Page 21

Evelyn

I can’t believe this is happening. Less than a week ago, I didn’t have a single care in the world outside of exploring the island and the waves just off the shore, loving my sister, and keeping the Elders happy.

How did things get so complicated so quickly?

Now, I was crying over a man I hardly knew, but who fully held the key to my heart.

Letting the tears stream down my cheeks, I set a determined pace towards the beach where I told Mathius we would meet.

Even if I didn’t know how to get Kai off this island, I was going to get some answers about why he forgot his brother and what happened to all those men who used to care so much about leaving this place.

If anyone remembered, it would be the one who outlived them all.

Keeping my pace to the beach, I crash into Katarina as she makes her way out of the Elder's hut. Suspicion roils in my gut. What was she doing there?

Pull it together, Evelyn; this is your sister.

I just need to ask her for the truth about the Elixir. She would never lie to me.

“Kat, why were you with the Elders?” I ask with more accusation than I intend.

“I was just visiting with Florence. I want to make sure everything is absolutely perfect for the celebration tonight,” she says gleefully, “It’s not every day we get new sailors on our shores, and it has been so long since I’ve seen you take an interest in our traditions.

I want to make sure everything is perfect. ”

She stares intently at me, looking for me to share in her excitement. I want so desperately to feel that everything is normal, but I know in my heart that there is something they’re not telling me. But I’ve also never asked, so maybe they’re not hiding anything, perhaps I’ve just never cared.

How could I be so stupid?

Katarina and I have always been close, even though she’s my half sister, we grew up together.

She knew our mother and loved her fiercely.

She kept Aurelia’s memory alive for me during our childhood.

She taught me how to use my magic and my first siren’s song.

Florence raised me and will always feel like a mother to me, but Katarina was the guiding presence I always needed.

Over the years, when she grew more beautiful with each passing day and caught the eye of the men in our village, I could feel her slipping away, becoming the woman she was always destined to be.

She would make a fierce Elder if ever permitted. She was loyal and kind, confident and flirtatious. She was fair and hardworking, but always knew how to have fun. Her laugh was infectious, and being around her felt like catching a falling star—pure magic.

I loved her even as we grew apart. Where I stay in the background, keeping to myself and letting my passions veer towards daydreaming about leaving this place one day. She has always been so confident, the center of everyone’s world, and never shy to tell me about all her conquests.

So why was I holding back? I should just ask her.

I draw in a breath to steel my nerves and finally ask, “Kat, did you know that when the men drink the Elder Elixir, they lose their memories? After Kai took the Elixir, he seemed to shift into someone completely new.” I pace, “We went for a swim, and when I asked about his brother—you remember, the one he was sailing out to his death for. He said, ‘Who? What brother?’ He didn’t even remember he had a brother. ”

I stop my pacing and turn towards Kat, hoping she’s just as confused as I am, or thinking she might be looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. But she looks like she’s doing everything she can not to laugh.

“Kat…what is going on? What’s so funny?” I try to keep my irritation in check, but everything feels like it’s unraveling in front of me, and I’m the only one who’s not in on the joke. I’ve buried my head in the sand for so long, but the time for that has passed.

I want answers.

“Eve, of course the Elder flower changes them. What do you think we’re doing at the ceremony?

How do you think we’ve been able to keep these men alive for so long?

Don’t you notice that none of them die anymore?

They no longer build those silly boats. They don’t age as quickly.

Look at Mathius, he’s centuries old. Did you not notice any of this? ” Katarina sweeps her hands out wide.

“Well…no,” I whisper, feeling incredibly foolish. “I guess, I remember years ago when I used to help the sailors build their ships and tried to help them out past the storm. But I thought they were just worn down from seeing their friend's parish, and that’s why they gave up.”

Exasperated, Kat sighs and grasps my shoulders. “Sis, the men were dying. Good men, who got caught in a horrible storm and shipwrecked on our shores, but what is worse? Sailing to your death or living your life here in paradise.”

I bite back what I really want to say—a paradise for whom? And instead, relent, “Okay, but what does that have to do with the Elixir?”

“Long ago, the Elders and others got together to work on a solution. A way to stop these men from sacrificing themselves for false hope, a dream that would never come true. They created a potion, the Elixir, that would give them some of our gifts. The ability to breathe underwater for one. So they could live and thrive here. We thought if they could do that, then maybe they would be happier with their life here and want to stay. But there were some…unforeseen side effects.”

“What kind of side effects?”

“Well, memory loss for one. People were dying, E. And I know you were only working to get them back to their lives, but we had to do something. It’s been like this for years, and I’m sorry you didn’t realize it, but you’ve had your head in those mountains and caves for so long. I really didn’t think you would care.”

She was right. I’ve been lost in my own world for so long, staying away from all this, that I had no idea what was going on right in front of me.

I am a fool. “Well, I care now, Kat. I care about Kai, and I’m worried about him.

I don’t want him to get so lost in this place that he forgets who he is and who his brother is.

