Clashing Waters

1

"One can no more keep the mind from returning to an idea than the sea from returning to a shore. For the sailor, this is called the tide; in the case of the guilty, it is called remorse. God stirs up the soul as well as the ocean."

— Victor Hugo, Les Miserables

A tiny bead of saltwater glistened against William’s brow as the late afternoon sun slowly began to make its descent. Even after so many months, my pulse quickened each time he drew near. My fingertips traced the details of his golden hand as I nestled closer to him.

We have to get up you know, I said as I pressed my lips against his warm shoulder. The salt from his skin penetrated my senses, instinctively sending me in for another kiss.

I won’t be going anywhere, and neither will you if you keep kissing me like that. He groaned. In one swoop, he effortlessly scooped me onto the sand beneath him. He leaned down, ever so carefully brushing his lips against mine.

Now you are just trying to distract me, I teased.

Is it working? He brushed his lips against mine again before descending once more.

What planet are we on again? His kiss began to make me feel lightheaded. I suddenly remembered to draw in his essence before I collapsed. He slowly pulled away from me. I leaned into him for more.

Careful. I am still learning my limitations. One wrong move and that kiss may render you unconscious again. I thought back to months earlier when our first kiss was almost my last. Our relationship was complicated to say the least. Though William and I had discovered a way around a single kiss, he was still rightfully cautious, as I would always be half-human, and he a siren in every sense of the word.

I think I’m adjusting to this Sironian thing quite nicely actually, I teased. William brushed a stray golden lock behind my ear.

Yes, you are. No one that has ever existed has accomplished what you have done—faced all that you have faced. And yet, here you are rebuilding what almost destroyed you. It was impossible not to gaze at the utter perfection of the creature next to me along the shoreline or what remained of the shoreline. He motioned to his work truck resting on the broken asphalt atop the jetties. Debris from the hurricane had filled it to the brink. We had spent much of the summer cleaning out the inlet waters from Theron’s destruction.

This is my home now, not just the Inlet Joy, but the jetties, the marshland, and the sea. It wouldn’t be in this condition if it weren’t for me … for my existence, I sighed.

You can’t keep blaming yourself. Theron’s regime is to blame, William replied swiftly.

Yes, but I killed Maris, his daughter-in-law, Aria’s mother!

"You had no choice! Theron sent her to kill you. She would have killed both you and James. You were perfectly right to protect yourself and your friend. Besides, you forget that he directed the hurricane here well before you killed Maris. He was coming for you."

I knew he was right. The category five hurricane that Theron ushered towards us, almost three months earlier, was intended to end my life. I had survived but with a hefty price. The insignia etching into my wrist was my constant reminder of the agreement I had made to save the lives of those that I loved. I had contracted to join Theron’s Legion someday and William to marry Theron’s heir. All had assumed he had agreed to marry Aria, but by some twist of fate only known to William and Silas, he had made that vow for my hand in marriage. William and Silas both claim that I am the granddaughter of Theron and his rightful heir. Could it possibly be true? Was I the Sironian princess? The thought of losing William made me feel sick.

But despite this treaty, much of the South Carolina coastline had been left in shambles. Many of the homes along the Garden City peninsula were pushed into Murrells Inlet, washed to sea, or they were so badly damaged that they were scheduled for demolition. The high sloping dunes that once harbored the nesting wildlife were entirely eroded, leaving behind a foreign landscape so flat that the ocean waves almost broke directly into the marshlands. It was my fault. My mere existence was to blame.

We have at least a few more hours of daylight, and I want to finish cleaning out this section of the inlet before nightfall, I groaned. William seemed to relent, as he wrapped his arm around my waist and helped me to my feet.

You know, that would go a lot faster if you had some help, a familiar voice said as I turned to see Kirby, Toby, and Mace coming over the backside of the jetties. Kirby tossed a mud-encrusted toilet in the back of William’s already overfilled truck. Mace carried a broken kitchen sink and Toby an entire rusted-out claw foot tub.

