Chapter 14

Rose

M y feet slapped against the stone as I ran toward the cave's living space. I'd dried myself the moment I'd lifted myself fully out of the water, ignoring how Will chuckled at my eagerness to show Aunty Violet what I'd made her. In the distance, I could hear her, the kids, and Adrian laughing and chatting. As I was about to burst into the living room where they were situated, I pulled up short, stopping in my tracks as the scene before me registered.

They sat on the floor around the coffee table, the kids on one side, Adrian and Vi on the other. They were playing a board game I didn't recognize, each one of them fully invested in the game. It was a homey, cozy sight, one straight out of a movie. Their auras blended together so that there was no way to tell where one ended and the other began. Happiness permeated the air around them.

Family.

They looked like a family.

Vi had always been a naturally maternal person. Growing up, she'd been my de facto mother—the only one I'd ever really wanted. But seeing her there, she looked so different than how I'd ever perceived her, a true sense of peace settled over her features. There was no hint of stress or tension in her face or body. She was in her element, love for her companions glowing in her eyes as she looked at each of them. Aunty Vi was well and truly content. If there was anyone who deserved it, it was her.

A wash of confusing and overwhelming emotions crashed over me at the sight, my breath catching at the intensity of them. Some rang louder than others. My aunt's happiness elated me. For so long, in moments when she thought I couldn't see, I'd noticed sadness wearing on her. Her comments were veiled. She always claimed she was fine. But now I was left to wonder if she'd been unhappy all along.

"I know. I just can't help but feel like maybe I'm holding you back. Why would you want to hang around an old lady like me when you have a new, albeit ridiculous, boyfriend and your whole life in front of you? My life has always been small and contained. I don't want you to feel like you must have the same."

Had the life I loved been a life she'd felt constricted by? Had she wanted more?

Guilt swept my happiness for her away. Vi had always been my safe place, the one human in the world that was steady and dependable, but even from childhood, I'd come to her because my mother foisted me on her so she could pretend to be childfree during the summer months. Then, as an adult, I'd been on the verge of a crisis from the moment I'd stepped foot on the island after my father passed. I'd been in survival mode, relying on her heavily. Had it been too much? Had I been the one holding her back?

Gods, that thought ripped deep furrows within me. If I'd internalized anything as a small person, it was that being a burden was a sin above all others. Whether it be my physical or emotional needs, I was taught self-reliance as a virtue. Seeing her without me, free of me, was a reinforcement of those lessons. If I was a burden upon her, that meant I'd not worked hard enough, carried my weight well enough.

"How selfish of you to make me deal with your feelings. Put your emotions away. I don't want to see them. No one does."

I was selfish. Incredibly so. Especially with the fact that envy soured my stomach further.

The scene before me was all I'd ever wanted as a child: parents who loved me, not just tolerated my existence. A family who welcomed me into their arms with warmth and adoration. Having fun with them.

My childhood had been robbed of these things by a mother who desired money and power more than anything else, and a father who had never wanted children with my mother in the first place. There'd been no fun family pictures or game nights. Family dinners were tense at best and devolved into a screaming match between my parents more often than not.

A sour truth emerged from the murky depths of my emotions, one I'd felt keenly my whole life but had never been able to articulate until that moment: I didn't belong anywhere.

Unless and until I had children of my own, I'd never get this. Sure, I'd be able to join Vi or Iris and Declan in their family events, but I would never get the chance to truly be a part of them, not really. I'd be a guest, a person on the fringe of other people's family pictures when spouses, partners, and extended families were invited in. Nothing more.

And with Vi, why would she want me to spoil her new little family? I was involved with Eli's death, and that had hurt every single one of the people in that room. My lies only compounded the pain I'd inflicted. I'd been given no other choice but to keep my mouth shut, but that didn't absolve me of the damage I'd done.

That pain twisted like a knife in my stomach.

Worthless.

Burden.

No one wants you.

