"It was the air you were breathing. It made you unconscious. You would have died had the beasts not dragged you away and pushed you into the water. They were the ones that saved you," she replied seriously.
"But what beasts? We have no memory of any beasts or any strange deadly air," sniffed Zalea.
"You have been travelling with one of them," added Dacius.
"Oprah?" Jack queried.
"The strange beast with the wings... there were two more. They pulled you away and pushed you into the river."
"B...but...where are they now? And where is Nick?" he asked.
"Nick?" asked Dacius, "That is the name of the other human?" while Jack nodded in response.
"Nick... my sister took him but fear not, she will not harm him. He is the one she has been searching for. She is finally happy...." she sang and dropped herself back into the water, swimming beneath the surface before they had a chance to say another word.
"What do we do?" asked Jack.
"There is nothing we can do. Dacius said her sister would not harm him. We must accept that and hope he'll be all right. And us? We must continue our journey without him. I hope Oprah is all right. She must have gone with her own kind," she said, turning away and beginning to walk some distance from the river.
"I'm sorry, Nick," whispered Jack as he too turned and walked beside her, continuing their journey towards the mountains to the Nephilim.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
The following morning school had been cancelled.
December, Crystal and Millicent all sat on the bed in Lilly's bedroom while Lilly hunched over the computer at her desk, "It says that in Greek mythology, a Siren was 'one of a group of sea nymphs who by their sweet singing lured mariners to destruction on the rocks surrounding their island'. Or simply put, it says a Siren is a 'woman regarded as seductive and beautiful'," she said, turning to face them.
"It sounds about right... although Calliope isn't quite dragging the men to their deaths on the rocks," said December.
"No, but she's certainly luring them away from their lives... some of them to their deaths," she replied, almost choking on the final word.
"Oliver and Ben are okay... at least we know that much," said Crystal who had managed to briefly speak to Ben on the phone, just to make sure they were still alive and well.
"For now anyway," added Millicent. "If she's a Siren, goodness only knows what she's planning for them all."
"Well, Gabriel and Carmelo have told us not to worry. That's why they're all here; to sort out the problem."
"I can't stand this. I feel like I need to do something. I'm just so, so helpless. Not only with Calliope but my dad too. It just feels like it's been dragging on for so long, you know?"
The girls looked at each other sadly and nodded.
"We know honey. We'll get to the bottom of it soon enough," said Crystal as she stood up and pushed her hand through her short blonde hair. Walking over to the mirror, she pulled out a lip gloss and deftly brushed a little on to her full lips just as a prism of light glinted across her dark skin in the sunlight.
"This is pretty," she said, looking at the little crystal angels hanging either side of her window.
"They were a gift from Oliver when I first arrived here," she said, gulping back her tears.
"Oh, I'm sorry. We can't seem to say anything right... but I know how you feel, Lilly. She's got Ben too."
"This is crazy, we are a house full of amazing and strong supernatural creatures. Surely we can sort out one stupid Siren," said December who suddenly stood up and stretched her arms and legs. "I say we go back and see if we can figure out just how powerful (or not) this Calliope really is."
All standing, the girls grabbed their coats and went to open the door.
"Wait," said Lilly, "the others aren't going to just let us go over there."
"They're not going to know, are they?" said Crystal with a glint in her eye.
"Some of them are vampires, they've got super human hearing. They probably heard everything we just said."
But Crystal shook her head, "They went out earlier when you were still asleep. They have no idea."
Giggling, the girls opened the door and walked right out of the house, stopping to tell only Sammy and Tiffani they were just going for a walk.
"Not so fast girls," said a voice by the front door.
They turned to find Zoltan and Tabitha smiling at them.
"We know you too well... and we know when something's going on. Come on, out with it," he growled with a cheeky grin.
"Okay, if you must know, we're going to check Calliope out. Find out how strong she really is," said Lilly matter of factly.
"Awesome... action at last!" he said as Tabitha grinned and they followed the girls out into the driveway.
"Come on, we can all squeeze into my car," Tabitha said as she unlocked her battered old red Chevy and they all climbed in.
"I'll drive," exclaimed Zoltan as his girlfriend headed towards the driver's door.
"Oh come on...you always drive."
"You expect me to get into this car full of girls and be driven by another one," he laughed shaking his head, "Give me the keys, Tab. I'm drivin'."
Tabitha threw her head back in laughter, "God, you are so predictable," as she tossed him her keys.
"And you love me for it," he added, catching the keys with one hand as they climbed in.
"Action... here we come," he growled as he put his foot on the accelerator and wheel spun out of the driveway.
Driving through Powell River, it seemed like a ghost town. There were 'closed' signs across shops, cafés and even the large supermarket where most people did they grocery shopping.
"So this is what happens when all the men disappear, is it?" asked Crystal quietly.
"It's insane, it's almost like the world couldn't go on without man," added Millicent.
"Rubbish, absolute rubbish," said Tabitha, "of course we could survive without men. The women in town are just dealing with shock, that's all. The men have just suddenly upped and left. All they need is a bit of time to come to terms with what's happened and it'll be business as usual."
