Siren's Calling Read online

  SIREN’S CALLING

  THE CURSED SEAS COLLECTION

  ALYSSA BRECK

  &

  ANNA SANTOS

  Copyright © 2018 Anna Santos & Alyssa Breck

  All rights reserved.

  Inquiries about additional permissions should be directed to:

  [email protected]

  &

  [email protected]

  Cover Design by Rebecca Frank

  Edited by Alyssa Breck

  Revised by May Freighter

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to similarly named places or to persons living or deceased is unintentional.

  Book Description

  Siren’s Calling

  The seas are dying and are no longer safe for the siren people. Huge creatures called Titans attack, devouring the scarce resources. Incurable diseases affect the elderly siren population and living underwater becomes more difficult and more dangerous day by day.

  When news of a magical stone arrives, the solution to their problems seems within reach, and Alayah is willing to leave behind her boyfriend and her foster mother if it means she can save her region.

  A team of warriors is chosen, and led by Alayah, departs to recruit a mage to help them locate the Legacy Stone.

  Recruiting the mage isn’t as easy as the elders foretold. Yet, in an unexpected turn of events, Alayah finds herself the focus of two gorgeous mages vying for her attention, willing to assist in her quest and attend to her every need.

  Soon Alayah and her team discover they aren’t the only ones looking for the stone. A powerful mage wants to stop them and use the Legacy Stone for his own dark purposes.

  Bonds will be forged, and trusts betrayed in this epic quest that leads sirens, humans, mages, and dark creatures into a race against time to find the powerful Legacy Stone and use it for either good or evil.

  Content

  Book Description

  Content

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Second Part

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Third Part

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  EPILOGUE

  More About the Authors

  Chapter 1

  Alayah’s heart pounded so fast it made the gills behind her ears tense. The sea monster was close, shadowing the bottom of the ocean with its enormous body as it swam randomly, looking for prey.

  If there were other fish or sea life about, she’d feel safer. The Titans ate what few fish were left, and they weren’t reproducing the way they did before. Evading the Titans was a skill she’d never thought she’d have to develop.

  She was alone, crawling across the ocean floor. She pressed herself flat on her back to the bottom in between a small grouping of dead seaweed. The brown weeds swayed with the current in the foggy water. Alay dug her hands into the slimy soil, and it squished between her fingers.

  So much had changed. The once crystal blue water was now darker and more difficult to navigate. There was little green vegetation left and even less oxygen as a result. Alay would need to return home soon.

  The shadow of the beast passed over her again, blocking out the light. Alay squeezed her eyes closed and kept her body as still as she could. She hoped the Titan didn’t have sonar capabilities, or it would likely sense her fear from the intense thudding of her heart.

  The minutes ticked by and then, suddenly, the water started to move. It wasn’t the current alone but a disturbance. Air bubbles floated past her. A school of brightly colored fish swam above her. Alay cringed because she knew the pretty creatures wouldn’t likely survive much longer.

  The Titan dove down and the whoosh of the water swirled her hair around her face. Half of the fish were eaten when it opened its gargantuan mouth.

  While the monster was busy chasing the fish, Alay took the opportunity to kick her legs and swim along the bottom of the ocean until she was clear of the danger.

  The once plentiful seaweed that she needed was now like finding a needle in a haystack. She’d been swimming for a little over an hour and failed to find any.

  Broken shells from dead sea creatures littered the ocean floor. A spot of green caught Alayah’s eye, and she put her arms at her sides to swim faster toward it. Three small plants jutted out from a tight space between a rock and the bottom of the sea.

  She plucked the weeds and tucked them into the small pouch strapped to her thigh. Nana would be waiting. Alay’s foster mother had contracted the sea disease that attacked the siren gills. Another unfortunate effect of the oxygen depletion. With so many sirens being sick, the weeds were getting harder to find. And the greenery was the only plant alive left that contained the curing properties to treat the gill sickness.

  Nana sat on a cushioned sofa. Her face was a pale shade of blue—a sign that she was in need of the remedy.

  “I’m back, Nana. I have enough to make you a week’s worth of medicine.”

  Nana coughed. “Thank you, love. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  Alayah smiled to herself. That was a two-way street. If Nana hadn’t taken her in and raised her, who knows what would have become of Alayah.

  The young siren crushed the weeds in a stone bowl and added some sea salt. With a silver spoon, she carried the dose to her foster mother.

  “Open wide.” Alayah held the spoon out to Nana.

  Without a word, her foster mother took the spoon and swallowed the medicine. She winced, and her mouth turned into a frown. “That tastes terrible.”

  “I know, but it’ll make your breathing easier.”

  Omin poked his head inside the door. “Hey, Alay.”

  Alayah smiled at the sight of him. “What’s happening?”

  “Did you hear?”