Remodeling? I teased my mud-covered Sironian friends.

That’s an understatement! This place is trashed! Toby exclaimed, as he effortlessly snapped the tailgate closed. I was still astonished by the strength of my Sironian friends. The truck buckled under the weight before the rear axle snapped and one of the rear tires came loose. William shook his head.

Oops. Sorry, Will, looks like we may owe you another truck. Toby chuckled, tossing William the displaced tire. He caught it effortlessly.

Gee thanks! You guys are a big help, William muttered sarcastically.

Glad to help! Kirby smirked before winking at me. William glared at him. In truth, Theron’s attack on the Protectors had solidified the group. William seemed more than appreciative of their willingness to put their lives on the line for me. Together with Silas, we had become a kind of dysfunctional family but a strong one. We were stronger together. We needed each other. But despite this, Kirby still liked to ruffle William’s feathers, and flirting with me seemed to be his tactic of choice.

I will bring around my truck, and we can start clearing out the northern canals. The guys and I finished the embankment and southern canals today, Mace stated. I was still unsure if the mutual respect between William and Mace had grown into a friendship, but the two at least were able to coexist without constant conflict.

Ok. Marguerite and I will do a sweep of the point to survey what debris remains in this area, William replied. He had barely gotten out the words when a fourth mud-covered person appeared from around the jetties carrying several large splintered planks of lumber.

What should I start on next? An out-of-breath Caleb asked before hoisting the lumber in the back of the broken truck. The extra weight caused the rear to collapse completely. Caleb looked up startled. Did I do that? he said embarrassed.

No, it’s okay, Caleb, I reassured him. My younger brother had spent the majority of his summer here with us too. It would still be quite some time before Caleb would know if the gene would awaken inside of him as it had done with me or if it would remain mostly dormant as it had done with our father. Either way, there was no denying that Caleb was half Sironian too. Each day he was drawn deeper into the world of the Sironian, a fact that scared me immensely, but one that I knew could not be avoided. He was still able to live apart from the coast, still able to live a human life, but if the gene were to awaken inside of him as it had done with me, he would have no choice but to join us.

In many ways, Caleb already was a member of the group. He awoke each morning to train with us despite his lack of strength or skill and seemed equally committed to the inlet cleanup. The crew teased him a bit, but he seemed to be liked by everyone, and so he was allowed access into a world that most humans could only dream. Silas was the most attentive, studying him, observing vigilantly for any sign of a transformation. Like me, Caleb was one of a kind. We needed to keep his existence a secret from Theron. If he had come after me, he would come after Caleb.

Before we go any further, we should take an inventory of which canals still need to be cleared before the weather begins to turn cold again, Mace explained. He was right. Humans usually avoid cold water—at least in the South anyway. Once the water chills, we will have to resume at night or in the early morning hours to avoid notice. The destruction had kept most of the tourists away for the summer. In fact, aside from some overworked construction workers and a few homeowners that popped in from time to time, the area was virtually devoid of life. The crew listened as William and Mace laid out the plans to do an inventory of the remaining cleanup efforts. Silas was concerned that debris and contaminants were already having an effect on the fish and wildlife in the area.

Despite the destruction, it had been a magical summer with William. He slowly and carefully introduced me to the underwater mystery and majesty of the ocean. William spent most morning hours introducing me to an underwater world that I never knew existed. We explored the inlets first. William was cautious, fearing that at any moment Theron might send his forces to attack. But as the weeks wore on, it appeared that Theron had indeed retracted his army and kept his promise concerning me. His Legion had disappeared. My love dedicated himself to teaching me all about his underwater realm. The reefs were breathtaking. The sea life was unimaginable. His world was so physically near the world I had grown up in, and yet so far from anything I could have ever imagined. William was careful to steer me away from any areas populated by other Sironian. Occasionally, we would run across one, causing William to react fiercely, but in general, they avoided us. Whatever Theron’s orders, these underwater creatures wanted no part of us.

