17. In Which a Lotus Lounge Singer Hooks a Big Fish
Chapter 17
In Which a Lotus Lounge Singer Hooks a Big Fish
Somewhere in the Atlantic: Day 7 Aboard the Epic of the Seas
C allassa’s shoe slipped on the stone floor as she entered the tunnel. Most on Olympus preferred to jump in and out of realms and regions as if it were a sport. Not her. She liked to give herself a few minutes to make herself ready. The human realm, in particular, was jarring and loud, and full of nuances she had to remember. Humans were exhausting with their sideways glances and hand gestures. She had learned to navigate it centuries ago, but that still didn’t make the movement from one realm to the other any less disorientating. She preferred her island. At least there, the ones who were malicious were out in the open with their torment. Humans, she learned, were more than willing to live blended with each other; all the while, underneath their facade, lay a dormant creature ready to harm her.
Clutching the doorknob, she cast one last gaze around the cavern she had made into a portal and inhaled deeply to steady herself. She took in her final moments of silence in the realm she called home. On exhale she burst the door open. The ship hallway stretched before her endlessly. The carpet was a dizzying swirl of red and gold. Doors stood like soldiers, shoulder to shoulder, opening wide to excited talking or closing with slams reverberating against the walls. All around her, the boat teemed with life. She closed her eyes once more and breathed, calming herself. Absentmindedly, she rubbed her wrist, trying to twist a cuff that wouldn’t budge. The cuff that bound her to a she-devil for eternity.
Straightening her shoulders, she propelled herself forward, intent on finding Maximus’ company and ending this little mission so she could get back and free her people. She heard Aerelia’s voice in her head:
The woman is the key. Her blood unlocks my cage, and you, little bird, will be the one to help me fly. Bring her to me. I don’t need to emphasize how important that book is. To get close to her, you will need to be the good little siren you are and seduce one of Maximus’ company. I don’t care which one, but be warned, one false move, and they will know who you are. The warriors won’t take lightly to you using them for your gain.
Callassa had argued with the queen about getting anywhere near one of Athena’s warriors. She had never encountered any warrior personally; she chose to stay away from any creature tied to the Olympians. But this company inside the Celestial Legion was known for being calculating and merciless. Precisely the type of warriors Athena wanted. This company had the reputation of being her favorite, which meant more trouble for her if they learned her true identity. She tried not to think about what would happen if they discovered who she was. Sirens were hated on Olympus.
Callassa moved through the crowded ship with ease, keeping to the shadows. When she reached an upper deck, the sun burst forth, bathing everyone in warm light. Families were playing in the sunshine, couples shared kisses poolside, children running between adults chattering away excitedly, all of it happy and light and warm. It turned her stomach to see these humans roaming freely in their world while her people remained captive and under the thumb of one goddess. She curled her upper lip in disgust as she walked.
She passed through the pool area and a pair of double glass doors. A neon sign above her caught her eye. The Lotus Lounge it read in substantial white letters; a purple lotus flower bloomed behind the words. Callassa headed inside.
She walked through the gathering crowd of cruisers towards the stage that was dead center of the room. People were already lying around the oversized couches and wide chairs. Several groups were gathered around three hookahs, laughing as smoke ringed their heads.
This was the perfect place to set her admittedly ill-formed plan. Callassa made her way backstage. She moved through several of the crew, primarily the entertainers on board. A tall man with broad shoulders carried a guitar towards the curtain that led to the stage. She looked around until she found the human that she needed to set this plan in motion. Curling the corner of her mouth, she walked right up to her prey. The man stood to one side of the narrow hallway, softly practicing scales. His voice ran up and down the notes in perfect pitch.
“Evening.” She smiled at him.
“What do you want?” he answered roughly, barely looking at her. “Passengers aren’t supposed to be back here.”
“I want to sing,” she murmured, giving him a coquettish glance.
“Get lost, lady, before I call security.” He flipped his hand at her.
Callassa stepped closer and grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at her. “I’m going to sing tonight.” She dropped her voice an octave. “You want me to sing.” Her lips widened into a slow grin as her magic surged. She trailed her fingers down his neck, and they came to rest on his arm. She leaned in close to his ear. “I am taking the stage, little lamb.” The man’s pupils dilated as she spoke.
He blinked slowly. “You’re going to sing,” he said flatly.
“Yes”—she breathed into his ear—“I’m going to sing. You can take the night off.”
“Take the night off,” he repeated, his face devoid of emotion.
“Good boy,” she said and kissed his cheek, leaving a red lipstick mark on his skin. Callassa watched as he turned and walked down the hallway.
Humans are too easy, she thought to herself, rolling her eyes.
Parting the red velvet curtain, she stepped on stage to where the band was already setting up.
“Who the hell are you?” the man behind the drums said.
They glared at her. Callassa summoned a small portion of her powers; she didn’t need the four brutes knowing she was on board yet. She waited for the obvious signs her powers had taken effect, glazed eyes and blank stares, then she leaned in.
“I’m the one singing tonight.” They all blinked. She lifted a finely shaped eyebrow. “ ‘Feeling Good’ by Nina Simone?” she asked with a shimmy of her shoulder. They all nodded. “Play it, boys.”
The band shook their collective heads in unison, and Callassa took a deep breath. She hoped the crystal had been correct, and they were in the lounge somewhere. The company would be easier to control under her spell. She straightened her dress, aware that she was weaving her hips as the drummer counted off. Turning to the crowd, she grabbed the microphone and let a seductive smile play on her lips.
