Page 34 of Seas the Reckoning

I step out from behind him as I end the embrace, facing the others.

“Grammy did tell Councilman Taylor that I’m a siren.”

“Why would she do that?” Starla says, voice loud and Jackal shushing her.

I shrug.

“She’s always got her reasons, and you know she’s being purposefully cryptic for this event. But your father’s well aware, and he’s doing his level best to capitalize on that. If whoever worked with Leon is here and also has a connection to the curse, having my attendance touted so loudly may draw them in, or send them running. We should be on the watch for any extreme behaviors.”

“You’re becoming quite adept at picking up on clues,” Jackal compliments me.

There’s a bit of back and forth as to the best way to divide and conquer. A lot of the voting has to do with my own time. Whether I should try to garner more of Claude’s exclusive attention, or if that might make him suspicious.

Starla holds a hand up as Ji-hwan finishes making a point.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think we should let my father’s whims decide for us. He loves a skill he can exploit or barter with. He’s already demonstrated that he thinks Leena’s siren song is a commodity he can use to sell her as a potential match to his guests. My thinking is, he sees multiple benefits. He’s decided keeping Leena here will keep me here. It gives him two possible avenues to victory.”

“That’s sickening,” Exos says.

“I thought the same thing when I realized how serious he was about introducing me to so many men,” I admit.

“But if Claude does initiate the interest, I don’t think she should rebuff him. Let him think he’s getting what he wants and follow the trail to our answer,” Ji-hwan says.

Starla slams a fist down into her palm.

“This whole situation has me more twisted up than a funnel cake at the state fair.” She stands up to pace while pulling her hair into a ponytail.

Her tattoos have come back into view, and with her hair like this, she’s much more herself.

Jackal clears his throat, and the witch comes to a stop.

“We do also have to consider the possibility that your father is very aware of exactly who he has in his home. Of Ivyrn Works—and its activities. Leon had magical connections with someone powerful who gave him the idea for these experimentations. It could be that he was introduced through your father’s network, or even that Councilman Taylor had a hand in the situation directly.” He delivers the speech calmly but clears his throat again and stares down to his shoes as he comes to a finish.

It’s not hard to guess why. Starla’s throat bobs up and down, her blue eyes flashing with magic and her hands crackling.

Exos puts on his stony form, reaching for her. He wraps her into a hug as her magic continues to spark. His gargoyle skin can easily withstand the shocks, and I can’t help thinking how perfect they are for each other. He has softened a bit for her but stands as a literal pillar of strength when she needs one. And she can be fully herself around him. She’s also more grounded with the gargoyle than I’ve ever seen her.

But now is far from the time to point this out, as a tear trails down Starla’s cheek.

“If that’s true …” her voice is hoarse and she trails off, then tries again, “Leon tried to kill us more than once. And he was more than willing to kill both Ginny and me to force Leena’s compliance so he could get his hands on her siren powers. If my father really is directly involved, that would mean he’s willing to sacrifice his own daughter. I know he’s done some crappy things, but I don’t want to think he’d stoop so low.”

Jackal crouches in front of the witch so she doesn’t have to raise her face to meet his gaze.

“Starla, I know you don’t want to think it. It may not be true. It’s just one possibility we need to consider if we want to approach this investigation accurately.”

She shakes her head, the ends of her ponytail slapping the tears on her cheeks.

“He still views me as a bargaining chip he can use. I don’t have any value to him if I’m dead. And that’s more motivation to him than anything else.”

Her eyes are still flashing.

I’d wager almost anything that she wants to believe her father cares enough about her not to put her in mortal danger—an incredibly low bar for any dad—but she’s convinced he wouldn’t do it, if only for her strategic value.

“All these options are plausible, but none of them are certain,” Exos says. “We have limited time and too many possibilities.”

Ji-hwan has been quietly observing for a few minutes, but now he smiles.

“What we need is a wise supernatural voice to give us some insight on this situation. We’re all too close to it. We’d benefit from an outside perspective.”