  “Hear what?” Alayah wrapped up the rest of the medicine and put it on the silver box on the counter.

  Omin hefted his body up to sit on the edge of the counter. His green eyes were animated and excited. “The elders are sponsoring a contest. They’re seeking the most skilled and valiant warriors in the kingdom.”

  “For what?” Alayah tucked her hair behind her ear and absently scratched the gill there.

  “The winner of the contest will earn a commanding position to lead a group of warriors out to find the sacred stone. They’re opening up the games to everyone. So, we can do this.” Omin beamed. “We can do this, Alay!”

  The sacred stone! Winning the contest would most definitely help her restore her honor in the kingdom. Leading a group of warriors to find the stone that would likely heal the ocean had hero written all over it. Alay could kill two birds with one stone.

  She’d get her
reputation back, and once the native sea creatures were back in the ocean and the seaweeds were growing again, the Titans would retreat back to the darkness from which they came. It was perfect. Safety and prosperity were what everyone needed.

  She smiled and took Omin’s hand. “When is the contest?”

  “We still need to sign up.”

  “Do you think they will let me?”

  He arched an eyebrow. “Didn’t you hear me? Everybody can sign up.”

  Alayah puckered her lips. “When will we do this, then?”

  “Tomorrow. Are you ready?” He squeezed her hand.

  “You bet your ass, I am.”

  “I thought this news would excite you. I also have something for you.”

  “What is it?”

  Releasing her hand, Omin got up and reached for something inside his pocket. “I know how much this means to you. I’ve finally fixed it, and I’m returning it to you.”

  Alayah smiled at the sight of her mother’s necklace—the only possession and memory she had of her. “You are truly the best, Omin.”

  Omin reached behind Alay and secured the necklace with the red stone around her neck. “Perfect. Now you have your lucky charm back.”

  Alay touched the stone with her fingers and turned to look at her friend. “Thank you so much, Omin. You have no idea how important this is to me.”

  Omin placed a strand of purple loose hair behind her ear. “Of course, I do. You are my best friend. Though, I should scowl at you for leaving the safety of our kingdom. Your hair is still wet, and I saw the bag of medicine.” He folded his arms over his broad chest.

  Biting her lower lip, Alay looked at the floor. “I’m sorry. Nana was really sick …”

  He put his hand on her shoulder. “I told you I would find medicine for her. Don’t you trust me?”

  She nodded. “I do, but we couldn’t wait.”

  “Has she been coughing?”

  Looking up, she noticed his worried expression. “You know that we had to move from the depths of our kingdom to this hell hole because Nana has difficulties in breathing underwater.

  “I know. Still, the medicine would arrive tomorrow. The king takes care of everybody who has this disease.”

  “The medicine isn’t enough and doesn’t last long. I can’t afford to buy it, so I had to look for it myself. I got lucky this time.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

  “I found the plant.”

  “We had reports of a Titan nearby. Were you out when the monster swam close to our defensive shield?”

  Alay looked at Nana and saw she had her eyes closed and snored softly. Grabbing Omin’s arm, she walked him out of the house into the small garden.

  Folding her arms, she looked at his tall figure. “Look, I appreciate your concern, but this isn’t the place to talk about my excursions. Nana needs to rest and, although I treasure our friendship, I don’t need your permission to leave the island and explore the bottom of the ocean. That’s how the poorer ones survive: harvesting sea plants and gathering objects from the destroyed underwater cities.”

  Omin clenched his jaw. “What would happen to Nana if something bad happened to you?”

  “She would still have you.”

  “Your death would break her heart and mine.”

  Her body tensed with his words, and she stepped back.

  Omin smiled and raked his fingers through his long, brown hair. “I need to go. My shift starts in a few minutes. Take care of your nana for now. I’ll be back tomorrow, so we can go sign up together. Deal?”

  Nodding, she dashed inside her home.

  Chapter 2

  The Volcano Cascade—the deepest of the canyons in the underwater surface of Madeira Island—hummed with the vibration of the crowd. The current tore through the water-packed arena, bouncing off the walls of the Hold. The barrier that held the protective canopy over the arena sent off electrodes that kept the Titans out.

  Alayah knew the Titans were out there, prowling, obscured out of view by the legendary might of siren magic.

  The Titans were the least of Alayah’s trouble on this day. In the holding alcove beneath the crowd, were men and women whom she would soon battle for the ultimate prize. She watched the crowd by projecting her consciousness through the charged waters.

  In the crowd to the left of the arena, high above the choir of the kopters—their thermal drums booming and their susurrating voices leading the Siren anthem—lounged the elders. Through the bars of the holding area where she and the other contestants stood, Alayah noted varying expressions. In the gleam of royal splendor, she caught a scowl or a smile here, a jutting chin of disdain there by a few of the elders in a contest where it was impossible not to take sides. Taking extra care not to disrupt the shared currents with her astral self, Alayah counted eleven men, powerful, proud leaders of the different tribes of the Sirens. Each held on to his silver staff, the same way they clung to their positions.

