The Siren's Realm by Megan O'Russell

Author:Megan O'Russell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ink Worlds Press

18

The Mansions of Bellevue

The bus pulled onto the long bridge that would lead them to Aquidneck Island. The leaves shone orange and gold in the bright sunlight. Jacob looked down at Emilia sleeping peacefully on his shoulder. He wanted to keep watching her sleep, but he couldn’t let her miss this view.

“Emi,” he whispered, rubbing her arm. “Wake up.”

Jacob pointed out the window, and Emilia’s sleepy eyes followed. The water glistened, and Emilia smiled.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. “Are we there?”

“Soon,” Jacob said.

The other passengers were beginning to gather their things.

“Good.” Emilia nodded. “I want to get this over with.” She ran a hand through her hair, pushing it away from her face, before starting to chew on her bottom lip.

“Don’t be nervous,” Jacob said, trying not to smile. She only ever chewed her lip when she was nervous. “The Hag will see us. We’ll make her.”

“That’s what I’m worried about.” Emilia leaned in to whisper to him. “My whole life, all I’ve heard is how dangerous she is. And now we’re going to walk up to her house and ask for a favor. If anyone finds out…”

Jacob wrapped his arm around her. “No one will ever know.”

“But if they do—”

“They won’t.” Jacob brushed back the veil of black hair that hid Emilia’s face.

“But if they do, they’ll bind our powers. Jacob, they’ll make us human.”

“Don’t worry,” Jacob said, looking back out the window as the bus pulled into town, “I lived as a human for most of my life. It’s not that bad. I’ll show you how it’s done.”

Emilia smacked his chest and chuckled. “You won’t leave me alone?” she said, her voice soft but serious. “I don’t think I could live like that alone. Promise me.”

Jacob pulled her closer. “I promise. Whatever happens, we’re in this together.”

Emilia laid her head on his shoulder as the bus pulled into the station.

This place was as different as possible from Carlisle. The bus station was clean and bright, right near the shining water. Shops and restaurants lined the wharf, and a line of cabs sat outside the station.

“Shall we?” Jacob gestured to the cabs. Emilia nodded, and they climbed into the nearest yellow car.

“Where to?” the driver asked cheerfully.

“We’d like to go to the mansion on Bellevue,” Jacob said.

“You need to be a little more specific,” the driver said. “Bellevue is full of mansions.”

“Right,” Emilia said. “Can you take us to where the mansions start, then?”

“Can do,” the driver said. “But if you don’t know which one you’re looking for, you better be ready to do a whole lot of walking.”

The town was packed full of tourists. It took more time for the driver to wind through the crowds than to drive the short distance to Bellevue Avenue.

“Here you go.” The man stopped in front of a huge house made of stone.

Sweeping steps led out of the mansion and onto the manicured lawn. Sculpted hedges grew throughout the grounds. Everything was perfectly placed.

Emilia paid the man, and he handed her a card in return.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.