Beneath the Depths - Book Four (Moon Child Series)

Chapter Eighteen

Sirena POV

My throat is on fire as I lay on the cold hard rock floor. The sound of screams echoes around me in a cacophony of horror, causing bile to rise in my throat. I helped this happen, those screams were because of me. My conscience will never be clear. I will forever have the blood of these people on my hands.

Hands grab at me, pulling me to my feet before I’m pinned to the wall.

“Were there any others? Was she alone?” I nod my head, tears streaming down my face at the searing pain and guilt choking at me. My chin is gripped harshly, forcing me to look at their owner. My eyes meet those of my master, disgust in her eyes as she digs her nails into my cheeks. “Are you sure?” I nod, my cheeks hit with pain as her nails almost pierce my skin. I fall to the ground when she releases me, my palms scraping the hard rock of the floor. “I have no need of you now. Get out of my sight, until I need you next.” I painfully pull myself to my feet and walk through the portal to make the long trek back to the school, the screams of my latest victim following me like a curse, ensuring I would never find peace again.

***

My alarm jolts me from my dream, and I clutch at my throat, the burn as if my voice had just been taken from me. Each swallow is like swallowing boiling water. I crawl out of bed and head straight for the shower, knowing the hot water will relieve the aching of my throat and help wake me up. I didn’t sleep very well, the screams of my latest victim playing on repeat in my dreams. The weather at the moment has taken a turn for the cold before it starts warming up, which is perfect for me today because I’m feeling more a baggy sweater, comfy clothing kind of day. I pair grey skinny jeans with my baggiest knit turtle neck and knee-high boots. Braiding my hair, I take a look in the mirror and shrug. I looked like crap, no point trying to improve on that.

My only thing to look forward to today is my art class, and even looking forward to that makes guilt rise in my throat. I shouldn’t be getting excited to see MJ. It would do neither of us any good to have these feelings that are developing between us. Grabbing an energy drink from the fridge I head off to class. I’m the first one there so I take a seat in the spot I was in on Monday, and start pulling out my materials, and MJs sketch book. All set up I take a moment to rest my head on my arms, my eyes heavy with sleep. I jump in my seat as a hand softly strokes my back, and come face to face with MJ, his eyes full of concern. It’s just us in the classroom, and my heart pounds knowing we’re alone. His brows furrow with worry as his hands slides from my back, sending a fiery trail of tingles in its wake.

“Are you ok?” He asks, his voice full of concern, causing my heart to leap with joy. I nod as I sit up straighter, breaking eye contact with him.

“Yes. I’m fine. Tired is all. Didn’t sleep very well.” MJ shifts next to me, and he starts to pull out all his materials and my sketch book.

“I know those feels. As long as you’re sure.” I look up at him and nod, and his smile nearly has me falling off my chair. What is this man doing to me?!

Looking away from him I grab his sketchbook and hold it out to him. As he takes it from me a question pops into my head.

“Can I ask where the inspiration for your drawing in my name came from?” His lips pull into a smile as he opens his sketchbook.

“Well, your sticker on your own sketchbook for one. And your name. It’s origins are Greek; it means enchanter I think, and Sirens are the enchanters of the sea. So I thought it was fitting.” My heart slows at his explanation. So he had no idea what I was. Thank God. I mean of course he didn’t. He’s human. Most humans don’t even believe in mermaids. I’m just being silly. As I’m about to reply more people walk in, including Cordelia who makes a beeline straight for me. She comes to a stop in front of our desk, her features gaunt, eyes wide.

“Sirena. We need to talk. Now.” I look on at my friend in concern as her gaze darts back and forth between MJ and myself.

“If you could all take your seats, we’ll start the lesson.” The professors voice calls our attention to the front of the class and Cordelia’s eyes widen. “Is there a problem Cordelia?” The professor asks, a single eyebrow raised. Cordelia shakes her head, her gaze on me trying to relay the urgency of needing to talk to me.

“We’ll talk after class. I promise.” I sign to her, hoping it will calm her. It seems to work, but only a little as she takes her seat at the desk behind me. I can feel her fidgeting as the professor walks us through our next topic, Cordelia’s energy making it hard to concentrate.

“Alright guys. Go off exploring and bring me back some art. Also take your time to look over what your partner has added to your last assignment, we’ll circle back to those next week.” With a clap of her hands she dismisses us, and I follow MJs lead as we leave the classroom. I watch on in a little bit of amusement as MJs friend, Damien I heard him say, drags Cordelia in the opposite direction of us. I turn to MJ and find him watching me as we walk, causing a slight blush to rush to my cheeks.

“Um… so I wasn’t really paying attention to the professor. What’s our assignment?” His amused smirk almost has my knees giving way as he gently places his hand on the small of my back to lead me in the right direction.

“She told us to find something we want to sketch, and then our partner has to add something to it, mimicking our style so it looks as though one artist did it. Apparently, what makes a great artist is being able to mimic anyone else’s style. But I don’t agree. I think being able to put your own self into your art and make it your own is what makes a talented artist. Like music, any old person can hold a tune, but when you put your heart and soul into it, that’s art.” His words captivate me, how he passionately talks of his art. I could listen to him talk about it all day. We come to a sudden stop, and he removes his hand, causing a cold chill to race up my spine as the air hits where his hand used to be.

“I think here’s good. What do you think?” I nod in agreement as we sit below an old oak tree, looking out at the rolling hills that lead toward the ocean. MJ places his sketchbook in his lap and opens to the page of our last assignment. His fingers run along my versions of his drawings of my features, his brows furrowed. I jump a little as his gaze lifts to mine, something in his eyes.

“Is this how you see yourself?” I glance at the page in confusion and shrug.

“What do you mean?” MJ shakes his head while looking down at the page.

“Here.” He points at the sketch I did of my eye. “The colours are so dull and lifeless, nothing like the vibrancy I saw when I drew your eyes, and your lips. While the ones I drew are plump and luscious, you drew them as simple and colourless. Is this really how you see yourself?” A deep blush rushes down from my cheeks to my neck as he speaks so passionately about my features, especially my lips. I didn’t really notice how I’d perceived myself. I just drew what I saw in the mirror every day. Nothing special about me.

“I just drew what I saw. Plain old me, nothing special to be seen.” MJs brow furrows at my explanation. closing the book to grab at my hands, he pulls me closer, our faces a couple of inches apart.

“How can you say there’s nothing special about you? I’ve only known you for a few days, but from what I’ve seen of you, you’re amazing. Remarkable. Kind. Passionate about your art. I drew you how I see you, how you really are.”

I gently take my hands from his and look down at the grass, my heart hammering away a mile a minute.

“You don’t even know me. Like you said, you’ve only known me for a few days. If you knew the real me, you wouldn’t say those things.” His palm slides across my cheeks, forcing me to look at him.

“I doubt that very much. There isn’t much that could change my perception of you. There’s something about you that I just can’t place.” His thumb runs along my lips softly setting them aflame. “Something about you that pulls me in. Makes me crave more of you.” My heart kicks up a beat, causing my breath to catch in my throat. A shift of light changes his dark blue eyes to an even darker shade, almost black, as he continues to stare into my eyes, his thumb brushing along my lips once more. I can feel us inching closer to one another, some unseen force pulling us together. I can feel the warmth of him as I draw closer, his other hand like a branding iron on my thigh. My eyes flutter closed as we’re mere seconds away from kissing. and the moment shatters at my name being called from a distance.