He flung open the door like a war hero returning home. At the loud entrance, I turned my head to witness him strutting towards me, sliding the specimen across the table with a sparkle in his eye and sweet nothings on his mouth. I ignored him as he leaned and flashed me one of those famous smiles. Instead, I picked up the specimen and scoffed.

"Really?"

He drew out his boyish grin. "What?"

"Nothing." I turned away.

He slunk over to me, trying to grab me around the waist. "Come on," his scent was intoxicating, "tell me what's wrong."

I fumbled in my pockets for the clicker as he leaned in closer. When my fingers found purchase, I pressed it hard. His body turned rigid for a moment, then he backed off to nurse the shock to his neck. Even in pain, he still managed to sneak me a seductive look. I hated sirens.

Clearing my throat, I gestured to the item on the table. "Is this what you brought?"

The item in question was a small glass box, no bigger than a lady's shoe. Inside was a sleeping woman. Her hair was dark brown and swept back into a braid. As she breathed, her little chest rose slowly and the glass pane in front of her mouth fogged up.

The siren moved in closer. "Yeah, that's what I brought. What of it?"

I laughed. "Did you at least look at her before--"

"I took a long and wide look at her, believe me."

I believed him. "Clearly, you weren't looking in the right places."

He batted his eyelashes. "Will you please tell me?"

"No." I pressed the clicker again. "Here, take another look and tell me what's wrong."

He moved in closer, peering into the box. For a moment, nothing changed, then a look passed through his features and he closed his eyes.

I lifted up the box. "Do you see them?"

He swallowed. "Her ears."

"That's right." I put the box down. "Her ears."

The siren looked nervous now. "She must have been a decoy--"

"Of course she's a decoy, she's an elf!"

He wilted under my outburst and skirted to a corner of the room to sulk. The little elf-girl in the box began to stir. I lifted her prison and she met my coal eyes with her small blue ones.

"You're not the one I wanted, but I guess I can practice with you," I whispered.

Her eyes widened and she started to struggle against the glass.

"Siren!" I yelled over my shoulder. "Get my instruments. It is time to begin."