When the final cleanup efforts were complete for the day, William anchored my beautiful wooden boat dockside at the Inlet Joy. My boat is muddy, I pouted, still admiring the exquisite details of the small boat William had handcrafted. I cupped a small amount of seawater into my hands trying to rinse off the hull.

Then I will make you another one, he said flatly without a moment’s hesitation. His thumb traced my jawline causing my pulse to race again. I had not become immune to his touch. He smiled, sensing what his touch had triggered.

You would do that for me? I said, eyeing him playfully.

I thought you knew by now; I would do anything for you. His lips brushed against the side of my neck sending shivers throughout my body. He smiled and leaned back to admire my reaction.

Anything? I teased again, as I rinsed the mud from my hands.

Yes, he laughed. For you, I would do anything that is possible … and most things impossible. His eyes narrowed. The way he looked at me still took my breath away.

Even let me skip out on this whole high school thing? I pleaded. He groaned.

I knew I might live to regret those words, but I was thinking that you had something else in mind, he teased. William’s eyebrows rose flirtatiously. I laughed.

I may need to renegotiate. I didn’t know those cards were on the table, I replied.

Let me assure you; there has never been anyone as tempting as you—siren or human. Unfortunately, those cards need to stay in the deck—for now anyway. I sighed. He swept me tightly into his arms. I did not spend all of these years as your Protector only to have you die at my own hands, he said.

I longed for a physical relationship with William. It was never far from thought, but I knew William would never let things progress that far between us. No, there would be time to negotiate that, but there was something more reasonable to request. We had three and a half weeks until school resumed for the fall, and William was determined that I join Kirby and Toby as part of the senior class. The hurricane had pushed back the start of the school year until the third week in September as parts of the school were still being renovated from the storm’s wrath.

One negotiation at a time I suppose, I sighed. Back to the whole school thing, I could just complete my senior year by correspondence, that way I could help Silas while the rest of the Crew are in class. He laughed. I pulled him against me. Besides, you already have twice the credits. I am guessing that the school will just mail you a diploma.

It arrived last week, William replied. I’ve done my studies. There is no need for me to make appearances any longer. I am needed here. There are many months of work remaining to put the inlet right again.

Then I will work with you! I exclaimed. I would rather be here helping than stuck in a classroom all day!

"I’m not about to let you off of the hook so easily. Mace has already graduated, so he will be relieving Silas of most of his daytime duties. Besides, it is important for you to integrate back into the human world as much as possible, not only for appearance sake but for yours as well.

My sake? I can assure you that I am not missing out on anything. I have had seventeen years of living as a human and only a single summer as a Sironian, I huffed.

It’s more than that. William’s brow furrowed. You have seen what is out there. Those living apart from the human race have evolved into monsters! The longer we live apart from the humans, the more like those creatures we become. As Protectors we have to become more like those we seek to protect and less like the monsters inside of us." I had seen William become the monster to which he was referring. I had observed the evil in the eyes of the ocean-dwelling Sironian. There was no comparison to the beauty of the boy in front of me to the siren creatures of the deep.

You can’t compare yourself to those creatures! I cried. You are not like them, and neither is the crew.

"But you see, Marguerite, we are siren. We all have the capability of becoming like them; we all still have those urges inside of us. Imagine a tiger bred in captivity; once that tiger is released back into the wild, its primal instincts will unexpectedly take over to ensure its survival. You are half human and still changing, but the longer we put ourselves apart from the human world, the stronger those urges become," William said. I thought of James and how I had almost taken his life there on that beach prom night. Nothing had been stronger than the desire to consume every ounce of essence from within him. Nothing that is, but the love I had for my dearest friend.

Most Sironian are deprived of love, only taught one emotion—allegiance. Their allegiance was to Theron and the decrees he had created, edicts that fashioned loveless unions and tore children from the arms of their parents, for the sole purpose of strengthening his regime.

