Free The Siren (Laments of Angels & Dark Chemistry Book 1) by Meg Xuemei X Page B

modern technology, but ancient, before we conceived of a female Siren. It might not be compatible with your system.”
    “So I’m condemned to be a virgin forever because of a malfunction?” Lucienne let out a furious cry.
    “Remember what I told you at the ritual?”  
    “You said I could no longer have a normal life,” Lucienne said bitterly, “but I didn’t expect this—a life without passion.”
    “Passion is a fleeting thing.”
    “Easy for you to say. You don’t need it anymore. You and all the other Sirens were married and had children; some of them married many times. And you’ve had many women in your life, Grandfather.”
    Jed glared at the girl before softening his expression. “The mark did something to all the male Sirens, too, not that we cared much. For thousands of years, none of the Sirens could produce female offspring, until you came along.”
    Lucienne had heard about the phenomena and wondered if that was the force behind the fierce resistance to her being Siren.  But what if she—
    “You’re my bloodline,” Jed said. “I had the DNA test done before I brought you in all those years ago.” He paused for a few seconds, then continued. “I’d been searching for your Russian mother. I was mystified by the abnormality of a female offspring.”
    Lucienne held her breath. This was the first time Jed had told her about her mother.  “She disappeared right after she gave birth to you, and any record of her was wiped clean. It’s as though she never existed, other than to be my son’s secret lover for a year. Our network can find anyone, but not her,” he sighed. “She remains a mystery, and so is part of your heritage. Perhaps you’ll solve it one day.” 
    “I don’t care about the woman who abandoned me. All I want is to find a way to be with Vladimir.” Lucienne looked at Jed pleadingly. “I can’t bear to lose him, Grandpa.”
    “Your only chance is to find the Eye of Time and open the portal to Eterne. Only then will this curse be lifted from you.”
    “You make it sound like it’s as easy as finishing a dance.” 
    “You can do it, Lucienne. You must finish the dance that we didn’t. You’re the only Siren who had the vision during the ritual.”
    “How could you—”
    “—know, despite you never telling a soul?”
    Lucienne stared at her grandfather with the worst suspicion, then her eyes went wild. “Grandfather, you are, you are —”
    “A mind reader with the power of persuasion. Just like you.” 
    “How could I not sense that?”
    “I’ve shielded my mind,” Jed said, “though it’s getting difficult when you’re around. The mark and power have been transferred to you.”
    “I’ve never invaded the minds of those I care about,” said Lucienne. “And I don’t dig into others’ heads either, unless it’s a security matter.”  
    Jed ignored Lucienne’s defense. “It’s time to learn the shielding.” His piercing dark eyes locked into Lucienne’s, trying to hold her immobile.   
    Lucienne felt his power pulsing in the air, then the hiss of icy fog sinking into the back of her head. A pair of eyes emerged through the fog. Lucienne immediately recognized a mind invasion and fiercely pushed back, but Jed twisted deeper into her mind, right to the intimate moment when Vladimir kissed her.
    Her pain, her desires, and her shame were raw before Jed, and the old man wanted more of them. She could feel his cold hands tightening, forcing her to cough up darker secrets.
    Her head bent backward, Lucienne let out a furious howl. Power exploded within her and burst out. Red hot, merciless, and mighty. This power was her birthright, her Siren’s ride!
    And Jed was a bully and a liar! He only wanted her to concentrate on family obligations. Finding the Eye of Time might take decades. By that time, Vladimir would be long gone—basking in another girl’s arms—and she’d be all alone, cold, and heartless.  
    She would never accept that. Not