Word by word, my mother's voice cut me down. That last sentence echoed through me, repeating at full blast until my eyes threatened to fill with tears. They didn't want or need me, and it was only a matter of time until Milo… and everyone else… realized that, too.

A hand slipped into mine, squeezing just enough to bring me back to reality. I knew without looking it was Will, the feel of his skin against mine centering me. His voice whispered in my head, deep understanding lacing each word. It's hard to look at, knowing that while you're welcome, you're not really part of their family unit. Not the way your heart wishes you could be.

My insides twisted, hearing the deep ache I felt echoed in his words.

It hurts , was all I could manage to say, though something told me I didn't really need to say anything at all. He'd likely heard my thoughts as they spiraled out of control.

It does. But the alternative of letting our remaining parents back into our lives is a much worse prospect , he said into my mind. The image of exactly that sent a shudder through both of us. In any case, she still loves you. She knows she's your whole world and that you love her. Even if things change between you two, she's still your aunt.

I took in a deep, deep breath then let it out slowly. You're right… I'm just so bad with change.

I know. He leaned over and, seemingly without thinking, pressed a kiss to the top of my head. We'll make it through. We always do.

My whole being lit up with a confused sense of pleasure at the gesture. I looked up at him and whispered, "Thank you."

"Anytime, Rose."

Will squeezed my hand as he slipped out of my mind, but the connection, the kinship and deep understanding I felt with him, stayed. If there was anyone in the world that understood how I felt, it was him. We were just two lost children in adult bodies, wanting something we'd never get, not as we wanted it. Not as we needed it.

Steeling myself, I stepped forward, pulling my hand out of his to approach the happy little family. After a deep breath, I shoved my feelings down into the already-too-full box I kept them in and pulled on my mask. They didn't need to see how angst was eating at my soul.

I focused my magic a little and tugged on Jesse and Callie's hair to get their attention. They looked at each other first, both ready to snap at the other, but I did it again so they could see it wasn't either of them. Then I did it to Vi, but she looked up straight away, her furrowed brow turning to a smile when she saw me.

"Rosie-roo!" She stood and walked over to me, gripping me in a hug that felt like love. The kids also jumped up and hugged both of us around our waists.

"Hi, Aunty. Hi, friends." I squeezed her back while trying to be conscious that I didn't break her. "I made you a present!"

"You did? Is it macaroni art of my face again?" she asked, pulling back with mischief in her eyes.

Will snorted behind me. Wrinkling my nose, I snarked at him, "I was eight."

"I'm sure it was adorable," he replied, unrepentant.

"What did you make her, Rose?" asked Callie.

Jesse wiggled excitedly. "Yeah! I want to see it!"

With a smile, I held up the necklace. "I made you a magic necklace. With it, you can swim with these hooligans without worrying about needing air or anything like that. And it will protect your mind from those who might want to hurt you."

"Oh, Rose, it's beautiful," Vi said, holding her hands out.

"It's good craftsmanship as well. The magic is solid," said Adrian as he joined us. It still took a moment for me to remind myself that he wasn't Eli, but when he smiled, I could tell he wasn't offended. "Was this your idea?"

"No. Will gave me a similar one a year ago, and I copied it for Vi. I figure when this is all over, we can go swimming together."

My cheeks heated a little. Will and Adrian exchanged a glance, the former's eyebrow quirking just enough to ask a silent question. Before I could dissect that look, though, Jesse started jumping up and down at my side, tugging on my arm.

"Ooooh! I want to go swimming with you!" he screeched. "I can show you how to catch a fish!"

"I want to see what you look like as a siren," added Callie. "I bet you're really pretty."

"She is really pretty," said Will, catching my eye and making me blush deeper.

I had to look away. "I bet you're really pretty, too," I replied to Callie, not even knowing where to begin with Will's statement.

Callie preened. "Thank you! I am!"

I laughed and ruffled her hair. Turning back to Vi, I opened the clasp of the necklace and put it around her neck. "I'll want you to test it before you try to go deep sea diving or whatever, but it should make your life a little easier."

