Page 27 of When the Wicked Sing (The Leruna Sea #1)

Their heads turned, and Mariana saw two people standing in the doorway. The glaring bright light of dawn in the background cast them in shadows.

The tallest one cleared their throat. “Sorry for the interruption. I wanted to see how you were doing.” Their deep voice, rich and smooth, like silk brushing along weathered river rocks, resonated with a soothing melody. It was soft, yet low and full of life.

As they stepped inside and closed the door, Dax tugged on his shirt and shoes.

“Mari, this is Spiro, the village leader.”

Spiro smiled warmly at her. “I’m so happy to see you’re awake, Mariana.” Their bright emerald eyes, tender and mesmerizing, seemed almost familiar. Framed by white lashes and arched eyebrows, those striking eyes stood out against the gray hue of their skin.

Spiro waited patiently for a response, gaze unwavering as Mariana observed the leader. Their black and white dreadlocks were half tied back, revealing high cheekbones and a strong jaw .

Mariana crossed her arms, burying her hands into the cozy robe. “Hello,” she greeted nervously, unsure what else to say to the stranger.

The second person, standing behind the leader, poked their head around and smiled brightly.

“Hi, I’m Kenna,” she said, then glanced at Dax with an arched brow. “Thanks for the intro, Dax, so nice of you.”

Dax scowled. “Mari, this is my impatient sister, Kenna. There, happy?”

Kenna continued smiling. Her high cheekbones and the curve of her lips were similar to Dax’s, but her eyes were more like spring green. Her thick black braid was draped over one shoulder, streaks of white woven between. White and black hair, just like Spiro’s …

It clicked that all three of them were family, yet Mariana couldn’t quite discern whether Spiro was their mother or father. Their facial features had a blend of both masculine and feminine traits.

“May I touch your hand, my dear?” Spiro asked gently, extending their hand toward her with a delicate motion.

Not seeing anything wrong with the request, she lifted her left hand and placed it into Spiro’s warm palm.

Their long fingers were adorned with a unique silver ring, and small white tattoos marked the spaces between each knuckle.

Before she could study the intricate symbols further, she felt a strange vibration emanate from Spiro’s hands.

A soothing warmth spread up her arm toward her heart, and Mariana felt her anxiety slipping away.

She met Spiro’s eyes, recognizing the strange sensation; it reminded her of Cybele’s radiating power, an energy current thrumming beneath their skin.

When Spiro pulled their hands away, the sensation faded. “Your body is recovering smoothly.”

“You’re a healer,” Mariana said in awe. “I didn’t know any fae could do that.”

Spiro’s lips curved into a small smile. “My mother was a healer. I was fortunate enough to inherit her power. But I cannot heal everything.”

Mariana hesitated, her voice faltering with trepidation. “Do you know what was done to me?”

Spiro sighed, their attention flickering to Kenna and Dax, who were quietly bickering with each other. Clearing their throat, they glanced over their shoulder at the two. “Can we have the room, please?”

Kenna nodded, pulling her black jacket tighter around her shoulders. She shot a glare at Dax before stepping out.

Grabbing his cloak, Dax motioned toward the door. “I’ll be right outside if you need me.”

Spiro tilted their head. “Perhaps you should go put on some dry clothes, hmm? Before you catch an illness even I cannot heal.” The suggestion was more of a command than a request.

Dax bit the inside of his cheek, and Mariana had to hide her smile behind a cough. He hesitated, meeting her gaze.

She gave him a small nod.

Spiro waved a hand. “Go on. We’ll be fine.”

“Alright,” Dax muttered, tugging his coat tighter as he left.

The door closed softly, leaving an unfamiliar stillness behind .

Spiro let out a heavy sigh, their smile faint and brittle. They reached out and gently squeezed Mariana’s hand.

“It’s a binding spell.”

Mariana frowned. “A binding spell?”

Spiro nodded. “The spell took time to take root. Your body rejected it so fiercely, it nearly killed you. I was able to calm the resistance, to help your body relax, accept the transformation, and complete the spell.”

Mariana’s stomach dropped. “Why?”

“It was the only way to save your life. I can still feel your energy, the same way I can feel the forest’s energy. It’s as though the siren within you is caged—present, but hidden away.”

