in. Then their unusual eyes–' Rumal pointed to his own, '–emit an energy, like you can emit your energy, and it binds the victim to them. Then it's too late for the victim, who wants nothing more than to comply with the syren's desires. Once the creature peaks it lets loose the “syren scream” which is similar to how you can throw your energy out. Essentially, it's the syren's energy reaching its full potential. The scream is what either kills, or forever alters the victim. If you survive, it means that the syren gift has merged with your own life flame making you part syren. Once the syren has mated, it goes back to the ocean and swims home to the Isle of Syrenta, where it will spawn and die.'
Kassie was quiet as they walked back to their room. When she climbed onto the bed with Lucky, she asked him, 'What is it you can do? Does it work on me?'
Rumal hid a smile at her concerned tone and lay down beside her, reaching out to rub Lucky's ears. The cat went limp, purring in ecstasy, and they both laughed. Rumal moved his hand to Kassie's hip and pulled her back to him, pressing a kiss to the back of her neck.
'No. What I can do has no effect on you. It only works on non-gifted beings.'
Kassie shuffled forward a little, rolling so they were face to face.
'Okay.'
'My voice can influence people. I use it to calm crowds or encourage others. It works well with the General Guard and Cavalry. My eyes, like a syren but not as strong, can also influence a creature's will. It's what makes me such an asset to the Griffon Guard.'
She gave him an almost wary look.
'What?'
'That sort of influence could be easily misused.'
Rumal nodded wryly. 'Yes.'
'Does it make you more of a target?'
'No more than I already am, Kass, as a member of the Griffon Guard and being close to the Prince. And now Princess,' he said with a shrug.
Kassie's eyes looked distant, almost melancholic.
'What's wrong, beautiful?' he stroked a hand through her curls and cupped her chin.
She flashed him a small, sad smile.
'We're never going to have any sort of normalcy, are we?'
'Ahh, love.' He leaned forward to kiss her. 'We'll just make our own version of it.'
The next day we set off to train in the desert without Elena, who stayed behind with Leseach, to plan which villages would first be shielded. Lieutenant Rashid had volunteered his services too, and Kassie waggled her eyebrows at me as we left. I stifled a giggle. Rashid, normally so stoic and quiet, got rather chatty around Leseach.
It felt strange to do the energy training without Elena, and the first hour after we arrived was a little messy as we worked out what to do. We had landed further into the desert today, and the other guys paced about as we practiced.
'You know, you guys don't have to stay,' I ventured.
Sabyn chuckled. 'Yes we do, Cat.'
That confused me.
'Why?'
Daron and Alek made noises of amusement as they pulled their shirts off; it was a very warm day.
'Because we're required to protect the heirs to the crown.' Rumal spoke from behind me, and I turned.
He was already shirtless and quite the eyeful. I blinked in surprise and caught a glimpse of Kassie behind him, studying his figure with a smug smile.
Distracted, I replied, 'But we're capable.'
'Nope. Or rather, you may well be, but it's our duty as members of the Griffon Guard. If we weren't here, then the Lieutenants would be.'
'Oh.' I frowned.
This whole heir to the throne thing gets old kind of fast. I did miss just being one of the girls.
'C'mon, Cat.'
Sian, Loi, and Kassie had linked hands, and Sian and Kassie held their other hand out to me. I joined the circle and Alek stepped into the center before I took Kassie's hand.
Sian spoke, 'Okay girls, focus on raising your energy and linking with each other. Alek, when we're glowing, slowly call yours up. Okay?'
He nodded, and Sian closed her eyes to focus.
The theory with this was once the four of them were linked, it would mean that Alek should be able to link with them all, not just Cat.
Taking slow, deep breaths and expelling them slowly, Sian focused on the spot behind her heart, where the swirling mass of blue energy lived. Coaxing, she gently pushed it throughout her being until it hummed over her skin. Through their linked hands, Sian could sense Cat