11. The Last One

Chapter 11

The Last One

The Siren

T he sound of a party reached us as we walked up the cobblestone path, my bare feet relishing in the cold feel of the stone with every step. The air of the night felt cooler than the day had been, but it still felt a good deal warmer than Atlantis. The dress Marcus had chosen had no sleeves, it was a simple slip that hung from my shoulders and stopped just above my knees. I was thankful for the fresh clothing in more ways than one. While it was nice to be free of the blood of my kill, this dress was breezy, and my skin felt like it could breathe.

I paused on the grand front porch, suddenly unsure of this plan. I wrapped my arms around my middle as I took a hesitant step back. Marcus seemed like the perfect target, but far too many people filled his home right now. How could I begin to make an impression, make him feel for me anything other than the lust at first sight, under the watchful eyes of all his people?

Marcus noticed my hesitancy and held a palm out to me. "It's okay. I promise. I am afraid the party has already begun, otherwise I would have rescheduled. You will have to bear with me for a few hours, but then I promise I will provide you whatever aid I can to help you locate your family."

I let my lower lip tremble as I blinked up at him. "It's just my father and I now. I do hope he is okay."

He nodded; his hand still held between us as he waited. I let go of my waist, tucking my hair over my shoulder before placing my hand gently into his. He clasped my hand between both of his, smiling comfortingly as he reached for the door. He pulled it open and the flickering light from torches spilled out onto the front porch, along with the beat of music from instruments I'd never heard.

Stepping through the door felt like entering a whole new world. The music moved through me, its beat vibrating through my soul. Amazing smells made my mouth water before I even saw the trays lined along the wall, a full buffet on display with foods I couldn't name. People milled about, some danced, but most chatted in small groups among themselves. All of them with smiles, all of them happy and carefree.

I smiled, my teeth clenching as a flicker of anger twisted my stomach. These people had it too easy. They'd never faced the wrath of the god of sea; they'd never been forced to fail so young, with too much responsibility pressed upon their shoulders before they were old enough to withstand the weight.

"Lord Marcus! There you are."

"Alistair, my good man," Marcus said as he entered, my hand still held within his own as he pulled me along with him. "You know me! I like to make an entrance."

The man before us dragged his hungry eyes up and down my body, his fingers gripping his chin as his tongue twisted at the corner of his lip. "I can see that." He chuckled. "And who might this fine lady be?"

Marcus placed a hand to the small of my back, a soft smile lifting his lips as he looked down at me. His gaze glittering with pride as he said, "Allow me to introduce you to Talia. Talia, this is Alistair. One of the finest craftsmen that I've ever had the pleasure of working with."

I smiled, batting my long lashes at Alistair as I leaned into Marcus' hold. If I could make myself a prize to be had, it would work in my favor of capturing Marcus' heart, and if not his, this party would give me options.

I twisted my long hair around a finger, acting bashful as I replied, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Alistair. Might I ask what it is that you craft?"

I didn't miss the quick flick of his green eyes toward Marcus before he replied, "I work with metal. I make lots of different things." He glanced over his shoulder before adding, "This is a party! Let's enjoy it! Now is hardly the time for business, wouldn't you agree, Marcus?"

Secrets. It seemed we all had our secrets.

"Forgive me," I said, my voice soft, demure. "I meant no disrespect."

Marcus wrapped his arm around my waist. "Nonsense," he said with a laugh as he guided me into the manor. "But Alistair is right. Let us enjoy the evening. We can discuss how we can help you in the morning."

When Alistair raised a brow, Marcus simply waved him off as he gave his head a subtle shake. He held me firmly to his side as we paused in the archway between the main foyer and the massive ballroom, giving me a moment to adjust to our surroundings. Just hours ago, I'd left the only home I'd ever known, and now I stood within one of the finest manors this town had to offer. A wicked grin spread across my wide lips. I sure knew how to pick them.

I nestled in closer to Marcus, a breathy gasp slipping from me as I let my knees go weak. "I'm sorry." I laughed as if I were embarrassed. "This is all so much. I must admit, I'm feeling rather lightheaded."

"Let me remedy that for you," Marcus said, prepared to lift my weight if necessary. "Come, why don't we get you something to eat and drink. You must have had quite the eventful day."

"That would be nice. Thank you."

