Page 116 of Song of Her Siren

Something was wrong. “Why?”

“A lot has happened since you left,” Helian said with a grimace.

My world came to a standstill as the moisture evaporated from my mouth. “D-do they live?”

Helian nodded and clasped my shoulder. “They do.”

A groan of relief escaped me. So long as they lived, there was hope.

“Are Finn and Nikkos well?” Tari asked as she wrapped her arms around herself, reminding me far too much of my frightened, yet brave, mate that first week we were together.

“Finn is uninjured,” I said. “He is at the tavern, watching over Nikkos.”

She gave a curt nod, her eyes welling with tears.

“And Nikkos?” Helian asked.

“Badly burned. A green witch managed to keep him alive, though he still suffers.”

Tari clasped my arm. “Take me to him.”

I wanted to, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very wrong with Shiri and Drae. “Tell me what happened to my mate and brother,” I demanded.

“Shiri is well.” Helian visibly swallowed. “Drae and Ash are demon possessed.”

The world felt as if it had opened beneath me, sucking me down into the abyss. Demon possessed? “What? How?”

“Wolfy was possessed,” Helian answered grimly. “He attacked us one night. Drae and Ash were infected, fighting him off. They’re in the dungeon. Shiri is staying in Thebes to watch over them.”

Dread solidified my veins. If Drae was demon possessed, that meant Shiri was alone. “Take me to her.” I curled my hands into claws, resolve stiffening my back as my feathers stood on end. “Now.”

Tari’s jaw dropped. “But Nikkos.”

“Can wait,” I interrupted. “Shiri has no mates to guard her.” Which was exactly what the demons wanted.

Tari took Aurora in her arms. “Aurora, get a good look at this beach.” She spun a slow circle, pointing to the undulating ocean waves splashing along the shoreline, then toward the town in the distance with its boardwalk, clapboard buildings, and merchant ships. “Can you take us to Aunt Shiri’s bedchamber in Thebes and back here?”

Aurora vehemently nodded. “Yes, Mama.”

The dragons blew out huffs of steam, grunting while casting shadows over us with their long necks.

Tari peered up at them, saying aloud, “We will only be gone a moment.” She shared a frightened look with Helian. “Unless the city is already under siege by demons.”

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