Song of Lorelei by Desirée M. Niccoli

Author:Desirée M. Niccoli
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781648982828
Publisher: City Owl Press

Chapter

Twenty-One

LORELEI

After parting remarks to the museum’s first visitors, Lorelei wasn’t ready for the night to end. Even Phil’s presence beside her, and microphone hogging, hadn’t annoyed her enough to dim the buzz of excited energy she felt from an event gone well. A small after-party with close friends was just what she needed to come down from this social high.

Once clean-up and lock-up were taken care of, the Branson duo followed her and Killian home for drinks. They kicked off their shoes, passed around bottles of beer, and didn’t quite make it out of the kitchen. They were too busy recapping the night to even think about sitting down.

During a break in conversation, Will lifted his bottle of beer and said, “To Lorelei. Our badass mermaid friend and museum expert extraordinaire.”

“Aww, Will.”

“Cheers!”

“I’ll drink to that!”

They clinked their bottles together. Her friends’ beaming smiles warmed her just as much as the alcohol. Eventually they drifted to the kitchen table and settled into seats all around. Lila raised her bottle to her lips and took an extra-long pull. “I have some good news and bad news. But good news first.”

The cheery mood sobered.

Lorelei wrapped her hands around her own beer, centering herself in the cool touch of glass. She could guess what the bad news was about—something to do with Phil, the board, and Nireed. And if it gave her friend pause about sharing even the good news… “Lila, what is it?”

“The good news is that the virophage we gave Nireed a couple weeks ago worked. She hasn’t been having human-flesh cravings. I wanted to tell you sooner, but I thought it would be better to wait until my team knew for sure. I didn’t want to get your hopes up. But we can begin treating the merfolk population.”

“That includes me, right?”

Lila hesitated, her eyes darting to Killian. Neither liked the idea of her participating in the clinical trial, but it wasn’t their decision to make. Her body, her choice, and all that. “If it’s fine enough to use on more of my siren kin, it’s fine enough for me to volunteer.”

“But…”

Lorelei leveled Lila with a firm look. “I want the injection.”

The marine biologist puffed out a breath. “Okay.”

If bad news hadn’t been promised, Lorelei would be soaring right now. No more insidious hunger. No more potted meat. She’d be completely in control again, and never have to worry about the dire consequences of a skipped meal.

Judging by the grave look on Lila’s face, Lorelei wouldn’t like the price. She twisted the beer bottle in her hands. Killian settled his hand over hers, and she stilled. With a small smile, he gently pried the bottle from her grasp. Siren strength carried over into human form, and she could easily break the glass.

Lorelei wrung her hands underneath the table instead. “So, what’s the bad news?”

Regret pinched Lila’s lips as she tugged on one tight curl, pulling it straight. “You know what? Tonight’s your night. It can wait until tomorrow.”

Will smoothed circles across his wife’s back.

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