"Thank you, Rose. I love it." She kissed me on the cheek.

Moving to sit on the couch, Will said, "Why don't I take your place, Violet, while you and Rose do serious Keeper of the Keys stuff?"

"Thank you. Just make sure those two"—she pointed at the kids, narrowing her eyes—"aren't cheating."

"Of course not." He smiled mischievously at the little ones, putting on an outrageous English accent for them as he spoke. "You 'eard the boss. No cheatin' in this fine establishment."

I laughed with the kids, and they, along with Adrian, went back to the game.

"Come on." Vi spoke softly but caught my attention nonetheless. "Let's go somewhere a little more private."

She guided me further into the cave system. The music I'd heard earlier grew louder as we walked, my heart fluttering in my chest when I realized we were getting closer to the source. Part of me wanted to fill the silence between us with questions about her and Adrian's relationship. How did it happen? When? Did she not feel weird about being with her former lover's brother? But I couldn't make myself ask those questions. I wasn't sure I had the right to.

She brought us into what looked like a library. Rows upon rows of books and scrolls lined the walls in various, hodgepodge bookshelves. Globes, telescopes, and the like were situated among the papers. Every nook and cranny was filled with history and artifacts from a time long past, all lit up by those strange orbs of light that grew brighter the moment we walked in. In the center of the room was a table with six chairs around it and ancient-looking papers strewn across it.

I couldn't stop looking around. All this, just under our feet this whole time? It was…

Unbelievable.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Vi asked, her eyes on me as she gestured toward one of the chairs.

I nodded in awe. Even as I took a seat, I couldn't keep my eyes off the room. "Has this always been here?"

"From what I've read, this was a natural cave system that Thomas Golden expanded on when humans began to populate the islands. He could no longer keep the records of his history or any of his magic texts in his home, so he repurposed the cave. When it came time for him to leave, he gave the knowledge to Markus and Bryony to keep."

This stopped me short. My ancestors had been given all this? "Why, though? They were humans, weren't they?"

"You remember the story about how the Goldens were attacked and Markus saved them?" I nodded, and she continued. "It wasn't a random attack. They were tracked across the US by a group of hunters."

I stilled, a memory of my own hunters flashing through my mind, and shuddered. "Why didn't they go to sea if they were being hunted? Surely, it would've been safer that way."

"It would've been, yes, but as you are intimately aware, everything the hunters touch gets complicated," she said in a tone I couldn't decipher. "Are you up for a bit of family history? I promise it has relevance to our position and importance to the islands."

I smiled. "I'm always up for that."

The corners of Vi's lips tipped up in response. She shifted in her seat, settling in more comfortably. "Markus and Thomas grew up together in Massachusetts. After Markus learned Thomas was a merman as a teenager, he vowed that he would protect his friend no matter what. When they were in their early twenties, the hunters discovered what Thomas was and chased him and his new wife out of their hometown. They were blocked from going by ship at the time and were chased all the way down the coast into what's now Florida. When it became obvious that they could not exit by sea, they risked their lives to cross over land to the Pacific.

"They settled for a time in Oregon but never intended to stay. So, Thomas would set out to find a safe place for both his and Markus's family to live. It took time, and Markus stayed behind to keep everyone safe. And, well, the rest is as you know."

I did know; it was the most famous story about our family, alongside Thomas Golden's settlement on the islands: While Thomas was away preparing what would become our islands for their arrival, Markus stayed behind with Bryony, Thomas's wife Nora, and the Goldens' children. One day, they were attacked, and Markus managed to help everyone escape to the islands, saving their lives.

What I hadn't known was why they'd crossed the country in the first place, or who'd attacked them and caused their premature exit from the mainland.

I imagined how torturous it must've been to be parted from the sea for so long. I couldn't go several days without being compelled back into the water, and even then, I felt best when it was every day. But that was just my observation, anyway. It was too early to tell what I would really need as I was still getting situated in my new body, if my memory of Corvin's notes were correct.

