Page 29 of Siren’s Secret

“It’s complicated, okay? Both officially and unofficially.”

“One of these days,” Salis muttered, but then nodded. “Okay. So, what’s the official version?”

Wave looked pleadingly at Risha, and with a sigh, he replied. “Our ice is compatible and I’m a power-hungry leech.” That didn’t make Wave happy, but before she could snap back at him, Risha smiled softly. “She doesn’t like to hear that, though, so people better keep their mouths shut around her about it.”

“Idiots,” Wave muttered.

“Yeah, well,” Risha said and reached out to push a strand of hair behind her ear. “Officially, unofficially and any -icially, really. My engagement with Elena is over. They will see it like I traded up.”

“Did you?” Salis demanded.

“In every way that counts,” Risha said softly.

The truth of that statement made Wave uncomfortable, so she turned away. “I’m hungry.”

Neither man called her out on her deflection. Irishen just sighed and Salis rolled his eyes before changing the subject.

“So what was that about holding back?”

“She’s still pulling her powers in despite the toll it’s taking.”

“I’m fine,” Wave muttered over her growling stomach.

“Why would you do that, Way?” Salis frowned. “I saw what that did to you last time.”

“Everyone is doing it,” she argued back.

“Not at the expense of their well-being and definitely not just after claiming the well.” Risha rubbed his temples like he had a headache. Instinctively, Wave reached over and trailed a finger over the bridge of his nose, letting her own icy power seep out. When his breathing slowed and deepened, she pulled back.

Salis looked at the whole interaction with narrowed eyes but waited until Risha opened his eyes again to speak.

“Why don’t you just let it roll out, Way? Trust us to tell you if it’s too much?”

“But I—”

“It would shut up a lot of mouths if the idiots couldn’t even get close to you,” Salis continued, undeterred. The temperature around them dropped, and Irishen’s eyes flashed. Wave held up her hand to stall him.

“Fine, fine. I’ll try, but you have to tell me if it’s too much… I-I’m shit at controlling it when I get mad. It’s safer if it’s tucked away.”

Irishen stepped forward and cupped her cheeks in his palm. A cascade of cold rushed over her at the contact, steadying Wave.

“You only get better at controlling it if you use it, morsel. Trust me on this? Let go.”

Wave took several deep breaths. Sinister promised to keep her secret. She didn’t have to hide her stormbringer powers anymore, at least not as hard. It was all right. All through it, Risha’s cool touch kept her tethered. It wasn’t enough. It wasn’t grounding her like she needed, but it was something.

“Okay,” she whispered eventually. “Here it goes.”

With a single exhale, she loosened her hold on her stormbringer aura.

Chapter 16 – Jarred

Jarred was walking toward the cafeteria where Wayla liked to eat, hoping to get a glimpse of her, when the air in the yard changed. It smelled like a storm was brewing. Then the power just rolled over like a wave.

Everywhere around him, people were falling to the ground, cowering and holding on to things. He felt the power sweep over him, but it didn’t feel malicious. Just strong. It tasted like… Wayla.

He spun around and saw her standing, eyes closed, with Salis and Irishen. Both of them were standing, but Jarred could see the strain on Salis’s face. Irishen was smiling. He looked fucking proud.

Jarred was rooted in place, unsure if he should leave, then Wayla’s eyes snapped open and landed on him. Immediately, the power swelling around him pulled back, giving him space.