Page 18 of Halloween With the Siren
There’s no harm in dreaming, though. Right?
I guess only time will tell.
Chapter 10
Silas
I’m not a shy person, but there’s something very intimidating about walking into the center of a new town where you can feel everyone’s eyes on you. But this is not just any town. This is Marisol’s town. Her beloved community. And I want to do my utmost best to make a good first impression on behalf of Pack Morgan.
I follow the island guardian’s directions to The Singing Seahorse, climbing up the path between all the quaint shops nestled into one side of the island’s tallest hill, until I reach Third Street, where the pub is located.
The old limestone building’s facade is covered in coral roses, climbing up from the ground, around the heavy mahogany door and paned windows, until they hug the tiled roof.
Cupping my hands around my eyes, I press my face against a window, finding it devoid of any life.
Could Marisol be in the back? Or is she still taking time off?
“Can we help you?” someone asks behind me. I turn to see two elderly ladies, one human and one goblin with some very remarkable earrings, giving me blatantly assessing once-overs from the shop next door.
Ambling closer to them, I try to present myself as unthreatening as possible, keeping my arms loosely at my sides and offering them a sincere smile. “Hi, I’m Silas Morgan. I’m looking for Marisol.”
The ladies exchange a loaded look and I swallow hard before explaining more, “She told me I can find her at The Singing Seahorse, but maybe I’m too early. Your island guardian gave me directions to the pub.”
The goblin holds out a hand and beckons me closer. “Come inside and have a seat, Silas. We’d love to hear more about how you know our Marisol.”
My shoulders relax and my lips stretch into a wide grin. “Protective of her, aren’t you? That makes me very happy to hear.”
Lucille—the owner of The Dancing Daisy, the bookstore next to Marisol’s pub—makes us some tea while Doc Calla—the town doctor and matriarch from what I’ve pieced together—politely grills me with questions.
“Would you like to tell us more about your intentions with Marisol?” Doc Calla asks, cradling the delicate cup and saucer in her long-fingered hands.
I sit up a bit straighter and say frankly, “I want her to be part of our pack.”
The heavy lines around Lucille’s eyes deepen with her smile. “A panther who knows what he wants.”
My chest puffs out a little more as I gently amend, “A panther, a wolf, and a fox who know what they want.”
“Meaningful correction,” Doc Calla remarks, approval radiating from her in palpable waves. “And what does your siren want?”
“Us, we hope. But we haven’t given her enough reasons to be part of our pack yet. And after seeing your beautiful island, I can understand why she’d never want to leave.” I aim for as much candor as I can manage without betraying Marisol’s confidence. She never gave us any instructions about whom we can and cannot talk to, but I’d rather not say something she’d not be comfortable with others knowing. Yet, something tells me getting two thumbs-up from her town’s matriarchs would go a long way toward winning Marisol’s heart.
Doc Calla’s intelligent eyes roam over my face, and I have a feeling she’s able to see right through me and down to my soul. “Marisol might not want to leave, but Starry Hill will always welcome any creature seeking to start a life here. But we’re getting a tad ahead of ourselves now, aren’t we?”
I preen under the subtle compliment and her acceptance. “It’s good to know about all the possibilities.” Needing to strike while the iron is hot, I ask, “You ladies have any other advice for me?”
Lucille’s hand trembles as she lowers her cup. “I tell you what worked for me. Actions. They always speak louder than words. That expression isn’t a cliché for no reason. That’s how my Lochan won me over at first, rest his soul. Woo your siren. Court her. Keep showing up for her. Give her space, she’s Marisol after all, but don’t let her ever doubt that she’s always present in your minds and hearts.”
Doc Calla points a long finger in agreement. “Everyone wants to feel like a priority. Show herhowyou’ll prioritize her.”
I nod at their suggestions, my confidence bolstered that their advice lines up with what Bash, Killian, and I already haveplanned for the coming week and beyond. Knowing we have the support of two prominent locals also just means so much more. It truly warms my heart to see how much Marisol is loved by her community and how deeply they care for her.
This isn’t a competition where she has to choose. We want to show her how she can have it all—Starry Hillandus.
Half a cup later, Doc Calla asks, “Are you coming to the Halloween party?”
Tilting my head to the side, I look between my Starry Hill chaperones. “You’re having a party?”
“Oh yes,” Lucille says over the rim of her dainty cup. “Marisol and Maisie had the idea to host something, but the whole town is involved now. It’s going to be pretty impressive from what I can tell. And perhaps a good place to get acquainted with the rest of Starry Hill’s residents too.” The not-too-subtle suggestion isn’t lost on me and I truly appreciate their kind prodding—I dare not think of it as meddling.
