Free Voices of the Sea by Bethany Masone Harar

melancholy tune as Will approached from the parking lot, his gray eyes flickering with the fire visible in the black night. He gave her a strange smile as he joined his aunt and uncle. Fiona, snuggled deep beneath her jacket, pressed against Eric and gazed at him with adoring eyes. Eric’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson, failed to notice their affections. They were instead engaged in conversation with Eric’s older brother, Gregory, home temporarily from college to join in the gathering.
    The Clan was her family. Peace and serenity surrounded her when they congregated. An immense sense of satisfaction at seeing the Clan gathered together overwhelmed her. One glimpse at the Thanos couple without Victoria, however, brought back her sorrow. There would be no celebration tonight.
    As if sensing her feelings, Devin raised a hand, quieting the Clan with the simple gesture. The ocean’s song filled the silence. In low octaves, it sang a song of unity, urging the Clan to keep strength despite the recent events.
    Within the sheltered cove, the Sirens sang. Lora felt her voice meld with the Clan until they were all in perfect harmony, singing the song of their people, paying homage to the ocean. The wind whipped around her body, tousling her hair. Lora felt the sea within her, joining her Clan as they became one with the universe in an ancient ritual, a ceremony transcending time, giving Lora power.
    As the wind died down and the ocean’s song became a faint humming in her ears, she turned her attention to her grandmother, their Guardian, who stood next to her. Devin’s eyes were still closed, her mouth moving as if she were chanting a reverent prayer only she could understand. She stopped and addressed her Clan.
    “My people,” she said, her voice warm despite the cool air surrounding them, “we are here to gather strength, to remember who we are despite the danger threatening our Clan.”
    Glancing at the other Sirens, Lora saw that most of them had closed their eyes, as if their bodies could absorb Devin’s words. With each breath, Lora felt the cleansing power of the sea consume her, heal her soul, and rejuvenate her, until at last she calmed her mind. Each breath felt like a new beginning. Glancing at her clan members, she could feel they also sought peace.
    But despite her tender feelings, her mind nagged at her, refusing to understand why they had to keep themselves a secret. Maybe if the world was aware they existed, cults like the Sons of Orpheus would no longer exist. Maybe then, people would understand that Sirens were not the hideous monsters myth had made them to be. Even in their greatest sorrow, the Clan had to hide in the darkness. But hiding made her feel vulnerable, like a coward.
    Devin looked at her with sad eyes. Face flushing with embarrassment, Lora turned away from her grandmother, who searched her treacherous soul without permission. She couldn’t hide her feelings from Devin. Guardians sensed the desires of their clan members, but exactly how much she understood about Lora’s thoughts remained a mystery. Lora wished even harder for the counterpart who would help her develop those same abilities.
    A small voice emerged from across the blazing fire as Emma Hale stood, still holding her sleeping baby. “What can we do to protect ourselves?” she asked, glancing at her daughter as she spoke. “Our music doesn’t affect the Sons of Orpheus, so how can we stop them?” Several members of the Clan murmured in agreement and turned to Devin with expectant eyes, but she shook her head.
    “I’m not sure,” she answered. “We aren’t aware of any weaknesses of the Sons of Orpheus, but they are human. So, the Sons aren’t impervious to weapons. They can be killed.”
    “We don’t have guns or weapons in our house!” Charlie Hale said, his eyes narrowing in frustration. “Do you suggest I beat them off with a baseball bat?”
    “I have a gun,” Silas Weatherby said, but Charlie ignored