"How did humans find the Golden Isles if they went alone?" I asked.

Vi sighed, sadness coming over her face. "Hunters are smart. They followed the influx of Otherkind who went to the islands to get away from humans altogether. No matter how the Goldens and the others tried to root them out, the hunters kept coming. Eventually, in an act of cruelty, they began to bring regular humans with them to settle, ruining any and all chance that Otherkind could ever settle here peacefully.

"As more humans came to live, the Goldens realized they needed to leave. They intended to cross the Pacific to another settlement they'd heard of that was hidden from humans. However, just as they were preparing to do so, hunters attacked them once again. This time, when Markus tried to defend Thomas and his family, they killed him. This is why our family was gifted the shop: it was recompense for losing our patriarch and means of survival. But there was another reason that Bryony stayed behind when the Goldens left the islands."

Getting up, Vi grabbed a book from one of the shelves, an ancient-looking thing bound in leather. Flipping through the pages, she found the one she was looking for, then set it in front of me. On the page was an image that had the song growing louder in my ears, elated to be recognized for what it was. To be known.

A charcoal and ink sketch filled two pages, and at first, I couldn't understand what I was seeing. Slowly, though, the details coalesced into a whole that had my heart stuttering in my chest. A giant orb of light filled a stone chamber, and in the very center was a dark outline of what looked to be a human. Something about it seemed familiar, though I wasn't sure how. I'd never seen this before.

"Is this…" I started, but the words refused to form properly.

"That is the spirit that resides within Nora," said Vi, answering the question I was struggling to ask. "All land and water, everything on this earth, has a one within it. In some places, it's just latent energy. In others, like the Golden Isles, the spirit is alive and sentient. In order to live here, Thomas made an agreement with the islands' spirits. He, or another related to him, would take care of these islands to ensure the stewardship of the land and the safety of all the creatures, Otherkind and otherwise, residing there.

"When Thomas left, someone had to take over his responsibility to the land, and Bryony was the one who stepped up to do it. She knew that, ultimately, the rest of the Otherkind as well as her own family would be safe on the islands, if the hunters believed the Goldens were gone. So, before the Goldens left and sank their boat, Thomas transferred care over to Bryony. From that day, everyone in our bloodline bears what's known as the Sutton blessing. It makes us much more sensitive to perceiving Otherkind, and we have a bit of protection against some of their magic. In addition, the islands' spirits were granted the ability to choose who their new caretaker will be."

The source of the music sang in my blood, adding to the validity of what she was saying. "How do you know who's to be chosen? Who will succeed you?"

Her smile was soft. "Why don't I ask you some questions, and we'll see if you can figure that out yourself?"

"Okay?" She can't be insinuating it's me.

"By now, you know all the stories of our family. Your grandmother and I made sure to tell you when you were little, yes?"

"Well, yes. I mean, it was Grandma who encouraged me to leave out little offerings to the brownies and fairies to keep them happy. I just thought that you or Grandma cleaned it up after I went to sleep." It had been one of my favorite things about staying with them when I was younger. They'd always encouraged me to believe in magic and told me that our family was special. That we were protectors of the islands. Seems like that was more truthful than I realized.

"But did we really?" Her smile told me she was being facetious. "Have you ever felt the need to be on the islands, like something deep in your soul was calling you here?"

I nodded. As a child, being in Nora made me feel alive, free. Even when I lived in Boston, I felt like I needed to come back, but I didn't want to leave my job and the financial stability and freedom it gave me. I'd always thought it was because I had nostalgia glasses on, but could it have been something more?

"Have you ever seen something that you know you shouldn't, that you knew wasn't real, whether it be a creature or something else?" she asked.

I thought back, searching through my memories. Two instances popped up in my mind. One was seeing the little fairy when we were walking up to Golden Castle when I was no more than eight. On another occasion, in Golden Castle again, I saw the mural on the ceiling come alive, with the mermaids waving at me and swimming around with the sea creatures depicted there.

