Page 2

“Do you really think we’ll see anything? I still think this Kraken nonsense is a hoax. I can’t believe I let you talk me into coming to this tiny town for the weekend,” the woman with bright orange earmuffs said, taking her cranberry muffin from the counter.

If only they knew about the many mystical beings surrounding them, they’d probably tuck tail and run. Aerin smiled to herself as the human tourists doubted Kennie’s existence. Between the mermaids, goblins and witches, to name a few, Kennie was probably the least interesting. However, the Witches Council, or Town Council to the humans, cast protective wards over the town, concealing the supernatural nature of Indigo Cove and its residents. Case in point: the visiting customers in front of her were oblivious to the baristas, Shelby and Sandy, whose pointed ears and shiny scales on their necks revealed their siren nature.

“It’s adorable, all the historical buildings and quaint little shops. It’s like we’ve gone back in time. You said you wanted out of the city, and we can actually smell the sea instead of car exhaust; besides, you wouldn’t take part in the Spooky Sand Castle Contest, so we’re doing this tour,” her friend countered, collecting their coffees from Shelby behind the counter. “And the possibility of seeing an actual sea monster? It’s an adventure. Try and lighten up.”

“I do love shopping, but a Kraken? There’s no way it’s real. I bet it’s a giant squid.” The friend laughed as they walked out with their coffees.

Many came to the small coastal town, hoping to catch a glimpse of Kennie, the Kraken, the town’s mascot. But most would only walk away with a souvenir from The Tangled Tentacle. Luckily, she fed him well last week, so they weren’t in any danger, as long as they didn’t get too close to his underwater home. The captain running the tourist trips knew not to get too close to Kennie’s den, unless he wanted his paying customers to get sprayed with horribly smelling ink that clung like glue to anything it touched. Even if they were fortunate enough to see the Kraken or any other paranormal activity, it would be wiped from their memories the moment they crossed the town’s boundaries. They’d only recall having a great time.

“Can I get two salted caramel lattes, one with extra salt and the other with oat milk?” Aerin ordered, noticing Shelby wasn’t her usual chirpy self.

“Coming right up,” Shelby said with little enthusiasm before passing the takeaway cups with the order to Sandy, her twin sister. While she waited, she noticed them whispering as she moved to the end of the counter.

“What are you two plotting so early in the morning?” Aerin asked the two teen siren girls, complaining behind the counter about their uncle, the owner. With their dark curls and rich brown skin, only their eyes set them apart. Sandy’s were a flaming amber while Shelby’s shone a deep emerald green.

“Uncle Matthew won’t let us go to the Autumn Festival next month because we might have sung our teacher into allowing us to skip gym class since the beginning of the school year. He only found out at the parent-teacher evening, and it’s not like gym is important; we swim every day already,” Sandy said, working on Aerin’s order.

“You aren’t supposed to abuse your song, or you might lose it,” Aerin warned, knowing it was easy for young sirens to abuse their gift because they didn’t fully understand the responsibility of wielding such control over others. Use it too much, and it can damage the singer’s vocal cords. Aerin didn’t want to preach at them, since she’d only been turned in her twenties, and even seventy years later she still struggled with her own self-control from time to time.

“What if someone came looking for you during class and your teacher didn’t know where you were? You could’ve cost him his job,” Aerin explained.

“We didn’t think about that,” Shelby mumbled, looking to her twin.

“Do you mind having this conversation in your own time? You’re holding up the line? Some of us have work to get to?” The middle-aged goblin customer cleared her throat arrogantly.

“Sorry to keep you, you can order.” Aerin forced a smile over her shoulder.

“Gladly. This isn’t the time to chat, but I guess it’s the owner’s fault for putting two chatty teens behind the counter during the morning rush,” the customer snapped. “They clearly can’t keep up with the orders and keep the gossiping to a minimum. I’ll have a skinny americano.” Clearly, this woman hadn’t heard of ‘please’ or ‘thank you.’

Aerin noticed Sandy’s cheeks redden, and Shelby held back her sister.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting,” Shelby said, passing the cup to her sister. “We’ll have your regular right up.”

Aerin stepped closer to the rude goblin so she wouldn’t be overheard and rested her hand on her forearm as she went to take her change.

“They apologized for keeping you waiting, so I think you should apologize for being so impatient.” Aerin lifted her tinted glasses to connect better with the customer. She always wore her glasses indoors because the lights hurt her pale blue eyes. Great for seeing underwater, at the cost of light sensitivity. “The best way to show your sincerity would be to put all your cash into the tip jar, and let these two girls who’re working on top of going to school keep the change.” Aerin’s words slipped from her lips in a soothing lullaby. The woman’s expression softened, her pupils dilating as she absorbed every word.

“I’m sorry for being so impatient. I seem to have forgotten my manners. Please keep the change,” she said, smiling, putting the twenty in the tip jar and waving off the change Shelby offered.

Shelby looked to Aerin and smirked. Sandy handed the customer her coffee cup, giggling as she left the shop with an empty purse.

“I thought you said we weren’t supposed to abuse our song or use it on other magical creatures,” Sandy said, following Aerin to the end of the counter as she collected her two lattes.

“Do as I say, not as I do.” Aerin winked, even if she was setting a bad example; the customer deserved it. “And her donation should cover my order.”

“Can you teach us how to sing so effectively?” Sandy asked, the more mischievous of the twins.

“When you’re older,” Aerin said, not much of a teacher. She had to learn how to sing on her own, so she wasn’t sure how to mentor born sirens.

“We’re sixteen. We can control ourselves,” Sandy huffed, trying to bribe her with free cookies.

“Until you can both prove you can stay out of trouble, I’ll keep my secrets to myself,” Aerin said, not wanting to get on the wrong side of their family. She wasn’t truly accepted by the sirens in town, and she didn’t want to be blamed for misguiding their children.

“No fair,” Sandy grumbled.

“Very fair, your parents wouldn’t like me giving you any bad habits. If there is anything you need help with, then you can ask them,” she said.

“How come you won’t come to any of the siren swims?” Sandy asked as Shelby continued serving the thirsty customers.