The Silver Siren (Iron Butterfly, #3)(57)

“We are the balance. We have nothing. No power, no magic. While the Denai have it all. Our power is locked away, Thalia. But if the seal on our power were broken, we’d be free to use it. If there weren’t so many of us here canceling each other out. The lack of magic starts to drive those with the strongest Siren bloodlines mad. It’s the reason Denai aren’t allowed in Sinnendor. Fear of discovery. Our race is at the weakest we’ve ever been.”

“That’s why Sinnendor wanted the SwordBrothers, to protect themselves from the Denai,” I spoke aloud, the sudden realization dawning on me.

“Not just that, but for a while, it seemed being bonded to a SwordBrother stabilized the royals. Still, it wasn’t fool proof, which led to the mass destruction of most of the SwordBrothers. Since then, only the Sirens that are the most stable have become a part of the Elite.”

“But you said your kind are dying? And that’s why the Denai are dying out as well?”

“The hand we’ve been dealt is unfair—our gifts sealed away within us. Knowing they’re there but being unable to touch them is like being deprived of air. It slowly drives the strongest mad.”

“What about before the Fall?”

Gideon smiled wanly. “It’s said that the Sirens’ power came from our fury. Death and destruction were once our greatest gifts and we were unstoppable. There were no physical limits, because we could take at will.”

Gideon’s words chilled me to the bone. “And now?” I asked, uncomfortable.

The smile slid from his face. “We’re nothing.” He held his hands out palms open. But you’re not. Your clan came from the strongest Siren blood. Your father is descended from King Branccynal, which means you are too. Your mother is from the second strongest Siren line after the war. You, child, have been blessed because you are a Siren like us, yet born and raised outside of Sinnendor. The seal around your core, around your powers, have started to break open.”

“It wasn’t with my consent,” I accused. “It must have been the Septori. They must have found a way to do it.”

“But you are the first Siren since the Fall to show signs of regaining their power,” Portia spoke up quickly, hoping to encourage me with the news.

“This gift you keep telling me about came at a great cost, and with a lot of pain,” I clenched my fists together in anger. “And it is not wholly my own.”

“It’s a lot for you to take in, but we would like you to understand you are free to leave. We only ask that you give us time to help you learn who you really are—your heritage, your destiny. Then when you are fully satisfied, you can go.” Portia, for the first time, looked vulnerable. Scared that I might take her up on her offer. She abruptly added, “But might I remind you, you are safer within the walls and borders of Sinnendor than you have ever been in Calandry.” She moved as if to touch my shoulder but pulled her hand back at the last minute.

“So I can leave? Walk out that door right now and you won’t stop me? Tieren won’t stop me?” It seemed too good to be true.

Both Gideon and Portia shot each other worried glances as if reassuring themselves. Gideon shuffled his weight and cleared his throat. “Um, well you do have to wait for a time when Tieren is more…in the present than in the past.”

Portia rushed in, “He’s really much more himself in the morning compared to evening when his mind starts to tire. You arrived here late at night and he couldn’t remember you, so you were placed in the dungeon until we could change his mind.”

“I’m sure I should understand, but I don’t. More reasons to leave. What about Sevril and Tomac?” I asked. “Neither of them seem like they want to harm me…yet.”

“Sevril understands why you’re here. He knows that our future depends on you. Even though it depresses him, he works tirelessly for our cause. He has been showing great progress. Tomac is another story. Keep your distance from your youngest cousin. He is quite mad, more so than Tieren. And he is not safe.”

“Not the most reassuring news.” I moved around Gideon and Portia and walked to the door.

“It would be wise to wait,” Gideon answered.

I paused in thought, my hand on the doorknob.

There were still so many answered questions, and I was the first in my clan to get back into Sinnendor. Did my father know about the madness that would have plagued him if he had come back? I thought back to the dinner table and imagined me in Tomac’s place. Talking incoherently, throwing food. How long could I stay before I started to show signs of madness?

Was that my destiny? Had I already started down this dark path? In some ways it felt that way.

“One more thing, Thalia,” Gideon suddenly spoke up. “You may have loyalties to the Denai now, but you are first and foremost a Siren. You belong here. With us.”

I grimaced in pain when I pulled the door handle open, and I heard Portia’s intake of breath as she waited to see if I would leave. I didn’t turn around, for fear of changing my mind. Instead, I walked out.

Immediately, I heard soft sobbing sounds behind me, as the stoic Portia broke down in tears. Gideon’s comforting voice followed me down as I made my escape from the tower.

Surprisingly, the Elite outside the room didn’t try to stop me. Nor the ones at the bottom of the tower. I did make a few wrong turns before I made it to the main hall and looked around me in wonder. If my mother had lived, I might have roamed these halls and played with my cousins.