Song of the Sirens by Kaylie Austen Read Free Book Online Page A

a time.
    The storm hadn’t dissipated, instead it
grew. The wind rocked the boat and knocked me against the opposite wall after I
slid and scrambled with one foot partially in a shoe. I cursed under my breath
once my hands made impact with the wall. At least my face didn’t hit the wall.
    I turned around, hopped, and pushed my
heel into the shoe. I always kept my sneakers laced and loosely tied so I could
slip them off and on with ease. I didn’t bother tightening them.
    As the boat swayed, hauling me around with
it, I stumbled on wobbly knees while clutching the old wooden railing. I walked
around the corner and up the stairs in silence. I didn’t find a soul, which
meant the crew either slept or hung out in the research room.
    Once I walked onto the deck, a strong
gust of misty air hit. I gripped the railing, leaned forward, and pressed
onward. The industrial lights from the steerage room illuminated a ghastly
scene. The truth of the matter struck me. We rolled around on irritated waves
in utter blackness, miles from land, and susceptible to the bare elements.
    I tasted salty water droplets on my
lips, felt the spray on my face. I squinted and rounded the corner. I could’ve
gripped the railing to lead me around to the back, but I chose to stay away
from the edge of the boat and instead clung to the outer wall.
    I knew I would find Riley shirtless and
decked out in red and white trunks, huddled at the railing, and talking to the
water.
    When I inched closer, I caught the last
few words. “Release her,” he said into the ocean.
    I wrapped a hand around Riley’s broad
shoulder and turned him around. He puffed. His face was red with surprise.
    “What’s going on?” I demanded.
    He shook his head. “What are you talking
about?”
    I leaned against the railing and glanced
into the water. There was movement below the outstretched lighting, though I
couldn’t see a clear figure. I pushed away and met Riley’s eyes.
    “What’s gotten into you, Anita?” he
asked.
    “Tell me what’s going on. Tell me why
you’re out here talking to them. Why were you in my dreams?”
    He faked a light chuckle. “You’re
delirious. Maybe you should’ve eaten more than rice.”
    “How did you know that’s all I ate?”
    “Maybe I saw you guys at dinner in
passing.”
    “Maybe?”
    He failed to respond.
    “Are you in my dreams?”
    “Now you sound weird.”
    “I had a nightmare again, and I was
saved again. This time I saw his face, it was you, your face and your
constantly cold hands.”
    He shook his head twice. “You told me
about your dreams, so your subconscious placed me in there.”
    I crossed my arms. “You told the siren
to release me in my dream. And when I found you here, you said the exact same
words to your mermaid buddies.”
    “You’re imagining things, Anita,” he
grumbled and walked past me.
    I trotted after him, hot on his heels.
“You said some things shouldn’t be ignored, or pushed off as craziness. You
know something about my dreams. You told me they were dangerous.” I raised my
voice. “Who are they? And why are they haunting me?”
    Riley halted and whipped around. I
almost walked right into him. He hovered above me. His piercing green eyes
almost glowed. He didn’t look like the same old, semi-nerdy perfect guy
anymore. He exuded power, dominance, and understanding of this situation that I
so desperately wanted.
    “You can’t handle the truth.”
    “Oh, are you quoting movies now?”
    He growled. We stood toe to toe in a
stare down, and I had no intention of backing away.
    “I started getting these dreams when I
met you. They’ve intensified during this past week at sea. You know something
about my dreams, and you better tell me.”
    “Or what?”
    I relaxed my features. “I dunno. It
seems to me that you know something important that would benefit us, keep us
safe if these dreams are dangerous. Why wouldn’t you tell me?”
    “You better get inside. This storm’s not
safe.” He