Page 19

Legacy

All sirens are born with gifts, powers as natural as the tides, woven into their very essence.

These are no mere spells, but the legacy of the ocean itself.

Hydrokinesis. Invisibility. Breath beneath the waves.

These three form the core of their being.

But among them, a few, alongside the mighty Tritons, can take human form.

This gift is sacred… and feared.

It demands strength of spirit and a bond with the ocean’s heart.

And when transformation comes, it brings searing pain.

Those who walk both land and sea do so with reverence and caution, ever aware of the ancient forces that shaped their fate.

* * *

Adrian

She didn’t return after our last encounter, leaving me with a whirlwind of unanswered questions and an irritating frustration that refused to dissipate. The restlessness inside me grew, as if something vital was shifting, demanding my attention.

With Iryen gone, I felt an overwhelming urge to delve into this energy surging through me, a power that buzzed beneath my skin, begging to be unleashed. It was time to explore this unknown part of myself, to confront the chaos brewing within.

Every inch of my body thrummed with unfamiliar energy. The power buzzed beneath my skin and hummed in my ears as if it were begging to be released. The water swirled around me, reflecting my turmoil and echoing my doubts.

Stepping closer to the water, a shiver danced down my spine, awakening a darkness deep within me. The surface glimmered like a thousand diamonds.

The coolness was inviting yet intimidating, a stark contrast to the warmth of my skin.

I dipped my fingers in, and a rush of sensations flooded over me.

The water enveloped my hand like a lover’s caress, cool and soothing yet alive with energy.

With each ripple, I felt echoes of memories, whispers of the ocean calling to me, urging me to surrender to its depths.

Salty scent mingled with the fresh air, wrapping around me like a protective shroud, igniting a sense of belonging and awakening my latent powers. This wasn’t just water, it was a part of me, a sacred tie waiting to be unlocked.

As I dipped my feet into the water, it lapped around my ankles, sending tiny jolts of sensation up my legs. I could sense the life within the ocean, each droplet alive with its own energy. It thrummed with vitality, a heartbeat that pulsed in time with my own, drawing me in deeper.

Closing my eyes, I let out a slow breath, seeking calm amid the storm of emotions swirling inside me. I focused on the rhythm of the water, allowing my instincts to take over.

The moment I surrendered to the energy, the waters responded instantly, swirling around me as if they were aware of my desires.

I felt every current, every ripple, as though the ocean had become an extension of myself, a mirror reflecting my potential.

With a gentle lift of my hand, the water obeyed, first rippling softly and then forming a larger wave that bent and twisted at my command.

It was intoxicating, this connection like tasting freedom for the first time after years of captivity. I reveled in the sensation, the power coursing through me like a vibrant thread weaving together my humanity and something far more foreign.

I let the energy guide me, feeling it swell within my chest, filling me with confidence. Envisioned the water responding, shaping itself to my will. I could create anything, a spiral of droplets rising into the air, or a barrier of water that sparkled in the fading light.

With each movement, the thrill grew, igniting a fire in my veins. I felt invincible, as though I could command the ocean itself. But beneath that exhilaration, a whisper of caution lingered.

What if I lost control? What if this newfound power consumed me instead of serving me?

Shaking off the doubt, I focused harder, channeling the energy and drawing on the depths of my emotions: anger, frustration, fear. I twisted them into the water, feeling it respond with even greater fervor.

The pond bubbled and swirled around me, dancing in a way that felt both exhilarating and frightening.

A smirk tugged at my lips. The power was raw, pure potential, and it was mine.

But there was something deeper, something more.

I focused harder, reaching out with my thoughts, and suddenly the water darkened, the current shifting, growing colder.

I pushed the waves outward, and they roared to life, turning violent, like a storm gathering just beneath the surface.

And then, I felt it, something else brewing, deep in my core. A connection to the ocean itself, as if the very tides obeyed me. With just a thought, I felt the water pulse, responding to my will. I wasn’t just bending it, but commanding it.

But as exhilarating as it was, a part of me hesitated. This power felt limitless, but it also felt dangerous. I thought of her. Was this what she’d known all along?

The realization hit me like a wave crashing against the shore. That’s why she meant.

