Gwen paced back and forth, glancing at her husband who knew exactly what Gwen was worried about. She hadn’t been able to sleep, eat, or basically do anything since she had discovered the sirens. James had the same worried expression on his face with a hint of confusion mixed into it. “What is going on Gwen?” The girls on the couch sighed and glanced at Gwen.
Gwen glared at the girls. “Something has happened to my daughter.”
James stared worriedly at her. “She is right here.”
“No, she isn’t.”
“What do you mean?”
Eric’s eyes never left the girl disguised as Aurora. Not even once. Gwen was tempted to ask what had happen. She was scared for her children. She stared down at her belly. Soon enough, there would be another addition to their little family.
“Have you heard of sirens being able to disguise as others?”
James looked baffled and Eric just ended up putting his head in his hands.
Eric started speaking calmly,”Powerful sirens are able to disguise as others, mimicking their voice and more often than not, their looks. They have the ability to change into completely unique forms or change into forms others have taken.” Gwen and James stared at their son.
Eric shifted uneasily. “I did my research.”
James put his head in his hands, defeated.
“Do you mean that the girl sitting on my couch is basically my daughter’s doppelganger?”
The girl smiled. “You forgot about Aurora. We never intended for anyone to die. It just happened.”
James jumped back as Eric jumped to his feet.
“Sit down. All of you.”
Gwen snapped her fingers and everyone did as she said except James. He was immune.
“Gwen-”
“Let me figure this out.”
Gwen turned around and faced the girls. One girl had neon hair, and the same grayish tint to her eyes that Gwen had, and another had blonde hair with strands of aqua in it.
“What do you mean someone died?”
The girls stared at her, paralyzed with fear. Gwen felt a rush of power erupt inside of her.
“That wasn’t a question you could decide if you answered.” Everything started spilling out of the girls.
“Mother told us the only reason she had us was to get revenge on her sister and to live forever. We were trained at a young age to shape into other people. Mother told us the goddess would give us our powers. We were forced to attack your daughter. We didn’t mean to hurt anyone. We were just following orders.”
Gwen snapped. “Look what good you did. You are as pathetic as your mother.”
James stood up and walked over to Gwen. “It isn’t their fault.”
“My daughter could be dead because of these girls. Don’t tell me it isn’t their fault. Her blood may be on their hands.”
Gwen couldn’t stare at her husband. The world was spinning and she was afraid her small, perfect world she had built up would shatter into millions of pieces. “They are going to die.”
“No, they aren’t Gwen.” Gwen shaked her head.
“If I don’t kill them, the curse will.”
Eric looked briefly at Gwen, fascinated. He was so much like Solstice. It use to bring a smile to her face, but now it only brought her pain.
“What curse? The one inflicted by Fate upon our family or a different one entirely?”
Gwen let a hint of a smile onto her face. “I swear sometimes you and your sister are mindreaders.”
Eric huffed. “Not me.”
The girls on the couch shifted anxiously.
“Mother is going to be so mad at you Callistus.”
“It wasn’t my job to stalk her!”
“Shut up.”
Gwen sighed again. The world was spinning even faster, picking everyone she loved up with it.
“A cursed siren and an a normal siren are two different things. A siren is a magic user that has a powerful voice that can manipulate others. A cursed siren is a siren that used their magic incorrectly and has to pay the price. The first signs is scale on their legs in which they are give a few hours to go to Siren’s Cove or die. They then can only go onto land during the night and have to serve centuries luring others into the dangerous ocean depths.”
The girl’s stared at her.
“We aren’t cursed. We don’t have scales on our legs.”
“Your magic is out of balance.”
“How would you know?”
“Trust me.”
One of the girl’s grinned.
“You don’t know. You know what I know, one of those two didn’t get out alive. Which one ever did will wish they were dead. Trust me. I would rather be a cursed siren than whatever they will turn her into.”
Gwen turned and looked at the girl. She looked so much like her mother. Gwen smiled as the power inside of her screamed revenge. James noticed right away.
“Don’t you dare Gwen. Don’t you dare.” Her son just stared at her.
“What is going on? Mom? Dad?”
Gwen scanned through all her options. Fire? Nah. Electrocution? Too quick. Starvation? Too slow. Drowning? That would be a classic. She should stay with the classics. She was merciful after all. There are so many worse things than death. She couldn’t hear James anymore and could only notice the girls staring at her in fear. Eric got up and quickly left the room. He knew his mother wasn’t in her right mind. James stared screaming various things at her.
