Moving day

Monday morning Sage seemed tired. I figured that it was just because of the stressful night she had even though she had gotten a full eight hours of sleep. She was on her second cup of coffee when we walked together to Physics. I know this because I was with her when she stopped by the coffee cart this morning and just now. I wasn't sure if the cup in her hand could even be considered one cup of coffee. The barista had looked at her like she was crazy when she asked for a five-shot latte. There had barely even been room for milk, but Sage groaned in appreciation as soon as the cup hit her lips.

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her against me burying my nose in the hair at the crown of her head before I let go of her. "Are you feeling okay?" I asked.

"Hmmmm?" She mumbled looking up at me with her droopy eyes.

"How are you feeling?" I asked again she tracked my hands more carefully this time.

"Oh, umm, tired. I don't know, I just feel blah. I have no energy and I just feel..." She waved her arm around like it was supposed to mean something.

"I hope I didn't get you sick." I grimaced at the thought.

No matter what, if I did get her sick, I would do whatever I could to take care of her until she got better. She shook her head in denial, but I just pulled her back to my side and walked with her the rest of the way to class like that. Dante had told us how light Sage was compared to what she should be. Aiden was planning to call his mother after school to see if she had any idea what species Sage could be. Currently, I had no idea what she could be. There were just too many pieces that didn't match up with one species.

When we got to the classroom Sage settled into her seat and I kept close attention to how she was doing. Dante even glanced at her over his shoulder a few times. She looked like she was just moments away from dropping into a puddle on the ground. Class inched along and Sage didn't seem to be getting any extra energy from the coffee she had gotten. I just needed her to make it to lunch if she didn't feel better by then I would take her to the nurse and then bring her home.

When the bell rang Sage perked up a bit. "Do you want to go back home?" I asked her.

She shook her head in denial, "No I think some food might make me feel better."

I nodded in agreement and Dante, and I walked with her to the lunch room where we met up with the twin at the door. Aiden looked a little antsy. He looked up and down the hallway before turning to whisper to us. "Let's eat in the courtyard today. I talked to my mom this morning." Caden looked frustrated at his brother.

I assumed that meant he had been closed-lipped about the news even with him. We were all quick to agree without question. The five of us went through the line and brought our trays out into the less crowded courtyard. We sat at a circular concrete table. Aiden looked around to make sure there were no people close enough to listen. He leaned in close to us. "So, I called my mom this morning. I couldn't wait so I called as soon as she got back. I asked if she knew of any species with all the characteristics that Sage has. She was stumped until I told her how she weighs half of what she should." Sage visibly blushed and the corner of Dante's lips tilted up in a devilish smile.

I had no idea what that was all about but the smell of arousal now in the air made me want to find out. Aiden cleared his throat, obviously distracted by the pheromones. "Anyway, she told me that the only Arcane Species with all of those characteristics is a Siren." His eyes bounced around as he spoke to be sure nobody else had gotten close enough to hear.

"But they are extinct." Dante sat back, confusion replacing his earlier grin.

Aiden nodded, "Which is why all the cloak and dagger. They were killed by other species because of their ability to control others. We can't let anyone find out about this." He whispered even softer than he had been before.

"We don't even know if it's true. How do we even test that?" Dante countered.

Caden smirked, "Easy. We have her sing and tell one of us to do something." He shrugged his shoulders.

Sage frowned, "I don't want to control anyone. I mean I have a good voice people compliment it all the time, but I've never had anyone become my slave after singing." She denied.

I smiled softly at her, "Because you haven't tried to make anyone your slave. Dante is right though we need to test this. Let's meet at the cabin tonight." I proposed.

The guys all nodded in agreement, but Sage paused, biting her lip in compilation. When she finally nodded there was a glint of conviction in her eyes. We went back to eating but no amount of small talk could lessen the tension threaded through the group. There was nothing to do but wait until after school. Thankfully Sage didn't need to work and Aiden and Caden's mom would be just a phone call away if we needed anything else. I put my hand over Sage's and watched her body relax minimally. There wasn't much any of us could do about the tension lining her face until there was a certainty.

If this was true and she was a Siren, there would be a target on her back for the rest of her life. She would never be safe again. We would all be responsible for keeping her secret to keep her safe. I found myself hoping the twin's mom was wrong and she was just a nothing special rabbit shifter or a dryad. Maybe even fey. The half-demon species would explain the discord from the wards. All we could do now was hope.