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“That’s far better than eighteen!”
“Well, I like this movie. They’re meant to be enjoyed, not analysed. And what about the foolish human falling for a vampire three times her age?”
“Us vampires are irresistible; he’s right about that.”
“Don’t make me take back the pizza,” she said, stealing a slice without blood.
“I don’t know how the vampires are able to move so freely in daylight. Even with a grey sky, we’d still need to keep to the shadows if we dared to venture out at all.”
“Because the actor is human.” Seeing how seriously he was taking his studies made her chuckle.
“That makes more sense. I thought when he sparkled in the sun he had some sort of infection that helped him survive the sunlight, or maybe there is a new breed I was unaware of.”
“Even if the records were a bust, you’re slowly remembering; you just told me about how you were educated. That’s not nothing.”
“Hurray!” Gideon grumbled, finishing the last slice.
“If you’re going to be sarcastic about your progress, slow as it may be, then I’m not going to tell you my plan.”
“Forgive me. Playing the Vampire Pirate has rubbed off on me. I shall put the sarcasm away until this evening. Please tell me about your grand plan.” Gideon paused the film and gave her his full attention.
“I use my song to bring your buried memories to the surface. A siren can summon the truth, revealing secrets to anyone who hears our song. It might not work. I could hurt you, and I can’t control what comes up—trauma you’d prefer to leave buried, unrelated to the wreck—but it might be worth a shot, since you’re barely resting and obsessing over the files. I didn’t feed you up just to see you become skin and bone again,” she said, her mind sinking into her own haunting memories she wished she’d left buried. He deserved the option, the choice, and she would respect whatever decision he made.
“Why not mention this sooner?” he asked, but he sounded more curious than accusatory.
“Honestly, I didn’t think it would work. I was afraid of the risks, but it’s not my decision to make. It’s your memory, your decision.”
“Have you ever dug into someone’s mind before?”
“Only to figure out if someone was a threat to me or the cove, and not for many years,” she said, not going into detail.
“So you could make me do anything?”
“I wouldn’t; you can trust me, but it’s up to you. I won’t do anything without your consent, and we’d stop at any time you felt uncomfortable.”
“What if I recall something that frightens you?” Gideon asked.
“Then we’ll deal with it. Besides, it was your time at sea that took your memories. It’s only fitting that my song brings back your memories.”
Gideon hesitated. “What’s the harm in trying?”
“Okay, we can start with something small. You recalled something about your education.” Aerin faced him, taking his hands in hers as she let her tone soften.
“Do you remember the names of your tutors? Maybe what you studied? Your favorite subject? A classmate?” she asked, his gaze fixed on her lips as she sang.
“My brother took classes with me. A terrible student; his knuckles were often bloodied by the ruler. He much preferred riding and sports to books.”
His brow furrowed.
“Stay with the memory of your brother, picture him in your mind. Where are you when you see him?” Aerin asked, guiding him deeper. “Can you recall his name?”
“Jos, no. Josiah, and I’m walking down a pier.” Gideon hesitated, sitting on the edge of the couch. She didn’t push, giving him time to work it out.
“I’m overseeing a ship, the ship being built. My mother is lecturing me about wanting to travel while my father is sick. I’m telling her I’ll be back soon with medicine for him, telling her that my sister can take my place.”
Gideon’s hand started to tremble in hers, and she hummed to calm him.
“Hang on to your brother’s memory,” she said, guiding him back to his first memory to keep him grounded.