“They are just teenagers! They aren’t even full sirens! Their mother did this, not them!”
None of it got through to Gwen until he crossed the line.
“You are going to end up just like your father!”
Gwen turned around.
“What did you just say?”
“You are going to end up just like your father Gwen!”
Gwen snapped and replied cooly. “You better hope you don’t become like your father.”
Gwen stared at the girls. The girls looked fine unless you looked in their eyes. Their eyes told of terrors that they had seen that were beyond their years. James was talking again? Why couldn’t he stop talking?
“Gwen, she isn’t dead! She isn’t you!”
Gwen turned around and finally faced her husband.
“I raised her for years by myself. You don’t know her.”
“Whose fault is that?!”
“You left me a note telling me you were leaving and to never look for you! You told me your father was right about me! You were always needed to be the one who needed to be right James! Maybe you weren’t!”
James stormed out of the room.
“Really mature James!”
Gwen turned around to the girls.
“Tie yourselfs up. I don’t care.”
The girl with neon hair murmured a thank you for not killing her.
Gwen smiled darkly. “If you hurt anymore of my family I don’t care what he says, you will die a long and painful death. Got it?”
The girls nodded.
Gwen sighed and fell to the ground after the girls were gone. Silent tears streamed down her face. Was James right? Was he wrong? He irritated her to no end. He always had to be the right one in the equation. How could Gwen love someone that seemed to shake her whole world down? It seemed every time she was near him she broke into pieces again only to feel whole. Why did she love him? Gwen knew the answer. She sighed. Those girls could have killed his daughter and he wanted to do nothing, nothing? Gwen grabbed something that looked expensive and threw it. She laughed.
“That was smart.”
Eric came by and sat by her. “That was a stupid thing for him to say. You should have killed them.” Gwen glanced at him. “Yeah.” Eric sighed. “Don’t listen to what he says sometimes. He just isn’t use to seeing people as they really are.” Gwen sighed. “I guess I should be telling you not to talk bad about your father.” Eric laughed. “I’m not talking bad about him. I’m just telling the truth.” Gwen rolled her eyes. “That is what I thought at your age too.” Eric grinned. “I will say it when I’m older then.” Gwen raised an eyebrow. “You can say that when you have wife and kids. You will then be able to understand.” Eric’s grin just got bigger. “Deal.” Gwen laughed.
“I forgot to tell him I got a phone call from his mother.” Eric looked confused. “What?”
“She wanted to meet up with him or something. The woman that abandoned when he was young has finally decided to show up again.” Eric frowned. “Never let me abandon my kids. Ever. Got it?” Gwen grinned. “If you did you wouldn’t live to see what would happen because of it.” Eric laughed. They were both laughing like idiots. Gwen’s world started spinning again and she collapsed.
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James paced back and forth. Why, why did he say that to his wife? He hadn’t meant it. He just froze. He just saw her in those girls and wanted to protect them. Those girls weren’t Gwen. James clenched his hands into fists. They were the reason his daughter could be dead. They would be a factor in his daughter’s destruction. He glanced at the girls. One smirked. They needed to die. His little girl was out there, all alone. Gwen was right. She was the thing keeping him together through everything. Who would he be without her? He needed to beg for forgiveness. Gwen didn’t deserve what James had said. She was so much better than those girls. He knew better. James froze as he heard his son calling for him. “Dad? Dad! Mom, wake up. Wake up! I said wake up!”
James ran into the room where his son was was shaking Gwen, trying to get her to wake up. Tears were streaming down his face. “Mom, mom, mom!” “Gwen? Gwen?” He laid her head on his lap, begging for her to wake up. Why wouldn’t she wake up? He couldn’t lose her. He wouldn’t lose her. Eric called someone. James didn’t know who it was. He didn’t care, he just needed to help her. He had never felt more helpless in his life before. He already missed her laugh, her smile, even the face she made at him when she was mad. He couldn’t be without her again. He didn’t want to be without her again. He couldn't. Every moment with her was precious. “Wake up Gwen, please wake up Gwen.” James held tightly onto her until he was forced to let her go.
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Gwen woke up in a room she wasn’t familiar with. She grabbed the closest thing to her that could be use as a weapon and tried to get off the bed. It didn’t work. The world came back into view. James was hunched down in the chair, defeated. “I’m so sorry Gwen.”
