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Siren Song

By Dustin Breazeale

"Never swim too far. Never swim too deep. Never sing to the sea."

Moonlight basked across the sands as a shimmering reflection of the full moon danced on choppy night waters. Combined with soft sounds of crashing waves and a gentle breeze, one might think the sea was calling out for a companion.

Khelyth could feel that call. She felt it in her bones and it once again beckoned her away from the safety of her bed. The little seamink's footsteps hardly left any prints in the flawless sand. Her mother would be furious if she were to discover her daughter, once again, venturing to the beach alone.

She was silent as she stood upon the shore. Her lips moved into a smile as the ocean's water rolled over her feet. While Khelyth had spent many hours with her family, swimming and splashing about in the sea, it just couldn't compare to how different the night shores felt.

Alone with only the watchful gaze of the moon as company and the endless body of water before her, Khelyth had to confuse an aura of intimacy around her.

Whether it came from someplace deep in her soul or an outer force inspiring her, Khelyth could not say. Regardless she opened her mouth and began to sing.

"All is quiet and all is calm as the land has gone to bed. Neither right, neither wrong can still my heart's command.'

'For the seas call out to me, oh what mysteries will they share. Forgotten lands and wonders untold, please will you take me there."

No verse was added or returned to the song. The seas were silent. But no matter how often Khelyth's song went unanswered, she still believed that one night, something would sing back.

***

"I'm not letting you sleep in all day again," the stern voice said, invaded her waking mind. "Your cousins are coming over and I'm not preparing a meal for fifteen on my own."

There was only a groan in response. Not even being half awake, Khelyth believed if she were to hide under her covers that she could escape the morning as well as the family gathering later. Alas it was not to be.

The cold morning air assaulted the poor seamink, even through her fur as her only solace of warmth was stolen away. With the protection of her blanket gone, Khelyth reluctantly opened an eye. Sure enough, her mother was standing over her with a clear lack of amusement on her face.

"Were you up all night at the beach again?" Due to her tone, Khelyth was sure her mother already knew the answer.

"N-no." She managed to lie, sitting up with a yawn. "I just couldn't sleep. Those shrimp at dinner gave me weird dreams." She did her best to look sincere, fighting back the urge to twitch her mouth, the way she always did when not being honest.

Thankfully her mother was not in the mind to call her out. "Oh, what to do with you," the older seamink huffed. "Well, get up then, your sisters have already left to start collecting oysters"

After giving a nod, Khelyth was mercifully left alone. With another yawn and stretch she pulled herself out of bed. She didn't dislike diving for oysters. In fact it was one of her favorite activities. But with her sisters, they had to make a competition out of everything.

Who could collect the most, who could dive down the farthest, who could stay under the longest. And the all too popular, lets see how far we can swim out before mom freaks out.

'It just takes the fun out of everything,' Khelyth thought to herself, She'd be much more happy to just enjoy being in the water and collecting clams at her own pace. So she had learned if she ignored their competition they usually left her alone in turn.

Once up Khelyth went over to the hollowed stump that held her knick knacks and treasures. Most would view her 'treasures' as junk, which was fine by her. That didn't change the fact that she loved her little collection.

Amongst her few belongings was a starfish she had found, already dried up on the shore. There was a piece of coral, it's arms narrow and poking out enough to serve as a comb if Khelyth so desired. A favorite was a pearl she had discovered, shimmering wondrously when in sunlight.

But amongst all these things, her most prized possession was a mirror. Such a thing was rare on the small island she lived. It had come to her by way of a trader. He had been sailing by when noticing Khelyth and her sisters playing on the beach. Whatever his reasoning, he saw it fitting to gift each sister with one of his many belongings.

It was Khelyth who was given the mirror. A dark red wood handle was connected to an onyx back in which the reflecting glass rested. There was a small crack on it's left side, but that hardly reduced the sentimental value.

Removing it from the hollowed stump, Khelyth's emerald eyes reflected back at her, looked herself over. As a seamink, Khelyth's species were often mistaken as otters from afar. While sharing similarities, they were very different creatures in appearance and culture. Like many of her kind, Khelyth had more red fur than brown. It tended to grow longer and have more of a silk feel to it than the more courser otter fur.

This morning, her fur was a mess from a restless night and salt air. Normally she'd make herself more presentable with the help of the coral comb. But as she'd soon be swimming it was not necessary on this morning.

On a busy day such as this, she knew there would be no breakfast, which meant she could feast on the best oysters she'd be finding or any slow swimming fish that'd venture too close.

With the fog of sleep leaving her, Khelyth was feeling more excited for the day. Family gatherings may not have been her favorite occurrences, but it provided more opportunity for escape. Easier to be overlooked with a full house.

She was humming the previous night's song to herself as she hurried to the beach. The sandy shore was visible from her family's den, making the salt air and rolling waves an ever present comfort.

Sure enough, Khelyth spotted her three sisters right away. They had already gathered just over a dozen oysters, piled together onshore. It looked as though the twins were currently racing one another to the pile, each gripping an oyster in their paw.

"Sixteen!" Syona announced, throwing her oyster with the others.

"You had a head start." Lisses objected, unceremoniously dropping her oyster on the pile.

Khelyth smiled at her younger sisters as they bickered. "It looked closer to a tie to me," she offered. Neither seemed impressed by this middle ground.

"Or I won," Syona insisted.

"Hey! Quit slacking off, mom says we need at least four dozen oysters!" The three of them looked towards the voice out in the water.

Juniper was Khelyth's elder sister by two years and certainly the most bossy in the family. With her call to get back to work, the twins gave one another a challenging look before running back into the sea. There would be no deterrent to their competition.

Preferring a more relaxed pace, Khelyth approached the water. Stopping at the land's edge, she allowed a moment of pause as the salt water gently washed over her feet. She smiled at the thought of the ocean welcoming her back.

It was but a heartbeat later before she dove into the sea. The water instantly cooling her fur and the silent, peaceful underwater world wrapping her in tranquility. Khelyth swam out as far as she could before breaking the surface, gasping a lungful of air.

She had swam out far, the shore still in sight but the sound of her sisters were but a whisper on the ocean's air. It was perfect. Taking a deep breath she dived back down.

A coral reef decorated the ocean floor as a multitude of colorful fish swam about, oblivious to Khelyth's task. Finding a clearing of the coral was easy enough, the sight of oysters littering the sandy bed below a welcomed sight.

Unlike her sisters, Khelyth found it to be far more practical to gather up the oysters in the area, making only a few trips back to shore. The method of taking one at a time added a much greater workload.

Soon she had a nice pile of oyster gathered together below the surface. It would take her no more than three trips back to shore to add her findings to the collection.

One particular oyster caught her eye and she was reminded of her lack of breakfast. Scooping the meal up in her paws, Khelyth broke the surface of the water. Floating on her back, she slammed the oyster against her chest, cracking it open.

The fresh oyster slid into her mouth and down her throat, appeasing her hunger. After a moment of savoring the treat, Khelyth dove back down for another.

