. In every mission, a siren must have each of these qualities to be an asset to their unit. As you know, each Chorus unit is made up of five members. And tonight all five units will be in attendance.

“It is of the utmost importance that you can work together as a team. The Chorus is a blend of many. An unbreakable force. Pay attention to those around you. Fill in gaps. Keep your formations tight, and above all else, listen to your superior.” General Xandra scanned each initiate. “You have already been tested in your strength, agility, speed, endurance, and knowledge of human language, geography, ship structure, and weaponry.”

Several heads nodded in agreement.

“Tonight is your chance to prove you deserve to be a member of this team. So take a good look at your assigned Chorus member”—she gestured toward them—“for they will be the ones examining you this evening. It will be their decision whether you succeed or fail.”

Celeste glanced toward Echo, whose expression was unreadable. Stoic.

“Now,” Xandra said, clapping her deep blue hands together, “I’ll pass things to Captain Io, who will be running our drills in preparation for this evening.”

“Thank you,” Io said, bobbing up to the front beside the general. “Let’s begin by breaking into pairs—a Chorus’s harmony is more than just vocal.” They winked.

Numbly, Celeste followed Echo to a space in the courtyard. It was happening. She had her chance to join the Chorus, permanently.So why did she feel sick?She looked over toward Maeve in hopes of sharing the feeling but saw her friend was already deep in conversation with her new mentor, Rae. The cecaelia’s eyes glimmered with excitement as the officer gave her pointers about her spear grip.

Celeste turned to Echo. “It’s an honor to have you as my mentor,” she said, head dipping.

The siren looked her over and nodded graciously. “The honor is mine, Princess.”

“Do you—” Celeste paused, trying to pick which question to ask first. She had so many. But she knew she couldn’t ask anything about the humans. Even if it was the one subject she wished to speak about the most. “Is there anything I need to keep in mind as I prepare for this mission? Something you wish you’d known as an initiate?”

“As long as you listen to General Xandra and follow her command, you will be fine, Princess,” Echo assured her. “There is no need to worry yourself.”

Celeste frowned. Although the words gave the impression Echo was confident in Celeste’s abilities, something about it felt off. Echo made no further effort to converse, and Celeste stifled her questions. It was clear she did not intend to answer them.

In the awkward silence, Celeste overheard Leif and Io arguing about strategy behind them, smiles on their faces.

“Why wait and attack at night? Wouldn’t it be better to strike as soon as possible?” the young initiate asked.

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