Zoltan laughed, "You're saying you wouldn't be bothered if Calliope had an effect on me too?"
"That's not what I said... but I could cope, of course I could. I'm a strong, independent woman."
"Yeah, sure you are babe," he laughed.
"What on earth is that?" asked Lilly as they drove over the brow of the hill and saw what used to be Ben's Veterinary Practice in the distance.
"Oh. My. God," said Tabitha, "What the heck has she done to it?"
As they approached, Zoltan pulled the car over to the side of the road and they all climbed out, mouths wide open in disbelief at what they saw before them.
The simple square brick building was no longer there. In its place stood a massive orange pyramid-like structure that spread over hundreds of square metres. On its pinnacle sat a large golden eagle. Not a real one, but one sculpted literally out of gold, glittering in the sunlight.
"I can't believe Ben would have agreed to this... it's just so....so....." uttered Crystal.
"Flashy?" suggested December and Crystal nodded, her eyebrows almost stuck together as she shook her head.
"It's like something out of an alien movie or something. It's insane. Totally insane," whispered Tabitha.
The group stood staring at the huge structure that was surrounded by hundreds of cars. Cars that hadn't been parked as such, just left where they'd stopped. Fortunately the clinic was located at the end of a lane. Had it been on a main road, the cars would've completely blocked it up.
"Come on, let's get closer," said Zoltan, turning and taking Tabitha's hand in his. The others followed behind.
As they approached, the soothing sounds of gentle singing could be heard.
"What is that?" asked Millicent.
"Someone's singing, I think," answered Lilly, "But it's not like any singing I've ever heard."
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As they stood at the back of the building, December put her hand on the structure to feel what it was made of.
"What is it?" asked Tabitha.
"I don't know, but it's warm. Feel," she replied.
All six put their hands on the building, "It's almost like it's heated. Weird," said Lilly, "Let's creep around to the front."
As they rounded the pyramid's edge, all six of them gasped and quickly stepped backwards.
"Did you see that?" asked December.
"How could we not?" replied Lilly, "Oh God... this is crazy. Who is she and WHAT is she doing to our men?"
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Their journey so far had taken place over relatively flat terrain, an open valley allowing them to continue on foot in safety. However, as Zalea and Jack turned the long winding bend in the river, the flat sandy earth beneath their feet began to change as they faced a multitude of jutting rocks coming at them from every angle.
The two stood staring in silence at what lay ahead.
"It is impossible to pass," whispered Zalea, gripping Jack's hand tightly.
"You're right," he said looking around. "But there is one way through," he said, pointing to the river beside them. "We shall have to travel by water."
"But we cannot swim for such a length of time. We'll drown."
Jack shook his head and released his grip on her hand, "We can build a raft," he said turning back from where they had come. "We passed some trees a little earlier and these reeds will do to bind them together."
Zalea shrugged her shoulders helplessly, "I guess it's our only option."
Several hours later, Jack stood wiping the sweat from his brow, "I'm so glad I kept this dagger tied to my trousers," he said as he held Gwynethea's sharp bejewelled dagger out in front of him, a number of long pieces of wood laying out before them. "It would have taken twice as long to cut these trees down without it," he smiled.
Zalea sat to his side, stripping the reeds apart and producing long strong pieces that would act perfectly to tie their makeshift raft together.
"We shall sleep here tonight and then set off when we wake in the morning," he said, finally sitting beside her to take a long well deserved break.
"You have worked hard today, Jack. I just wish I could serve you something delicious to nourish you," said Zalea.
Smiling back at her, he shook his head. "We'll be fine, Zalea. We'll find food tomorrow. But for now, let's get some rest. Here, lie beside me, I'll keep you warm."
Neither of them slept particularly well that night. Without the soft cotton blanket that had been stowed in their lost belongings, they shivered as they curled up together beneath the dark night sky.
As the day approached and the sky lightened before their very eyes, they prepared to set off through the dangerous deluge of rocky outcrops all around them.
Travelling on the water was their only safe passage through.
Once the raft was strong and bound tightly enough to take their weight, the duo climbed aboard as Jack pushed them away from the river's edge towards the centre. Their makeshift paddles enabled them both to push themselves through the gently flowing water as they watched the unusual shapes carved into the precarious rocks around them.
"Nick would have enjoyed this," said Jack quietly. "He would have been in his element making a raft like this."
"Yes, but I do believe his would have been a bit more impressive," laughed Zalea.
Feigning hurt, Jack laughed and nodded.
"Hopefully this will take us to the Nephilim quicker than on foot, perhaps we should have thought of it sooner."
"I'm not sure I would have been comfortable before. I would have been frightened of Dacius and her troublesome sister," replied Zalea, looking down into the murky depths below. "At least now we know she has what she wanted all along."
"Hm," replied Jack, "I hope he's okay."
After a few hours of paddling through the water, Zalea suddenly pointed to something tall in the distance. "It's a Meliam tree. It bears the most delicious and nourishing fruit. If we can get over there and climb up those rocks, they would keep us fed for days," she exclaimed.