Sound did not travel underwater the same as it did on land. The seas and those that lived in it reacted and responded to movement. It was through the movement in the water that alerted Khelyth that she was not alone.

A moments panic went through her as she looked in all directions. Her mother's warning words returning to her like an old lullaby.

Check behind you for barracudas, check above you for nets. Always be aware of where eels live. But most important my children, always look below from where sharks will attack.

Just as Khelyth had been taught her whole life, she checked all around her with practiced speed. There was nothing. Aside from curious fish and wandering hermit crabs she was alone.

Returning to the surface, she refilled her lungs with air. Khelyth could still hear the distant voices of her sisters and suddenly became very aware of just how far out she had swam. Memories of Brine rushed to her and it was suddenly time to return to shore.

Diving under a final time, Khelyth swam to her collection of clams. As she gathered them best she could, another movement within the water gave her pause. She looked out into the expanding underwater world before her.

There was something out there, something more than just schools of fish or a wise sea turtle. It was then she noticed the deeper water where the ocean's floor sloped. Tall, thick seagrass danced and swayed in the further depths. Khelyth's eyes became fixated upon that underwater foliage.

She saw nothing, nothing at all. No fish swam about in that expanse. No lurking lobster traversing the ocean floor. It was as if all natural life had fled from the area. And then within that moment of stillness there was movement, a flash of scales and fins within the seagrass. Eyes. Glowing amber eyes locked onto her, whatever they belonged to remained hidden, but it was clearly much larger than Khelyth. With no more hesitation, she scooped up what she could of the pile of clams and swam back to the surface.

Despite the shock of...whatever she saw, there was no sense of danger prickling at the back of her neck. Had it been a predator her natural instinct to flee should have taken over. They had not.

With the clams resting on her chest and stomach, Khelyth comfortably floated on her back, her webbed feet steadily kicking her to the safety of shore.

The mystery of what had been watching her would just have to go unanswered for now. Her sisters had already gathered back on the beach. With a smile Khelyth joined them, adding her collection of clams with their own.

"Do you think it's enough?" Lisses asked, counting out what they had all gathered. "No way we'll eat more than five dozen right?"

Juniper frowned in thought. "It just depends who all shows up. Besides if it's not, mother will just make us go collect more." With a shrug she grabbed one side of the blanket they had laid the clams on. "Khelyth."

"Huh?" At hearing her name Khelyth was snapped out of her daydreaming to find her elder sister eyeing her expectantly. "Oh, right. Sorry." She sheepishly laughed, having not realized she had started staring out at the sea.

Taking hold of the other side of the blanket, together they lifted the family's dinner.

"You two go wash up," Juniper instructed their younger siblings. "Then go see what else mother needs help with."

Khelyth had to try and not laugh as the twins both groaned, making faces but not arguing as they ran back to the den.

As her and Juniper began walking, she still couldn't shake her curiosity on what had been watching her. Just to be sure, Khelyth looked over her shoulder back to the sea, half expecting to notice something still eyeing her.

"How far did you go out?"

A sense of frustration rose in Khelyth at her sister's prying question. "What do you mean?" She feigned ignorance; not wanting to have this conversation again.

"You know what I mean." The stern tone in Juniper's voice made it clear this would not be dropped.

"Not that far." Khelyth made sure to look away as she mumbled her words. If she looked at the sand and focused on the weight of the clams, she could almost ignore her sister's unapproving look.

Juniper scoffed humorlessly. "Why can't you just collect with the rest of us? It's safer." Khelyth gave no answer which only spurred Juniper on. "Oh I forgot, you can't be bothered. You'd rather swim off on your own and ignore everything mother has taught us."

"I followed the rules!" Khelyth suddenly snapped. Yet just as quickly as that indignation had arisen, the younger seamink folded back in on herself. "I-I mean..."

The icy glare from Juniper was only matched by her tone. "You mean what?"

With a sigh, Khelyth spoke again, trying to keep her voice level. "Just, I was careful, I checked everything and I didn't even go out to the seagrass."

"But you could see it?" Juniper pressed.

Khelyth's only answer was to fall silent, looking away once more.

"Forget it." Juniper released her side of the blanket, forcing Khelyth to do the same. "We need to get these clams steamed." The pause in her sister's speech troubled Khelyth. "I'm not going to tell mother, but you can't go swimming on your own. We make sure to always be together, okay?"

She wanted to protest, say that it wasn't fair. But she could hear the concern in Junipers voice. Khelyth gave in. "Okay."

***

It was only hours before sundown when the extended family began to arrive. Aunts and uncles, cousins both older and younger all added to the festive atmosphere.

As it turned out, the clams they had gathered would be more than enough as a variety of sea delectables were brought to the family gathering. Their normally quiet and secluded beach den became brimming with noise and chatter of greetings and questions.

Khelyth was overwhelmed. She was polite of course, saying hello and sharing hugs. But she could only hear the comments on how she's grown so many times. Questions about her interests tried her patience as she never really felt like any answer she gave would be heard.

The truth was she wasn't close to most of her relatives. Khelyth was in that middle zone where she just didn't quite fit in. Her elder cousins discussed things like the upcoming fishing season, potential marriages and who would be joining the league diving this year. Her younger cousins all ran about playing, making up games and trying to show up one another with silly stunts.

Out of all those options, none appealed to Khelyth. All she wanted to do was go back to the shoreline, away from the nose and chatter and pressure to interact.

"Hey Khelyth!"

A forced smile came upon her face, anticipating another round of repeated conversation. When Khelyth saw who it was, her fake smile changed into a real one.

"Atriean?!"

The older seamink approached her quickly, the two sharing a hug. Even though she was nearing his size, he easily picked her up a moment.

Khelyth began to laugh in protest. "Haha, Atriean, put me down!" Once returned to her feet she gave him a playful shove. "I'm not some net of fish," she informed him poutily.

"You're right, a net of fish weighs more." A snort of laughter escaped Khelyth from her cousin's more than accurate observation.

"What are you even doing here, I thought you were still at sea?" While it was a pleasant surprise to find him at the gathering, last Khelyth had heard, Atriean was serving aboard a fishing vessel.

"Yeah, about that," his face showed signs of embarrassment as he rubbed the back of his neck. "We had a couple run ins with pirates."

"No!" Khelyth gasped, covering her mouth a moment with shock.

"It wasn't that big of a deal," Atriean assured her. "We had a pretty wily Captain. It just wasn't exactly fun encounters. Then the Captain started talking about contracting protection with The Iron Prince and well..."

Khelyth frowned at that last bit of information. "Who?"

"No one you need to worry about little fish." He was deflecting she knew, hiding his unease by dismissing her. "Anyway, it all got a bit overwhelming so I sort of jumped overboard when we were leaving the last port."

She must have had a look of shock on her face as Atriean held his paws up in defence. "You're a deserter?!" Khelyth's voice had raised louder than she meant.

"Aw come on!" By crossing his arms, her cousin feigned offence. "It wasn't exactly a military ship. Besides, not like I had a contract with them or anything. Decided I had enough adventure and dismissed myself."

