-- Aster --

"You stole my song." The siren was yelling indignantly, after having finally felt my attempts to use my new little eye trick.

"iI tHhouGHTt yOu weREn't sSinggingg?" I asked cheekily. I had no idea why I was playing with the siren like this, but I knew it was fun and freeing. Not caring what I say, not holding back. Just being me.

"You will pay!" She yelled glaring me right in the eyes. Which was a mistake on her part.

"nNo" I let out a small burst of power throw my eyes directly into her freezing her.

I needed this to end quickly. I knew exactly what it meant to run into a siren. Even though her song couldn't quite find purchase on me right now. The second she was able to focus on me I was screwed. They were masters at using their songs to stun, debilitate, or control people with their voices.

They were almost as hated as the shadows. The only reason I knew what she was, was because I could see her music, anyone else would just find themselves going under their spell without ever knowing what happened.

Pushing power into falling, I chose a possibility and appeared right in front of her. I flooded as much power as I could through my eyes, into my stolen song, or as I like to think my cool new eye-beam trick. Unlike her though I needed her to make eye contact.

I was under no compunction I would be able to beat her at her own game. I barely understood the concept and she had years of training downloaded into her brain. I was trying to just overload her mind with a blast. If I could do that, I could wake everyone up and escape. Before backup arrives.

That was the thing I was certain of. Sirens were never alone. Her team or perhaps a city must be close.

I released all the power I could as soon as she looked at me stunning her, it felt like my eyes were exploding. Her entire body locked up falling to the ground. I should have taken the opportunity to kill her, but It didn't feel right to kill her. I didn't really know what she was planning and I didn't care I just needed to get out of here.

I ran to where my friends were sleeping, only to find all four of them standing frozen mid-step with eyes closed. Like they were in the middle of walking somewhere when they just stopped. I poured more power into my eyes making them ache as I felt liquid run down my cheeks. I was forced to cut the flow completely else my eyes might burst. I had already pushed too much through them, but before I cut it off I was able to see the silver glow right at the base of their necks.

"wWAake uPp!" I yelled at them. I saw everyone's eyes flicker open and suddenly widen in a panic. Except for Violet she was still asleep, always the heavy sleeper.

I ran over to her as I shouted, "Aall of YyouU cCIircCullate yOUr pPowwer. sSpeccifFically arRound thE bBasSe of yoUR sSPpines. YOU're stuckk in a sSiren sSong."

I created a small claw of mana around my hand and reached out to slice through the power around Violet's neck. Violet awoke with a start as I tore through the block and some of her neck. His head locked onto me, having partially removed the block. She reached out to grab me looking pissed, but she could only force herself to barely move.

I took a step back afraid she would attack me, "vVioLlet cCIircCullate yoUR pPowwer and frReee yOUrselFf."

I heard the song begin again, "fFuckK!" The siren must have woken up, I watched as everyone's eyes widen in panic, meaning this was meant to be heard.

"What?" James asked surprisingly starting to free himself.

I answered looking toward the song, "sSiRren wOKe uPp". Rot, I thought I had more time. I pushed power into my skill and appeared back in the clearing.

The siren watched as I ran towards her, I reached for a weapon only to remember they were right next to my sleeping bag. I would need a few seconds to summon them, and didn't have time. She could interrupt my thoughts if I lost concentration for any amount of time.

Running at her I knew I had fucked up, she was smiling. But I could only continue forward to try and interrupt her song. She was ready, and I wasn't. She screamed a banshee's wail.

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My brain exploded and everything went white, and my falling stopped. It was the same thing I did to her, but she had actual skill behind it. I collapsed to the ground my momentum dragging me across the dirt. Her scream had felt like she was trying to explode my brain, and given that I had just done this to her she might have been trying to. It was only thanks to my level that saved me, as I instinctively absorbed some of the wail itself.

I couldn't believe I just charged a siren without even thinking to cover my ears. I was only out for a few seconds but that was enough for her to sub-vocalize a directed song to lock me in place.

"You stole my song, and tried to blast me with it." She yelled accusing me, "I don't know how you survived, but you are going to tell me what I want to know." She demanded. So she did want my brain to explode.

