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My eyes fixate on the girl standing in my room clad in a flimsy black silk robe gaping at me as though she can't get a word I'm uttering.

Crossing my arms over my chest, "What are you doing in my room, fish?" I ask again.

This time, she shuts her mouth, opens it as if to say something and then shuts it again.

I try my best to hide the amusement seeping into my bones. I've never seen Marilla Shellock so speechless.

But that fleeting speechlessness vanishes in thin air within seconds. She crosses her arms mirroring my stance and passes me a not-so-friendly smile.

"I'm a free soul. I can go wherever I want." She huffs.

I raise an immaculate brow taking a step towards her, "Wherever, except my room. You're not allowed here."

"Why? Do you have dead bodies hidden under your bed? Are you afraid that your dark twisted secrets will be revealed?"

Taking another step ahead, "Are you highly influenced by crime shows? Why would I even need to hide dead bodies, by the way? It's my kingdom. No one would question me."

"Ha, pompous moron." She glared my way before I see her eyes quickly flick towards my bed as if to check whether there really were dead bodies hidden under.

And then she acts all high and mighty.

Something about it makes me bite back a smile but ofcourse, I maintain the hard look on my face. Quitting with the little steps, I flash right in front of her with my ability.

Marilla doesn't as much as flinch in surprise and just gives me a bored look. Unintentionally, my eyes flicker down her form in a lazy sweep as she stands throwing daggers my way with her eyes.

Goodness, what's she doing roaming around dressed like that? It isn't even night to be dressed in a robe.

The ebony silk material clings to her body, staying firm against all the disturbing places. The belt holding the whole robe together emaciated the curves of her waist and hips and the stupid neckline was low enough for one to see the slight peak of her cleavage.

When I look up at her face, I notice just how sexy she looks with her blue hair wildly let loose, her dark sooty lashes framing the eyelids made her sea-blue eyes look dreamy and those lips. . .those plump peach lips are set in it's regular pout. She's. . .gorgeous.

Marilla's always been like this though, from the very moment I met her and came to know she's my mate till now.

No matter the amount of hatred I have for her, I can't deny that Marilla Shellock is one of the hottest women I'd ever encountered. And it isn't like I'm saying this in the influence of the mate bond even though I highly wish it had been.

But then she's a siren. Sirens are naturally very enthralling to the eyes. It's one of the qualities that helps them lure their prey.

The next words leave my mouth before I can stop myself, "You look as if you're here to seduce me."

I see surprise pass over her features before those blue eyes turn to slits. Her lips pull into a mischievous smile, the kind of smile that's more creepy than sweet, "What if I am?"

That makes me stop.

Because I hadn't expected her to say that. I know she's here for some entirely different reason. But what if. . .

Okay, Zander, get your head straight.

"As if you could." I snorted, ignoring how suddenly I wanted to know whether she really could.

Marilla being Marilla, takes my words as a challenge. Stepping closer to me until we're just inches apart, her eyes flick upto mine, "You really shouldn't test me. I'm a siren. Sirens are born seductresses."

Is that why you always look like a bombshell? Is that why ever since you've appeared here, none of the demons can keep their eyes to themselves? Is that why despite how much I hate you, I can't stop the damned attraction?

Is that why even though you look like Laira, there's something entirely different about you? Something very sinisterly tempting?

Laira. Yes, remember Laira. This woman helped kill the love of your life, Zander. Attraction be screwed.

Keeping my thoughts to myself, I give her a firm look as the seed of bitter hatred started seeping back in. Siren or not, she could never make me feel like Laira did.

"Are sirens also born betrayers?" My words are like shards of ice but it only seems to make her orbs burn with anger and something else I couldn't quite fathom. Guilt? For what though?

The sudden yank of my collar has me staring down at Marilla who's gripping onto my shirt's collar.

Her eyes are fiery as she inches her face closer to mine until we're sharing the same breath, "Don't think I'll let you off every time you try to degrade me. One more time and I'll show you just how well I'm capable of making you shut your mouth."

I let out a humorless laugh, "Very high of you to say that."

Her gaze in return is stern although she steps back, "I wasn't just saying, I was warning you. This is the last time I'm letting you bad-mouth me, devil incarnate."

Then she turns around as if to walk out of the room.

Not so soon, Marilla.

Before she can contemplate my move, I grab her wrist and pull her to me. Her back collides with my chest as I wound the arm that had been gripping her wrist around her front, keeping her in place. It's like I'm hugging her from behind but nothing about this moment is warm and fuzzy.

"What were you doing in my room, siren queen?" My breath brushes against her earlobes and I see her go still under my grip.

"Let me go." Marilla grits through her teeth trying to wiggle out of my hold. She's strong but not as much as me.

"Not until you tell me why."

"I don't have to tell you anything!" She shrieks and the next moment, her fingernails scrape against my skin.

I keep my hold still despite the slight sting her nails bring. It'll heal in a matter of seconds anyways. Nothing to fret.

"Why did you do it?" This time I'm not asking about her invading my room but about the question that had been clawing me ever since I came to know she helped Charlotte.

By the sudden stop of struggling against my hold, I know she understood exactly what I meant to ask. But she makes no attempt to retort.

I feel the burning agony slip into my veins again. She never says anything. I'd lost everything because of her mistake and she wouldn't even speak. I am going to remain prowling in the dark thinking where I'd gone wrong in protecting my wife and mother, forever.

Strong emotions grip my heart and before I know it, I'm speaking.

My voice is soft filled with raw pain as I say, "You helped Charlotte take away the two most important people in my life. My wife was brutally killed. My mother was taken away all because of you letting Charlotte know the way to the castle. And now you can't even tell me why you did it. After everything that has happened, atleast I deserve to know why, Marilla." It was the first time I'd addressed her by her name but it still felt so detached.

For a long moment, she doesn't speak a word. My hold still remains firm but I feel defeat wash over me slowly by slowly. What was I hoping for?

My grip on her loosens at the knowledge. She'd never say. . .

But when I completely let go of her altogether, I hear a faint almost inaudible whisper,

"It was either your mother or my sister. I chose the one who mattered to me the most."

My eyes widen in shock but when I glance up to look at her, she whisks as quick as a lightning bolt out of the room, leaving me with more questions than answers.

I kinda like this chapter for some reason. What do you think about it?

Also, what does Marilla mean by 'either choose your mother or my sister'? Any guesses?👀