Khelyth couldn't help but laugh at his reasoning. In it's own way, the reasoning made sense. "Well that's quite roguish of you."

"Why thank you," He agreed with a nod. "And since when have you known words like roguish?"

She was unable to stop herself from rolling her eyes at that. "Following you and Brine around all the time, I probably know a lot of words I shouldn't."

"Heh, right. Forgot about that."

An awkward air of somber fell over them at the mention of her brother. Khelyth hadn't been thinking and now she just wanted to go hide instead of have this conversation. Thankfully, Atriean picked up on her discomfort and moved the conversation along.

"So, I heard your dad should be coming home soon."

Her ears instantly perked at this news. "Really?! But I thought..."

"I know," Atriean went on to explain. "Apparently they found an undiscovered channel in the south. It goes around the Eastern Kingdoms and leads right into uncharted waters."

It had been nearly two years since Khleyth's father had left. He had signed on to an exploration ship for a five year contract to the great swamp lands in the far south. From what she understood, his role would be lead diver and debris clearer. It was a dangerous job as the swamp waters were known for their harsh treatment to adventuring ships. Worst yet was all the unknown beasts that called those waters home.

"It was such a huge discovery the whole expedition turned back to report," Atriean went on. "Last I heard was everyone was getting full pay for the contract. But a larger expedition will need to be gathered so until that can happen it's permanent shore leave for the crew."

Khelyth was unable to contain her excitement. Her dad was coming home!

"Does my mom know?" She began to look around for her mother as if she could relay the news just by spotting her.

"Probably not." Atriean grinned at Khelyth's joy. "It was all the talk around Avarice when I left. But you know how mail is. He'll probably be home before the letter gets here."

Despite her best efforts, Khelyth let out a small squeal. "You have to tell mother! She'll be thrilled!" Continuing to look around, she finally spotted her mother. She was currently talking with several of Khelyth's aunts.

"Go go!" She insisted, shoving Atriean their way.

"Haha, okay, I'm going I'm going!"

With a final shove Khelyth hung back, not wanting to get caught in the middle of her aunts. "And after I want to hear all about Avarice!" She called after him.

Khelyth watched for several minutes. Her mother's reaction to the news was definitely over the top, getting the attention of everyone. Soon the family all began to crowd around, causing Khelyth to lose sight of her mother and Atriean.

After another few minutes she realized her mistake. With such big news like that, there was no way Atriean would be getting away anytime soon. She had just got rid of the only family she actually wanted to spend time with.

"Way to go seaweed brains," she muttered sourly under her breath.

It was only when a few moments of uncertainty past that Khelyth's fallen mood vanish and she smiled to herself. With all the attention off of her, she could easily sneak away.

***

It was a different world on the beach. The sounds of her chattering family all but a memory out here. No being crowded together or forced conversations. Only the peaceful solitude of the empty beach and rhythmic sounds of waves greeted Khelyth.

She ventured just close enough to the water so the waves could wash over her feet, connecting her to the endless sea once again.

The moon was not full as the night before. Its spherical light just ever such a sliver smaller as the celestial body began it's waning stage. But for now it still put off enough light to make visibility on the beach easy.

Khelyth began to hum to herself. No particular tune or rhythm came to her mind; merely a simple freestyle that seemed to blend in with the waves.

Before she realized, the wordless melody began to take shape in her mind as lyrics freely flowed from her.

"Oh gentle night, haunting and true, let the waves carry me out, carry me to you.'

'For my heart earns and it longs to be free of all bonds, ethereal and eternal forever.'

'Stolen by the day, lost in a familiar place, how can I find my way home when home is what keeps me away."

For a moment, Khelyth paused in her singing, gaze fixed upon the waves. Some silly part of her hoped for a moment the next verse would be sung back to her.

Unable to explain why, Khelyth's mind went back to that morning and the amber eyes in the seagrass. Whatever that had been, if it was even still out there, could it hear her singing?

"It's pretty."

Startled, Khelyth turned around quickly. Juniper stood several feet away, watching her with interest. She had been so focused on the feeling of the song that she hadn't realized her elder sister had ventured out here...how long had she been listening?

"I-I was just, I mean..." Words failed Khelyth as she was unable to think of a viable excuse.

"Relax," Juniper smiled, a rare sight. Approaching her younger sister, she playfully bumped against Khelyth. "I'm not going to tell mother you snuck away from the party."

Together, the two sat on the shore; Khelyth allowing a hopeful smile on her face. They had never been close. Juniper's mind always on the task at paw, planning ahead and getting chores done efficiently. Khelyth prefered to dream, her mind constantly adrift like the ocean she loved.

"I still sing to him too."

Juniper's words struck Khelyth with alarm. She immediately knew what her sister meant and was ashamed that it was not true. Singing was considered a sacred thing in their culture and singing to the dead was both common and extremely personal.

While their elder brother Brine had been a huge part of their lives, Khelyth was forced to admit she had never once sang to him. This served to cause her a greater pang of guilt as she decided to just agree with Juniper instead of admitting the truth.

Simply singing out to the sea was not an accepted practice among her species. Khelyth and her sisters had all grown up with bedtime stories about idle singing drawing in ancient creatures from the deepest parts of the ocean. Warnings on how the song of a young seamink could attract the attention of a siren.

"Yeah. It's hard not to sometimes, " she muttered, reminded again there was never a good response whenever Brine was mentioned. Perhaps it was her mother's influence, that harsh exterior and stubbornness to never talk about tragedy. Except, her mother had mourned him. Khelyth could not claim she had done the same, all she had managed to do after that day was...shut down.

"We could sing to him together, so he can know we both miss him."

It was a surprising sentiment coming from Juniper. Khelyth could recall distant memories of them singing together. However the elder sister had rarely made an effort to spend much time with her younger sibling in recent years. Unless she were to count chores or scolding speeches.

Khelyth was almost tempted to say yes. Then she remembered she didn't want to sing with Juniper right now and she didn't want to remember losing Brine.

"Yeah, we should," Khelyth smiled without sincerity. "But maybe some other time? I was sort of done singing for tonight."

It wasn't exactly a lie, a part of her did want to sing with Juniper, just not now and certainly not to Brine. A pang of guilt struck Khelyth's heart when she caught the brief show of hurt in her sister's eyes. Soon, she would have to come up with something the two could sing about together, but for now all Khelyth sought was a change of subject.

"So did you hear Atriean's news? Father should be coming home soon." While not sounding as cheerful as she'd like, Khelyth still managed to smile. Unlike moments before, this was actually genuine.

Juniper however averted her gaze, tilting her head slightly as she looked to the night waves. "Yeah, I guess."

"You're not excited?"

"No, I am. I just wouldn't get my hopes up is all." Before Khelyth could ask for an explanation, Juniper looked back at her with an expression that reminded her far too much of their mother. "Father usually likes staying away I think. He's always favored exploration vessels and I can't remember him staying at home longer than a month at a time."

Khelyth nearly frowned at this. It was a light she had never viewed their father in.

"If that voyage he's on is really cancelled, he could easily find more work once he gets back to land. He has no real reason to come home right now."

