My head was throbbing the next morning as I propped it up on a fist during breakfast. The previous night was spent tossing and turning, thrashing in bed. It was an exact replica of that first night—flashes of faces, a glimpse of red hair, hearing the distinct sound of singing.

But there was one specific thing that had been different—which was interesting, because aside from those three things, I hadn't noticed anything else. I'd followed the sound, swimming straight into a clearing filled with red coral and seaweed. As I'd slowed, glancing around at my surroundings, a chill had run down my spine. I'd spun around, wishing I had a weapon of some sort.

"Hello?" I'd called out, my heart pounding. When the voice answered, I'd almost cried out in shock.

It'd been clear, silky—alluring. "Sister Siren, we've been waiting for you. Come home."

I'd went rigid. Aside from the singing, there hadn't been any voices. My heart had started pounding, violently enough that I felt dizzy. "Hello?" I'd called out again, breathing shakily. "Waverly, if that's you—"

My words had been cut off by singing. Closer this time, but when I spun around again, there was no one there. Same words as last time. "Siren call, where are you?"

I was pulled out of my thoughts by a hand on my arm. I blinked, disoriented as if awakening from a dream. Mom was glancing at me, concern and worry in her eyes. "You don't want to be late for school, honey. Waverly's waiting for you."

I inhaled sharply, nodding. Pushing away my barely-touched food, I kissed both my parents and waved to Drew as I swam out of the dining hall. I knew that when it came to most jobs, I was particularly lucky. I was able to balance both work and school by alternating—school one day, work the next, and so on. Calder, despite his bedside manner, was very accommodating. He'd agreed almost immediately.

Of course, work and school were both equally draining. On top of that, I had the nightmares to deal with. As if in response, my head gave a burst of pain and I bit my tongue, hard. Waverly was talking, but I didn't even hear her. I couldn't hear anything aside from that voice, as clear and silky as it'd been in the dream.

"'Sister Siren, we've been waiting for you.'" I shuddered as we reached the school. I glanced up at the position of the sun, gauging the time. We had about five minutes until class started. I could feel Waverly staring at me, but I couldn't meet her eyes.

Mrs. Jessica smiled at me and Waverly as we swam in. "Good morning. Have a seat and we'll get started." Her gentle, warm voice calmed me down almost instantly.

I went through school in a daze, fighting off the exhaustion of last night. I answered when called on and when spoken to, but they were just vague, one-word responses. It was only when we were leaving the building hours later, the headache almost unbearable now, that Waverly spoke.

"Are you okay? I'm worried about you." Her words were tinged with concern.

I glanced around, making sure we were alone. Then, leaning in close and lowering my voice, I spoke. "Have you ever had any strange dreams?" My voice was almost a whisper, but I knew she heard me.

She frowned, face creased with concern. "What kind of strange dreams?" Her words were equally as soft, her eyes focused on me.

I swallowed hard as the words again surfaced in my mind. "Last night was the same as the previous night's—I saw flashes of faces, a glimpse of red hair, heard the distinct sound of singing." I was about to continue, but Waverly spoke before I could, cutting me off.

"Wait. Are you telling me last night wasn't the first time you've had these dreams?" I almost winced at her voice—the worry buried under sharp anger. I shivered. She'd never been mad at me before—never even raised her voice at me, nor me at her.

Seeing my reaction, her voice softened, apology shining in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you."

I nodded. "I know."

The sun shone down on the water, painting the surface a bright, cheery yellow—yet it did nothing to improve my mood. I took a deep breath, then continued. "Then there was the note." I winced again as the words left my mouth, realizing that I'd completely failed to mention that piece of information to her.

Her eyes shuttered, nostrils flaring as my words hung in the water. "There was a note." It wasn't quite a question.

I nodded again, falling silent as we reached the palace. Waverly did the same, both of us nodding at Merrick and Nerio. They bowed their heads, smiling at us. My stomach was in knots, my heart pounding. I could again feel Waverly's gaze on me, but I didn't dare speak a word—not with so many eyes and ears around.

I didn't see Mom and Dad anywhere, but that wasn't surprising. They were probably still making preparations for the Circle of Light.

