Page 5 of The Lost Siren

“Yes. And you are Wren.”

I pushed forward, wanting—noneeding—more answers.

“And you’re all...Drakens?” He blinked slowly. I looked away, unable to stand that fiery, purple gaze.

“Whyme?” I finally managed, still unable to figure out what this handsome, strong creature would possibly want with me.

“You were there. I chose you.” He made it sound so simple.

“And the ‘crying blonde’? What about her?"

He snorted, an animalistic sound that reminded me of the horses back in the stables.

“She was a deal with Crullfed; a human female sacrificed to the Drakens, and in return, I released a debt he owed me. I took you instead.”

How did he do that, answering my questions only to create more?

“But why?”I couldn’t put into words why this was so important; why itmatteredthat this man, this...Drakenhad chosen me over a beautiful, young blonde who could likely fetch a small fortune at any auction.

“You said yes.”

He said with a finality that quelled any other questions I had. I tripped as he yanked me forwardagain, wondering if all Drakens were this pushy, or just men in general. He gave me a second shove, and my temper snapped. I was not adogor acow, and I would be damned if I were led to my slaughter like one.

He raised his hand over his head, and I instantly panicked, thinking he was going to strike me. My knife was free from its tie at my waist and buried in his shoulder a second later. I didn’t have time to regret my actions as he whirled around, hissing in pain. Stars exploded against my eyes as he threw me into the stone wall, more by reflex than intention, if the moment of panic on his face was anything to go by. I fell as my vision swam, stunned by the blow. He pulled the knife from his shoulder, his lips thinned in displeasure. The wound healed over and was gone before the knife clattered on the ground. If I’d done this at the breeding house, I would be dead without question.

“Was that your grand plan to murder me? Crullfed put you up to it, didn’t he? This was his plan the whole time!That’swhy you agreed to come with me!” He sounded genuinely upset, and I think that was what I found most bewildering. Benedict meant to intimidate by hauling me up roughly, his fangs glistening inches from my neck. The world kept spinning around me, so the effect was wasted.

“Thought...you were gonna hit me.” The words were slurred, but I was proud I’d pushed them out. He froze, then his face went blank. I wasn’t sure if he believed me.

“A bitextremereaction,” he hissed mildly, and set me down roughly on my feet. “Walk, then. And just...know thatno onehere will strike you.No one.” His hand lingered on my face, brushing my lip with his thumb. I nodded furiously to appease him, but I didn’t believe him. He wasonebeing in a sea of those who could easily hurt me. You shouldn’t make promises you couldn’t keep.

I tried to walk; I really did. The first step went fine, but on the second I veered wildly to the side and almost collided with the wall again. He huffed in irritation and picked me up. Before I could protest, his nose was buried in my hair, sniffing.

“I bathed,” I protested, my eyes crossing as my head continued to pound. Nausea curled its way up my stomach, and I fought against it.

“Can you pull yourself together, or should I carry you? You’re concussed.” He must have smelled something bad because his imperious tone held a sliver of worry. I wriggled and he set me down again. His heavy arm came around my shoulder, and carefully he helped guide me forward.

“You’re the first one I’ve ever hit back, if it makes you feel better.” I was talking mostly to distract myself from the nausea, so I missed the expression of annoyance then shock on his face. His expression relaxed, and he let out an irritated sigh.

“If you were truly afraid, then I am sorry."

I almost fell over in shock as he gave me no time to respond, instead pushing me forward. The hallway ended, opening back up into the great hall. The men roared upon seeing us, and my heart dropped in my chest as I stared out over a sea ofcreatures. The men from before were gone, instead replaced with creatures like Benedict. Their odd, shimmering skin made sense as their scales glinted at me. The creatures all ranged in shape and color, from reds and yellows to greens and blues. Bright colors gathered at their wrists and neck, reaching down their backs and blending seamlessly with darker colors on their wings and lower body. Their hands ended in sharp, black claws, and hundreds of fangs flashed at me as I looked out from my vantage point on the raised dais. They stood spaced apart to give each other room from the spikes on their spines.

“My people,” Benedict rumbled from his place beside me.

I choked down my reaction as he shifted into his own Draken form, his obsidian, purple-tipped wings lightly brushing my shoulder. A moment later D’Arcy was there, and the strange ceremony began.

THREE

There were no words, just a deep humming that started with Benedict. He began with a low note, a deep rumbling vocalization that vibrated the floor and sent goosebumps racing up my arms. The other Drakens picked up his note, until it felt like I was being consumed by it, drowning in a sea of sound as hundreds of Drakens sang in unison. Benedict grasped my hand in his left, and the other he placed gently on the side of my face. The pitch changed, and half of the Drakens changed with him. I focused on the rough feeling of his scales against my skin and closed my eyes. The wide, open harmony had me on edge; clearing the nausea from my mind and allowing me to think clearly. His lips placed a chaste kiss on my forehead, and each of my cheeks, all the while he kept up his drone. Didn’t he need to breathe at some point? As he finished, D’Arcy raised a hand, and Benedict changed his pitch again. This time, no one joined him, instead maintaining their own notes.

Outwardly, I kept my face blank, but inside I was in awe. How IwishedI could sing! I had always wanted to learn, but music was forbidden in the breeding house. My heart wished to join him, and a nagging voice in my brain that told me to do it anyway; to join in with these men around me. I wanted to so badly, but fear clamped my tongue. Benedict’s voice soared on its own wordless melody, the notes caressing my soul as I closed my eyes to justlisten. Then his lips were on mine, and I parted them on instinct. As his mouth moved against me, a small warble pulled itself from my throat, weak and audible only to him. He smirked and pulled away.

Immediately all sound stopped; it was almost deafening how quickly the hall went silent. D’Arcy raised our joined hands, presenting us to the Drakens assembled.

“May the best Drakens join the Court!”

The Drakens called their assent in a series of cries and calls, the sound reminding me of the falcons who hunted in the meadows near the breeding house. Then, it was over. I blinked, my nausea and pounding headache returning with a vengeance. I realized Benedict had gestured and was waiting for me to walk ahead of him.

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