The ride back was considerably more quiet, I put it down to the fact that Vivian was missing this time. I figured agent Hitman wasn't much of a talker, which was fine with me to be honest. Once I was dropped off he only left with a short bye before he was off again.

Home sweet home I guess.

Our small village wasn't anything spectacular, a tiny piece of land kept guarded and out of sight from the rest of the city, brick houses making up a few streets but nothing special. All to preserve the secret, well I should say M.Y.T.H`s secret.

But even so we`d managed to make it work, even as I walked through the streets flowers of all sizes and colours decorated the almost everywhere they could find.

Looking towards my house I decided that it was better I didn't see my grandparents yet, no doubt they`d already heard about my run in with the guards, so I wasn't enthusiastic about a lecture from them.

In the end I just mindlessly wandered through the streets, the papers in my hand the only thing keeping me slightly grounded to earth.

It was then that out of the corner of my eye I noticed a white van parked outside what was previously an empty house, it was hard to make out in the dim streetlamp light but I could see a few boxes and items placed around it.

Strange I hadn`t heard that anyone was moving up here.

"Cynthia!"

I only just manage to glimpse the small ball of yellow and pink before it attaches itself to my waist, very nearly knocking me off balance. Once I do balance myself out, I look and only see a head of cream blond hair.

"I heard you got in a fight with an agent! do you know how dangerous that is?!"

"Alissa I`m fine, I`m fine" I say, attempting to pry the girl off me.

"You disappeared on me! and then I hear that M.Y.T.H`s taken you in to gods know where. Who knows what they put you though?!" Alissa looks up at me, her ruby eyes almost gleaming.

"Yea well, I`m good, you can let-" I hear her gasp.

"Is that a scratch?! I cant belive those agents-" With Alissa distracted I manage to wriggle my way out of her grasp and finally get free.

For someone so small she had quite a grip on her

"We getting someone new?" I nod to the moving van, hoping to distract a smaller girl.

"Not sure, but I`d think so. Been a while since anyone`s moved here" She shrugs.

"Hmm weird" I say.

"Wow I was just going to say that about you"

Ugh.

Almost instantly a sick feeling of annoyance flares up in my stomach, and that feeling only worsens as I turn to see the owner of that voice.

Jessica Parthenope

She`d classically good looks, soft chocolate brown pulled into a high ponytail and a fringe cut to perfection. Piercing amber eyes are framed by thick black lashes. And her model like body is enhanced by a lace sleeveless black shirt and denim jeans.

Too bad it wouldn't improver her personality.

And of course, like usual, two other girls from her little "pack" were ready and waiting right beside her.

"Heard you were taken in Cindy, but can we really be surprised, I mean it is you after all. Just sad they didn't keep you there" I internally cringe at the little nickname she`s given me.

"Oh go jump off a cliff Jessica" Alissa retorts

"That's Eris to you bitch" one of the other girls spits right back and I look to see if I can make a quick exit.

"If your only here to throw insults then well done, mission accomplished. I`m going home" I turn to pull Alissa with me, but at the last second I notice a hand reach out to grab the paper I`d been holding onto.

A third girl that I hadn`t noticed had snuck up and grasped the paper. However by luck, I`d just managed to grab her wrist in a vice-like grip.

"Let go skank!"

"You first" under my palm, her skin begins to freeze.

"You hiding secrets from us Cindy? come on, you can tell us" Jessica says in a sickly sweet tone, almost singing the words.

Finally with enough force I pull the paper from the girl`s now freezing hands, thankfully it hadn`t been ripped too bad and was still intact, if only a little crumpled.

"Didn't you learn to keep your nose out of other peoples business? Back off" The embers round Alissa flared up as if to emphasise her words.

"I`m just looking out for my sirens, Gods know what kinda of trash your bringing here, how`s your boyfriend by the way?" I move between the two, taking Alissa shoulders in an attempt to calm her down.

"Come on, there`s no point fighting here, you know we cant risk it." I can see her weighing the options in her head.

But in the end, her ember slowly disappear and she steps back, taking a deep breath.

I go to take her arm and leave, but of course, Miss Drama Queen wasn't having any of that.

"Its rude to leave during a conversation"

Sparkling gems were like missiles as they sped towards us. I was thankful for my instincts and a quickly made ice wall caught them. After I turn my icy gaze onto Jessica who whispers something to her minions, that smirk and giggle.

"Come on, before this gets any worse" Alissa nods beside me and for good measure, a few more ice spikes shoot out towards the group.

Hopefully that`ll at least distract them.

After putting some distance between us and the group we found ourselves and one of the borders to the village, thankfully with it being late night there weren't too many M.Y.T.H agents patrolling, so climbing over the wall was easy.

