Snippet #2125185

"Well, you wouldn't be wrong with your assumption Layla... That is exactly the reason as per why I had jumped off that cliff. Don't want to have more scars from gunfire, considering I have a lot already." Jude lifted up his shirt and she withheld a gasp. Not from disgust but from shock and anger at whoever it was who did this to him. Then, sadly, she realised she might possibly just add another scar to his body. He was covered in them and she would be another betrayal. He's just another enemy temporarily charmed by your good looks. You're on a mission. He's just charming and good looking, that's all. They both are. You'll get over it. She inwardly brushed away her foolish thoughts and continued speaking.

"Triveila? That is my homeland as well... I don't really miss it though. Too many bad memories... I had a lot of good memories too but I think it will be a while before I am able to travel back there. I don't think I would meet welcoming arms if I did go back anyway." Jude's eyes appeared haunted. His one black iris pulled her in and she was afraid if she looked too long, she might fall into their depths from which she would never return. She focused on his gold eye instead - a mistake. She felt defenseless looking into them, like they could see into every unhealed wound she did not otherwise show on her body. Siren looked away.

She wondered why he wouldn't be welcomed and very nearly asked when she realised. He's a theif, duh.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that...and no in fact I've never visited the place," said Keito. She wished he wouldn't be so sympathetic. She tilted her head, sensing the lie about him having never visited Triveila. Why the lie?

They let her stay, though - as expected. Men could be so foolish. To offer their enemies shelter - hah. She took the jerky and bread they offered gratefully.

"You said that you can sing and dance?... Would you by any chance sing for us? I mean I think that is compensation enough for letting you stay with us."

Siren smiled warmly. "Of course."

Standing up, she ran her hands through her dress and her already perfect locks. She felt a tad nervous, somehow. Strange, for she'd performed for men countless of times. You just want to impress these two more than normal. Idiot.

Her voice flowed like a stream without debris, like moonlight and honey. Siren was indeed - a Siren. She sang a simple but haunting lullaby she often whispered quietly to herself when she could not sleep. The lullaby of her childhood when her father kept her locked in a closet and the lullaby she sang as Siren who was not Layla when the memories and loneliness grew to be too much to bear. Her voice was pure, like that of a muse or angel or both. It echoed in the dark forest and it was as if a stream of light spilled from her ruby lips.

Then, she danced.

Her feet glided over the damp ground and she appeared weightless. Her white dress and snowing hair twirled and twirled until she was a dizzying blaze of graceful light. The warm fire reflected off her light hair, eyes and robes, making her gleam with an eerie kaleidoscope glow.

She danced and sang and then she slept - forgetting they were her enemies. She slept peacefully, eyes gently closed and body curled into a ball.

She slept and awakened in the dark. For when neither Jude nor Keito were looking - she put poison on her lips.