Page 100 of Rise of the Melody
Wait, where was Zar? My eyes shifted all around the room. I stared at CooShee but he seemed unworried. I lay back for a moment recalling everything going on. This could very well be my last moment of peace before the mayor came and…everything would change. Would they try to imprison me? Would I have to sing? I didn’t want to fight, but I would.
I leaped from the bed and grabbed a pair of shorts, shoving my legs through. I pulled out my hair tie as I dashed from the room with the hound on my heels. I needed to be outside. I needed to be by the water.
Though it was a chilly morning with the cloudy sky, I ran out barefoot, dashing along the grassy outskirts of the driveway to our small cliff where I stopped. For a long moment I stood there, staring out at the sea—the most powerful entity I knew. I closed my eyes, breathing in the salty mist for a long moment, letting the breeze blow my loose wisps of hair around. I needed to be closer. Slowly, I began climbing down the rocks.
I’m not sure how long I stood out there, my wild hair whipping behind me, my full power buzzing underneath my skin. The longer I stood there soaking in all of the dangers that could be, the more I embraced my element, my throat and lungs tensing to release a melody of protection.
Bad things were coming. I could feel it. And I needed to be ready.
I needed to open my arms to the one thing that scared me to death: myself. My power.
Again, I closed my eyes, allowing my heart to mourn for Aunt Lorna. For my mother and father in H’trae. For all the things I hadn’t yet learned. For all the sirens who came before me and dealt with this similar crisis.
The slamming of car doors sounded from above and I spun, staring up as three figures came into view at the top of the cliff. Nora crossed her arms in a muscle shirt, staring down at me. Shani stood at her side, eyes dark as she joined in the stare. And Clare had let down her hair, a mass of red curls lifted by the sea winds, watching me without her typical smile.
My stomach sank. Here was the moment I’d been dreading. The moment when my friends, who realized I’d been withholding an important truth all along, confronted me. This was going to hurt. I steeled myself and climbed back to the top to face them.
The three of them took me in as I stood at the edge. I waited as their eyes roamed over my whole body as if looking for signs that I was a dangerous killing creature. Nobody spoke for a long time. We all just stared until the expectant tension felt like it might explode.
Finally, Nora said, “You’re not wearing a cuff.”
I rubbed my wrist, wondering if I should have let Bryant put the cuff back on me so that others could feel more comfortable. But then I lifted my chin, because I was tired of being held back for other people’s comfort.
“Yeah,” I said softly, but firmly. “No more cuff. Not unless they force me.”
Clare whispered, “Letty? Are you?—?”
“Yes,” I interrupted. “It’s true. Whatever you’ve heard. I’m a siren.” All three pairs of eyes widened, and I went on. “I wanted to tell you the whole time. It was killing me. I’m so sorry. I understand if you hate me, but I swear I would never hurt you.”
Clare lunged forward and threw her arms around me. “Oh, my gods, Letty. Of course, you wouldn’t! I was going to ask if you were okay!”
I stood there shocked as Shani also brought it in, and then Nora, all three of them squeezing me until I burst into tears. I ugly cried and they continued to hold me. I couldn’t believe it. Were they really okay with me being a siren?
I pulled back and wiped my face. CooShee had joined us at some point and was watching our exchange with a stoic face.
“Your power is seriously fire,” Shani said. “I mean, I could feel it even with your cuff on, but now…wow.”
Nora nodded. “I’ve never felt anything like it.” Clare grinned her agreement.
I didn’t know how to handle their praise. The relief I felt was tremendous and overwhelming. I chewed my lip. “You guys aren’t…scared? Of me?”
Clare snorted. “This is the coolest thing that’s ever happened. We get to meet a real siren!”
“Listen,” Shani said. “I’m sorry about last night when you came with the hound. We had just found out and my stepdad was being cautious. You know how that generation is.”
“I know,” I whispered. “And speaking of you guys finding out…how is Teague?”
The three of them exchanged glances, and it was Clare who answered.
“The thing about Teague is that he’s always been really powerful, like his uncle. I think it completely freaked him out to have someone overpower him. He had no idea what you were, while the three of us….” She looked at Shani and Nora, who both grinned. “We kind of had a hunch.”
“Are you for real?” I asked.
They all nodded, which made me laugh with relief.
Shani grasped my hand in hers. “It’s not going to be easy, but we’re going to be here by your side fighting anyone who says anything bad about you.”
“And you took down the kelpie!” Clare said.