"Seriously its like she lives to annoy us, its bad enough that we have to live in the same area as her, but does she have to be so bitchy every time? and those bloody minions of hers just-" I dodge some broken branches although Alissa isn't so lucky and it whacks her over the nose.

"Gods damn it, always the same branch" she says, holding her injured nose and turning to glare at the tree. I barely stifle a laugh as we track through the woodland and step out to the clearing near the edge of the cliff.

The midnight sky made it difficult to see much, but Alissa`s dim flames provided as much light as we needed.

"So what is that paper anyway?" Alissa asks as we sit.

"Just something from M.Y.T.H. I haven't really looked at it, too tired after today" Thankfully she doesn't push it and shrugs, Alissa is the last person I need to worry.

"Been a while since we were here, I`ve missed it" Alissa says, mostly to herself I think.

"Ahhh stupid Jessica, I was feeling so good today too, now all I wanna do is just-"

"Hey, remember what happened the last time you did that. Took almost a week to rebuild that garden" Miss Fonaine still holds a grudge against us for that.

"Oh come on. You cant tell me, that after all of that you don't feel the need too?" Even as she said it, I could feel an itch building up in the back of my throat. Like a scratch you couldn't get to, pulsing ever so slightly to the beat of my heart.

"You know you want too~" I roll my eyes as she gives me the biggest pleading puppy dog eyes that only Alissa could pull off.

"Ugh fine, fine. But quietly, I don't need another meeting with the guards again" I wince as she lets out a little squeal.

"Sorry" she whispers quickly.

Taking a deep breath, I could feel the itch begin to burn, clawing into my mouth and then flowing out as the song poured from me.

As much as I tried not to, singing felt so right, so much so that it went beyond instinct to do it, it was deeper. Every note felt powerful, like I could do anything.

The grass around me froze and even the winds round me seemed to cool slightly. A presence drifted over my skin, seemingly taking away any kind of worry or need with it.

It was addicting.

I honestly had no idea what I was singing, just that I was. My eyes opened I saw soft icicles float over me, and soon afterwards small flaming embers skidded and sparked across the grounds, fulled by Alissa`s notes.

I assumed singing was the same for all sirens, of course with a few differences here and there. But mostly, singing was what we needed to do, like humans need air, or fish need water, or at least it felt like we did.

As I started to lay back and enjoy the night sky I only briefly noticed a flash out of the corner of my eye. It was only small but enough to snap me back to reality and I immediately stopped singing.

Which was when I heard the sound of voices.

Damn it!

I instantly jump to cover Alissa`s mouth and she looks as me like I`ve just ripped her favourite toy in half.

"...okay Ben? You look like you need to lie down" A flash passes through the trees and I panic, quickly waving my hand for Alissa to follow, which thankfully she does after her brief shock.

"Nah, I'm good. Just- Just need to rest" The person sounds out of breath and I`m not surprised.

As quietly as we can, we make our way back to the wall, managing to avoid the flashing lights and almost too easily we make it back to the barrier.

Alissa is over first and lands almost perfectly on her feet. I just manage to swing my leg over, but for some reason I look back.

I make out two dimly lit figures, outside of the woodland, they haven't seen us, but their way too close for comfort. One is hunched over, seemingly out of breath while the other has him wrapped up in a blanket.

"Hey, you good mate?" I hear one say, rubbing his shoulder.

"Y-yea just, just hot and cold flashes is all, g-give me a sec" He coughed, curling over even further and even from here I could tell that his legs were shaking, badly. A pang of guilt sparks at my chest as I watch him.

"Cynthia! come on" Alissa whispers as loud as she can.

 Tearing my eyes away, I swing my other leg over and drop down onto the grass. Brushing off the dirt, we both make our way home as quietly as we can.

"Finally home, thank you" Alissa hugs me suddenly and I can only roll my eyes.

"Be thankful we weren't caught, or that anyone was too badly hurt" My hand clenches as I say it.

"Its fine, anyway see you tomorrow" and with that she`s off, a slight spring in her step.

Sneaking back round some of the houses I make it too mine and internally groan. Please, please let them be asleep, be nice just this once.

I try the back door and its locked. Well their asleep, hopefully Gran forgot to check my window. Jumping up onto a tree, I climb it easily and land on the roof.

My window is open and I thank the gods that it is. With one foot, I step into my room, moving some of my things from the desk and sliding down onto the floor, smiling at how quite I am.

"A bit late to be back isn`t it?"

The deep voice makes me still and my heart jump into my mouth.

"Office, now" Grandad turns from his place at the doorway.

This is going to be a long night.