Rise by Sarah Rockwood

Author:Sarah Rockwood [Rockwood, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Queen & King Entertainment

35

"Oh, fudge."

For a brief moment, I thought Noiryn said the F-word and was about to pat her on the back when I realised she'd swerved part way through and ended with the safer choice.

“You can say that again,” I muttered.

“Hurry up, the Challenge won't win itself,” Cosima cackled.

“Man, I hate her,” I growled.

"We best get over there,” Noiryn shivered, "see you there." She leapt off the rock, making a beautiful arch through the air before slipping into the water.

"She is amazing.”

“That she is. That she is,” Royal said, "we better get over there, too."

I was about to ask how, when Royal spread his wings and leapt into the air. Got to remember the wings, I chided myself. With a few sturdy flaps I was in the air beside him, and we quickly closed the distance to the new island. We landed a few moments before Noiryn appeared at the water’s edge. I spent most of that time giving Cosima a real stare-down.

I also took in the sirens around us; I had expected them to look like Noiryn and Cosima, but up close there were subtle differences that were at once beautiful and alarming. One of the yellow sirens had a crown of spines around her head and no third eye, while another, a lighter blue than Noiryn, had four eyes. All four orbs moved in unison, and I thought that was unnerving enough until Noiryn emerged from the water and two of the siren’s eyes swivelled to the left to watch her. I had to be on my toes here, you couldn’t tell who was watching you.

“Well, we’re all here," I said to Cosima, "let's get on with the Challenge."

The other sirens shifted slightly in the line, a few casting sideways glances at Cosima who looked if I wasn't mistaken, a bit sheepish.

"Are you going to make with the Challenge?" I asked again.

"You will know soon enough,” she huffed, "follow me."

Cosima didn't wait for a response, just turned towards the jungle and expected us to follow. The other sirens fell into two lines either side of us as we made our way through the little forest to the centre of the island.

"Oh, I get it," I called after Cosima, "you're not in charge of this thing." Her back stiffened, the spines along it poking out a tiny bit before retracting again. "I'm right, aren’t I? You're not in charge here."

“I’m in charge of a great many things, bird.”

“Oh yeah, you're in charge of lots of stuff,” I chided, "when it comes to the Guard, you’re super in charge of stuff, but here, on this island, you're answering to somebody."

She stopped walking and hissed inches from my face.

"Watch your tongue, bird. You haven't won their approval yet."

"You're right," I said calmly, "too bad you don’t have a say."

"The leaders are waiting,” the siren with four eyes spoke.

“And we will be there shortly,” Cosima’s venom had a new target, "I am doing what was asked of me."

"Of course, Cosima,” all four eyes blinked slowly.

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