It was such a cold, detached explanation. Khelyth's first thought was to challenge Juniper on her view, inform her that that clearly she was mistaken. But the more the younger seamink thought about it, the more truth seemed to favor her sister.

"You really think that?" She asked hesitantly.

With little thought Juniper nodded. "I do. But that doesn't mean he doesn't love us. Father's just never been good at staying home and after what happened to Brien, well...."

"He had even less reason to stay." Khelyth finished the thought for her sister after she trailed off. It wasn't exactly a nice thought, but it wasn't that difficult to accept either.

Most of the memories Khelyth had of her father were fleeting. Him making a fire in their den, teaching them how to fish and crack open clams. She could even recall his smiling face when her and her two older sibling had made up songs to sing to him.

There was not an abundance of these memories, but enough.

"Still, it'd be nice to have him home if only for a little bit." She wasn't sure if Juniper had heard her. She must have but whatever the reply was Khelyth was no longer listening.

Her mind had began to drift, recalling the last clear memory she had of their father. Oddly enough it had not been on the day he left, it had been before that.

Khelyth had been standing on the shore, frozen in place with shock and terror. She couldn't remember if she had been close enough to the water to feel it on her feet. She didn't remember the sounds of the wind or calls of the seagulls. What she did remember hearing was her father's voice, screaming out as he rushed into the water. The normally clear blue now a blanket of red.

There had been sounds of splashing, a desperate struggle as Brine had fought with all his might to not be pulled under that red water.

"Hey."

Khelyth was immediately pulled out of her memories by the feeling of Juniper's arm resting over her shoulders to shield her from the evening chill.

"It's okay." Juniper assures her.

Whether or not she had guessed what Khelyth had been imagining, the younger seamink could not be sure. She was just thankful Juniper didn't ask.

Pulling her knees to her chest, Khelyth sat in silence with her sister. It was nice for a time. Though the longer Khelyth looked out at the waves, enraptured by they're gentle song, the more she felt uncomfortable.

It wasn't as if she wanted Juniper to leave, she just wanted to be alone with the endless sea. Juniper just happened to be intruding on that.

"You don't have to keep hiding out here alone," Juniper's voice was surprisingly gentle.

"I'm not hiding and I'm not a...," Khelyth had barely managed to catch herself, letting out a huff of frustration. Why had that accusation of being alone feel so offencive?

'Because I'm not alone,' she reminded herself.

"Look, I'm not attacking you. It's normal to still be in mourning, we all are." While Juniper still had her arm over Khelyth's shoulders, these words caused her to pull away.

"I'm not in mourning!" Her voice raised. Khelyth didn't want to be confrontational, she didn't want to push Juniper away but...

"And what do you call this?" The elder girl's voice caught between a laugh of concern and desperation. "The family is all here and you're just out in the dark on the beach again."

Khelyth had to hold back a scoff at the ridiculous statement. "Family is always here."

"No Khelyth, they're not!" That condescending big sister tone had finally returned to Juniper's voice. "We've barely seen most of our family since before dad left. But if you just want to ignore that fact than fine."

Silence hung in the air between them for some time. Junipers eyes locked on Khelyth and Khelyth refused to return the look.

"I'm going back to the party." Juniper stated, leaving Khelyth alone with the sea. That had been what she wanted after all.

***

She was underwater, but it was different this time. There was no sense of up or down, just the endless water that surrounded her. Panic and fear were not trying to take hold of her mind. Instead the water was comforting and she found she could breath within its depths as easy as breathing air.

"Hello?" She did not actually speak, yet her words seemed to echo out across the ocean's expanse.

What answered her was not words of greeting or welcome, but a song. It was strange and familiar at the same time, calling her further out to sea. The song was not finished, it was missing verses and notes that would not, could not be added until she added them.

Further out she swam, any thoughts of returning to shore quickly fled from her mind. This was where she had to go, this was where she belonged.

The song grew louder, encompassing her being more than the water surrounding her. It was just a little farther now.

Finally she had made it to the seagrass and the song stopped. The silence was not a welcome change, not after hearing such a moving melody. But while the song had fallen away, that sense of being called did not leave her.

Her eyes stayed locked on the seagrass, watching it dance and sway to its own unheard song. But there was something more, something in the seagrass she was sure of it.

And then, there it was. Eyes glowing like amber, watching her as she watched it. Whatever the creature was, it stayed hidden, not wanting to reveal all of itself to her. But it did want her to know it was there.

"Hello," her strange non voice spoke out.

"Hello," it answered back. The voice was feminine, gentle and kind to listen to.

"I think I heard you singing to me?" She managed to ask.

"I heard you singing to me." It simply stated. "Sing to me more."

***

The last remnants of sleep left Khelyth as she woke. She hadn't remembered going to bed nor the dream that was quickly fading to obscurity. What she could remember was a sound, a melody that seemed to fit perfectly to the songs she had been singing on her own.

Khelyth hummed the melody to herself as she went about her morning routine. It left her in high spirits, feeling less down than she had the day before.

"That's pretty," her mother commented when she came into the family's kitchen. "Did one of your cousins teach you that last night?"

Khelyth stopped humming instantly, caught off guard by the question. "Oh, no, it's just something that's been stuck in my head."

"Well you'll have to let me hear the whole thing when it's finished."

"Yeah." Despite sounding enthusiastic, Khelyth didn't want to share the song with anyone. She still wasn't sure where the idea for it was coming from or how it would develop. She only knew it was meant to be just for her.

"Mother, if there's no chores today, can I go to the east side of the island?"

Her mother, still in the middle of opening clams paused, looking at her daughter a bit surprised. "By yourself?"

"It's only for a little bit and I promise I won't go in the water." She had to take care to keep the desperation out of her voice. "I'll be back before dark."

After what felt like an eternity under her mother's judging gaze, the elder seamink finally nodded with a smile. "That's fine. Are you sure you don't want to take any of your sisters with you?"

Flashes of the night before played through Kehlyth's mind and just how poorly things had gone with Juniper.

"No," she said almost too quickly. "The twins don't like it over there and Juniper is probably busy." It was an obvious lie as the twins could be happy just about anywhere. But for honesty's sake Juniper was most likely busy.

"Run along then," her mother dismissed, returning her attention to the last few clams. "Just don't snack on anything, your Aunt Sillian left a fish with us last night that we're having for dinner."

Khelyth was already making her way out of their den, barley hearing the order. "Yes mother!" She called before rushing out onto the sandy ground of the beach.

Their island was not that large. You could walk around the whole thing in less than a day, not that Khelyth had ever tried. There were other small islands out at sea, scattered around them that Khelyth often saw in the distance. She had never visited them but knew that most of her family and other seaminks lived on them.

Aside from her mother and siblings, the only other family on their island was an elder seamink couple. While being friendly and polite enough,it was not uncommon to go months without ever seeing them.

It was these reasons why Khelyth had such an easy time finding ways to be alone.

'I'm not alone,' she reminded herself.

The east side of the island was one of her favorite hiding spots. It was far enough away that she couldn't hear Juniper or her mother calling for her. But it wasn't such a hike that she could be accused of wandering off.