Gwen launched up and stared at her stomach and tears started falling down her face. “No, no.” James noticed her distress and walked over to her. “They are fine.” Gwen stared at him. “They?” James smiled. “Twin boys.” Gwen laughed. “Guess what that means moron, I was right.” James stared sadly at her. “You were right about those girls Gwen. They are ticking time bombs. I’m so sorry for what I said. It was stupid. I just want Solstice back.” Gwen gave him a look of dread. “Even if she comes back, she won’t be the same.”
Gwen was allowed out of the hospital a lot sooner than she thought she would be able to.
Gwen held Calloway. He always had a smile on his face while his brother, Matt, always had a frown. Gwen snickered. “Matt is you James.” Gwen got home and stared at the house. “We don’t have enough room. Gwen plopped onto the bed, exhausted. “I’m not having anymore children. Having them is exhausting.” James smiled. “Four is perfect.” Gwen felt her heart stuck in her throat. Her voice came out weak,”I just want her to come home, you know. I want my little girl to come home.” James nodded quietly. Gwen kept speaking. “I want to grow old with you and see our grandchildren running around our huge house that is too big for just us.” James smiled. “I don’t deserve you.” Gwen nodded tiredly. “Yeah, yeah. Love you too James.” Gwen dozed off and barely caught what he said,”I love you Gwen. I promise I will get our daughter back.”
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Gwen tossed and turned until one of the twins woke her up. What was going to happen to her daughter? Would she die or be the remains of the little girl she once was? Gwen was scared, no, terrified for her daughter. She was afraid she would end up just like Gwen had until something finally woke her up. Gwen relived those terrible moments in her life. She held onto her baby boy, Calloway, to keep her sane. He stared at her curiously. His little hand tugged her hair. Gwen smiled. “You are insane.” Calloway giggled, with a hint of mischief in his eyes.
Gwen’s smile started to fade. He had her eyes. Was it possible, no it wasn’t. Gwen cooed to her little boy,”Happy birthday you little monster.” Gwen sighed. “I guess happy birthday to me too.” It was any moment now. “Tick, tock, Calloway.” Calloway looked up at her, startled. Gwen shook her head. Was it possible? Would Fate really offer her immortality? Could she turn it down? It was baffling to Gwen. What was it like to be inside that woman’s head?
Gwen blinked and she was in Fate’s presence. The goddess looked bored. “What do you want? You have lived this long and provided me power. Choose something.” Gwen sighed. She had imagined this would go a lot differently. Gwen spoke quietly,”I want a long life with James and my family.” This seemed to wake Fate up. “Immortality? That only goes so far.” Gwen shaked her head. “Just a long, happy, normal life.” The goddess laughed. “Normal?”
Gwen smiled. “Let me rephrase that. I want to live to a normal age and die with James with my family.” The goddess sighed, looking defeated. “Fine. Go away. Your presence is draining.” Gwen stared curiously at the goddess. She knew that look. Gwen hid a hint of a smile.
Before she knew it, she was back, holding Calloway. Everyone but Calloway and her didn’t notice it. She stared at her child curiously. “That was strange.” Calloway gave her a look that said “tell me about it.” Gwen wanted to believe she imagined that. She was scared that she didn’t. James was reading an old newspaper that should have been thrown out. He frowned. “I’m not sure this is accurate.” Gwen sighed and kissed her husband.
James put the newspaper down. “Happy birthday Gwen.” Gwen snickered. “You got to celebrate your birthday by yourself but I can’t.” James nodded “Exactly.” Gwen crossed her arms. “I’m guessing you got me a gift?” She said teasingly. She didn’t expect anything. She loved her husband and that was enough for her. James grinned. “I actually did. A house.” Gwen raised an eyebrow. “What?” James’s grin just got wider. “I got us a house in Dragon Valley. There is job positionings there for both of us if you would like.” Gwen’s throat got tighter. “What about?” James shook his head. “We have been looking everywhere Gwen. She will find us when the time is right.” Gwen sighed and ended up putting her head in her hands. “We can’t give up.”
James put an arm around her. “We aren’t giving up. We are doing the opposite of it. We need to show her that we aren’t going to give up searching for her, but we aren’t going to go insane from these monsters that took her.” Gwen nodded her head and grabbed herself some coffee. “You are always spending a positive twist on everything. ‘Sorry you were kidnapped. Here is some junk food.’” Gwen shook her head as James laughed. “It is crazy looking back.” Gwen frowned. “We are getting old.” James shook his head. “That is an accomplishment.” Gwen looked around, panicking. “Did you forget the cakes?” Gwen paused for a moment and kissed James.