Luckily William had known real love, though it was cut short by the untimely death of his parents, Morgan and Robert Avery. They had escaped from Theron’s regime to live among the humans for the protection of their children. William’s parents had lost their lives because of it. How thankful I was that he had learned love from Morgan and Robert and also that he was arranged into Silas’s care at a young age. Silas had not only taught him to be the most skilled of all Protectors, but he also learned the values lacking in the others of his kind. Silas was like a father to William and the rest of the crew.

But someone was missing from their patchwork family—Aria. Her jealousy over our relationship had caused her to leave the sect. Aria’s betrayal had almost destroyed us all. I wondered what her life was like now that she had returned to Theron. My mind began to race in a million directions.

What are you thinking about? William said tracing the lines of my creased brow.

Do you think Aria will ever return? I asked. The question seemed to trouble him.

Honestly, I just don’t know. Aria’s remorse was evident, but her betrayal almost had us killed. How can she face us after all that she has done?

But she again believes she is betrothed to you. I think she will come again.

Even if she returns, I cannot stay away from you, William whispered tenderly. His fingers brushed against my lips softly. It is only a matter of time when she learns the truth that you are Theron’s granddaughter, your father born before hers, making you Theron’s heir. I could never marry Aria. The contract I made with Theron was for your hand in marriage only. The idea that I was Theron’s granddaughter and heir to his crown was still like an unbelievable dream to me. Not long after the storm, I had finally gotten up the nerve to question my grandmother, and she had reluctantly verified what William and Silas had told me. I was indeed the unknown biological granddaughter to Aaron Theron, ruler of the oceanic waters of the world. What would Theron’s response be when he ultimately learned the truth? How would Aria react when she learned that William would be taken from her once again?

Certainly she will not be able to stay away from you and from the crew. They have been like brothers to her! I cried.

It’s possible one day she will return. And when she does, together we will decide how to deal with it. He scowled. But I have more immediate concerns.

And what would those be? I could hear his heart increase its pace. His eyes narrowed.

Each time I leave your side, I know there is a possibility that they may come for you. He clinched his chiseled jaw tightly. We rarely mentioned that part of the treaty. I had vowed to spend three months under Theron in training each year until he thought it time for me to take my place in his Legion. We were both aware that they could come for me at any time.

Theron promised that no harm would come to me as long as we follow through on what we agreed, I stated swiftly.

How can I do that, Marguerite? How could I ever step aside and let them take you away from me? The pain of this image was evident in every inch of his perfect face. I felt it too; the thought of being apart from William, even for a short period, was agonizing.

There is no choice. I pleaded, looking down at the slivery mark on the inside of my wrist. They will come, I held up my branded arm, but not to take my life. William looked down at his matching insignia.

No, Theron has what he wants for now. But do not be misled. When they do come, it will not be just to train you. He is taking you to induce you to follow their Legion. They will try to indoctrinate you into Theron’s regime.

It would be impossible! You of all people know how strong minded I can be.

When the time comes, you will need all of your strength. You will need to be tough—more resilient than you have ever been, he pleaded. The sound of tires crushing shale broke the intensity. James’s Blazer pulled into the drive at the Merri Mac just several houses down from the Inlet Joy. William’s eyes narrowed.

I am pretty sure I’m the only siren alive who has to share their girl with a human, he groaned.

I think you are the only siren alive with a girl. He sighed. I could see that he was trying to hide his frustration over my bond with James. James got out of his car and motioned to me from across the lots.

I guess this means your evening is already spoken for? William asked. I shrugged, as I took his flawless hand in mine.

I’ll see you later tonight, okay? William brushed his hand across the side of my neck pulling out the thin silver chain that had fallen into my shirt. The tiny rare Shiva shell dangled against my tank top, a constant reminder of the bond between us.

