"What was that back there?" Rafe asked as he peeled out of the parking lot and drove them away from the restaurant.

Cassie couldn't control the trembling in her hands. It had been easy to forget the danger after being undiscovered and safe during the past five years. It had gotten to the point where she had taken her security for granted, and she had imagined the danger was no longer real. Now her illusion of safety had come crashing down in a spectacular way. Her fear that had gone into remission had suddenly blossomed into a nightmare of terror.

"I'll protect you," Rafe said, "but you owe me an explanation. Who was that man who grabbed you? Why did he say Nico wanted to kidnap and kill you? Nico works for my stepfather. He's trusted."

She tried to keep her voice from shaking. "As far as I know, I never met either of those men."

"Are you telling me the stranger was just some lunatic spouting nonsense? If that's the case, then there's nothing to worry about. We can turn around and talk to Nico, find out his version of things."

"No," Cassie shrieked. "We can't go back."

Rafe eyed her a moment before returning his gaze to the road. "There's more to it, isn't there? That's why you dragged me to the car in a panic. Start talking, Cassandra, or I swear I will turn around."

She was cornered with no way out. She had to tell him. "Five years ago, invaders broke into our house and killed my mother. I think they wanted to kidnap both her and me, but I got away. Can you remember when I first met you? Those men have been looking for me ever since."

"Invaders, you mean like a home invasion?"

"My mother called them hunters."

"I know in certain gangs, if one member snitches, retaliation includes killing not only the snitch, but also his entire family. Was your father involved in organized crime before he died? Is some cartel after you to settle old scores by your parents?"

Cassie realized the scenario Rafe painted would be a perfect out. She decided to not deny it. "I was supposed to keep my identity secret from everyone. Uncle Milos and Aunt Marnie were the only ones who knew."

"It all makes sense now. Your father and Milos are brothers, so of course he would hide you." Rafe said. "He'd know how to do it too. He has a feel for how things operate. He might even have a spy inside the cartel who would tell him if they were closing in on you."

He chuckled mirthlessly. "Your paranoia was getting to the point where I was beginning to question your sanity. I get it now."

He was buying into the deception which twisted Cassie's insides with guilt. She was lying to this wonderful guy, but would Rafe be able to handle the real version of things?

"Nico is one of us," Rafe said. "He'll deal with the stranger. He'll be able to overpower the old man. The cartel will never find out."

Cassie swallowed. "What do you mean by deal with?"

Rafe exchanged another glance with her. "C'mon, Cassandra. If it's your life or his there really is no choice, is there? If the stranger is a killer, then he'll get what's coming to him."

Intuition told her Rafe had things backward. "What if the stranger is right? What if Nico is the one who is after me?"

"That makes no sense. Nico is Greek. He's worked with my stepfather for a long time...unless."

"Unless what?"

"What I said about gangs having spies in each other's organizations. You could be right. We need to go see Milos right now and come clean about what happened. He knows Nico best."

More panic welled within her. "Listen to me, Rafe. If Nico is the spy and he's able to quickly...deal with...that old guy, he'll be right behind us. He'll make the call and the hunters will get me. We don't have time to chitchat with my uncle. I need to disappear."

Rafe spoke in a low, threatening tone, "As long as I draw breath nobody is going to lay a finger on you."

She loved him for saying so, but he was only one young man against professional, trained killers.

"Don't worry, I got you," Rafe continued. "I'm taking you back to your place so you can grab some things you'll need for a few days. We'll be in and out in no more than five minutes. Then I'll take you someplace no one will find you. It'll buy time until I can square things with Milos."

Sleeping over at Rafe's wouldn't work. It would be the second place the hunters would look after storming her apartment. Rafe wasn't stupid. He'd know that too. "Where will you stash me?"

"In plain sight. Directly across the street from your apartment. I have a key to the harbormaster's quarters above the marina office. The harbormaster doesn't live there anymore because he built a bigger house."

"Why do you have a key?"

"Milos owns the building. Actually, your uncle owns the whole marina."

Rafe continued driving, faster than he should, but Cassie had no objection. She wouldn't be able to breathe until safely tucked away. When they arrived at the pastry shop, Rafe double parked in front of the door leading up the stairs to her apartment.

"Go," he said. "Pack only what you need for a few days. I'm going to park the car around back as a decoy, then I'll join you."

It took her no time at all. She stuffed a backpack with clothing and her toiletries and was out in less than Rafe's allotted five minutes. They met up, and Rafe led her by the hand across the street to the marina.