The room suddenly felt smaller, like the walls were inching closer. Mariana clenched her fists against her lap as hope, fragile and dangerous, was kindled in her chest. Her voice cracked when she asked, “Can you undo it?”

Spiro hesitated. Their lips parted, but the words seemed to falter on their tongue. They took a slow, deliberate breath before answering. “It’s an ancient spell, an extremely powerful one. It would have gravely impacted the caster just as much as it did you. May I ask who did this to you?”

Mariana released a shuddering sigh and lowered herself onto the edge of the bed. Her hands gripped the blankets beneath her. “My mother.”

Spiro’s head tilted slightly, expression unreadable. They pulled a nearby stool closer, sitting across from her with calm precision. “Queen Cybele?”

Mariana’s head snapped up, surprise flaring in her wide eyes. “Yes. How did you know? ”

“You remind me of her—strong, brave, determined.” Spiro studied her carefully, their gaze both calm and piercing.

“Your mother is incredibly skilled and a master of her power. She would have known the consequences of a spell like this on both of you. And yet, she did it anyway.” The question hung in the air, unspoken but impossible to ignore: Why?

Mariana’s expression darkened, her jaw tightening as anger churned beneath the surface. “She betrayed me.”

Spiro leaned forward, their arms resting on their knees. “Why would she do that?”

Mariana averted her gaze, her eyes fixed on the floor. The anger in her chest tangled with something raw and aching. Her voice was a whisper when it finally came. “I don’t know.” She blinked hard, fighting back the sting of tears. “It doesn’t make sense. She … she broke something in me.”

The words hung between them, brittle and sharp as shattered glass. Spiro didn’t push. They waited.

After a long silence, they asked, “Why did you leave the safety of the sea, Mariana?”

The question hit her like a wave, and for a moment, all she could do was stare at them. The answer felt too heavy, too complicated, and yet it burned at the back of her throat, desperate to escape. She swallowed hard, her gaze flickering to the faint light filtering through the curtained window.

“What was so important,” Spiro continued gently, “that you risked your life to come here? Because as far as I know, sirens are still banned from these lands—”

“I had no choice,” Mariana interrupted, her voice breaking. She could so easily blame Dax for dragging her out here, but the truth was more complicated. Even if Dax hadn’t taken her, she would have come anyway. She knew that.

Spiro’s steady patience seemed to draw the words out of her.

“It’s because we’re banned from the fae realm that my sister, Astra, is out here.

She wanted to restore peace with the king, and when she didn’t come back …

” Mariana’s voice wavered, but she forced herself to continue.

“I knew something was wrong. I just wanted to bring her back.”

“You make it sound like you’ve given up,” Spiro said carefully.

Mariana let out a bitter laugh, throwing her hands up in frustration.

“Look at me! I’m a siren trapped in a fae body with no power and no way home.

I can’t save my sister like this! My own mother threw me out into this realm with nothing but my armor.

That’s it! How am I supposed to keep going? There’s no use fighting the truth.”

Spiro regarded her for a long moment, their gaze unwavering. “If you give up now, what will your sister do?”

The question cut deeper than she expected, settling over her like a suffocating weight. She shook her head slowly, burying her face in her hands. “I was stupid to think I could do this. I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m so … lost.”

The silence that followed felt heavy, but not unkind. A warm hand landed gently on her shoulder, and Mariana looked up through the tangle of her hair to find Spiro’s steady gaze.

“We all get lost sometimes, Mariana,” they said softly. “It’s part of life.” They stood slowly, their movements deliberate. “May I show you something? ”

Mariana hesitated for a moment, her mind a mess of fear, doubt, and the faintest spark of curiosity. Slowly, she brushed the hair from her face and nodded. “Alright.”

Spiro’s lips curved into a small, reassuring smile. “Get dressed and meet me outside.”

Mariana blinked in surprise. “Where are we going?”

Spiro stopped at the door, their hand resting lightly on the handle. They glanced over their shoulder.

“Somewhere that’s safe for the lost to be found.”

With that, they slipped through the door, leaving Mariana alone with the lingering echo of their words.