Don’t forget me, he whispered as he brought my fingers to his lips.

Not a chance, I said as my fingers slowly slipped from his.

I turned to see James pulling a large duffle bag from his back seat. He immediately headed in my direction. I turned back to William, but he had completely vanished back into the warm inlet water with not so much as a splash. Guess one should expect as much from a boyfriend who was a siren.

I thought this week would never end! he said, as he barreled across the lawn and scooped me into a big hug.

Welcome back! How was your week? I pulled away, realizing that I was still covered in mud. Sorry, we’ve been clearing debris out of the inlet. I haven’t had a chance to shower.

Why am I not surprised? Most girls spend their summer break working on their tans, but Marguerite Westley spends hers covered in mud, James teased.

Someone has to do it, I shrugged. He laughed as my hair toppled into my face. Sorry I’m such a mess.

You are more beautiful than ever, darling. He playfully wiped a spot of mud from my nose, but I could see him looking over my shoulder. I could have sworn I saw your boyfriend with you when I pulled up.

Oh, yeah. William had to go clean up too, I sputtered.

Which basically means that he saw me pull up and took off.

Basically. I nodded truthfully. It had been a mostly peaceful summer balancing my attentions between William and James. I spent the early mornings in training with Silas or cleaning the inlet with the crew, but I usually met up with James mid-morning. I knew his feelings for me still ran much deeper than friendship, but unlike Kirby, whose flirtations were intended to irritate William, James was tactful. There would always be an underlying current between us, a history that no one could take away, but for the most part, he seemed resigned to friendship. There had been no more talk of romance since that disastrous prom night. I was relieved, especially since my feelings for William had only grown deeper through the summer months. We seemed to cling together; knowing at any moment, we could be torn apart.

Well, I’ll give you some time to shower and clean up a bit. I was hoping you were free for dinner. I’ve been working on my portfolio and wanted to get your thoughts on it … perhaps over a juicy Sam’s Corner burger? James eagerly awaited a response.

Sounds good! I replied. I think a storm front may be pushing through tonight and rain is expected. Let’s make it an early dinner. You go unload your bags, and I’ll meet you at the dock in thirty minutes. We both looked over to see a mud-covered Caleb heading downstairs to the shower stall wearing nothing but a white towel. He waved to my copper-haired friend, narrowly catching his towel that had begun to slip from his hips.

Hey, Margo! Hope you don’t need any hot water! Caleb teased as he opened the door to the shower stall. I winced.

On second thought, we’d better make it forty-five.

2

"Doubt that the sun doth move, doubt truth to be a liar, but never doubt I love."

~William Shakespeare, Hamlet"

I’ll have the fish and fries, I said to the weathered man in the white apron. James appeared both surprised and hurt that I had corrected the order he had placed for me.

I can’t believe you are once again deviating from the cheeseburger, he said as he passed the guy a twenty.

Guess I’ve just had a taste for fish lately. It was an understatement to say the least. The further along the gene seemed to progress, the more seafood I was subconsciously adding to my diet. It would be these subtle changes that would someday force me to tell James the truth. James eyed me curiously as he began to escort me to a makeshift table in the back. The loud sound of hammering changed our plans. The hurricane had virtually demolished Sam’s Corner. The joint was still under repair with the grill open for locals and construction crews. Let’s go eat on the pier, I suggested over the deafening construction. He shrugged.

This will be to go, please, he said to the weathered man behind the counter.

The pier had always been special to James and me, our own unique childhood getaway, but the boarded barricade blocking the entrance served as another reminder of how life had changed. James and I looked out over what was left of the structure. The storm had torn its boards from their pilings as it swallowed up the entire end.

I’m sorry, James; I’d forgotten for a moment.

Me too. It’s hard to see this place like this. Gosh, we had so many memories here! James sighed. My brow furrowed realizing that my memories here no longer exclusively belonged to us. It was here that I first met the crew. It was also here that I had fallen into the icy depths and taken my first glimpse of a world that was impossible to imagine—at least for a human. Those days seemed like ages ago. I was a different person now. I was no longer just human.