"How about seeing sparkles around certain people but not others? And no one else seems to notice them but you?" she asked, her eyes trained on me.

"Shut up. That can't—What?" I sputtered in absolute disbelief. "You mean to tell me that I'm not supposed to see those?"

Vi laughed. "Normal humans do not see those, no."

"I legit thought my eyesight was going bad at first. Then I just thought everyone saw them!"

"Nope. Just certain people." She snorted. "Anyway! Have you ever felt like you were rooted to the islands, like your soul was seeking something out in the land that you couldn't see and didn't understand? Have you ever felt like something sought you in return?"

My breath felt frozen in my throat.

"One last question, do you hear a song right now? Is it singing deep within your very being?"

I nodded. It was all I could do.

Her smile was gentle as she watched me piece her words together. "Come with me."

She stood and offered her hand, and when I took it, she guided me through a hallway I hadn't noticed before. A joyous chorus echoed in my soul, growing louder and louder as we traversed the dark tunnel further into the cave system. It sang its excitement and impatience, and when I saw a light at the end of the corridor, I felt full to bursting with joy. Vi squeezed my hand, and as we walked into the room where the light originated, tears welled up in my eyes. Without being told, without knowing, I knew exactly what I was looking at.

The Heart of Nora.

The orb that was the heart glowed and pulsed, nearly filling the entire space with its mass just like it had in the picture. Little tendrils reached into the earth around it, then pulled back before another reached out. It radiated love and warmth, and everything in me compelled me to go into that light, to touch it, embrace it. It was the source of everything that felt like home . When I finally tore my eyes away from it, I looked to Vi, who stared affectionately back.

"This is home. More than the shop, more than the house, Nora is our home," she said, squeezing my hand again. "I know that you're sad about losing them, but they were structures, just as everything else Joseph destroyed was. We can rebuild those things. This"—she gestured at the sphere—"is the real reason we are here. This is what we are here to protect. Without it, all life on the islands will die, and we cannot allow that to happen."

"How do we do that?" I asked. "How can we protect it?"

"For now, we keep it a secret from Joseph. He will only corrupt the Heart in an effort to bring the island under his control."

I opened my mouth to ask something else but closed it again. It didn't feel like enough. Nothing felt like enough.

Vi's expression softened. "I know. Doing nothing feels like a crime, but until we can rid the island of Joseph and his people, there's not much else we can do."

"I hate that." That's an understatement.

"I do, too. In the meantime, what we can do is to get you up to speed on what it means to be a Keeper and to get acquainted with the Heart. And if possible, the Hearts on the other islands as well. If we can fortify them, if we can spread the power of being a Keeper from just me to both of us, we can ensure that, should Joseph discover them, he will not be able to take them fully."

"How do we do that?"

"Well, first, you need to introduce yourself, of course. She already sings to you." Letting go of my hand, she nudged me toward the ball of light. "Go on. All you need to do is touch it."

The Heart's song rang out its agreement, telling me without words that I had nothing to be afraid of. So, I did what felt most right to do: I reached out. My hand hovered over the orb's surface, not quite touching, testing out whether it was hot or not. No heat radiated from the surface, and after taking a deep breath, I sank my hand into the light.

The second I made contact, a jolt went through me. Energy, pure and raw, poured into my body, filling every cell, every inch, all the way down into my very soul—and with it came complete and perfect clarity.

Visions filled my mind. Millions of years of history passed by, and I watched the island take shape in front of my very eyes.

The creation of the Earth.

Hot lava spilling, forming the foundations of the land.

The extinction of the volcanoes when the magma chamber collapsed, creating the caldera that separated Nora, Casper, and Mariana.

Then life as it began growing.

First, there were trees and foliage, tiny sprouts of green among the brown of the soil and rock. It grew and grew until the land was lush and colorful. Then came the animals and creatures. Small at first—insects and tiny fairies came, and gradually, so did other animals as well. Finally, I saw Thomas Golden, Markus Sutton, and their families coming to the islands.