After a journey no more than ten minutes, Khelyth had made it! At the east side of the island there was a large slope, leading off into the more dense forest. On this part of the beach, it created a massive wall of rock, going up higher than Khelyth could gusses.

At high tide the waves would roar and crash against it's jagged surface. At low tide however, it was peaceful and made her feel like she wasn't even on the island. It made her feel like there was nothing but her and the sea.

Khelyth couldn't keep the grin from her face as she ran on the sand, finding the perfect spot to just fall down. It was an art really, finding where you can lay on the sand and still have the waves wash over you without getting water in your face. Khelyth had to get up and try a couple more times before she had succeeded.

With her eyes closed, Khelyth revelled in the warmth of the sun shining down as well as the cool ocean waters washing around her.

On instinct alone, she began to hum a tune to match the sound of the waves. Normally she only let the song take hold of her at night. Yet there was something so perfect about this day, in this place that she couldn't contain the words forming in her mind.

'A perfect life in the sea, that beautiful abyss stretching onto treasures the land can never behold. Can that life be for me when the shore keeps me chained.'

'Know my cry, know my song, a yearning to swim in those vast depths forever.'

'Seas guide me to your splen...'

Cutting herself off, Khelyth sat up as a sense of uncertainty overtook her. All of her senses told her she wasn't alone. A quick scan of the empty beach revealed nothing save for a few birds, scurrying about with their own worries.

'Sing to me more.'

Khelyth quickly looked to the water, certain she had heard something. "Hello?"

The only answer she received back was just the wind and waves around her. There was something about the movement of the water that caught her eye, drawing her attention. Someone was out there, Khelyth couldn't tell who but she was positive whoever it was was looking at her.

She watched them intently, waiting to see if they went on swimming. It was possible it was another seamink from one of the nearby islands who didn't realize this was not the spot to find clams.

Whether it was spearfishing or simple adventuring, the stranger seemed to be doing neither. Tentatively Khelyth raised a paw to wave.

"Surprise!"

Khelyth nearly screamed in alarm as a sudden weight struck her from behind. It caused her to fall forward, her face hitting the sand as she was pinned.

Fear gripped at her heart, putting her on the edge of panic. Was it slavers? Hunters? A dozen other possibilities ran through her mind before the sounds of laughter shattered that moment of dread.

"I found you, I found you!"

"Syona!?" Kehlyth growled the name as if it were an accusation. She rolled, easily knocking the younger seamink off her back. Her little sister continued to laugh as she hit the sand.

Getting to her feet, Khelyth tried to mimic that disapproving stance that their mother and Juniper had mastered.

"That wasn't funny," she scolded, hoping her voice sounded authoritative enough.

Remaining sprawled on the sand, Syona fanned to think for a moment. "Umm, yes it was."

Refusing to just let Syona get away with her antics, Khelyth continued to glare at her.

"Where's Lisses?" She wanted to be sure that the other half of her twin sisters wasn't planning another sneak attack.

"Helping mom. I was supposed to go help Juniper find some crabs but she's boring. So I snuck off like you."

Syona was clearly pleased with herself as she sat up, gathering wet sand together in her paw and then watching the newly made hill be eroded by the tide.

"I do not sneak off and you shouldn't either." Khelyth found herself becoming genuinely upset with her sister. Normally she would have laughed this off, but today the childish antics were not welcomed. "Also I don't appreciate you following me," her voice began to rise slightly. Syona looked up at her with shock. "You need to respect my privacy! I have to spend all my time in that stupid den surrounded by everyone and in return I just want to be left alone sometimes!"

They were far harsher words than what she really felt, at least that's what she told herself. It didn't stop a hurt, challenging look to set in on her younger sister's face.

"Why are you being so mean?!" Syona raised her voice back, getting to her feet. She came up to Khelyth's neck now, a sudden reminder of how much the twins had grown recently. "I just wanted to play with you, but if you're going to be a jerk you can stay by yourself for all I care!"

While she tried to hide it, Khelyth could hear the break in Syona's voice, indicating she was on the verge of tears. All the frustration and righteous indignation Khelyth had been feeling vanished. In its place was simple guilt.

Syona was about to storm off before Khelyth stopped her.

"Wait, Syona I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said I just...you just scared me, that's all." Khelyth gave her sister a reassuring smile, letting her know she wasn't upset.

"Really?" The doubt in the younger seamink's voice was evident.

"Really."

Looking down at her feet, the mask of anger dropped, revealing just how much Syona had been hurt by Khelyth's words.

"All you ever want to do is be left alone," she muttered.

The accusation stung Khelyth, her first instances being to deny such a claim. "That isn't true. We just gathered clams together yesterday."

"No, we gathered clams," Syona corrected her. "You just did it by yourself while ignoring us again."

Khelyth had no reply or defence to that. It was true after all, she couldn't blantinly deny it. She didn't have an answer to why exactly, nor was she ready to actually spend time pondering the matter.

"Well, we're together right now. What do you want to play?" Khelyth made sure to add extra cheer and enthusiasm into her voice, regardless of her actual feelings.

Syona's answer was on the ready "Barracuda!"

"And who's going to be the barracuda?" Khelyth asked with a laugh, already knowing the answer.

"Me!"

"Alright, count to ten."

As Syona began to count, Khelyth looked back out to the water. The stranger in the water was gone. To be sure Khelyth looked down the coast lines and still saw no one. They wouldn't of had enough time to swim out of sight. She wasn't sure what had happened, but she felt an odd sting of loss in her heart.

"Ten!"

Coming out of her thoughts, she looked at Syona before taking off running, laughing as she tried to outrun her sister.

***

Khelyth sat alone on the cliffside, looking at the waves below. Normally she hated the cliff sides. The grass was itchy and if she was going to enjoy watching the sea, she always wanted the feel of sand accompanying the view. Not today. Today she didn't feel like singing, she didn't want to be comforted in the ocean's song.

Pulling her knees to her chest, she wrapped her arms around her legs in a hug as glum continued to hang around her. Juniper had been right, their father wasn't coming home. Not even three weeks since Atrien gave them the news that the letter came.

Khelyth didn't know where he was going, she had already forgotten the name of the ship and what it was for. All she could think of was that he didn't want to be here. How could she blame him when she felt the same way.

'He has to blame me,' she thought to herself. Khelyth knew she was allowing self pity to affect her judgment. She didn't care. She knew that her mother and sisters were upset as well and as cruel as it seemed, she still didn't care.

Everything felt miserable and she just wanted to run from it all. But there was no place to run to on an island. She was too young to join a crew of any kind. There was the option of stowing away but in her heart Khelyth knew she didn't have the courage to do such a thing.

A gust of wind rustled through her short fur, making her shiver from the chill.

"Are you really calling to me?" She whispered, to what she did not know. "I don't know if you're really the sea or something in it but...I don't want to be here."

Khelyth felt nothing, heard nothing. It had been some time since she last sung to the melody in her head. Were the seas mad at her? Had she scorned the only thing that could comfort her.

'Sing to me more.' The echo of her dream whispered.