James and I found a sheltered spot just below the dunes where we picked at our bagged meals. The sun had completely fallen behind a blanket of dense clouds. There was no sunset, only an eerie glow across the water. Simple. Beautiful. I could see James’s courage mounting. I dreaded the impending conversation that I had managed to escape from all summer. His eyes met mine, his face carrying an expression that I had not seen since the dreaded prom night. Retreat was not an option.

I was amazed the first time I saw you were swimming—without me, I might add! He playfully leaned back against the dune and fumbled with a golden lock of my hair. Six years of trying to get you in the water—nothing. I let that one slide, but now you’re trading up the cheeseburger?

Everyone changes, I guess. I said. It was a weak reply, which only seemed to fuel James’s mounting frustration.

Look. I know what’s going on with you. Out of frustration, he ran his fingers through his copper hair. "I know what this is—what this change is about!" I began to sink. I felt as if I had been punched in the chest. I had envisioned how this conversation would go a million times, but I was rattled. What would I say to him? How does one even begin to explain what I had become?

James. It is important that you know …

"It’s William. You’ve changed for him." His jaw tightened the same instant mine relaxed. I hoped that he did not notice the sudden relief spreading across my face. He did not know the truth. I sighed. Of course, James would blame my changes on William. I had fooled myself into thinking that I could have both James and William in my life. The pleasantries of the summer had come to an end.

I started to protest when out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of them. Well beyond the breaker, at a distance too far for the human eye to process, were two Sironian creatures half visible hovering atop the water’s surface. They were watching me. My heart pounded loudly in my chest. Even at such a distance, it was startling to see them exposed in the daylight. They were both larger than any Sironian that I had ever seen. Their hair and skin were as pale as the oceanic whitecaps, and their large almost colorless eyes leered into mine despite the distance. These creatures were different from the ones I could recall from Theron’s army. Had Theron sent them for me? Adrenaline rushed through my veins as I contemplated my next move.

Earth to Margo! Hello? James leaned toward me, momentarily blocking my view of them. I shifted to see around him, but all that remained was the clashing surf. He shifted into my sightline once again. Margo!

I’m … sorry … I thought I saw something, I uttered.

You haven’t heard a word I’ve said, have you?

Um … I think you were somehow drawing a correlation between my fish sandwich and William?

You care about the guy. I get it, he rambled on obliviously.

I care about you too, I protested. My eyes immediately searched the surf again for the creatures. The false sense of security I had developed over the summer vanished. They were watching me!

I know that. But it’s not the same. You love someone else. He took my hand in his.

There are all kinds of love you know, I said, trying to mask my growing concern. I caught another glance of them, this time much closer to shore. Their distance, now well in the range of human sight. A chill went down my spine. Now was not the best time to be having this talk with James. Vivid flashbacks of my friend’s limp body trumped any other thoughts. My instincts as a Protector began to take over. These Sironian put no value on James’s life, He was their prey and being with me made James a target. I would always make James a target.

"Just promise me that you will stay you, okay? Don’t let William change you," James said tenderly. I bit my lip and nodded. James would always accredit William for the changes he observed. He would always resent William for how I had changed. I wanted to make him understand, but it was impossible. To do so would only put James at greater risk by defying Sironian law. The human world and the Sironian civilization must remain separated by a veil of secrecy.

My eyes searched the mounting whitecaps behind him. There was no sign of the Sironian, but they were out there. I knew they were there watching us. I began to practically pull James off the beach. It looks like rain on the horizon; we better head back in case a front pushes through this evening, I said quickly. He was annoyed that I didn’t seem to be taking his words to heart.

Ok, he shrugged. Looks like we will be bagging this food ‘to go’ … again. I took one final glance into the oceanic whitecaps as James crammed his food back into the sack. I