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Story: The Siren

“I know,” Lucienne said. “The Siren’s touch will awaken it.” And she touched the Eye.

Her back arched, Lucienne flew backwards. Vladimir instantly reacted, leaping to catch her, but was too late. “Orlando!” he called urgently.

Orlando, six feet away, acted instinctively. His hand caught Lucienne, but the force was too strong. They both crashed to the ground, with Lucienne landing on top of him. Vladimir ran to them and checked her head for injuries.

“I’m fine,” Lucienne said, despite the pain in her ribs. “Orlando took most of it.” She shot to her feet and turned to Orlando with a concerned look.

The warrior got up, massaging his back. “What was that?” he asked.

Her cheeks flushing with anger, Lucienne stormed back toward the gate. The Eye rejected her! Why? She was the Siren. She was the only one who could—unless someone had stolen her thunder.

“I suggest proceeding with caution,” Vladimir said, keeping up with her.

“Someone activated it,” Lucienne said. “But he didn’t take it. According to the scroll, the Eye of Time will kill anyone who touches it except the Destined One.”

“It didn’t kill you,” Vladimir offered. “And we’re not sure if it’s the Eye of Time.”

“It’s of little comfort that it spared me,” Lucienne said bitterly.

“It offers great comfort to me that you’re alright,” Vladimir said. “Don’t just think of your own feelings.”

Lucienne shot Vladimir a look before focusing on the Eye again. It stared right back. “Someone else has entered the game without our knowledge.” A troubled look clouded her eyes.

“That Eye’s creepy.” Vladimir studied it.

“It’s sentient. I can feel its intelligence,” Lucienne said, “but it’s like looking at it through a glass door.”

Vladimir pulled out a palm-sized data display from his pocket, “Let’s give it a test ride,” and scanned the Eye.

Readouts flashed on the window of the data display, lighting up its visage. Vladimir rasped, “The Eye’s atomic and mass numbers indicate that it’s millions of years old.”

“The scroll says that the Eye of Time came into existence before time formed on Earth.” Lucienne laid a hand on Vladimir’s arm. “Itisthe Eye of Time and it’s staring right at our faces.”

Vladimir placed his callous hand on top of hers. “I’d go to the end of the universe with you even if we were chasing an illusion, you know that.”

“You’ve become unhappy doing that.”

“I’m only frustrated we can’t—I was afraid we would never be together, and that was ripping me apart from inside,” Vladimir sighed ruefully. Then new hope brightened his face. “Everything has changed. We’ve found the Eye of Time.” He studied Lucienne’s face as she withdrew her hand from his, a raw fear rising into his eyes, turning his hazel color to shadow brown. “You still want me, right?”

“What if I don’t?”

Swallowing, Vladimir said in a devastated tone, “I’ll make you want me again. I’ll gain your trust back. Even if you grow sick and tired of me, I won’t let you go.” His voice turned harsh. “I don’t have much choice. I can’t look at other women while you’re on this planet.”

“And that’s my fault?”

“No.”

“My trust in you hasn’t diminished.”

Vladimir blinked, his eyes turning back to a pair of shining stars deep in space. “You really mean that?”

“You need a token or something, prince?” She tilted her head to look at him.

Vladimir laughed softly. The smile on his face radiated. The heat they’d both held back for too long was rekindled, burning away all the unhappy hours they’d spent apart. Vladimir turned his smoldering gaze to Lucienne’s lips. She knew what he desired the most—a kiss. A kiss with all the promise of deliciousness, tenderness, and long-delayed fulfillment.

“Not yet, Vladimir!” she warned.

“I’m not a fool,” he whispered. “I know we must find the portal first. We’ll find it. Look how we’ve already secured the impossible. Nothing can stop us now, and I’m a patient man.”