As much as I love spending time with him, the guilt would eat me alive. ”

“Eve, I understand.. I really do, but it’s what’s best for all of us.

Why don’t you go talk to Florence? Tell her how you feel.

She can explain all of this better than I can.

” She cups the side of my face, wiping away a stray tear that’s rolled down my cheek.

“And Eve, I’m so glad you finally found someone, but be careful.

Your heart is a precious thing. Guard it well. ”

“Thank you, Katerina. I don’t know what I would do without you.” I pull her into a tight hug, feeling a weight lifting off my shoulders and my mind whirling at what to do next.

“I don’t either,” she laughs lightly. “But I have a date with a tall, dark, and handsome man and a celebration to prepare for. I will see you tonight, sis.”

She walks away, swaying her hips and humming our mother’s favorite song. I take a few deep, steadying breaths. I need to talk to Florence and figure out what all of this means. Does the memory loss that the Elixir causes last forever? I hope not.

I will go talk with Florence right after I find Mathius, who is still waiting for me at the beach, but as I walk past the Elder’s hut, I overhear my name.

“Evelyn can’t know what the Elixir is actually for.”

“Of course not, do you think I’m an idiot?”

I gasp and fly backwards, shocked by hearing Florence and Yvette speaking about me. I lean towards the door to see if I can hear more.

“It’s best if she never knows what the storm can do.

And how it was made. Florence, you know her, better than any of us and she has never wanted anything more than to leave this place and now with this Kai running out sucking her into a trance, she will become more determined than ever to help him leave.

She. Can. Not. Know.” Yvette bites out, emphasizing every word.

“I swear on the Elder Creed that she will never find out what really happened to her mother or how to leave this island,” Florence says, exhaustion coating her words. “She has no idea how cruel the world can be, and if I can protect her, I swear on all my songs I will.”

My mind reels, and I stumble backward. My breath comes in short bursts, and I grapple with the gravity of what I just heard. There are too many things, too many secrets, and hidden truths. What really happened to my mother? What are they saying? There’s a way off Kafigda?

Gods, there is a way off the island. How could they keep something like that from me, from all of us?

I can’t pull in a full breath, and the edges of my vision start to darken.

What is happening? I now suddenly have so many more questions than answers.

I can feel my heart cleaving in two at the thought of a woman I love so fiercely keeping something like this from me.

Florence has been the closest thing I have ever had to a mother, and yet, she’s been keeping the thing I desire most from me. Freedom.

Not to mention Yvette, she promised to lead and protect all of us sirens. How could she keep this from everyone? Squeezing my eyes shut, I try to steady my racing thoughts.

Just then, the door to the hut creaks open, and Florence steps out onto the sand, glancing around as if looking for someone. Her eyes land directly on me with my flushed cheeks and shaking frame.

“Evie, my dear, what is the matter? You look as if you’re going to faint, child.” She gently places her hands on my shoulders, and her touch makes me want to scream.

“I’m fine, Florence,” I say, wishing desperately to wiggle out from under her grip. “Kai and I just rushed down from the caves. We wanted to make sure we didn’t miss the ceremony.” I give her a half smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes.

“Okay, well, the ceremony doesn’t start for a little bit, so why don’t you and Kai go relax beforehand? There’s nothing you need to worry about. Where is he?” She looks around pointedly.

“He went to freshen up,” I say nervously. After what I just heard, I can’t afford to ask her about the Elixir or tell her about my fight with Kai. “But that sounds like a perfect idea. I will go look for him and get him prepped for the ceremony. Wouldn’t want to miss it.”

“You two seem awfully smitten. It warms my heart to see you so happy, my dear. You deserve the world. And I know Aurelia would love to see you two together.”

My eyes begin to well with tears at the mention of my mother.

The tidal wave of emotions I’ve been battling for the last few hours comes bubbling to the surface, clawing at the back of my throat.

A sob retches free, and I fall into Florence’s embrace, as many unanswered questions as I have and secrets everyone seems to be keeping from me, I allow myself this moment.

My life feels like it changed in the blink of an eye, and right now I need this small comfort.

Florence rubs circles on my back, not fully understanding where these tears are coming from, but she is as close to a mother as I’ve ever had, and sometimes, we don’t need words.

I lean out of her embrace and stare at the face of the woman who raised me. The woman who cared for me since before I could remember, who taught me to question the world and explore Kafigda, and yet I feel like there is so much she’s hiding from me.

“Thank you, Flo,” I wipe away the tears with the back of my hand. “I think I need to go find Kai and make sure everything is in order for tonight.”

She looks at me like she’s about to share something, and I wait, praying to the gods that she will tell me the truth. But I know in my heart, she would never go against Yvette.

“I’m happy for you, Eve, and I’m so proud. I know she would be too.”

She walks away, leaving me feeling rung out and exhausted. I need to find Kai and Mathius, so I head towards the beach where I promised Mathius we would meet, mulling over the last twenty-four hours as I make my way to the golden shores.