Chapter 6

Giorgia’s POV

I stood there for another second. The man across the street was still watching me. I tightened my grip on my bag and started walking. I didn’t run.

A few seconds later, I heard footsteps behind me. I glanced back. It was him.

I turned towards another street and walked faster. The footsteps followed. My hand slipped under my sleeve. My balm was gone. No protection. Only my pulse beating under my skin.

“Damn it.”

I pulled my sleeve down and hurried toward the main road. The footsteps grew closer. I turned into a narrow street and immediately regretted it.

I ran. My shoes struck the pavement as I pushed myself forward. He was almost close to me.

Then a hand grab me on my wrist.

I cried out and turn around. “Let go of me!”

He pulled me closer and stared at my face. For a moment he said nothing. Then his expression changed. Recognition.

“Siren.”

My entire body went still. “What did you say?”

“The last Sirens disappeared centuries ago. Your kind was supposed to be extinct.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

His gaze dropped to my throat. “Who raised you? Mama Elena?”

My blood ran cold.

“There you are,” he said, smiling.

I tried to pull away. He caught my other arm. “Your blood has been hidden for years.”

“Please.” The word escaped before I could stop it.

“You’re afraid.” He reached toward my face.

I jerked away. “Don’t touch me.”

He kept coming. Something inside me snapped, a pressure I’d spent years keeping buried rising through my chest and into my throat.

“Stop.”

The word came out Stronger. The air around us tightened.

His hand froze. His eyes widened. Then he staggered backward and slammed against the wall, grabbing his throat.

“What” His knees gave way. He collapsed onto the pavement, fighting for his breath.

I covered my mouth. My voice. That had been my voice, but it hadn’t sounded like mine. Mama Elena’s warning came rushing back. Never sing, little bird. Never let them hear what lives inside you.

He looked up at me, and the fear in his eyes twisted my stomach.

I turned and ran. I didn’t stop until I reached a crowded avenue, people moving around me, unaware of what had just happened. I pressed myself against a building and struggled to breathe.

I looked down at my wrist. The last trace of the balm had disappeared.

For years it had kept me hidden. Tonight it had failed me .

And whatever lived inside me had finally answered.