Called by the Siren

Chapter 26: The Friendship of Magpies

Bee looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a black evening dress with a sweetheart neckline and some long black gloves. When she was asked by Kurt and Alannah to come to a Syndicate Dinner a week ago, Bee had I initially said “No, thank you!”

Bee had good reason to say no, she was the Siren and needed to be careful about how she was perceived. She already knew that it had raised a few eyebrows among her people when it was announced she was being courted by two Land Lovers. She did not want to think she had somehow been brought by the British Syndicate.

That was the plan anyway, but the Twins had looked so sad and disappointed that she changed her mind. She just hoped she would not live to regret it! She sighed as she brushed her dress down.

“You look..” Ethan said with a lustful stare.

“Stunning! We are so happy you are coming!” Aiden said.

“And we brought you a small token of our appreciation!” Ethan said as he held out a small velvet box.

“Guys, I don’t need gifts! I am with you because I love you!” Bee protested putting her hand on her hips and pouting. She didn’t want to live off them and she has fiercely protected her independence.

Aiden walked to her and put his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Bee’s body was instantly aware of Aiden’s proximity.

“Come now Bee, don’t be like that! Let us give you this small gift, it would make us happy!” Aiden said as he started to kiss her neck.

“Let us spoil you, just this once!” Ethan said as he walked over and started to kiss the other side of Bee’s neck. Bee closed her eyes and moaned, this was her weakness and the boys knew it!

“Alright! Alright!” Stop it!” Bee said in a defeated voice. The Twins chuckled and let go of her before Ethan handed her the box. Bee opened it and gasped, it was a gold necklace with three charms on it. They were a cross, a heart and an anchor.

“Faith, hope and charity! Oh, boys, this is so thoughtful!” Bee said with tears in her eyes. Faith, hope and charity were the foundations of all the Sea Gangs.

“Do you like it?” Aiden said in a hopeful voice. The Twins had been desperately thinking of a gift for her and with Alannah’s help, they have settled on this.

“I love it!” Bee said with genuine pleasure.

“Good, because we love you so much, Bee!” Ethan said as he put the necklace around Bee’s neck.

“Our lives and hearts are now yours!” Aiden said as he kissed her hand.

“Ethan…Aiden…I ..” Bee started to say. She wanted to say that she felt the same, that home was not just in Cornwall but where they were. She wanted to say that they were her guiding stars shining in the night, guiding her home. But she couldn’t because there was a knock at the door.

“Looks like it is time to go!” Bee said with a smile. She would tell them both later.

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“Stop Fidgeting Alannah, it is like you have got ants in your pants. Bee will be fine, she had some dealings with Syndicate members already!” Theo said.

“I know she can handle the men, but the women are a different ball game!” Alannah said.

“Yeah tell me about it! These women can be like a pack of Hyenas!” Anne said as she walked over with James.

“I am sure they are not that bad!” Kurt said calmly.

Alannah and Anne gave each other a look. They knew how b***h and troublesome the women could be, especially when it came to men! Alannah and Anne worked together to keep them all in line. Anne would use her phycology skills, whilst Alannah tended just to challenge them to a gang dual. Surprisingly, no one accepted.

“That bad, hey? Well, they will have to behave as Bee is a Siren and being courted by the Twins!” James pointed out.

“And she is our guest! I won’t tolerate any disrespect to her!” Kurt growled in a low voice.

Suddenly the room went silent as Bee and the Twins appeared at the entrance to the Hall. Bee blushed in embarrassment as she noticed that everyone was staring at her. Some were in curiosity, most in disgust. For the first time in her life, Bee wished she had a shawl to cover up her Sea Gang tattoos.

“Look at her?” 

“Who does she think she is?”

“Never thought I would see someone like her here!” 

“Both of them?! What a slut!”

All these things Bee heard and she looked down to the ground. Alannah was about to rescue her when Theo stopped her and shook her head.

“Bee and the Twins need to sort this out themselves!” Theo murmured to her.

It was just at this point that Bee took a deep breath and straightened her spine. She looked up and stared back at the people with her storm grey eyes. She was ashamed that she even thought about hiding who she was! Bee then smiled and held out both her hands.

“Come on you two, I need a drink!” Bee said confidently.

“Anything for you!” Aiden said with a smile taking her left hand.

“Your wish is our desire!” Ethan said taking her right.

Both the Twins looked like lovesick puppies as they made their way towards the centre of the room with Bee. Bee had her head held high and ignored all the murmurings. Ethan even took Bee’s hand and kissed it, much to the horror of some in the crowd.

“Bonny Clearwater, is that you? My goodness, you do scrub up well!” A male voice with a strong Newcastle accent said loudly.

Bee turned and saw a familiar face. “Brian? Brian is that you? I not seen you in ages!?!” Bee said as she hugged the middle-aged man.

“You know the leader of the Magpies Gang?” Aiden said shocked. Brian was an old friend and strong ally of Kurt’s. The Magpies were the strongest Gang in the North East of England, after The Forgers.

“Know her? She saved my Daughter’s life and is a true friend of the Magpies! When my daughter was lost in the North Sea, I sent out a gang distress call. The Siren answered and sailed through a storm to get to my Sally!!” Brian said explained loudly so everyone could hear.

“Anyone would have done the same!” Bee said remembering the night well. It had been a night when a storm had suddenly appeared, causing a small pleasure cruise ship to be lost at sea. Bee and her crew of Krakens were in the area to broker a trade deal with a Scottish Border Gang. They had heard the called and diverted to help with the search. Bee had found the small boat just in time!

“Well, they didn’t!” Brian said gruffly and the Twins notice some people looking down embarrassed.

“I…I .. am sure they had their reasons!” Bee said, trying to smooth over the difficult situation.

“Aye, I am sure they did lass!” Brian said. He then clenched his right fist and place his arm across his chest. People murmured because they knew this was a Sea Gang’s sign of respect. The last person they expected to see do it was the leader of the Magpies.

“Bonny Clearwater, I hereby recognise you as the Siren and formally offer you my hand in friendship. I would be most honoured if you accept it!” Brian said in a booming voice.

There was a silence Bee walked forward and said “Brian, you know I see your family as a friend anyway! So, of course, I accept your friendship!!”

The Magpie clapped, roared and whistled. Some other people started to clap as well, won over by the Siren’s bravery, honesty and integrity.

The Twins smiled and each put an arm around her, signalling their love for her.

“Did she just win over the Magpies?” James said stunned. It had taken years to earn their trust.

“No, she had won them over already. Brian just made it official now because he hasn’t seen her since that day. You know Bee, she doesn’t like a fuss!” Theo said with a smirk. 

Brian was busily introducing Bee to all his associates, whilst the Twins watched with pride and protectiveness.

“Looks like she didn’t need our help after all! Bee seems perfect for the Twins!” Anne said with a smile.

“Let’s just pray that they are perfect for her!” Theo muttered.

They were all too busy to notice Priscilla talking to a Waiter at the edge of the room.

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Thank you for reading! The next update is on Tuesday…till then keep safe!