Extraits

“Sirens are different,” Nick says. “Your allure is emotional. You call to the hearts of men. Basically, you amplify a man’s deepest desire, where you’re concerned.”

It’s like a light goes off in my head, and excitement floods me. Excitement and relief that I’m finally starting to understand myself. What he’s saying makes so much sense. “That’s why people react so differently to me—like Terrance and Henry, for instance. When I first met Terrance, I was hurt and in danger. His greatest desire toward me at the time was to save me; therefore, I triggered his protective instincts. Henry learned about my powers before anything else, and he wanted to use me. He wanted to control me, own me.”

“Hence the kidnapping and crazy obsession,” Oliver finishes for me.

Nick tosses his empty cup across the room toward the small trash can. I watch, impressed, as it drops cleanly into the basket. “Lust is straightforward. It’s physical, so all a lust demon needs is those hormones that come with sex. Sirens need love, and that’s a lot more complicated. Because there are so many different types of love, sirens need all different forms of love to be truly satiated,” he says. “That’s why they collect men in all different ways. All of the men in your harem will love you in one way or another, but not all of them will necessarily become your physical lover.”

“Nora Jacobs, I pledge to you my fealty. I am yours to command, so long as you wish it.”

The moment she touches me, she gasps. “Cousin!”

Startled, I pull back, out of her reach.

“Cousin?” Rook asks, reminding me that I have a handful of men standing behind me.

Giselle stares at me with wonder. “I didn’t know there were any sirens left.”

All of the men in the water with Giselle gasp and murmur in excitement, but the loudest gasp comes from behind me. “A siren,” Illren murmurs. “Of course.”

He’s frightening in his beauty. His features are perfectly symmetrical and slightly feminine, but somehow he still looks powerful and dangerous. His eyes, an otherworldly violet, tell a dark story of intelligence and secrets. He’s got long, shiny black hair that’s pulled back from his face, showcasing his pointed ears. It falls past his shoulders and has a slightly wild, windswept look to it much like my hair does since my original glamour broke. If I could sum his looks up in one word, I’d use the term lethal.

All of the air leaves my lungs. He’s waiting for me to say something, but my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth. I pull my hand out of his, not wanting to hear any more of his thoughts.

Chapter One

I stand, frozen with indecision, in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. A strange bout of anxiety has taken hold of me. It’s unlike me to be so stressed over something so small, but then I’ve never cared about something so much that I need to get it right. Unable to make the choice on my own, I call Oliver for the fourth time in twenty minutes. “Do you think I need two turkeys?” I ask in lieu of a greeting. “Werewolves eat a lot. Like, a lot a lot. And then there’s Terrance. Turkeys are big, but maybe I still need two. What do you think?”

“Nora…” There’s a pause, and then Oliver sighs over the line. “What I think is that I have a test in half an hour, and I’ve got to finish reviewing this chapter before then.”

I cringe. “Sorry. You’re right. I’ll stop bothering you.”

He groans. “Sweetheart, you never bother me. I’m always happy to talk to you. I just really have to get this done.”

“Sorry. I know. I just want this to be perfect. I’ve never had a real Thanksgiving before. At least not with people I actually care about.”

“If you’re that stressed about it, wait until I’m finished with my test, and I’ll shop with you.”

“I can’t. Terrance will be home by then, and he’d never let me leave.”

A lighthearted chuckle fills my ear, making me smile. I love the sound of Oliver’s laugh. “Snuck out, did you?” he asks.

“I was going crazy. It’s been almost a week.”

“Almost a week since you nearly died.”

“Yeah, but I feel fine now. I’ve recovered. Terrance is being way too paranoid.”

“Well, he loves you. He wants to keep you safe.”

“There’s a fine line between keeping me safe and holding me prisoner.”

Oliver laughs again. “I’ll tell you what. After this test, I’m officially off for the break. I’ll pack a bag and come spend the entire weekend in jail with you. I even lucked out and have the weekend off from work.”

My heart melts in my chest. “You’re the best, Ollie.”

“I know. I’ve got to run, but I’ll see you this evening.”

“’Kay.”

“Oh, and get two turkeys. Better to have too much than not enough. Plus, who doesn’t love leftovers?”

“Very true.” I sigh. “What would I do without you?”

“Let’s never find out.”

The smile stays on my face after I hang up the phone. Oliver has a way of calming my nerves. I pick up two turkeys and then slowly go down my list of other things I need. I had to google it since I’ve never made a Thanksgiving dinner before. Hopefully Terrance will help Ollie and me cook. If he doesn’t kill me for leaving the house by myself, that is.

And speaking of the devil, my phone rings, flashing Terrance across the display. I answer tentatively, hoping he doesn’t hear all the noise of the busy supermarket in the background. “Hey, T-man. How was your meeting?”

“Still going. Can you do me a favor?”

I’m a little surprised by the request. Terrance is the most independent man I’ve ever met. He asks for nothing. Ever. Happy to help, I say, “Sure. Anything.”

“I left a folder on my desk in the office, and I need some of the info from one of the papers.”

“Oh…” Crap. I’m so busted. “Um…I’d love to help, but I’m not exactly at home right now.”