"I'm sorry. Please don't be mad at me too."

The melody still played in her mind, it had grown faint but it was still there.

"I promise I'll sing again soon I just...can't right now."

There was no reply, never any reply. Khelyth felt foolish, like a child playing pretend. True loneliness began to take her as she lowered her head, her forehead resting on her knees.

"I'm not alone." She whispered. "I know I haven't been alone."

"Lost in grief, forgotten in loss. You have soothed my soul now let me return to you in kind."

The song didn't just radiate in her mind, she could hear it. Looking up, Khelyth breathlessly watched the sea.

"Presiuse child your song rings true, hear my voice and know that I am with you."

Sitting on her knees, Khelyth began to hum, aiding in the song that was sung just for her. Yet just as the changing tide, the song ended.

"Hello!? No, please sing to me more!" Khelyth called out, desperately wanting the melody to continue.

In desperation she began to sing. "All is quiet and all is calm as the land has gone to bed. Neither right, neither wrong can still my heart's command."

No one sang back.

***

Sleep would not come to her. Even in her bed, Khelyth could hear the sound of waves crashing upon the shore. They were calling to her again. She had tried to ignore it, staring for hours at her ceiling, the warnings of her mother echoing in her mind.

'Never swim too far.'

'Never swim too deep.'

'Never sing to the sea.'

With the song radiating in her mind and heart, Khelyth left her bed. She had snuck out countless times, this time would be no different. Leaving her family's cave, she hurried to the shore.

She could feel the night's breeze, chilling her under her fur. She could hear the ocean, brimming with life and secrets not meant for those on land.

Khelyth began to sing.

"All is quiet and all is calm as the land has gone to bed. Neither right, neither wrong can still my heart's command.'

'For the seas call out to me, oh what mysteries will they share. Forgotten lands and wonders untold, please will you take me there."

Her words held more power to them this night. It was like a weight had been added to the words she so desperately sung.

"Lost in grief, forgotten in loss. You have soothed my soul now let me return to you in kind.'

'Presiuse child your song rings true, hear my voice and know that I am with you."

Khelyth starred out in aw at the night waters. She was being answered, her song was returning to her. Fearing this moment could be broken, she continued to sing.

"Oh gentle night, haunting and true, let the waves carry me out, carry me to you.'

'For my heart earns and it longs to be free of all bonds, ethereal and eternal forever.'

She heard a splash, the water rippling as something came swimming closer. Whatever it was, it continued to sing back, its voice haunting and matching Khelyth's tune perfectly.

"Swim with me by the day, I will hold you by night so that you will never fear again.'

'Never want, never wish for I will give all to you."

Khelyth could feel her eyes tearing up, falling freely down her face as she could see something rising up from the water.

"Stolen by the day, lost in a familiar place, how can I find my way home when home is what keeps me away?" She sung the words with such desperation, her breath catching in her throat as she saw what was answering her.

Emerging from the water, bathed in the moonlight was a seamink like her. She looked to be not much older than Khelyth. Water flowed off her deep red fur as if it had never been there, leaving the seamink appearing dry. Walking slowly, she began to approach Khelyth, never truly leaving the water. Remaining waist deep in the ocean, her paws outstretched as if to comfort Khelyth.

"Leave the curse of land." She sung to Khelyth. "Just only take my hand."

Even as the words left the strange seamink's lips, Khelyth did as she was told, taking the strangers paws in her own. She was not ethereal, she was real and she comfortingly gripped Khelyth's own paws.

She was shaking, fearing that all this was a dream, that this haunting seamink would vanish if she dared even blink.

"I-I heard you singing to me?" She felt foolish asking such a thing but no other words came to her mind.

The strange seamink only smiled kindly to Khelyth, nodding that yes she had. "I heard you singing to me. Your voice is very beautiful."

At the stranger's words, Khelyth felt her cheeks heating with a blush. "Thank you...I-I'm..."

A soft laughed cut Khelyth off, the seamink squeezing her paws a bit tighter. "I know who you are Khelyth. I have been listening to your voice for some time now. My name is Arioso, and I'm glad I can finally meet you."

Her soothing words made Khelyth smile and she began to study Arioso closer. She was taller than Khelyth, her hips a bit wider. But her amber colored eyes captivated the younger seamink, drawing her in like nothing she had seen before. Khelyth recognized those eyes.

"What..." she managed to find her voice once more. "What are you?"

Arioso gave her an amused smirk, letting go of Khelyth's paws. "I am a siren my dear. That's why I could hear your song and added my own to it."

"A siren?" Khelyth repeated the word, having heard it before. From what she could remember of the stories her mother told, sirens were supposed to be terrifying. Monsters from the depths that would steal away young seaminks. Though for what reason was never clear.

Arioso wasn't terrifying at all. "You look like a seamink."

With a knowing nod, Arioso twirled about in the water, easily gliding through it like air. "I can look like many things, but this is how you get to see me. How you want to see me."

In a more flirtatious manner than Khelyth was ever used to, Arioso stroked her cheek with the back of her paw.

"So you don't really look like this?"

The Siren let out a light laugh, lowering a paw to flow over the water's surface. "I am like the sea. Ever changing and different things to different people. What I am now, is for you. But no, my true form has more...finns."

Khelyth wondered if she should be unnerved by the explanation, but she wasn't. If Arioso was trying to trick her she wouldn't have admitted to not really being a seamink.

"So I'm making you look like this?"

Arioso's eyes had drifted low, idly watching the water she played with. At Khelyth's words, she looked back up to the girl. "In a way, yes. But I don't mind. I find this form rather cute."

She wasn't sure why, but Khelyth found herself blushing at the comment. If asked, Khelyth wouldn't have described Arioso as cute. Stunning and mysterious seemed like better descriptions for her.

To her surprise, Arioso held her paw out to her once more. "Come on."

Some primal instinct within Khleyth made her step back. "W-what?

Arioso did not seem angered or hurt, she only smiled reassuringly. "I'm here to spend time with you Khelyth. Now take my paw."

At first, Khelyth's paw outstretched, ready to obey. But her mother's words resonated in her mind. "I...I can't." Her voice was filled with regret as her paw retreated to her chest. "I'm not allowed to go swimming at night."

There was a slight tilt to Arioso's head that showed curiosity. "Why not?" She asked.

"Sharks. They're out at night...I mean, I know they're out in the day too but they hunt more at night." That hadn't helped Brine, she added but only in her mind. "It's not safe."

The Siren broke out into a small fit of giggles, smiling at Khleyth like one would a child. "Oh dear girl, the sharks are more afraid of me than you are of them. I promise."

She desperately wanted to believe Arioso. The idea of swimming out in the calm night ocean was just so appealing. With caution she began to out stretch her paw once more. "Really?"

Arioso nodded. "Trust me. Now come on." Her voice had dropped low, like she was whispering in secret.

With no more hesitation, Khelyth grabbed hold of Arioso's paw as the Siren did the same. She felt herself being pulled into the sea, the water quickly rising to her knees, then waist. Before she knew it, Khleyth and Arioso were underwater.