They continued in a straight line for a hundred metres or so, before they paddled to the riverside. Jack climbed off the raft first and held out his hand to help Zalea ease herself onto dry land.
Using a spare piece of the reed rope, he tied the raft securely around a long spiky rock that stuck out of the ground.
"We just need to climb up there," Zalea said, pointing to a rather dangerous collection of jagged rocks.
"Easier said than done," answered Jack as they tried to work out their best way upwards, "Wait a minute, Zalea. Can't you fly?"
She looked at him strangely before erupting into a fit of giggles, "Fly?" she said. "What makes you think I can fly?"
Looking a little embarrassed, he pointed to her wings.
"Oh," she chuckled and shook her head. "Only the Menukian faeries can fly, Jack," she said matter of factly.
"Then why have wings?" he asked sheepishly.
"Thousands and thousands of years ago, my ancestors were able to fly. Their wings were three times the size of mine but over the years the wings of my people have gotten smaller and smaller. We believe nature intends us to eventually have no wings at all."
"Evolution," he replied.
"I'm sorry?"
"It's an evolutionary process. Like me... my ancestors are believed to have looked more like apes..."
Zalea's eyes appeared wide and a look of complete confusion clouded them.
Jack laughed and shook his head, "Never mind, let's focus on the task in hand.... climbing up to that ridge."
Neither had much experience in climbing. Nick had made it look so easy but they just weren't getting anywhere. And the more they tried, the hungrier they became.
"Let's take a break and have a drink," suggested Jack as he bent over with his hands on his knees trying to catch his breath.
"I'm sorry, Jack, I'm sorry that I can't fly."
He shook his head and smiled at her, "I should be saying the same thing. After all, many of my ancestors were able to fly too... and some of my current family members. I wish I shared the gene to change. Imagine if I could become a raven, I could have just flown straight to those mountains."
"No, you couldn't have," scolded Zalea. "Then I wouldn't have been able to join you."
"I know, I wouldn't have left you behind. But if I could change, I could at least fly up there and knock some of that fruit down."
"Are you absolutely sure you don't have the gene, Jack?"
"I'm pretty sure. If the transformation doesn't happen by the time you're twenty then it usually means it's not going to."
"But did you ever try?"
He raised his eyebrows and squinted his eyes for a moment. "Honestly, I don't think I did after I turned twenty. I didn't feel the need to go off cavorting as a raven. I was so happy with my family life, that nothing else mattered," he said.
"So there could still be a chance?" she exclaimed but he shook his head.
"No, if there was ever a time I could have changed then I would have done so whilst I was being kept prisoner by Vivian."
Zalea stood in front of him and smiled, "But Jack, you were under her spell. She would have prevented you from doing any kind of magic."
"Possibly, but how about while I was with the Nephilim?"
Again she smiled, "Your memories were taken from you whilst you were there. You wouldn't have even known you were from a family of ravens, Jack. Don't you see? If you are ever going to find out if you can change, it's now. When you're desperate and hungry and... free from any evil preventing you."
Jack's shoulders dropped backwards, making him stand up straight, he lifted his head and smiled, "You're very good at this, Zalea. You're making me want to give it a go."
"Then do it, Jack, try to make the change. If it doesn't happen now, then at least you can rest assured it never will. At least try...
just look up there at that juicy fruit."
He peered upwards and his mouth began to water. Closing his eyes, he began to concentrate, thinking of nothing but his family and his raven ancestors.
CHAPTER THIRTY
The small group had returned to Tabitha's car where they'd all climbed in, not saying a word. Zoltan quietly put the key into the ignition, had started the engine and reversed the car away from the pyramid before turning back towards Powell River.
As they arrived back at the house, Carmelo and Jo stood waiting their arrival home.
"Well?" Jo asked, "What happened?"
"Wh...what do you mean? We just went for a drive," said Tabitha as everyone stood, shoulders slumped forward.
"It's quite all right, you know. We are fully aware you went to Ben's. Presumably nothing happened or you wouldn't be back so soon," said Carmelo, patting Lilly on the back.
Nobody said anything.
"Crystal?"
The beautiful young woman brushed her hand through her hair and looked up at her friend before bursting into tears.
"There, there," he said, "Come, let's all go inside and you can tell us what you saw."
It didn't take long for the group to explain what they'd witnessed, much to the shock of the rest of them.
"It was a pyramid... like a real pyramid..." said Lilly before December continued, "and it was warm, when we touched it, it was warm."
"And...?" said Jo.
"All the men were there," added Zoltan. "And I mean, ALL of them. There were hundreds of cars just parked there, left in the middle of the road, doors open and then, when we walked around the corner..."
December coughed, making everyone jump, "...and we saw the men, all of them."
"Well spit it out, we're dying to know what's going on. Come on, do tell," said Ruby who was leaning in with her eyes open wide.
December continued, "They were all, you know, erm, like," she chuckled awkwardly, "erm... semi-naked."
"Did you say semi-naked?" said Ruby with a sly grin as the group all nodded at exactly the same time.