Beneath the Depths - Book Four (Moon Child Series)

Chapter Nine

Sirena POV

I’m startled awake by the chiming of the large clock atop the libraries bell tower, a piece of paper stuck to my face. Peeling it off I glance at the time and leap to my feet, gathering all my books in my arms and running towards the entrance to the library. I was running so late. Cordelia was going to kill me. I’d gone to the library to study and instead ended up taking a nap upon the books. I was supposed to have met Cordelia half an hour ago to help set up for the new student orientation. Scolding myself I ran as fast as I could. Bumping into several people and apologising with a look as I ran. Luck was working for me as I ran towards the crossing, not a car in sight. And then I was falling, my books flying from my grasp onto the median strip as I tumbled onto the road. I winced as I felt the skin on my elbows and palms graze across the concrete. Disoriented I sat up and my heart leapt to my throat as I saw a truck heading my way. Luckily far enough away that I could avoid it if I moved right away. I rose to my feet and began to step out of the path of the truck rushing towards me but was met with resistance. I glance down at my shoe and see the lace has gotten caught in one of the grates, tightening the shoe to my foot. I tug at it desperately, watching in horror as the truck approaches second by second. My tugs turn frantic as my heart beats almost out of my chest. This is it. I’m roadkill. Why the hell isn’t this truck stopping! I close my eyes as the trucks horn blares and then I’m tumbling, landing on soft grass and a heavy weight atop me, two strong arms wrapped around me.

My eyes open wide as I gaze up at my saviour. Blue eyes as deep as the deepest ocean I’d ever swam in stared into mine, and hair as black as ink falling around his face. A sense of familiarity spreads throughout my body as we stare at each other and the urge to press my lips to his rushes through my body. And then I’m shoving him off of me, mentally shaking my head at the thoughts I’d just had. I stand quickly and gather my books before nodding my thanks and taking off, hoping that no one from my masters group saw that interaction. I’m not to call attention to myself and being saved from almost being roadkill is definitely calling attention to myself. I manage to reach Cordelia without any further incidences and take a moment to take a deep breath.

“Sirena. What the hell happened?” My friends hands take my books from me and place them on a nearby bench before taking my arms and examining them. I smile sheepishly at her. “You need to be more careful. Off to the nurse with you. Now.” I go to argue but she gives me her mum look. “Go on. I’ll explain to Professor Tia. Go.”

“Yes mum.” I sign with a cheeky grin and gather my books before heading off to the nurses office. If I didn’t, she would surely escort me there herself. After the nurse had cleaned and bandaged my scrapes I message Cordelia , who informed me that the tour is almost over and that she would meet me at The Leaping Mermaid, the local pub located on the universities property, and a very popular hangout spot for all the students there.

The pub as usual smells of stale beer and potato and gravy. Many would find it unpleasant, but I find it comforting. My usual spot at the bar is empty so I sit in my chair and return a wave to Julian as he serves two young men beer. His smile twinkles in his eyes as he approaches me, his cheer contagious. His gaze falls to my bandaged arms, and he frowns.

“Woah, my beautiful Ariel! What happened?” I smile fondly at his nickname for me. When he discovered one day that I was mute he dubbed me “Ariel.” When Cordelia asked why he said “your hair is red and you cannot speak, just like the Little Mermaid. From now on you will be my beautiful Ariel.” I found it endearing that he’d given me a nickname and from then on, its stuck. I give a slight shrug and a sheepish smile.

“I tripped over while in a hurry.” Julian shakes his head in exasperation as he pours me a glass of water.

“Ah, Dios Mio, mi sirenita. I’ve always said you’ve got flippers for feet.” I smile at the irony of it all. Oh Julian. If you only knew how on the money you are. He gives me a quick smile before rushing off to serve another customer and I pull out my books as I wait for Cordelia to join me. Losing myself in my book I don’t notice her approach until she’s right upon me. Her hands run across my bandages in her motherly nature, checking to see if the nurse had wrapped them to her satisfaction. Cordelia has always been there for me, from day one. When I was all alone and missing my family, she took me under her wing and became the family I needed. When she’s satisfied with her examination, she sits on the stool next to me and gestures to Julian for she usual glass of wine. After taking a long sip she turns to me, her eyes holding something in them that I recognise as motherly scolding.

“So rumour around campus is that the mute girl almost got squished into a pancake by an oncoming truck but was saved by a handsome new student. And she ran off without even thanking him.” I avoided her gaze in favour of my book. But Cordelia wasn’t having it. “Sirena. Look at me.” Her hand lands atop the pages of my book pulling my gaze to hers, full of concern. “You have to be more careful. Vera is going to lose it when this rumour reaches her. You’re supposed to be keeping a low profile.” I huff at her words and stare at my glass of water, the condensation chasing itself down the glass. Her soft hand atop mine pulls my gaze back to her, her eyes apologetic. “I know it’s not within your control if you trip over accidentally, but I’m just looking out for you. You know what she’s like.” I nod in agreement and look down at my lap, tears prickling my eyes. Cordelia squeezes my hands once more before letting go.

“I’m sorry.” I sign. “I’ll try to be more careful.” She smiles softly and raises the glass to her mouth to take another drink. Swivelling in her chair she gazes out at the room of people. Now that the orientation tours are over the room is filling up increasingly with new and old students looking to socialise. I return to my book as she people watches, but my mind can’t focus on the words in front of me as it keeps replaying the image of deep blue eyes, deep enough to swim in. There was something in their depths, something that made me want to stay in his arms forever. I shake my head at myself as I close my book and put it back in my bag. There is no point daydreaming about things I can’t and will never have.

“Dios Mio. That man is six kinds of hot.” Julian interrupts my inner scolding’s as he fans himself and looks across the room. My eyes follow his and my heart leaps into my throat. As our gazes collide, I feel my world shift for the second time that day. Those deep blue depths hold me captive as his lips tip into a slight smirk. A hand on mine breaks the spell and I jump from my chair and gather all my things, ready to make a quick escape.

“Woah. Sirena. What’s wrong?” I just shake my head and sign a quick goodbye and beeline it for the door. I have to keep a low profile, and this man screams “Look at me! Look at me!” I can’t do anything that will anger Vera. I don’t stop until I’m locking my bedroom door and collapsing on my bed. I don’t know what it is about the guy who saved my life, but I feel like he’s going to be nothing but trouble for me.