Page 13 of Voice of the Ocean

A call.

And the Song began.

Together the sirens cut through the water, smooth as silk. Celeste did not have a moment to think as the surface drew closer and closer. As one, they emerged. At first Celeste saw nothing but white. It was startling, and confusing, until she recalled the name for this phenomenon.Fog. It surrounded them, thick and rolling. In the distance, a streak of light flashed. There, then gone. After several beats, a rumble sounded. Like tumbling rocks. The sound sent a shiver down Celeste’s spine. Within the thick mist, the Chorus drifted like ghosts, letting their lungs and eyes adjust. After a moment, the outline of the black ship appeared. The gold of it looked dull in the darkness. Zale, Wrasse, and Io drifted into their positions. Ocean waves hissed against the side of the ship, mixing with the hushed voices of the few sailors who remained awake.

“They all went out! S’like magic,” one said, fear coloring their voice.

“Just get ’em lit again,” said another.

One of the humans stepped through the fog toward the nearest lamp. Then General Xandra began to sing.

From deep within the ocean, we sisters rise in song.

Her voice was low, rolling across the waters and echoing eerily back. Although Celeste had heard the Song sung countless times over the cycles, it had never sounded like this. The water always muffled the sound, distorted it. But in the crisp night air, the Song was clear and enchanting. The waves beneath them slowed, as if the sea itself calmed to hear her.

Above, the human stilled.

Come closer. Hear us calling. In our arms you belong.

The initiates listened silently as members of the Chorus joined their voices to hers, harmonizing as though the one voice had split into many. Xandra reached her long arms toward the human who stood along the banister, curling her fingers, beckoning.

“Sirens!” a shout called out from the ship.

“They’re real!” another called, this one in a tone of awe.

“Help! Captain!” The voice cracked as it sounded the alarm. At once, the ship burst into noise. Feet pounded against wooden floors. They called out to each other, shouting orders and rousing sailors from sleep.

It would not matter.

Come rest your weary bones, love. Come join us in the sea.

The Song was a caress, a young lover calling out to their beloved. Along the bow of the ship, another sailor joined the first, moving slowly as though in a trance. Milky-white eyes looked blindly upon the water. Their lips curled into a lovesick smile.

Let the gentle waves consume you, for your heart belongs to me.

“Man the cannons!”

“Where do we aim? I can’t see a damn thing!”

“It’s coming from everywhere!”

Each man talked over the other. They needed to see to use their weapons. It made them weak. Sirens did not need such things.

I’ll fulfill your every longing. I am everything you crave.

The Song drifted, circling the ship. It came from everywhere and nowhere, a cool touch on a fevered head. The notes glided, slithering toward the humans, around them, into them. It held them in its gentle embrace. It guided them. More humans joined the others at the railing, their sightless eyes gazing upon the sirens.

“They’re on the starboard side!” a booming shout called.

The sound made Celeste’s heart shudder.The prince. But despite his cry, the chaos on the ship was quieting as they sang. Sounds of movement slowed until Celeste could make out a unified tap of feet moving in rhythm to the Song.

Let me kiss away your sorrows as I lay you in your grave.

A human began to climb the railing. His feet were sure-footed as they planted themselves upon the banister, and as he pushed himself up to standing, it looked as though he had appeared from a cloud. His body was unnaturally still as he stood in the wind, looking out over the water with murky white eyes. Echo opened her arms wide to him, and like a child, he opened his in response. The Chorus grew louder.

“Bastian?Bastian!”

The shout was startling amid the song, like a rock thrown into a still pond. Celeste had been certain all the humans had fallen under its spell by now. To her left, Maeve’s eyes widened, and Leif stole a glance sideways at Nautica. But the Chorus members remained unperturbed. The only sign they had noticed the disturbance was their growing volume. But Celeste could still hear one pair of offbeat footfalls against the wooden deck.

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