That first note was pitch-perfect, soft, and welcoming. The band took up behind her as she sang. The audience, restless at first, fell still, transfixed by her voice. Callassa smiled into the microphone as her voice swelled. Her eyes traveled along the audience, seeking her targets. For a moment, she thought that maybe the crystal had been wrong, that the company hadn’t come to the lounge after all. When her eyes landed on three of the four in the corner in the back, her face lit up. She kept her glances to a minimum, letting her song draw them in and captivate the room. From her position on stage, she observed them without making it obvious. The two leaders would be too tricky to persuade, even though Maximus looked like he would be the most agreeable of the pair. It was still too risky. Camulos would be able to sense her power; she was sure of it. She had to set her sights a little lower in their hierarchy. Evander was her first choice. The Monk, as he was known, would be the easiest, but he wasn’t with them. That left Liam, the charmer.
She locked eyes with him. Holding his gaze, she sang several notes directly at him, luring him in, catching him in her web. He smiled back at her and turned to a server to ask a question. The other two were on the edge of their seat, mesmerized by her, becoming enchanted by her song, but Liam—he sat unaffected. Callassa scowled before she corrected the temporary show of annoyance. Every single man in the lounge was staring at her, practically drooling all over themselves, some women as well. The two leaders kept their eyes on her, never leaving, watching every sway of her hips and movement of her lips with fascination and lust. All but Liam, who only glanced up occasionally. He acted as though her voice had no effect on him at all.
She pushed her notes out with more force, weaving her web, casting her spell, trying to draw him to her. Liam drank a gulp of something and watched as two women entered the now crowded lounge. He was completely unaffected, that was until he locked eyes with her once more. Something in that glance told her she had him. She swayed her hips as she reached her crescendo. If her voice didn’t draw him in, her wiles would. His gaze followed every move she made. When he smiled at her, she knew her spell was working. She took a final breath and hit that last note.
The lounge erupted into cheers. Several men, who had stood halfway through her performance, rushed the stage to speak to her. Callassa swatted them away and headed towards her target. Liam had risen on that last note and was stalking towards her. Electricity, like a pulse, shot out as he got closer. They met in the middle of the lounge.
“I think you have some admirers.”
His rich accent rolled over her, and Callassa shivered. Actually shivered. She playfully tossed her hair to hide the effect he was having on her. “I might.” She pointed her chin at the table he had been at seconds before. “You didn’t seem as enthusiastic as some of the others in here.”
“You’re wrong, love; I’m very enthusiastic .” He winked at her and pulled a soft ear plug out of his right ear. “I tend to go into lounges prepared.”
Callassa’s jaw dropped. “You rascal!” She playfully swatted his arm.
Liam chuckled. “Had I known tonight’s singer would be as captivating as you, I wouldn’t have worn them.”
She shook her head. “Tell me something. Why wear them in the first place?”
“I like lounges for the atmosphere, but lounge singers, on the other hand . . .” He screwed up his face and fake shivered.
Callassa laughed outright. She touched his arm and smiled a rare, genuine smile at him. Just as she was opening her mouth to speak, someone interrupted her.
“We are ordering another round. Do you want in, Liam?” Maximus’ eyes snapped to her. Callassa held her breath, hoping he didn’t somehow recognize her. He held her gaze for a few tense moments, studying her. She did the only thing she knew how: she waved her fingers at him playfully and smiled. And prayed to Zeus he didn’t know who she really was.
“Hello,” he cooed at her.
Callassa breathed. She smiled softly at him and then back at Liam.
“I need to go,” she said.
“No, wait. Join us; I’m certain we can make room.” He was gesturing to the table where Camulos sat. Maximus shook his head in agreement.
Callassa swallowed. She wasn’t quite ready to sit among the lions yet. Besides, she needed to formulate a plan, one that didn’t include being surrounded by three of Athena’s best warriors only moments after she had left Olympus. No, she needed time to think.
“No, it’s alright. I need to go torture someone else with my singing.” She joked and gazed down at the earplug in his palm. Liam snorted and reached for her as she stepped back. The touch was electric, and her breath caught in her chest.
“Please, stay for one drink. One pint,” he begged.
Callassa shook her head. She leaned on his arm and softly touched her lips to his cheek. His eyes closed for a moment, and she knew she had him. He was good as under her spell.
She leaned in closer and whispered in his ear. “It’s a little boat, and we have several more days at sea. You’ll find me.” Hearing his breath catch let her know her spell was working. “Besides,” she breathed, “I’m not the kind of girl you take to meet your friends. I’m the kind of girl you tie to your bed.”
He groaned as she leaned back and let go of him. Turning to walk back out the double doors, she was acutely aware that Liam, Maximus, and about two dozen men watched her hips sway as she left.
As she wove her way back through the maze of hallways aboard the ship, she congratulated herself. The first step in luring Liam into her trap was complete. A trap she would ensnare him in so completely, he wouldn’t be able to escape. She let the familiar ping of regret flood her, remorse for her soon committed sins. But she knew that to gain her freedom, she needed to step on toes. And if those toes happened to be attached to the ever so eager and decidedly handsome Liam, so be it. Although, she was curious about the electricity that seemed to pass between them. It pulsed through her as if alive.
Residual effects from her spell, she told herself, weaving through the crowd.