Siren of the Lake

Chapter 6: A Silenced Siren

Damon's body instantly froze and he instinctively shut his eyes. This was it. All this planning and organizing, and he was just going to be another name added to her long list of victims.

He waited for the song to fill his ears and render his body immobile. Was he supposed to feel a certain sensation taking over his control, or any source of pain? Why was nothing happening? It was then that he realized…he didn't hear anything except the world around him. Did she even sing or was it all a ruse to get away and save herself? There was no way he was letting that happen. He wiggled his fingers and recognized he could move still—there was hope.

Damon's eyes whipped open, and he saw Adelaide still standing in front of him with a sudden look of horror filling her features. She was scared; terrified even. Her cheeks flushed and she appeared catatonic, with her wide eyes staring directly at Damon.

“What's the problem?" he asked out of spite. “Feel a sudden wave of guilt?"

Adelaide didn't answer. She remained in her spot, moving nothing but her eyes which darted from Damon to the scenery behind him. It was almost like she was looking for someone—or something. But that was not possible. Next to a warlock, a siren was one of the most powerful creatures Damon knew of, as it wielded a terribly dangerous ability. There's nothing she should be afraid of.

But that didn't matter. What mattered was he had a chance; she was completed distracted and close enough that he could attack with little to no consequence. Damon readied his hand—however, the effect he felt earlier, the almost pulling sensation, resurfaced, and made him wait. He watched as she examined the area, pieces of her wavy locks moving across her shoulder with each turn of her head. What was she thinking? Or better yet, who was she searching for?

Damon shook his head abruptly, forcing the thoughts from his mind. What was he thinking? He slowly and steadily took a step back into the lake to get into position, making the water splash up around his ankles. And in quick succession, Adelaide jumped, and her head bolted around, searching for the source of the noise.

Damon buried his heel in the mud under his shoes for traction, but it was fruitless because the second he lifted off, Adelaide dived directly into the water from the rock and swam to the edge of the opposite side of the lake. When she reappeared, she had legs, and her skin no longer glistened against the moonlight. She was human.

Adelaide darted behind a nearby rock and emerged wearing an old grey robe that looked as if it had been passed down through generations. She scanned the land around her and pulled the robe tighter around her body, accentuating the curvatures of her delicate frame. Her bare feet rubbed against the blades of grass, and she trembled—whether from the cold or out of fear, Damon wasn't sure. He softened his posture and simply watched as she took a step, and then another…and another…and now she was running up the hill—

“Sh*t!" Damon cursed under his breath, charging up the grassy peak after her.

Adelaide's frame turned and raced through the woods that ran parallel to the hill. Despite being moderately quick on his feet, she managed to continue to keep a good distance ahead of him—her outline weaving in and out of various trees. Leaves slashed Damon's face as he whizzed through them, trying to keep up with her pace, but it was no use. He wasn't going to catch her like this. He needed to be faster.

Damon gripped the dirt with the soles of his shoes, and sprung ahead, jumping, and transforming mid-air while catching the loose dagger in his mouth. His claws dug deep into the soil of the Earth as he landed on all fours, and rushed on, moving swifter than earlier. The wind gripped his golden coat, pulling it back as he pressed on, dodging any branches, trees, or vines that threatened his objective.

Adelaide still had the upper hand, but not for long. Damon's speed had greatly increased, and he was closing in quicker than he anticipated. The gap gradually began to decrease between them until he was close enough that he could hear her hastened breath. She glanced back to see him on her trail and picked up her speed, making the space grow again. In a rash decision, Damon leapt, forcing them both to ground, with Damon standing over-top her having the upper hand. Adelaide squirmed around, continuing to try to break free, and Damon pressed his paws in the ground to pin her down.

“Please," she pleaded. “You don't understand. You have to let me go."

Damon got closer to her face and let out a deep growl.

“Please," Adelaide repeated.

Damon searched her eyes for any shift of emotion, but only found desolation and fear. He changed once more, grabbing a hold of the dagger with his hand just before its sharp blade fell on her and pierced her skin.

“Why should I?" he snarled. “After all you've done?"

“That wasn't me," Adelaide replied, still writhing underneath him.

“Don't give me that bullsh*t!" Damon barked, locking in his grip on her.

“It's not! I know you don't believe me," Adelaide spoke, breathlessly, still trying to break free. “But you have to."

“Give me one good reason," he retorted.

Adelaide stopped squirming and turned her attention to Damon. Her eyes were large and dilated, and her body still trembled. He didn't know what lie he was expecting to hear. Most people when begging for their lives will make up any story to get out of it—they always do. Except Adelaide's face, despite her tremendous terror, was straight. And what she said next was definitely not what he had imagined her lie to be.

“Because if you don't, they'll kill us both. And they're more dangerous than I'll ever be."