It was so much darker than it was during the day, Khelyth was unable to see more than a few feet in front of her. She kept hold of Arioso's paw for fear of losing her. The siren must have been able to see clearly in the night waters, effortlessly guiding Khleyth farther and farther away from shore.

With the sun down, the water felt extra cold running through Khleyth's fur. It was exhilarating!

And then they were ascending. Breaking the surface of the water, Khleyth gasped in a breath of air. Together, they floated upon the surface of the sea.

Khleyth marveled as her entire vision was filled up by the night sky. Everywhere her eyes glanced was stars and constellations. She couldn't actually pick out any constellations but she knew they were up there.

Never before had she gotten this stunning of a view on land. There was always a tree over head or a cloud getting in the way. Nothing like this.

"It's amazing isn't it?" Khelyth flinched, suddenly being reminded of Arioso's presence. She had been so engrossed in the night sky she had nearly forgotten the siren was with her.

"It's beautiful." Even as Khelyth admired the sky, cherishing this moment, uncertainty gripped at her. "Why me? You said you had come here to spend time with me, why?"

Arioso's head turned, just enough to meet Khelyth in the eye and not get water in her face. There was a sadness in her expression that Khelyth had not noticed before.

"I told you I had been listening to you sing. We sirens are naturally musically inclined. Hearing the sadness and loneliness in your heart spoke out to my own. You were the one who called out to me Khelyth, even if you didn't know it. And truth be told I was more than willing to answer that call."

With a nod of understanding, Khelyth's gaze returned back to the night sky. Arioso's words did make sense. In a way, Khelyth supposed she had been calling out with her song, she just felt it had been to the seas themselfs. But in a way weren't sirens a part of the sea?

The old fairy tales Khelyth was unable to fully recall did mention sirens liked to sing, much like seaminks.

"Where are you from?" she asked the siren, quickly feeling the need to clarify. "Like, where's your real home I mean? Or do you just live wherever you swim?

Arioso thought on the question for only a moment before answering. "My home, my true home is deep in the depths of the sea. Far deeper than one like you could ever go."

"Oh." The word came out more disappointed than Khelyth had intended.

"But it is common for a siren to leave that place, coming to the surface to enjoy further beauties of the world above. Plus I haven't been back to that place in a long time."

Feeling Arioso's paw squeeze around her own, Khelyth looked back over to the siren to find she had yet to take her eyes off her.

"Why not?" Khelyth asked, hoping that she wasn't prying too much.

"Because of my sisters." The answer was blunt and purposely dull with little emotion. "It's not normal for a siren to be alone. We normally swim together in groups of three or four. But my two sisters are gone now. One taken by a creature far more ancient and deadly than us, the other caught and killed by sailors. So I am alone."

Khelyth instantly recognized the detached tone Arioso had. It was the same tone Khelyth would use when the subject of Brine would come up and she just couldn't bare to think about that pain.

"I...lost my brother." She managed to admit in almost a hushed voice. "I had been swimming when a shark came into the shallows. He managed to get me out of the way but...." Forcing her eyes shut, Khelyth pushed down the feelings of guilt she still carried. "Anyway. I guess I sort of lost my older sister and mother as well. We've never managed to be close since it happened."

Arioso nodded with understanding. "I know." It was no empty apology or vain attempt to console. Just a simple acknowledgment. "I've seen how you avoid your mother and sisters."

That too familiar pang of guilt struck Khelyth. She had never really viewed it in such a harsh way before. "I don't mean to, I just..."

"You just feel as if you no longer belong there," Arioso finished for her.

Khelyth could give no reply. It may have been true but that didn't mean she could admit it outloud.

Swimming around the smaller seamink, Arioso took Khelyth's other paw and pulled her forward, making them both have to tread water to stay afloat.

"I want to show you something," the siren said, an excited smile accompanying her words. "But you will have to trust me."

'Never sing to the sea,' her mother's words echoed in her mind. But as Khelyth looked into those haunting amber eyes of Arioso, she could think of no reason to not trust this siren. She had already swam with her farther than she ever had from land. And at night no less! What was a little more trust?

Khelyth couldn't help but smile back, though hers was more nervous. "Okay."

Before she could take a breath, Arioso began to sink, pulling Khelyth down with her. They sank deeper and deeper into the dark waters. Khelyth began to panic, she was already out of air and Arioso was sinking so fast. She attempted to pull away, trying to get her paws free from the siren's grip. Arioso was too strong and refused to let go.

Khyleth's lungs began to burn and she knew if she attempted to take a breath only salt water would be found.

"Calm down, my dear. Breath." Arioso's words were in Khelyth's mind. It made no sense to the little seamink, it simply had to be confirmation that her oxygen deprived mind was hallucinating.

"Khelyth," the ghostly voice of Arioso spoke again, reassuringly but firm. "You said you would trust me. Now relax and just breath."

She didn't know why she listened. Perhaps because of the siren's gentle, authoritative tone or maybe her lungs simply demanded air. Without any other option Khelyth's mouth opens and she breathed.

She wasn't drowning, she was actually breathing. But it was not oxygen, it was the ocean's water. It flowed in and through her as naturally as it would for any creature of the deep.

"How," she tried to speak, but the water granted her no voice.

The soft laughter of Arioso filled her mind. "You can not speak down here. But you are safe as long as you do not let go of my hands."

Khelyth nodded with understanding, assuming the siren could still see her despite them being in complete darkness.

"Now see the deep as I do."

A warmness began to overtake Khelyth and she could feel the darkness of the night waters fading. Blinking a few times, she could make out Arioso in front of her. The siren looked at her patiently with a kind smile. When Khelyth looked around she realized she could not only see but she could hear as well.

Farther out in the sea, she could just make out a school of fish, lazily swimming together in the night. But what was most striking was their song. It played in her head as a chorus of unity, comradery and adventure.

Looking back to the shore she could hear other songs. Small individual melodies from crabs, smaller fish and all manner of bottom feeders.

The sea had opened up to her in a way Khelyth could never have imagined. Everything was radiating with such musical life that it made her wonder how Arioso could ever have heard her sing when this surrounded the siren all the time.

Arioso's smile had become an amused grin, watching Khelyth closely. "Everything has its song, a melody that plays out while being inspired by it's bearer's heart and soul. But it is only the special that actually sing."

It was an interesting statement, though Khelyth didn't really understand it. In that moment however, she felt she didn't have to.

Finally she looked down and was stunned to find she couldn't see the ocean floor, not even with Arioso allowing her to see through the dark waters. Khelyth had never been this far out before, never been in a place she could not see the bottom.

Despite enjoying the cool deep waters, a chill ran through her spine. She could hear a new song. It was ancient, sorrowful and terrifying. Only it wasn't a song, not like the others. Suddenly she understood what Arioso had meant between a song and singing. The depths, so far down that her mind could not conceive a world below, was trying to sing to her. If she listened, tried really hard, Khelyth thought she could make out the words.

"Enough of that," Arioso's voice once again stern but not scolding. Breaking Khelyth's attention away from the song of the depths. "There are songs not even sirens go looking for. Come now, let's get you back to shore."