"I'll let you two enjoy the party," Alistair said with a knowing smile. "Come find me later, Marcus, if you want to discuss that… issue we were having. I think I may have found the solution." He turned from us then, heading into the crowd of people all held in their own conversations, trapped in their own worlds I knew nothing about. Whatever business they were in, it became clear that it wasn't meant for me.

We crossed the room to where a table stretched the length of the wall, a crisp white tablecloth draped over the table and shiny trays of silver holding foods I'd never seen before. The scents had my mouth watering and my curiosity piqued at their taste. I wanted to shove it all into my mouth, fill myself until I could eat no more, but I held my fingers in tight fists, following Marcus' lead.

I waited as he picked up a small, white plate and began placing small offerings onto its round surface. Small green circles that looked like green caviar, crispy brown things, cubes of yellows and oranges, and strange triangles with their centers filled with various layers of different colors. I didn't know what any of it was, but I hadn't eaten a thing yesterday, or all day today, and my stomach gave an angry growl at the thought of all this food.

Marcus chuckled, passing me the plate. "Here, wait here while I fetch us something to wash this down with."

I turned my back to the table, looking over the room as I began nibbling on the offering. The tastes exploded on my tongue, and my shoulders relaxed as I enjoyed every bite. With the hunger at bay, my ears began picking up bits and pieces of the conversations happening around me, I started seeing the strange looks sent my way, and I no longer felt welcome.

"I bet she's just after his fortune…"

"Do you see what she's wearing? It definitely came from one of his stores…"

"Another gold chaser. He won't fall for it. He didn't fall for the last one…"

Swallowing the last bite of food, I searched the room for an escape. Perhaps my eyes were too big for my siren ability. I could capture the heart of someone less known. I was sure there would still be power to be had no matter the heart.

"You were hungry," Marcus said as he approached me, his eyes on the empty plate still within my hold. He took the plate from me and set it down on the table as he passed me a crystal glass filled with bubbling yellow liquid. "Now that you have eaten something, you should try this. It's from one of my oldest collections."

He watched me over the rim of his own glass as I took a sip, the bubbles tickling my tongue as I swallowed. A heat warmed my throat and I smiled, moaning at the pleasant taste coating my mouth. "This is good. Thank you!"

Marcus brushed strands of my hair behind my ear as he gazed down at me. "Your smile… I'm sorry." He took another sip from his glass. "That was rather forward of me."

I felt my cheeks heat under his attention. I couldn't hold his gaze, afraid he'd see the victory behind my eyes. Instead, I stared down at my feet, realizing how odd I must appear arriving barefooted to this grand party.

His fingers brushed beneath my chin as he tilted my gaze back up to meet his own. "I can see this was all too much for you. It was dumb of me to ask you to come here?—"

"—No," I interrupted him, lifting my hand so that my fingers brushed lightly against the ones of his still supporting my chin. "I'm happy you brought me here, but it is an awful lot to take in. My thoughts are consumed with what happened to me though. I must admit that I am feeling overwhelmed."

Marcus glanced around us and then nodded. He asked for my hand, and I gave it to him, closing my fingers around his hold and letting him lead me from the room. We made our way through the throng of people until we stepped through a large, sliding glass door and into the night.

The disapproving voices left behind, I felt myself straighten again. My demure much more likely to succeed out of the watchful stares of his friends, I looped my arm around his as he led me down a set of stone steps and into the gardens of his property.

"It is such a beautiful night," I said, my gaze skyward.

"It certainly is," Marcus replied, and when I glanced his way, I noticed he wasn't looking at the night at all. His gaze was firmly rooted to me. "Come, we can sit by the fountain. The party will go on for several hours more, but we can pass the time out here instead."

I laughed as we continued forward. "But won't your guests think you rude?"

"The drink and food will be theirs whether I am there or not." He shrugged, guiding me toward a beautiful fountain that sat in the center of the garden. "I dare say my company isn't the main draw for many of them. It's my fine taste in the finer things."

As I sat on the stone bench, I stared up at the statue rising from the fountain. Water poured out of the lifted hands of a mermaid; her tail curved beneath her in stone scales that held amazing detail. Her breasts only hidden beneath a stereotypical bra made of shells. The constant sound of water running soothed my soul.

The evening passed with us staring into the rushing water of the fountain before us. Quiet conversation as the music sang quietly from the house, the party continuing even without its host as he kept me company instead. He played the same game of lust and love that I did. Both of us coyly trying to capture the other.

It was invigorating…

I just couldn't forget that it was also dangerous.