Originally, it was only celebrated in Aegrem, started decades ago by my great-uncle's parents. But a few years ago, both my parents and my great-aunt and uncle decided to make it a realm-wide holiday. Now, every realm observed it, taking one day out of the entire year to give thanks to Merais, the God of the Sea, and Antia, Goddess of Fertility.

Everyone lit lava torches and placed them strategically around each realm. Eventually, after they were lit, they formed a sun—meant to honor the very thing that gave us life. Drew and I hadn't ever celebrated it—neither had Waverly—so the three of us were especially excited.

We swam through the spacious entryway, down various stairs and through various hallways until we finally reached my suite. The bedroom was large and spacious, with a bathing room and closet to the left and the sitting room to the right. Only when I'd shut the door behind us did I turn back to her, twisting my hands nervously.

I swam backwards into the sitting room as I spoke, finally answering her. "Yes. It was only one word: Siren. I almost dismissed it, figuring you, Calder, or Leith must have forgotten about it, but I didn't." Seeing her expression, I immediately rushed on, quickly apologizing. "I know I should have told you as soon as I'd gotten it, but I sort of forgot."

Her face was stone, her eyes locked on mine. I held my breath, nervously awaiting her response. She inhaled deeply, then spoke. "Do you have any ideas of who could have left it for you? Anyone who knew about your past or your adoptive parents, and maybe wanted to drive a wedge between you?" As soon as the words left her mouth, my own dropped open.

I faltered, Waverly rushing to catch me. Her words had triggered something in me, a memory that I hadn't realized I'd kept buried. Aunt Izzy had told me about the dream, but even though I hadn't truly experienced it, the muscle memory would live with me forever.

I'd completely blocked it out, so I couldn't remember exactly when it had happened. Despite that, the scene played on repeat in my head. It was the same as the nightmare—flashes of faces, the sound of shouting, screaming. But this time, I actually recognized one of the voices. Drew's, unfaltering and steady. "'You promise you won't hurt my family?'"

Then came the slightly unfamiliar voice, deep and smooth. "'Yes. You have my word, Drew.'" His name flashed through my mind as clearly as if it had been written down. Jacob. He was my birth father.

I shuddered. Mom and Dad had never spoken about him, nor had Aunt Izzy and Uncle Kai. I knew who he was though. Just like with the dream, I'd blocked any memory of him completely. He'd come by the palace a few times over the years to visit, but it never lasted.

Waverly was gently shaking my shoulder, drawing me back to the present. "Faye? Are you okay?"

I flinched. "Yeah. Sorry. I—I know who sent the message." As the words left my mouth, my heart skipped a beat. Does Drew know?

Her eyes widened. "Who?"

I had barely opened my mouth, the words waiting on my tongue, when a knock sounded on my door. "Faye? There's someone here to see you." I couldn't put my finger on it, but there was something... off about Drew's voice. Waverly was on my tail as I swam to the suite door and opened it.

A tall merman with aquamarine eyes floated beside Drew, a nervous expression on his face. I almost choked. The latter was pale, his hands trembling slightly. I reached out to him, concerned.

The merman spoke before we made contact, brushing his dark blond hair out of his eyes. "I know you're both probably wondering what I'm doing—" He was cut off by the sound of low voices, becoming louder as they swam closer.

Mom's voice was full of happiness as she spoke, presumably to Dad. "I already have the perfect idea for—" She broke off abruptly as she saw the four of us. Her eyes widened as they met each of our gazes. When they came to rest on the merman, she let out a strangled sob.

Her face drained of color; she gripped Dad's arm as if to steady herself. "What are you doing here, Jacob?" Her voice was emotionless, despite the tremor running through her hands.

He gave them an apologetic wince. "I'm sorry to drop by unannounced, but there's something all of you need to know."

As the words left his mouth, I faltered. Drew swam to my side, gripping my hand. "You okay, Faye?" He asked, eyes scanning my face.

For a moment, I couldn't speak. Mom and Dad swam over as well, concern in their eyes. "Yeah," I managed, forcing a weak smile.

I knew—I just knew—that whatever he had to say had something to do with the nightmares. The only question was, would I be ready to hear it? I took a deep, steadying breath, exhaling deeply.

"Go ahead," I said, motioning to him. "We're listening."

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