Beneath the Depths - Book Four (Moon Child Series)

Chapter Nineteen

Sirena POV

“Sirena!” We jerk apart suddenly, his hands leaving me. My body shivers at the loss, my heart still racing. Cordelia comes to a panting stop in front of me, her hands on her knees as she tries to catch her breath.

“Sirena. I have to speak to you. Now.” Her gaze darts between MJ and me, urgency apparent in her tone and eyes. Damien jogs up behind her, not out of breath at all and gives me a small wave. I stand from my spot and sign an apology to MJ and let him know we’ll be right back, before grabbing Cordelia by her elbow and dragging her away.

“What’s so urgent it can’t wait till after class?” I ask, a little annoyed at her interruption. But also annoyingly relieved. I cannot complicate my relationship with MJ any further. And that kiss would have been a whole load of confusion. Cordelia glances behind me before shifting us so her back is to the men beneath the tree.

“I’ve gotten word that Vera will be back soon. They’re not sure when, but if she were to see you with him,” she points behind her discreetly, “who knows what she would do. Sirena, she views you as property, anyone seen sniffing around you could get seriously hurt, or killed. You need to keep your distance.” I huff in frustration.

“Not so easily done when he’s my partner for class. I have to keep my cover up, act normal.” Cordelia shakes her head making me grind my teeth at her.

“Sirena. I get that. And you being partners with him is fine. But what I just witnessed, the almost kiss, is not. You need to be more careful. We have no idea who is observing us, or when. I’m just trying to look out for you. The last time was extremely brutal on you. I don’t think I could handle it happening to you again, and I don’t think you could either. Please,” her eyes fill with tears as she implores me, “be careful.” I nod my agreement, my own tears welling in my eyes as I pull her into a tight hug. We cling to each other for a few moments before she pulls back from me to sign again.

“There’s more.” I wait patiently for her to continue, giving a quick glance behind her towards MJ and Damien who seem deep in conversation while looking at something on the tablet in Damien’s hands. “There’s been word through the group that there are more supernatural’s investigating the disappearances. A group of them this time. They don’t know the identity of them yet, but they’re looking into it.” My heart leaps in my chest at her words. The last person I’d lured to their death had been investigating the disappearances of all the supernatural’s in the area. When my master and her group had discovered this, they’d put it to an end. Now there was a group investigating them. I don’t think my conscience can handle multiple lives on it. I nod towards Cordelia , letting her know I understand and sigh.

“Ok. I will try to be extra careful now.” Seemingly satisfied with my answer she links her arm with mine and leads me back to where the guys are sitting. Damien rises to his feet with a soft smile directed at Cordelia .

“All good?” Cordelia nods and returns his smile. I look between the two and smirk. Chemistry is bubbling between the two, it’s undeniable. “Well we should probably get back to our assignment.” He holds his hand out in the direction they’d come from and waits for Cordelia to start walking before following behind. I watch them go as Cordelia’s words swirled like a tornado around my head. My master could return at any time, more supernatural’s we’re looking into the disappearances, and my ever-growing s****l attraction to MJ was making it very hard to not follow the rules given to me by my master. No relationships. No getting involved, sexually or otherwise. And remain invisible.

MJs hand softly grabbing mine had me jumping slightly as he looks up at me confusedly.

“Are you ok?” I nod quickly at his question and sit down next to him and pull out my sketchbook and start drawing the rolling hills in front of me. After a minute or so, MJ follows suite and we sit in uncomfortable silence as we sketch, my mind constantly drawing back to that moment where we’d almost kissed. I couldn’t really concentrate on what I was doing, the shapes just weren’t flowing the way they usually do. Vera was coming back. I have no idea where she disappears to after each job, but I relish in the peace I get while she’s gone. When she’s here she’s always barking orders. Her main one, find a new supernatural to capture. Mine and Cordelia ’s job is to investigate and find supernatural’s for us to capture. When we find one our master and her group of hunters investigate to confirm their “guilt”. Their “guilt” as my master and the other hunters put it, is being different, being supernatural. The fight between hunters and supernatural’s has lasted for thousands of years. Some families have passed on the mantle through countless generations. And they all have one goal; rid the world of all supernatural’s. Unfortunately being bound by a blood curse means I’m part of this sick need to kill all supernatural creatures. Bit hypocritical of them to use us to get rid of our kind, but whatever.

“Sirena.” MJs hand suddenly lands on mine, my pencil dangling limp in my hand as I stare off into the distance. I startle a little before looking at him. “We should probably head back to class.” A glance at my watch shows me that we’d been sitting there for almost an hour. I nod in agreement and pack away my things and follow MJ back towards class. I can feel him glancing at me every now and then as we walk, but he doesn’t say anything which I’m grateful for. I need to distance myself from him as much as possible, only being around him when I absolutely have to, like in class. After a brief word from the professor I get up to follow Cordelia from the class, when I’m suddenly stopped by a hand grasping mine. I glance behind me, MJs blue eyes staring at me with concern.

“Are you sure you’re ok?” His words hurt my heart. Why does he care so much about a nobody like me? If only he knew the danger he would be in by getting involved with me. Cordelia learnt that the hard way. I nod my head quickly and give a small smile.

“I’m fine.” I sign quickly, glancing behind me at Cordelia as she waits in the doorway. “I’ll see you later.” I turn from him and follow Cordelia out of the class. The look in MJs eyes as he asked if I was ok was doing things to me, mostly confusing my heart. Something is pulling me towards him, but there’s no way we can be together. My master will never allow it. As I head to my next class, I feel something inside me break as I realise, I’ll never have a normal life; love and family, a home. So long as I was bound to my master by blood, I would forever be unhappy, and that’s something I would have to resign myself to. But being around MJ was making that harder than I thought to accept. Once again I’ve come to realisation that MJ is bad news for me. And annoyingly, I like it.