James just shook his head. “No Gwen. I didn’t forget the cakes. We will be having cakes for days.” Gwen smiled. “Should I tell Eric to start packing?” James sighed and stared at the newspaper again. “If that is what you would like for us to do.” Gwen rolled her eyes. “Of course.” Eric knocked on Eric’s door. That was strange. He wasn’t in there. Gwen barged in to see him hunched over blueprints. Gwen peered over his shoulder. A chip of sorts? “What are you doing there?” Eric jumped.
“Thanks mom. You just gave me a heart attack.” Gwen crossed her arms. “What are you doing, Eric?” Eric looked at the blueprints. “I’m doing something that will change the world.” Gwen hid a hint of a smile. “Okay. We are moving. Start packing.” Eric stared at her. “What? Where?” Gwen grinned. “Dragon Valley.” Eric took a deep breath. “That sounds awesome mom. Can you get me an alchemy station?” Gwen’s smile faded. “You are interested in magic?” Eric smiled sheeply. “Not interested, fascinated.” Gwen shook her head. “Sure you were always so much like your sister.” Her voice cracked on the last word. “We will find her.” Eric said firmly. Gwen smiled. “You are so much like your father.” Eric grinned. “I take that as a compliment.”
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Eric made sure his mother was out of the room before resuming to the blueprints he had already carefully planned out. Was it possible that something that brought him so much joy to create could destroy so many people’s lives? He didn’t care as long as it helped his sister. That is what mattered. He had somehow managed to figure out that whoever had her was planning to install a chip in her head that could control her. That wasn’t the only con though. Her power would be unstable and sooner or later, she would have to find a power source to extract more power from. It would cause her to be dependent on other magic user’s power.
Eric wasn’t sure why he was creating blueprints to fix the chip. He just was. Before he could stop himself he was adding smart remarks to whatever moron seemed to stumble upon the blueprints. He didn’t exactly have an idea who it would be. He was just insulting them for their lack of intelligence among other things he clearly didn’t know. The terrifying thing thing was that he felt he knew this person.
Eric finally put the blueprints away and launched up from the chair. He ducked under the flying dragon to see where the sirens were. They were tied up of course. Letting them free wasn’t an option for any of them. Eric sighed and held up the note he had found lying on the ground of a car crash. No one knew who crashed except their sure wasn’t any survivors. His parents and him didn’t know when Solstice and Aurora went missing. A fresh pain of guilt stabbed him. He held up the note so the sirens could see it. It had little information on it but he hoped it was enough to strike fear into their hearts.
Their mother had knew they were going to die eventually from what they referred to as their “mission.” He hoped the note would be the last thing that broke any loyalty the woman that had given birth to them. It did. It all started spilling out. Everything. The lab. The project. The car crash. At the end they were crying, begging for forgiveness. Eric shook his head sadly. He would try if he could somehow know these girls couldn’t manipulate other’s anymore. He stared down at their legs that were covered with scales. He waved his hand and the ropes came undone. “Go, just go. Don’t come back. Go to Siren’s Cove and don’t do anything to my family again. Got it?” They nodded then skirted off out of the house.
Eric walked out of the room to find his mother staring at him suspiciously. “What did you do?” Eric shrugged. “I sent them to Siren’s Cove.” His mom shaked her head. “We invited some of our family over for the twin’s brother. Eric sighed and walked out of the room. In the kitchen where three simple cakes sat on the table. Eric waved at Kaleb who seemed bored. He was always bored. He glanced around and his eyes finally landed on Eric. “Guess who is coming to Dragon Valley with you guys?” Eric grinned and then looked around. “Have you seen Maleficent?” Kaleb shrugged. “Nope.”
Eric watched as his mother and father took the twins up to the cakes. Calloway tugged on mom’s hair. Eric shrugged. There was an audible gasp when Calloway became a toddler. Everyone stared for a second. Kaleb stared at mom, trying to figure out if this was a trick of sorts. Everyone knew it wasn’t a trick by Eric’s mother’s face. “Impossible.” Dad went to comfort her. “It doesn’t mean anything.” Mom closed her eyes and blew out the candles. “ It means Fate has changed the game.”