It was full dark making it easier to stay out of sight. Being a Saturday night, the harbor was busier than usual with both tourists and locals partying on their boats. Rafe scanned around to make sure nobody was paying attention.

He inserted the key into the lock and ushered her inside. "Don't turn on the lights. It'll draw attention."

As Cassie's eyes adjusted, she realized illumination from pole lamps on the docks and streetlights along Dodecanese Boulevard were enough to light up the interior. She followed Rafe up a staircase to the second floor.

As accommodations went, the place was Spartan, a studio apartment of one room with toilet facilities and a shower hidden behind a pull curtain. A small, single bowl sink, two burner stove, and tiny refrigerator wedged into a corner made up the kitchen.

No coffee maker. Ugh.

The furniture consisted of a dinette table, a sofa, desk, and a bare mattress bed. The whole place smelled of old body odor.

Cassie forced a smile. "I love it."

Rafe scoffed. "No, you don't. I promise it'll only be for a short time. Milos will figure something out." He looked around. "Help me turn this sofa around so it faces the window. We can sit and watch across the street to see if anyone comes to your place."

A few minutes later, they were comfortably situated. Cassie sighed. "Sorry, I didn't intend to be so high maintenance."

He said nothing, just raised an eyebrow.

They didn't speak much after that. After an hour of watching, Cassie grew tired and yawned. She leaned her head on Rafe's shoulder.

"You can sleep," Rafe said, nodding toward the bed. "If anything happens, I'll wake you."

Cassie wasn't sure she wanted to lay her head on that bare mattress. Who knew what nasty things happened on it? But the stress over living through the past few hours exhausted her. She plopped onto the mattress with her dress still on and drifted off to sleep.

*    *    *

Cassie woke, or was she caught in a dream?

"Sirena," a susurrating voice whispered, coming from inside her head.

She got off the mattress and glanced at the back of the sofa. Rafe was no longer sitting there looking out the window. Did he abandon her in the middle-of-the-night? Walking softly toward the front of the sofa, Cassie saw to her relief that Rafe hadn't left. He lay there, lightly snoring. She watched him for a while, feeling affection for the hot guy who was being so patient with her. She whispered, "Why do you even bother with me?"

"Sirena."

She turned her attention to the window and looked across the street toward her apartment. All lay quiet and still.

Her gaze drifted beyond the apartment to the direction of the Gulf. A spirit dwelling among the fire sponges called to her, filling her with a sense of urgency.

She had to go to them. Her time had come, and her evolving body would brook no further delay, just as a woman in the throes of birth pangs could not wish away the pain or stop her baby from coming.

"Sirena."

Cassie placed both hands over her ears. Her eyes leaked tears. "No, please, not now. I've only begun to live my life."

Rafe stirred. "Cassandra?" He sat up and rubbed his eyes.

Sirena, this young man is intruding into something he can't possibly understand.

Sirena, he cares for you.

Sirena, he will interfere and stop you.

Sirena, you must not allow it. Use your nascent gift.

Was this real? What gift? A powerful urge from deep within guided her. It was as if something led her along into what she needed to do. 

She went to Rafe, sat beside him on the sofa, and took his hand. "Go to sleep, my sweet prince."

He wanted to speak, but she placed a finger to his lips. "Shhh." Cassie gently tugged him down so his head lay on her lap. He didn't resist and his entire body relaxed. He sighed. 

Cassie began to hum.

"You're making sounds like a humpback whale," he said, trancelike. "Such beautiful music. So mournful yet so peaceful. Where did you learn to sing like that?"

She said nothing and continued to hum while she stroked Rafe's hair and cheek. Moments later his breathing evened out as he fell back to sleep. On his face, he wore a contented smile.

Guilt overwhelmed Cassie. She whispered, "Oh, Rafe, what have I done to you? I'm so sorry." She had taken no pleasure in what she had done and was now suffering as a result. This new ability she would need to control, using it sparingly, and only after all else failed.

Quickly, she changed out of her dress and into a bathing suit and hoodie, knowing Rafe would not awaken until long after she departed.

You are now at the midpoint of the story, and I hope you're enjoying it. If so, please don't forget to vote. The second half will reveal more details about Cassie's true nature, her evolving romance with Rafe, her metamorphosis, and her ultimate destiny.

Top photo credit: Brook-Ward http://www.flickr.com/photos/57915000@N02/48207654087 via photopin.com Creativecommons.org license