Page 4 of Siren's Treasure

The sisters darted from cover to cover—until they reached the concealed entrance. And just like that, she tugged Nephele through the gap she’d discovered years ago and had kept hidden since then. They ducked through a natural arch draped with anemones that pulled in their tentacles as the sisters passed.

The starfish curled its arms around Thessa’s fingers, trembling. The passage widened, opening into a peaceful world all their own. All at once, the chaos of the outer sea became muted and distant. Here was paradise. Shafts of morning light pierced the surface opening far above, creating shifting patterns on the grotto walls like scattered pearls.

Nephele let out a sound of shock at the scene before them. Nature’s beauty was crudely mimicked by the treasures from past shipwrecks glittering around them—ornate chests spilling gold and jewels, delicate crystal goblets, even an ancient crown studded with emeralds.

The centerpiece? The statue of a beautiful boy king, his marbled features caught in an eternal expression of false dignity.

But what good were all these riches left to them by the humans? They meant nothing compared to her father’s lifeslipping away. Thessa was desperate to act. Do more. Anything than what they did now.

Nephele turned, her raven hair floating like dark shimmering silk around her shoulders. The morning light played across the curves barely concealed by her top of woven sea-kelp and shells—they both had their mother’s beauty, but where Thessa was fire; Nephele was smoke.

Her sister’s eyes narrowed at the walls, at the careful notations scratched into the stone. “What’s this? Notes?”

“I’m working on a song,” Thessa lied, feeling her pulse flutter. She gently set the starfish down on a nearby shelf.

“Whale spout,” Nephele snapped. “You know spells are forbidden! I’m worried, Thessa! You can’t just—you can’t… haven’t you heard what others say about you? You need to stop this! You’re part of the Sea Sovereignty! Our family is to be an example to our people. You know what magic has done to others. You can honor father’s memory by—”

“You talk as if he’s already dead!” Thessa’s voice cracked. “I’m not letting father die!”

“It’s not up to you! Thessa…”

Why didn’t they understand? Her sisters had Father for many years, but she was the youngest. “I’ve only weathered twenty-four seasons of storm!” she complained. “I want more time with him—some of our older sisters have had him for hundreds! I daresayyou’vehad five hundred seasons at least, Nephele! You witnessed the Great Coral Extinction and the rebirth of the Western Reefs…”

Nephele colored, never wanting to talk about her age, but Thessa was beyond politeness in her grief. “You even knew Aunt Undine. What about me? I want more time!”

“Hush,” Nephele said quickly.

The Sea Sovereignty ruled all water creatures, living for eons, though none as long as Papa, who was said to haveexisted at Everrgold’s creation. His children counted their years in the hundreds, with many remembering the Rise of the Coral Cities. Thessa, who was the youngest of them, had only recently outgrown her pearl-woven swaddling tides—a slight exaggeration maybe—but still, she was a mere fingerling compared to her family’s exalted ages.

And yet, the power she contained could save them all! She could do more with her voice than control the humans. There had been far too much death already. “I can do good with these powers I have! Let me use them to help Father.”

“No!” Nephele’s voice softened with pain. “Others before you had your intentions, and it ruined them. Just listen to me, okay? As you’ve indelicately pointed out, yes, I’ve lived longer, seen more! Why can’t you see reason?”

Rebellion stirred in Thessa’s heart like a gathering storm. She wouldn’t give up on their father, even if everyone else had… even if he wouldn’t save himself. Only one had the power to—the thought that formed in her mind was so forbidden she could scarce speak it aloud, and yet… “We should’ve taken Scylla’s help!”

Nephele gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. A shimmer of phosphorescence gathered in her eyes to reveal her distress. “Tell that to father, to his face, if you dare—he wants to speak to his children.”

Thessa swallowed hard. “To say goodbye?”

“Sweet pearl,” Nephele’s face softened, and she drew her into an embrace. “Please, let’s not fight at a time like this. We need to come together… for—for poppa.”

Thessa’s anger drained from her like a receding tide, her shoulders sinking as she let her sister hold her. They drew strength from their shared grief.

Nephele patted her hair. “The tides will turn,” she whispered, then pulled back, glancing at the research scratched into thecave walls. “For what it’s worth—you have talent. I know you can use it for what it’s meant for.”

Against humans? With effort, Thessa held back her bitter reply.

Nephele glided toward the exit, her dark hair and tail creating graceful swirls in the shaft of sunlight as she slipped through the narrow passage.

Thessa was left alone with the forbidden.

The phosphorescence gathered at her eyes with nowhere to go, and letting out a sob, she sank onto a gilded human throne, its once-royal splendor now adorned with barnacles and sea moss. She cried, her frustrations mounting. Father couldn’t die! He just couldn’t!

Her tiny starfish friend inched up her arm, touching her cheek with a gentle pat. She opened her eyes and let out a watery sigh.

Shadows crept across her grotto from what must be clouds gathering above the sea’s surface. The overcast day matched the darkness of her spirits. Why was there so much rebellion in her heart? Her father had always taught them that power came with responsibility, with rules. A good daughter would trust in his wisdom, would honor his wishes even now…

“And yet,” she whispered to her starfish companion, “you’re better now, aren’t you? There has to be a way to make them understand—”

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