  In the middle, distinguished by his silver wreath and a protuberance in his midriff that years of swimming could not slough off, sat the Supreme Elder. His silver tunic wrapped tightly around him, making him look like a swathing mollusk. She put out a hand toward the most valuable piece of metal in the arena, the Trident—wrought in unalloyed gold from the molten lava of the Arsonian Depths, it was said to have unprecedented powers beyond the reaches of anyone born of flesh. Alayah reached out and tried to touch it, to feel some of its potency right there in the grip of the Supreme Elder. The elder flicked his thick wrist just a fraction from Alayah’s reach. She smiled inwardly, the powerful elder sensed her and projected a wink through the water.

  The young siren was brought back into the alcove by a touch.

  “Hey, Alay.”

  She jumped. Turning around, she gazed into the dark green eyes of Omin. The others were all standing, alert. Alayah caught herself leaning in the astral pose. She jerked back.

  “Calm down. We can feel you all over the place,” said Omin.

  He was a Sebtahn, like Alayah, one of the most influential tribes of the Sirens. Big boned, keen-eyed and a strong swimmer, Omin had taken a liking to her, and they were best friends for a while. He could be colossal and intimidating, but Alay knew he was also kind.

  “What did you find?” he whispered.

  Alayah looked at the taut faces around her, she sighed. “Just what I expected to see, our people cheering and waiting to see me humiliate you all.”

  “Haaa! You and I know who will win the prize,” Omin chided.

  Omin was a swimmer with strong thrusts and arms that locked like a shark’s jaw in a fight. Alayah thought he could beat her any day. She hoped she didn’t have to fight her friend.

  Focusing on the task at hand, Alayah took stock of her other opponents. Standing off to the far side of the alcove towered Kyrie, the champion from the last contest. He was a superior Sebtahn. His tunic was so tight, Alayah wondered how he squeezed his muscle-bound body into it.

  Omin tapped her arm when he caught her piercing gaze on the hulking figure of Corey. “Don’t let him get to you. Teamwork, okay?”

  “Okay, buddy.”

  The anthem came to an uproarious end. The contestants began strapping themselves up. Buffered by the ocean, they progressed toward the entrance of the alcove.

  Alayah braced herself as the gates swung to the side in a flurry of bubbles. With her magic armband clasped around her wrist, she swam into the waiting lights.

  The lumonithes were the most potent sources of light she had ever seen. They turned the dark bottom of the ocean and the Arena into a world of daylight. The crowd cheered for the contestants as they lined up above the alcove. Alayah looked in the circle for her foster mother, Nana. There was so much color, everyone seemed alike in the glare of lights. Perhaps, it was best not to get distracted by family. Still, she wished she could see her.

  The Trident sparkled in the grip of the Supreme Leader. He got up and waved at the crowd, who cheer
ed even more.

  “All right, all right. Silence.” His voice echoed around the Hold. “The time has arrived. This is the moment of truth, as our human ancestors would say.”

  “Today, these youths will prove themselves worthy of only one reward,” he roared. “In three stages of tests, they will display valor, skill, and strength. In the end, only one of them will be worthy and qualified to lead our people to salvation!”

  The elder turned his gaze to the contestants. “Only one of you will be worthy to wield the power of the ancient Sirens.” He raised the Trident into the lights. “Only one of you will be worthy of this.”

  The crowd murmured in wonder.

  “The Trident!”

  “Are you ready?!” screamed the Supreme Leader. “There’s no place for the weak in this arena! Let the games begin!”

  Alayah tensed herself for the thrust. The contest had begun.

  Chapter 3

  The combined forces of the elder’s staffs created a whirlpool in the middle of the Arena. The ocean floor morphed into a black hole and, at first, out of it came reeds, millions of them. As Alayah looked on, pathways began to take form in no particular order, all across the reeds. By some strange magic, the Arena became bigger, the maze taking over the whole of it, swallowing the crowd. Now there were only the contestants and the labyrinth. The reeds danced in the ever-moving current of water. The lights became dimmer.

  The voice of the Supreme Leader pierced the gloom. “Contestants, here are your rules. Every contestant must go into the maze. The first contestant to make it out of the maze shall be pronounced winner of this round.”

  “But, the contestant who wins shall be pronounced so only if they make it out in one piece.” His voice boomed. “Good luck to you all.”

  Alayah looked at Omin who floated just beside her. “In one piece? What is that supposed to mean?”

  “I have no idea.”

  Alayah tried to project her astral self through the maze, but the reeds quickly knocked her back, sending her flying through the water away from the others. As she looked on, several other contestants flew past her through the water.