The Siren, the General's Daughter Book One by Breanna Hayse Page A

father said grumpily.
    “Count me in. Let’s wait until they get back though. I’m in the mood for a brandy. Care to join me?”
    “Make mine a double.”
     
    ***
     
    “I’m so cold, Mike,” Sam whispered into her brother’s neck as he entered the cabin. He quickly removed the wet towel and helped her into the wetsuit. Wrapping blankets around her, he excused himself to change. She was shivering when he returned, yet burning with fever. Praying he was doing the right thing in defying his family, he carried her to the outside deck. Rain and wind blew furiously around him as he climbed into the rail. To the horror of the on-looking watches, he tossed her overboard and then dove in behind her.
    Once penetrating the high waves, the ocean’s mood changed and became quiet, calm and soothing. Michael met his sister on the bottom shelf, about 60 feet down. She was exhaling slowly.
    “Still cold?” he asked, pushing her floating hair from her face.
    “Yes, but not as bad. I want to go deeper.”
    Michael followed her down to nearly 300 feet before he stopped, unable to go any further due to his own gear restrictions. It was pitch black at this depth, the sounds eerie and mystical. Even the taste of the water was strange. It was peaceful, but also frightening, and Michael could only see a few feet in front of him with his light. Sam continued down, an occasional bubble to tell him she was well.
    “How are you now?” he asked as she returned after several minutes.
    “Finally comfortable. Are they mad at me?”
    “Not at all, although I can’t promise the same about me,” Michael confessed his defiance.
    His sister looked afraid. “What are they going to do to you? You don’t think—”
    “I’m not going to get strapped, don’t worry. I think they finally agree I’m way too old for that,” he chuckled. “Nah, they will probably meet me in the gym and kick the crap out of me.”
    “You’d let them? Without fighting back?” She sounded terrified for him.
    He squeezed her hand. “Maybe fight back a little. Believe me, last time this happened, I wish I had gotten strapped. I was bruised from head to toe. See? I’m not perfect.”
    “But you did it for me.”
    “Just like you came back under for me. We’re even now,” he insisted as he elbowed her.
    She shook her head. “Nah, I owe you much more. I’ll tell you what, let them fight. With both of us. You know even they can’t beat our team.”
    “I will definitely consider it. I will need all the help I can get. Besides, they haven’t sparred with the two of us lately. We have some good tricks up our sleeves,” he snickered, placing his arm around her shoulders and holding her close. She felt so small and fragile in his embrace, especially surrounded by the blackness. He felt her stiffen. “What’s wrong?”
    “Shark, a big one, coming towards us,” she whispered. He stared at her then began the quick assent towards the surface. They saw the large fish coming quickly behind them, right before it was intercepted by an even larger black and white whale. Ton quickly dispersed the monster, sending it swimming away to find less aggressive prey. Sam held his snout, verbally thanking him over and over. Michael floated a few feet away, staring in disbelief.
    “How did you do that?” he whispered.
    She turned from the whale, touching her neck. She was not wearing the band. “I don’t know. Michael, I’m scared. Take me home,” she admitted, leaving the whale to grab her brother’s hand.
    He patted the whale’s blowhole. “Thanks boy. I don’t know if it was you who gave the warning or if she called you somehow, but we are grateful.” He almost thought he caught an image of penguins in his mind. Nah… but his sister was smiling.
    “I know, stupid land walkers. I’ll talk to you later. Thank you again,” she said to Ton before he swam off.
    “Let’s get back on board and face the music. We need to find out what’s going on. You feel ok