Page 73 of Siren Problems
Mira doesn’t say anything. Just adds a new symbol to the circle, something glowing and gentle.
Lyle whispers, “That was, like, violently romantic.”
I laugh.
Ibelievethis might work.
Not because it’s perfect. But because we made it together.
Because my truth is finally louder than my fear.
And Calder? He’s going tofeelit.
Even if he’s too afraid to admit what he feels back.
The next morning, the sea fog clings low to the sand like it knows something’s about to break.
Mira’s got her hair twisted up in about six different pencils, aura scanners strapped to her arms like some techno-shaman war general. She hands me a rune disk pulsing with gentle bluelight. “This one’s synched with the heart relic. If the chant takes hold, it’ll act as a stabilizer.”
“Good,” I say, fingers closing around it like it’s a lifeline. “How’re we on ley convergence?”
“Peak’s at moonrise,” she says. “That gives us twelve hours. I’m mapping the energy flare around the altar. Kai’s placing signal stones along the tidepath.”
“And Lyle?” I ask.
Mira grins. “Building a dramatic fire pit and pretending he’s not nervous.”
“Classic.”
We hike down to the cove, packs full of relics and spell components clanking like we’re heading into magical battle—which, honestly, we are. The sea churns near the rocks, uneasy. The current’s restless. I can feel it under my skin, like it’s waiting for a decision.
Calder hasn’t shown up.
I don’t expect him to.
He’s made it clear he doesn’t want saving.
But I’m doing it anyway.
Not because I think I can fix him. Not because I think love solves curses.
But because Iseehim.
And no one else ever tried to.
Kai’s already knee-deep in saltwater, planting runes along the perimeter like she owns the tide. Mira’s setting up a pulse generator made from enchanted kelp fiber and stolen council code. She glances at me over her shoulder. “If this backfires, I want my eulogy to include my Wi-Fi password.”
“Noted,” I say, managing a grin.
She gets serious. “You sure about this?”
“No,” I admit. “But I’mdoneletting him carry this alone.”
I plant my boots in the sand, heart hammering.
Calder doesn’t have to show.
He doesn’t have to say yes.