The vision wasn't done, however.

Next, I saw Thomas discovering the Heart of the island. Their negotiations. He had to toil long and hard to win the trust of the Heart, cultivating and preserving the land, and once he did, the Heart gave him a piece of itself to hold. Then, just as Vi had told me earlier, Thomas introduced Bryony to the Heart, handing over the keys and stewardship to her. From there, she passed it to her daughter Aster. Aster to Dahlia, Dahlia to Poppy, then Poppy to Violet.

Just when I thought the vision was over, it continued. The Heart showed me myself when I was young, as it had seen me. During my first visit at two years old, my first step onto the island brought peace and relief to my little body. It showed me how it watched me grow, sent me signs of its presence, how it missed me in my absence and how happy it was when I returned.

My very first day back after the death of my father, it sent root-like tendrils to meet the ones I sent into the Earth. Several months later, when I broke apart on the beach after Will left me, it cradled me, holding me together when I couldn't do so on my own. Finally, it showed me my change. How the Heart itself had helped shape me into the creature I was now. How it, along with the other islands, gave a piece of itself to me upon my remaking into a siren.

Most of all, it showed me that I was loved. From the moment I had come into this world, until the world's end, it would love me. It was the kind of love that surpassed words and human comprehension, but it was deep and ceaseless. That affection filled me, reminded me of the hope I'd once had every time I returned to my home, and it fortified me with it.

Slowly, so slowly, my eyesight returned to me. There was a hand holding mine, our fingers entwined together. In front of me was the shape of a woman who looked like the ghostly visage of Bryony Sutton but whose heart shined brightly in her chest. She reached out, her other hand cupping my cheek, and smiled.

You, Rose Sutton, were chosen to succeed when you were two. You reached out, your little heart in knots at being left with people you'd never met before, and when I took your hand, you were comforted. I brought you peace, and from that moment, I knew that it would be you that would succeed Violet, the woman said, her voice soft and silky against my mind. And now look at you. You're magnificent. Even more so than I could have ever imagined.

"Me being a siren doesn't disqualify me?"

Her laughter tinkled against my mind. Why would it? In this way, you will be able to protect me better than you could have as a human, and we can be together for the rest of your long, long life.

"What must I do?" I asked.

Connect with my siblings. Introduce yourself to them as you have with me. They do not know you as well as I do, but you will need their allegiance in the coming days just as much as they will need your strength.

I tilted my head. "Where can I find them?"

The Heart smiled. To the northeast, you'll find my eldest brother beside the lake of many colors. He is as deep as his voice and as perilous to reach as a sheer rock face. To the north is my second eldest brother at the root of river lands. Wizened by the rush of water, one must watch their step lest they be swept away to places unknown. To the east is my sibling, nestled in a little piece of a land far from here. They reside in a sacred place guarded by the fearsome lion dogs. Lastly, to the south, is my youngest sister, encased in ancient, red rock weathered and tempered by brutal storms. Her place in the world can only be accessed by those who already know where she is.

At first, I just stared at her, trying to wrap my head around all that. "Well, that's not confusing at all."

Her laugh was an amused twinkle across my senses. You are not the first to say as much.

Yet she did not elaborate. Perhaps being as ancient as the very earth lent itself to being opaque? Maybe?

She pulled away slightly, releasing my hand and brushing her fingers over my pulse. My skin tingled beneath her touch. It reached deep into my flesh, spreading somewhat, but it never hurt or became uncomfortable. When she pulled her hand away, a small mark was left behind in the shape of a skeleton key.

A little on the nose, I admit, but this way, my siblings will know you for who and what you are. This will not lead you astray, nor will our song. Once more, she smiled at me, cupping my cheek affectionately. I'm so very happy to finally meet you, Rose. Come back soon. I have so much more I wish to share with you.

Leaning my face into her hand, I released the bit of tension I'd been holding in my heart. For the first time in so long, everything felt like it was going to be okay.