I couldn't say anything or even breath for that matter, only my ability to hear, and process thoughts had returned.

She saw me just laying there, letting out an annoyed huff, "Don't worry you'll be healed soon enough." I felt something else lock me in place, similar to what paralyzed me before.

I heard some rustling, "What are you doing to our friend?" James yelled as I heard more rustling. The rest must be heard too.

"Me?" She asked annoyed, "This fucker stole from me."

"Aster?" James asked. My eyes were starting to come back, and even though it was blurry I could see his confusion. Does he not realize what a rogue does? But I felt indignant. I hadn't stolen the song as she insists. It was more like copying a technique, and that wasn't stealing.

"What did he take?" James asked anger seeming to fade.

"My song."

The entire team looked at me and the siren confused. When Bay asked, "How do you steal a song?"

Why were they all just talking? Why isn't the siren running? Actually, why aren't they helping me? It took me a minute to realize she was singing a different song isn't she? They don't even know why. I needed to get free before everything gets screwed up. I began to reach inside looking for the block.

I was having trouble looking for the block, with my eyes cut off. I didn't fully understand why this would affect me but lent it to magic bull shit.

"Just let him go. And we'll leave the forest." Jame bargained.

"I'm sorry it doesn't work that way." The siren said sounding genuinely regretful, "I need to know why you here." Sounding perfectly reasonable.

James seemed to hesitate for only a second before answering, "We've been driving for days this was a place to rest."

"Cool story. Now, what's the real one?"

You idiots she's a siren the longer she talks the more under her spell you'll be. I wanted to shout at them I was still looking for the block.

"But it's the truth."

"No one just comes out here. Tell me." She demanded.

I looked up and watched as all four of their eyes visibly dropped.

"It was to rest." James' voice lost all energy.

"Tell me." She repeated. Her voice raised, and my friend's voice became more monotone.

"To rest." He repeated.

"TELL ME!" At this last, I could see them realize something was wrong but couldn't resist.

"To rest." All emotion was gone, his face went slack. I could see all the others beginning to succumb to the song.

No, if she finds out we are questers we were screwed. I no longer had time for a delicate touch as I hammered away at the power locking me in place, ripping and tearing it away, and absorbing the rest. It worked but I tore something out I shouldn't have. I couldn't feel my legs, but I could control my arms and she hadn't noticed yet. I used my few precious seconds to find the tether of power connecting to my dagger and pulled. As soon as I felt the dagger form in my hand I swung with all my might at the back of her legs, but suddenly I felt my arm give out under me as I sliced the back of her ankle, and stabbed myself in the side.

"Ahhh" She screamed in pain and surprise.

That was enough of a distraction for Violet to shake herself free and run at the siren. Who wasn't even like looking at them but angrily at my shock and annoyance in her eyes? She didn't even notice violet grab her throat.

The siren looked scared, as Violet pulled her in close, "I won't kill you but no singing till you see a healer." Violet did something to the siren then flung her away.

The siren hit the ground but got up quick. She tried to scream, probably what she did to me earlier, but only air came out. The siren grabbed her throat eyes wide and fearful. She did the only thing she could do and ran.

Violet laughed and turned to me, "Oh and Aster."

"Yeah?"

"That's how you steal a song." She said smugly.

I rolled my eyes as she put her hand on my neck and I could suddenly feel my legs, and my eyes, felt like they were shrinking. Even the wound in my side healed. Need her around more, way easier.

"Should we go after her?" James asked looking ready for murder. They all looked ready to do something but looked shaken.

I slowly stood shaking my head, "No we need to run."

James looked at me confused, "But it's just one person."

"It's a siren, James. What did you learn of them?

"Type of bard specializes in control with their songs."

"And?" If he knew that he should know they were only alone like this when the backup was close.

He looked at me confused, "And they are never alone. She must be a scout."

"And this is probably a Fae Wood." I commented before adding a sense of urgency, "Let's get out before the sun rises and we are trapped."

"What?" James asked. None of them seemed to know what that was.

"I'll explain on the way, needless to say, we aren't stopping till we're at the destination." To curb any follow-up questions I start to jog towards the camp, and they all followed me. We packed everything as fast as we could and got in the car, and with the sound of banging metal we drove off.