You’re not a prisoner, but you will remain here, at least until we understand who you are and whether you’re a threat to our existence.

Her words echoed in my mind, a warning that felt all too real now. I was a threat to them, to myself, and to those I cared about. The thought sent a chill down my spine.

The water swirled around me, reflecting my inner turmoil, mirroring my doubts. I clenched my fists, feeling the energy hum beneath my skin, both exhilarating and terrifying.

I had only learned what I could do, but could I manage it? Would I be able to keep my power in check when faced with the chaotic emotions that swirled within me?

I took a deep breath, steadying myself against the flood of uncertainty. With a last surge of energy, I stopped messing with the powers I was yet to fully understand. The water settled around me, the ripples gradually smoothing out as if in response to my decision.

My heartbeat slowed, and the intoxicating rush of energy that had been coursing through me faded, leaving behind a hollow ache.

It was a reminder of how little control I truly had over this force, something that felt as natural as breathing, yet as dangerous as a blade in untrained hands.

I need to control the temptation to push further, to explore every edge of this energy. Power without understanding was reckless, and I couldn’t afford to make mistakes, not now, not when my life was on the line.

The water still hummed with electricity beneath my feet, a quiet promise of what I could become if I mastered it. But I had to be patient, to learn its ways before I let it define me.

There was too much at stake to give in to the reckless curiosity I felt pulling at me. I can afford to be curious again.

And when she returns. I’ll have my answers.

* * *

I was lying on the floor looking at the moon through the crack in the ceiling, the silvery light casting an eerie glow across the water. It illuminated the surface, creating reflections that danced in the gentle current. The sight was hauntingly beautiful.

The quiet moment felt like a fragile pause, only to shatter as a figure surged from the water, breaking the stillness with an abrupt and unsettling splash. My heart jolted as I sat up, and instinctively glanced toward the pond, fully expecting to see Iryen’s beautiful face emerge.

But it wasn’t her.

A woman with fiery red hair that clung to her wet sun-kissed skin rose from the water, her bright turquoise eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my pulse quicken. Her deep crimson tail gleamed beneath the surface, catching the light in a way that made her appear dangerous.

I immediately stood and backed away, every muscle tensing as memories of the last time I was alone with a siren flooded my mind. I wasn’t ready to repeat that. Not now. Never again.

The air thickened with tension, her presence unsettling. I kept my eyes on her, my guard up. Whoever she was, I sensed the energy radiating from her, in heated crests of ember flames, and I wasn’t about to let my guard down, not this time.

“Who are you?” I asked, my voice low, trying to mask the wariness that gripped me.

“I’m Elora, a close friend of princess Iryen,” she said fiercely, her voice sharp and unwavering. “And captain of her royal guard.”

Princess. Iryen was indeed royalty. An heir to their throne. Another reminder of just how little I knew about her world and the complicated web I was now entangled in.

It made sense, though, the way Iryen carried herself, the authority in her voice, and the depth of her power. And now this woman, Elora, stood before me, fierce and commanding.

Captain.

It suited her. How she moved, the way her eyes seemed to challenge me without fear or hesitation. Everything about her screamed loyalty, as if protecting Iryen was as natural to her as breathing.

Though I still kept my distance, backing away, wary of another encounter with a siren. Elora’s sharp eyes tracked the movement, her lips tugging in the corner in a knowing smirk.

“Afraid?” she asked, her eyes glinting under the light and amusement rolled from her tongue.

I narrowed my gaze, refusing to let her get under my skin.

“Cautious,” I corrected, my voice steady. “Last time I got close to one of your kind, I nearly drowned.”

Her smirk widened, the challenge in her eyes growing bolder.

“You’re still standing, aren’t you?” She flicked her tail lazily, sending small ripples through the water. “Besides, if I wanted to harm you, you’d be dead by now.”

Her words ring in the air as a warning, making me scowl and retreat another step. There was no mistaking the deadly skill she possessed.

Everything about Elora screamed confidence, like someone who had never faced a situation she couldn’t win. But I had learned my lesson. Looks could deceive, and I wasn’t about to underestimate anyone in this world. Especially not someone as unpredictable as her.