creepy hollow 05.5 - scarlett Read Online Free Page B

forced herself to look away from the examining gazes, focusing instead on the glittering rocks, the tiny lights floating in the air, and the music emanating faintly from somewhere behind her. Evaline, who had walked out of the tunnel at Beth’s side, lifted her hand and laid it lightly on Beth’s lower back as she began speaking. In tones as mesmerizing as any master storyteller’s, she presented Beth to the siren community, spinning a heartwarming tale of homecoming and reunion. Beth noted that her previous lack of magic and forced exile from the community at an early age were never mentioned.
    Evaline finished her story by encouraging everyone to make Beth feel welcome. The chattering started up once more, the music grew louder, and Beth felt her mother’s hand pressing against her back, urging her forward. She took a few hesitant steps, trying not to meet anyone’s gaze. She knew people were still looking at her. Still talking about her. Was she meant to approach someone and just begin a conversation? Or wait for someone to walk up to her?
    This was awful. It was worse than the first day at a new school.
    She was contemplating hiding behind a rock when she noticed someone coming toward her. Delphine, moving with gliding grace, her glorious copper curls tumbling over her shoulders. She greeted Beth with a grin. “I can’t believe you’re back.” She leaned in as if for a hug, but, perhaps noticing the way Beth’s arms tightened self-consciously around her chest, Delphine opted to rest her hand on Beth’s upper arm instead, squeezing lightly before letting go. “I’m so happy you turned out to be magical after all. I was completely devastated after your mother sent you away. I cried myself to sleep every night for weeks.”
    Beth allowed herself to relax into a smile. “I’m willing to bet I cried a whole lot more than you did.”
    “Oh no, it must have been terrible! I’ve never even been into the human realm. Is it as boring as they say it is?”
    Beth shrugged. “It has its perks.” Like Jack … Let him be okay , she pleaded silently.
    “Well, anyway.” Delphine swung her arms at her sides. “Isn’t it pretty out here tonight? We don’t often have gatherings that involve the entire community.”
    “It is lovely,” Beth said, wanting to smack herself over the head for not being able to come up with anything more intelligent to say.
    “Do you remember how we used to sneak out here and watch the older girls training?” Delphine said, nodding toward the rocks on the other side of the pool. “I always thought it was so silly we had to practice the traditional arts, singing from the rocks to call the sailors. Don’t we have better ways to draw men in these days?”
    Beth chuckled. “Don’t let my mother hear you say that. I’ve been back little more than a day and I’ve already heard her practicing her singing.”
    Delphine rolled her eyes. “ Your mother? I shouldn’t let my mother hear me say things like that. She’d remind me how inappropriate it is for the Ruler’s niece to oppose The Way Things Are.”
    “Oh, it’s your aunt who’s Ruler now,” Beth said as the connection clicked into place. “That’s why I thought she looked familiar.”
    “Yes, the previous Ruler was killed just over three years ago. We still don’t know what happened. Aunt Lillian was voted in, but not everyone wanted her as Ruler. There was public disagreement and fighting. It was all a bit messy.” She sighed. “You really do have a lot to catch up on, don’t you.”
    Beth rolled her eyes. “Don’t remind me. Here I am, sixteen years old, and I have to do control lessons like a five-year-old.”
    “Well, don’t think about it now. Come, let’s dance.” Delphine grasped Beth’s hand and tugged her toward the pool, where several women were twirling and giggling and splashing. Perhaps it was Delphine’s willingness to include her that made Beth suddenly feel more confident than before. Whatever it