While feeling traces of disappointment, Khelyth welcomed the idea of getting to more shallow waters. She had expected for Arioso to pull them back to the surface, but instead the siren kept her under the waves. She smiled as she swam with Arioso, continuing to look around and discover new songs from all the different life and activity that was hidden in this underwater world.

As amazing as it was, the adventure seemed to end far too quickly. They were back in shallow waters by the shore. Khelyth couldn't keep sadness away from her heart as Arioso released her paws and she breathed air once more, the songs of the sea being cut off from her.

"Thank you for sharing that with me," Khelyth said, truly feeling grateful.

"It was my pleasure Khelyth. It has been a long time since I was able to share such a thing with another."

They stood in silence after that. Khelyth kept thinking at any moment, Arioso would depart, abandoning her to being stuck ashore alone. But the siren did no such thing. Arioso seemed to be waiting patiently, allowing Khelyth to truly gather her thoughts regarding the nights experience.

"Arioso?" The siren tilted her head inquisitively, encouraging Khelyth to go on. "How long have you been...I mean, were you born a siren?"

"I was." The simple answer given as she moved closer to Khelyth. "But not all sirens have to be 'born'."

The statement hung in the air like a heavy fog. Khelyth's heart rate had increased as her mind processed the true implications of Arioso's words. Uncertainty began to grip at her mind as once unthought of questions began to rise.

Instinct began to break through the haze of confusion she felt. Khelyth moved a bit out of the water, looking over her shoulder towards her family's cave. "I..."

"Khelyth." At hearing her name, she looked back to Arioso. "I am alone. I have been alone for a very long time. Your family is big, they are many and yet you too feel alone. I heard your song of loneliness and a desire for freedom and comfort within the sea. I can give that to you, if you want."

"By making me a siren?" Khelyth barely managed to whisper the words. It was more of a statement of realization than a question. But Arioso nodded anyway.

It was not a fearful idea for Khelyth. What Arioso had shown her was amazing. The oceans were so vast and unknowable but with what Arioso was offering her they could explore them together. Except, there was Khelyth's family to consider. She couldn't just vanish on them, could she?

"You look so worried." Arioso laughed, diffusing the tension that had been building. "I'm not giving you some ultimatum or forced choice. I can come back tomorrow night so we can sing together again. And the night after that if need be. Take your time and be sure of what you want." Reaching out, Arioso ran the back of her paw over the side of Khelyth's cheek, making the seamink blush yet again. "After all, I am offering you a very rare gift. Such a gift should not be received lightly."

"I'm sorry," Khelyth managed a small laugh of her own. "I just wasn't expecting this. I really do want to say yes. A life in the seas, able to go wherever we want. It sounds amazing."

"It is." Arioso agreed. "But take a day. See your family a final time and then when you..."

Whatever Arioso had planned on saying was cut off. The voice Khelyth heard nearly made her jump out of the water.

"Khelyth?" With dread, she slowly turned to see Juniper no more than thirty yards away. She didn't look angry like Khelyth had anticipated . Instead, fear bordering on terror was shown clearly on the elder seamink's face.

"Juniper? I-I couldn't sleep and..." try as she might, there was no convincing lie Khelyth could think of that would explain why she was in the water at night. Though she could possible explain Arioso away by saying she was visiting the elderly couple on the island.

"Listen to me very closely," Juniper spoke in an eerily calm tone. "You have to get out of the water right now. Just walk slowly to me okay?"

Khelyth was confused. Juniper should be mad, not afraid. Even if Arioso was a stranger to her sister, this level of fear wasn't warranted.

"What's going on?" Khelyth wasn't entirely sure who she was asking.

"Mother!" Juniper called over her shoulder before focusing her attention back on her younger sister. "Khelyth please, just move away from that thing!"

"Thing?" She looked over at Arioso who hadn't moved since Juniper arrived. The siren was simply unmoving, staring blankly at the seamink on land. "But she's just a seamink, like us." Khelyth knew that wasn't strictly true, but there was no way Juniper could know that.

It was the sound of hissing that first told her something wasn't right. She couldn't locate the source of the sound, but it seemed to be coming from Arioso. And as the siren went on unmoving, the water around her rippled and churned as if something much larger than the false seamink was in her place; warning Juniper to stay away.

All Juniper could do was continue to plead with her sister. "I don't know what it is you think you're seeing but it isn't real! It's a siren and it will take you but only if you let it that is why you have to get out of the water!"

Juniper moved as close as she dared, afraid to be in reach of whatever it was Khelyth couldn't see.

"She knows you're a siren?" she looked to Arioso for understanding.

"She sees me as I really am." The Siren spoke in a surprisingly cold tone as she turned to look at Khelyth. "After tonight, they will never allow you near the water again. They will keep you from singing out what is in your heart. I'm sorry, but you have to choose now."

This wasn't right. This wasn't how Khelyth imagined any of this. She had been fairly sure she wanted to go with Arioso. But that was at the promise of having a day or two to say goodbye. Now it all felt far too final.

"Khelyth!!!" She heard the near hysterical cry from her mother who had just reached the beach. "Seas have mercy get way from her!!! You can't have her!!!"

Seeing her mother in such state brought tear to Khelyth's eyes. The only other time she had ever been like this was when they lost Brine.

"Mother I..."she began to move out of the water, hoping to meet them on shore to show she was okay.

"Khelyth." Arioso spoke firmly, demanding the young seaminks attention. "If you go to them, I will not return for you." It was the ultimatum she had promised not to give. Circumstance however, demanded the promise be broken.

"I-I can't." Khelyth whispered, her heart breaking at the idea of losing her family or losing the amazing creature she had just met who understood her song. Whatever she chose it would have to be soon. Her mother would be on them soon and she would show none of the fear Juniper did to not just pull Khelyth out herself.

"They have each other," Arioso continued. "You are alone with them and I am alone without you. Please." She reached her paw out to Khelyth, offering it to her for what would un-mistakenly be for the last time.

"What is it saying!?" Juniper sounded near panic at this point. "You can't listen to it, it'll only say what you want to hear!"

Khelyth looked back at her family. Arioso was right. Juniper didn't need her. Her mother would still have Syona and Lisses.

Taking a steady breath, she turned to Arioso and took hold of the siren's paw.

It happened faster than either of the seaminks on land could follow. The moment Khelyth took the ghastly webbed claws of that monster from the depths, she had been dragged under. With only a few strokes with that powerful tail, the siren had stolen Khelyth away into waters they could never reach.

Juniper stood in shock, her mind unable to process what she had seen. Khelyth had gone with that thing, she had wanted to go with it.

Her mother fared far worse, running into the shallow waters despite the two being long gone. She cried and screamed out for Khelyth to come back, to be brought back safely to them. But the night waters had fallen silent.

Khelyth was gone.

Never swim too far from land, where the seas rule over all. Never swim too deep, where the deep things hunt and rein. Never sing to the seas little one, for the seas will answer such a call. Obey these rules and go to bed, lest you be ensnared by a siren's song.