No one stopped or even glanced at me as I walked through the deserted streets. I only wished that I had been smart enough to pull on on jacket in my haste or some better boots. My feet and hands already felt red and sensitive from the cold. But I wasn't going back into that house, not yet. I couldn't face them. Misty could stare at me all innocent and sweet, telling me that I was powerful, and Easton could try and soothe away the pain after the damage was done, but what good was it?

What was the point of being the most powerful siren if I couldn't defeat the man who destroyed me?

What was all this power good for if it was the reason that someone I loved could get hurt?

Ignoring the chattering of my teeth, I wrapped my arms around my body, and pressed on. My thin rubber boots left a single set of tracks in the fresh snow, everyone else happily cozied up by fires, probably sipping hot chocolate and enjoying time being trapped with those they cared about. 

I tried not to think about it as I pushed on. My gaze stayed focused on the sugar coated mountains ahead and I moved as steadily as I could do this. I knew what I needed. And it was more than just holding out my hands and capturing a cup of snowflakes, waiting for them to pool in my hand. 

Even with all of my anger, defeat, and betrayal, I was aware of the danger that could be lurking outside of Easton's well constructed and continuously monitored perimeter. I noticed one dark wolf watching me warily from beneath some shrubs as if he were trying to determine if he should alert his alpha or not, but I ignored him and stopped right at the brink of the small lake on the outskirts of Easton's territory. He had brought me here for one of our dates and I had laughed the night away, eating every morsel of food he had brought. The second night under the stars had been just as magical as the first. 

But I wasn't here for warm fuzzies now. In fact, even while seeing a chunk of ice floating at the far end of the late and snowflakes plunging into the open water, I kicked off my rubber boots and plowed in.  

The water was utterly freezing around my bare feet. If I had been a normal human, I might have feared frost bite taking away one of my toes or hypothermia sneaking into my blood. But, after a few steps, the water began to warm.

Part of me was ready to stop right then. This was weird enough and I didn't want to attract any unwanted attention. Couldn't I be sated just by being in the water, to know that it was here when I needed it? But Nero already knew I was here, Easton knew exactly what I was: a water driven monster that had killed one of his own in a trade for my life. There was no use in hiding. All of those I had once wanted to protect knew. Those who were chasing me would find me no matter who I pretended to be.

I might as well just let myself be a siren for once. I deserved that much. 

I let the water welcome me. I stepped forward confidently, soaking my jeans up to the thighs as I went. The liquid now felt as comforting as a hot bath after a long day, kissing my drenched skin with relaxation. My hair rose, like that of a mermaid, swaying as if I were already completely submerged underwater. 

The lake was youthful and playful, like the bustling days of summer, filled with laughing children and parents idly watching beneath oversized sunglasses. It felt like long nights with close friends, talking until well after dark. It felt like all of the things I had never had and craved with my whole being.

I wanted to cry. I deserved to cry, didn't I? My head was swimming with all of the images that I had fought so hard to repress. I had lost everything. I had watched hundreds die, thinking that it was all my fault, if only I could give up my powers. Maybe, if I had found  a way to separate my power from myself, I could have still had a family to scold me when I stayed out late, a mother to tell me about our people, a father to smooth my hair when I broke up with my first boyfriend. 

But instead of crying, I began to sing, my mouth moving on its own. My head tipped back, my eyes shut, keeping their glowing hidden from the world once more. Words poured out of my mouth so loudly that my lungs felt like the air was punched out of them with every word. I sang as loud and as hard as I could, screaming the words into the heaving air.

Then, from behind me, came a voice I knew so well, singing the same song I was, one I didn't know. 

But the song knew me. 

And so did the gentle man with emerald eyes and a honey-sweet smile who watched me as I spun around.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded, lifting my arms at my sides. The power from the water made my voice even more enchanting, ringing in my own ears, but even the source was afraid my power, the lake receding away until my thighs and knees were exposed to the cold. "Hasn't Misty revealed enough to scare you off?"

I got all of the answer I needed when Easton paled. His focus narrowed in on something behind me and he took an involuntary step back. Christ, she must have really convinced him that I was the wicked witch. Not that I could blame him, standing here with floating hair and neon eyes. 

"Kaia, please, come out of the water," Easton begged, his voice trembling. He reached a shaking hand towards me like it would help despite the meters between us.

"Why? Because you don't want to see me for what I am?" I screeched. My hands flared up above my head in a dramatic show. The more water raced away from me. I heard it flow behind me. "This is what I am, Easton! I'm a siren, daughter of Poseidon, and I'm a werewolf killer!"

Easton swallowed hard. He was on the brink of fleeing. His feet were shuffling backwards. He kept glancing at me then away, to something looming behind me. 

"Run, Easton. You aren't ready to handle all of this. Your parents knew it, I knew it, now you do too. Don't try to be brave."

I thought, through granting him permission, I would send him running. He didn't have to bear this responsibility and once he understood that, he should have been gone. 

But I watched him suck in a deep breath. His shoulders rolled back an inch as his spine straightened into a perfect posture. There was no fidgeting, no mumbling or stuttering. The forest green irises settled on my face and he took three steps forward. His shoes were soaked through. He took another three steps, moving through the water as best as he could. He was coming right for me. 

He was just one stride away when he stopped. 

"I'm not brave, lass. Far from. But this isn't about bravery. I'm not scared of you, Kaia. I'm not scared of your powers." He took another breath and slowly raised a frigid hand, cradling my cheek with his fingers. "You are good, so good. You do wonderful, amazing things for others all the time. I will never be afraid of you, never. I trust you. I love you."

Something twitched within me, like a flicker of power. There was a heavy noise, like the sounds of a waterfall crashing down overhead. Water rushed around me again, no longer running away from my rage, but circling me closely. 

Easton let out a yelp, unable to fight the current.

I grabbed at the collar of his jacket to keep him from falling. Then I yanked him towards me and while he tumbled nearer, I kissed him for all I was worth. 

~~~Question of the Day~~~

What is your favorite board game?

If you're like me and you're going back into lockdown, I would highly recommend a game called Stupid Death. It's wild, easy to follow, and sure to make you laugh.