Hunting Sirens: A Gender-Flipped Little Mermaid (Legends of Neverland, #2)

by Mary Mecham

Wait until we tell everyone what you did. You’re no bookkeeper; you’ll be the hero of Haven Harbor. Sterling’s eyes were still wide, and his hands shook violently. Forget being a hero. I’m never getting on a boat again. I grinned. All those heroics, yet he was still a bookkeeper at heart.

You are the loudest drinker ever, Treva, did you know that? Gage signed irritably at me. People shouldn’t guzzle their beverages. It sounds terrible. Sounds like a problem for you, not for me, I retorted with a smirk.

Bayne, the bane of my existence, I thought ruefully.

I was born at night, but not last night, siren.

Eel’s eyes, though I knew I could resist any man, I was left to wonder—could I resist a siren?

If the enemy of my enemy was my friend, that would mean— I snuck a quick look at Bayne. He must be my friend.

While we were underwater, Bayne would frequently perform complicated flips and turns, looking over his shoulder each time to ensure I was watching.

How do sirens get inside our heads? Our voices—Bayne began, but I cut him off. No, even you. You have no voice, but you still get inside my thoughts and dreams so that I think about you all the time… I realized what I was saying and stopped abruptly. I don’t think that has anything to do with you being a human and me being a siren, Bayne signed slowly, his vision darting between each of my eyes. Oh.

When he noticed me watching him chew with his cheeks packed with food, he gave me an enthusiastic thumbs-up and signed, Don’t stop on my account. This is the best dinner entertainment we have had in a long time!

Also, if you two keep looking at each other like that, something is going to catch fire, so cool it.

Once, he grasped the ends of a rod and, with an immense effort that set his biceps to bulging, bent it in half. I forgot to breathe as I watched, so captivated that I became lightheaded. Too many flaws? he asked. I think that is just about perfect, I answered, not referring to the metal.

Had he been trying to impress me? If so, it had worked.

I think I love you too. You only think so? Bayne teased. Well, it has never happened before, see. It might just be heartburn.

How rewarding it would be to drop something on him. If only I had my anvil.

I knew that, of all people, you had the greatest chance of defeating the Kraken. So when it destroyed your ship, I saved you. You marooned me on a desert island, you twit. That hardly counts as saving someone.

You can push me away all you want, Treva, but I am not giving up on you that easily. I would never forgive myself if I just let you go. I love you. Before, you said that you thought you loved me too, and I’m here to ask you if that’s true.

Aren’t you afraid of me? I asked. He should fear me. I had murdered many of his people and had a sword pointed at him. Of course I am, but that makes you all the more desirable.

Was this turbulent internal battle what love was supposed to feel like? Was that the source of my burning desire to throw a punch at his strong jaw and to kiss him at the same time?

If you are going to kill me, Treva, then do it quickly. I don’t want to live without you.

Hot sand dug into every inch of my skin, palms, and feet wrinkled from extended exposure to the water. If I was stranded on another desert island, I may just prefer another round with that Kraken.

You know this means we will need to get married. It would be highly inappropriate to always be with each other otherwise.

I’m getting engaged here, you twit. What do you want?

Engagements, engagements everywhere except for me, Gage grumbled. I just hope they won’t be as cuddly as you and Bayne, he added after he’d voiced his words for Korth. If you keep hugging and holding hands, I may be sick.