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Story: The Siren

“King Henry,” said Lucienne, rising to her feet, “I’ve just received a new message from the gods.”

The king blinked and stood up abruptly to pay respect to the gods. The chair under him creaked. “Did the gods tell you where Ashburn the Extra hid their magic box?” He rubbed his mustache tensely. “I must have it back. My kingdom depends on it!”

Clement and her husband’s faces went ashen.

“The gods are displeased with you and your guards’ cruel manners,” Lucienne said. “They believe the Furys are now too scared to make a sound.”

“My subjects will talk,” the king said. “I’ll make them beg to talk.”

“I’ll conduct my own interview,” Lucienne said. “Now leave.”

King Henry glared at Lucienne. She glared back. The king then threw a threatening look at the farmer couple and shouted his resentment at them. Peder and Clement clung to each other, shuddering in fear.

“King Henry, don’t even think of touching the Furys again. They’re off limits to you and your guards. The gods have assigned them to me with this investigation,” Lucienne added. “My Sky Eye will be watching. Any harm comes to them, you and your guards will risk bringing the gods’ wrath.”

Clenching his fists, the king left. Containing their hatred, the guards followed their king out of the Fury house.

Ziyi stuck her tongue out at their receding figures and slammed the door behind them. “What a nasty bunch,” she said.

“Cam,” Lucienne ordered, “open the luggage.”

The giant unzipped one of the bags, revealing a stack of winter coats.

Lucienne removed two sets and handed them to Peder and Clement. “They’ll keep you warmer than your blankets.”

Peder hesitated, but Clement shrugged off her blanket and put on a long feather coat. “It’s warm, husband.” She turned to Lucienne, eyes tearing up again. “Thank you, Queen Lucienne.”

“Lucienne,” she said with a smile. “I’ll leave the rest of the coats in your keep. You can distribute them to your people.” From the conversation with Violet, she had learned the Furys were treated as third class citizens because of the prince’s hatred of their son. She was hoping this small favor—letting the Furys hand the coats to theircommunity members—would raise the Furys’ status and earn them their neighbors’ gratitude.

In her warm coat, Clement invited Lucienne to the inner garden at the back of the house.

Panels of woods, glass, and steel lined the open courtyard. The style reminded Lucienne of a postmodern Montreal U-house she once drove by. The garden was in between the U-shaped space with a wealth of flora—rows of crimson tulips, white peonies, and other hybrids. The Furys hid this beauty in the back of their house, away from the prying sight of their fellows.

“They’re lovely,” Lucienne said.

“The only blossoms that still exist in the kingdom are in my wife’s garden,” Peder said proudly.

“They’re going to fade,” Clement sighed. “We thought winter was only a tale, but now we’re living through it. If the gods’ light doesn’t return, my garden will be gone forever.”

Violet, the red-haired girl, emerged from the backyard and joined the group.

“Does the gods’ magic box provide everything?” Lucienne inquired.

“Light, heat, and water,” said Peder. “Everything. The gods built Nirvana for us.”

“It has nothing to do with the gods,” Violet cut in. “Ash said a hidden machine controls the air and everything else. We can’t see them, but Ash could.”

Lucienne studied Violet’s face. Did she mean Ashburn knew the Eye of Time had been a life-support system for Nirvana?

“Enough of the crazy talk,” Clement chided Violet.

“If Ash were here, he’d fix everything,” Violet said. “We must find him.”

“My soldiers are still searching for him,” Lucienne said.

“We can’t thank you enough, Queen Lucienne.” Clement dabbed at her tears, pausing. “What if you find my son, and he’s . . . he’s—” she forced the words out. “What if he’s cursed?”

“Mrs. Fury!” Violet looked shocked. “Ash is your son!”