Page 81 of Song of Her Siren

Shiri crossed her arms, her face turning as red as a dragon’s pecker. “Are you seriously asking me that question?”

“Ash and Drae are possessed too,” I interrupted, “and Shiri and Helian almost died trying to get that book. Shiri needs to focus, and you’re not helping. We will get to Father Derrick as soon as we are able.” I tugged my children’s hands while nodding toward my sister. “Come on, Shiri.”

Helian and Cassandra lead the way as we skirted around our mother. She stared at us like a wild beast deciding if she wanted to attack or run.

Once a guard let us through the iron door, we walked toward the end of the dark tunnel, which was so low in some spots that Helian had to duck his head. The dungeon smelled even worse here, like mold mixed with old piss and vomit.

“Cover your faces with my gown,” I said to the girls when they made gagging sounds.

They buried their faces in my skirt as we continued to walk. The cells here had no walls, just bars, making it easy to spot the inhabitants, though some hid beneath piles of hay. My heart hit my stomach when we reached the end of the hall and I saw my mate in his monster shifter form chained to a wall. He was covered in patchy fur, his lower jaw extended into a frightening, elongated maw with dragon-like teeth, and his eyes the bright red of fresh blood. His chest heaved as if he was struggling for breath, and when he saw me, he let out a heart-wrenching howl.

Goddess, I prayed the chains held him.

“Papa Ash!” Aurora squealed, trying to break away from me.

I snatched her back to my side. “Aurora, no!”

“Girls, stay put.” Helian turned toward us, holding out a staying hand while clutching the hilt of his sword. “You cannot go near him.”

Aurora’s eyes watered with tears. “But he’s our papa.”

I released Aurora’s hand and pressed her head into my skirts, wanting so badly to take away her sorrow.

Ember sucked her thumb while trembling against me, appearing far too frightened to speak. How I wished our daughters didn’t have to endure this. They should be playing with their toys and learning their letters, not watching their family be torn apart by demons.

“I’m sick, sprites.” Ash’s ominous rumble echoed through the dungeon. “I don’t want you to catch what I’ve got.”

I swallowed, feeling as if my heart was being torn to shreds by Ash’s massive claws as I peered through the rusty cell bars into eyes that transformed to a bright silver. Thank the Goddess, he could still fight the demon inside him. I wished I could say the same for Shiri’s mate as he glared at my sister from the other cell with red eyes that burned as hot as hellfire.

I took a hesitant step forward. “Ash, are you okay?”

“I am now that I see my family is safe.” His shoulders caved inward as he rattled his chains. “How are you and the children?”

How could he think about us at a time like this? I wrapped my arms around our daughters as they pressed into my legs. “Worried about you.”

“Don’t be,” he said, his voice cracking like old parchment. “Just focus on yourself and the children.”

Helian walked up to the bars, stepping back when Ash rattled his chains. “We’re going to get that demon out of you, brother.”

Ash nodded, then looked away, his gaze focused on the slitted, barred window above his cell, letting in a few rays of afternoon light. “I have faith you will.”

I turned to Shiri, who stared into Drae’s cell as if she was peering into his coffin. The agony and depression radiating off her as she locked eyes with the demon controlling Drae was as powerful as the northern waves that battered our shore, threatening to pull me under too. Drae didn’t speak to my sister. There was only the demon, a predatory gleam in his eyes, a wicked, triumphant grin etched into his face.

I caught the worried look in Cassandra’s eyes as she pressed against the back wall, and I prayed Gadea hadn’t seen us losing Drae to the demon in her mists.

Tears pricked the backs of my eyes as I spoke softly to my sister. “You should practice on Wolfy first.”

She swiped moisture from her eyes, her spine still stiff. “You’re right.”

Wolfy was curled up in a pile of hay in a small cell, shivering and whimpering through a thick leather-and-iron muzzle, and completely shattering whatever was left of my heart. The hound had been with us since Shiri and I were children. He’d been our constant companion and best friend, and I knew he’d been the same to my daughters. He deserved better than being stuck in a cell while possessed by a demon. He must’ve been so frightened.

Turning to a guard standing in the shadows behind us, I nodded toward the empty hearth behind Wolfy. “I want fresh hay and a warm fire in his cell before day’s end.”

The guard grunted his understanding.

Helian unsheathed his sword with a grimace. “You and the girls stay on the other side of the bars,” he said to me. “I’ll go with them.”

I hung back when a guard opened the cell door and ushered Shiri, Cassandra, and Helian inside. Then he shut the door behind them, locking it with a noisy clank. Every muscle in my body tensed as I watched Helian with longing. If Wolfy bit him, too, I’d lose my mind.

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