“That we are,” answered Scarlett.
“Are the rest of you there now then?”
As soon as the words had left my mouth, I knew I’d put my foot in it. There was an awkward silence before Tyler looked down at me. I could tell he was a Chosen like us.
“No, Trojan are watching the house. There are only three of us left now.” He sighed. “A few months ago one of our team went rogue and joined the SOS. He set a trap. We were sprung by Devils. It’s hard enough to survive one. There were four. Six of the team were killed. We’re all that’s left.” He folded his thick mahogany arms across his chest and fell silent again. Dakin glared even harder than before.
I felt my face grow hot. “Oh…I didn’t realise, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t give it a second thought,” smiled Scarlet. She looked back over to Gabriella. “You reckon we’ve been properly filtered now?”
Gabriella looked resolute. “I’m confident that Faru has got his house in order.”
“Let’s hope so, for all our sakes.” Scarlett shook her head. “All this fuss over one Chosen. You must be a pretty special guy,” she winked, giving my arm a squeeze. For a split second out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw Gabriella stiffen. “Anyway, we just got back from a mission. Some Harpy in Brighton decided to start kidnapping children in the early hours. About to kill one when we turned up.” She lifted a hand and for the first time, I noticed a thick smear of red on the back. “It was worked up. Things got a bit messy. Still it was a nice change from staring at Alex’s house. We’re going to freshen up in Tyler’s place,” nodding towards Dakin she added, “maybe grab some breakfast.” “I’m going to take Alex to the Sanctuary.” Scarlett gave her friend a look that I knew only she would be able to interpret. “So, uh, you’ll be at the Joining feast later right?”” said Gabriella, clearly changing the subject. “I may be technically dead, but I’m still Irish. No way am I missing a party,” she said with a grin.
Everybody said goodbye with the salute, all except for Dakin, who just barged past me. What’s his problem?
As if reading my mind, Gabriella jerked a thumb behind her. “Don’t worry about Dakin, he’s always been moody. That’s just his way. Plus he’s a little pissed that he’s on what he calls babysitting duty.”
“Ahh…I see.”
Gabriella led me downstairs and out the front doors. We made our way around the vast mansion and into the grounds. The area opened up into an expanse of garden. The blanket of green was lined either side with a phantasmagoria of flowers — which seemed to be thriving despite the time of year. We passed a large stone fountain that was home to a dozen golden Cherubs, spitting high arcs of water from their mouths.
The Sanctuary was positioned about five acres through the expansive grounds, hidden behind a row of tall conifers. It stood separated from the rest of the gardens by a large paddock style fence made from black iron. The entrance was being guarded by another agent. He stood with his arms behind his back, head upright as if attached to an invisible string. He nodded when we reached him. “Good morning, Miss De Luca, Mr Eden. Is there anything I can help with?” he asked. “No thank you Agent Green, I just want to show Alex inside.” “Of course.” He immediately stepped to the side and swung the large gate open.
As soon as we stepped through, I could sense the presence of something otherworldly. It seemed to radiate out towards us from within. Not menacing — but definitely not human.
The gate clicked shut behind us. What looked like oversized horse stables stood diagonally ahead. A large barn, built from redwood stood on the other side. I could hear the distinct sounds of animals shuffling about inside. Slightly smaller evergreens were scattered about, swaying in the icy breeze. Directly ahead was a very large lake. The surface rippled in lines of moving wrinkles. As we walked forward, I felt a sensation like a thousand cobwebs brushing over my skin. I didn’t need even need to ask to know we’d passed through some kind of invisible barrier.
Now everything was different.
The area was at least five times larger than it had been before. The grass had changed to a light shade of purple, with tiny pure green flowers sprouting in little patches. The trees were sweeping, spiralling masses of white bark. Golden leaves hung from their numerous branches, glowing with some kind of natural light. Bushes sprouting the most intricate flowers I’d ever seen were spread everywhere. The unassuming barn had become a giant silver arch with shimmering technicolour doors.
Above, odd looking birds with two sets of sweeping wings, looped about. The lake had evolved into a huge expanse of crystal blue water, complete with multiple levels and a grand waterfall, which crashed down from moss covered rocks into the main pool. The whole place was bathed in light and soothing warmth from a hidden sun.
I was lost for words.
“It’s amazing isn’t it? Walk forward a bit. You’ll see more,” Gabriella said.
I stepped forward and instantly understood what she meant. Near the lake, for the first time, I noticed a pride of small lion-like animals frolicking about. Some rolled together in the grass, or play-bit their siblings. Others turned their heads sideways and tugged at the reeds which grew around the lake edge. Their sleek brown bodies were topped with a set of matching feathered wings, which drooped over their undersized backs. Curled black stingers — sectioned like a scorpions, contradicted their cuteness like deadly question marks. As they played, they made funny sharp growls, which sounded like a blend of a mew and a hiccup.
Manticore. Wild beasts that roamed the Blood Deserts of Pandemonia. I’d read about them in the handbook. I’d also read that despite their dangerous appearance, they were actually herbivores and only attacked when threatened.
The flash of a fish-like tail in the lake caught my attention. I watched in amazement as a merman flipped out of the water, somersaulted and as graceful as a dolphin, cut back under the surface. More followed, and soon the lake was a circus, with merfolk flipping and spiralling out of their aquatic arena.
“They’re such show-offs,” laughed Gabriella, rolling her eyes. I smiled, but was distracted by something happening in the centre of the lake. The water had begun to churn and bubble. Waves rippled from the epicentre outwards in expanding rings that rolled all the way to the sides and lapped onto the grass. A hauntingly beautiful woman rose slowly out of the water like a sunken treasure. Seaweed clung to her naked skin. Water poured from the edges of her body. Once she was exposed up to her pelvis, she stopped.
And began to sing.
The sound was infinitely more beautiful than anything I’d ever heard. It was as if all of the world’s best kept secrets and hidden desires were wrapped up in each note.
The melody made my head fizz and instantly it felt like my heart was overflowing with love and happiness. I wanted to go to this woman — to stay with her while she sang to me. Gabriella caught my hand and squeezed it.
“Take a few deep breaths and it’ll pass,” she said. I did as I was told and the sensations drifted away. The lady in the lake sung harder and then when I made no more reaction, she scowled in disappointment and slipped under the surface.
“That’s a Siren right?” I said.
“Temptress of the sea in all her glory,” Gabriella agreed with a nod. “Let’s see what you can tell me about them.”
I thought about what I’d read in the handbook. Each page appeared in my mind as if it were open in front of me. I mentally flicked to the right page. I repeated the words aloud.
“Sirens use their hypnotic voices to lure unsuspecting males into the water to mate with them. But their unwilling lovers often drown, because they get lost in the moment and forget they can’t breathe underwater.” “Exactly. And a Siren’s song is…” “A remembrance to all of their lost lovers.” Gabriella smiled. “You’ve been doing a lot of reading. I’m impressed Alex.”