Chapter 24 24

Chapter 24 24
ARIA

I did not sleep well after the club, not because of the noise or the lights or even the way Jaxon had pulled me out of there like the building was on fire, but because of the look on Lyra’s face when everything went wrong, a look that stayed with me long after Jaxon finally fell asleep beside me, his arm heavy around my waist like a promise and a warning all at once.

In the morning, I lay there staring at the ceiling while his breathing evened out, slow and deep, and I told myself I was being ridiculous, that curiosity was normal, that anyone in my place would want answers.

Still, my chest felt tight.

“Why did she affect you like that,” I whispered into the quiet room.

Jaxon shifted but did not wake, his grip tightening for a second before relaxing again, and that was when I knew I would not get any peace until I understood who Lyra really was.

Later that afternoon, after Jaxon left for training, I sat at my desk with my laptop open and my phone beside it, staring at the screen like it might bite me.

“This is stupid,” I muttered to myself. “You are not jealous. You are informed.”

I typed Lyra’s name into the search bar and leaned back, crossing my arms as results filled the page, most of them useless, social posts, old performance clips, comments filled with praise and obsession.

“She dances,” I said aloud. “I know that already.”

I clicked through anyway, scrolling slowly, watching her move on screen with the sound off, fluid and controlled and almost hypnotic even without music, and an uncomfortable chill slid down my spine.

“No,” I said quietly. “That is just confidence.”

My phone buzzed.

Unknown Number: You still mad at me.

I frowned, then typed back.

Aria: Who is this.

Unknown Number: Wow. That hurts. It is Selene.

I relaxed slightly. Selene was one of the older girls on campus, someone who knew everything about everyone and loved talking about it even more.

Aria: Sorry. Busy. What do you want.

Selene: I heard about the club.

My fingers paused over the keyboard.

Aria: Heard what.

Selene: Do not play dumb. Lyra going all weird on stage. Jaxon losing his mind. You walking out with him like you won a prize.

Heat crept up my neck.

Aria: I did not win anything.

Selene: Sure you did. Anyway. Why are you asking around about her.

I hesitated, then decided honesty was easier.

Aria: Something felt off last night. I want to know what I am dealing with.

Selene: Oh.

That one word made my stomach drop.

Aria: What.

Selene: You really do not know, do you.

I swallowed.

Aria: Know what.

There was a long pause before she replied.

Selene: Come to the library. Third floor. Back tables.

I stared at the message, my pulse picking up speed.

Aria: Just tell me.

Selene: Not over text. Trust me.

I shut my laptop and grabbed my bag, trying to ignore the knot forming in my gut as I headed out.

The library was quiet when I arrived, the air thick with dust and old paper, and Selene sat exactly where she said she would, her long hair pulled back, a stack of books already spread out in front of her like she had been preparing for this moment.

“You look dramatic,” I said, dropping into the chair across from her.

She smirked. “So do you.”

“Can we skip the flirting and get to the point,” I said. “What do you know about Lyra.”

Selene leaned back, studying me. “Why do you care.”

“Because,” I said, lowering my voice, “she walked on stage and the whole room stopped breathing. Because Jaxon looked like he wanted to tear the place apart. Because whatever she did broke something and I want to know if it can happen again.”

Selene’s expression shifted, amusement fading.

“You are smarter than you look,” she said.

“I hear that a lot,” I replied flatly.

She tapped one of the books. “Lyra is not just a dancer.”

“I figured,” I said. “No offense but that was obvious.”

Selene sighed. “She is a siren.”

The word hung between us, heavy and unreal.

I laughed once, sharp and disbelieving. “That is not funny.”

“I am not joking,” Selene said.

“Siren like the myth,” I asked. “The singing sea monsters.”

“Yes,” she said calmly. “That siren.”

I shook my head. “No. That is impossible.”

Selene leaned forward. “You saw what she did last night.”

“She danced,” I said quickly. “People like dancers.”

“She did not just dance,” Selene replied. “She activated.”

My hands curled into fists on the table. “Explain.”

Selene opened one of the books and turned it toward me, pages filled with old text and sketches, symbols curling around familiar shapes.

“Siren abilities trigger through sound and movement,” she said. “Voice, rhythm, presence. Some are subtle. Some are not.”

I scanned the page, my heart thudding. “You expect me to believe Lyra is some kind of supernatural creature.”

Selene smiled faintly. “You already do.”

I looked away, staring at the shelves. “If she is a siren, why is she here.”

“She is hiding,” Selene said. “Or trying to. Sirens do not exactly get a warm welcome.”

My throat felt dry. “Does Jaxon know.”

Selene shook her head. “No. At least I do not think so.”

“Then why did she affect him like that,” I asked. “Why him.”

Selene’s gaze sharpened. “Because sirens are drawn to strong bonds. Strong emotions. Wolves are…loud.”

I did not like the way she said that.

“Say it clearly,” I said.

Selene exhaled. “Because if a siren locks onto someone, especially someone with power, it can get messy.”

My chest tightened. “Messy how.”

“She can influence feelings,” Selene said. “Amplify them. Twist them. Sometimes without meaning to.”

I thought of Jaxon’s sudden anger, the way he had clung to me afterward like he was afraid to let go.

“You are saying she made him feel things,” I said.

“I am saying she might not even know she is doing it,” Selene replied.

I stood abruptly, the chair scraping loudly before I could stop it.

“This is insane,” I said. “You are telling me Lyra could mess with his emotions and just what, pretend she is innocent.”

Selene’s eyes softened. “Careful, Aria. Sirens are not villains by default.”

“I am not calling her a villain,” I snapped. “I am calling her dangerous.”

“That part might be true,” Selene said quietly.

I paced a few steps, then turned back. “Why are you telling me this.”

“Because you asked,” she said. “And because if she loses control again, you should know what you are up against.”

I swallowed. “Can she control Jaxon.”

Selene did not answer immediately.

“Can she,” I repeated.

“She can influence him,” Selene said finally. “Especially if he already feels something.”

That was the part that hurt.

“Does it stop,” I asked. “Can it be blocked.”

“Yes,” Selene said. “With wards. Spells. Distance.”

Distance.

I pictured Lyra on stage, the way her eyes had locked with Jaxon, the panic I had seen flicker across her face before everything spiraled.

“She looked scared,” I said quietly.

Selene nodded. “She probably was.”

I sank back into the chair. “So what do I do.”

Selene shrugged. “Protect yourself. Protect him. And maybe talk to her before this turns ugly.”

“I am not talking to her,” I said immediately.

Selene raised a brow. “Then do not be surprised if she talks to him instead.”

That thought sent a sharp jolt through me.

“She would not,” I said, though my voice lacked conviction.

Selene closed the book. “Sirens follow their instincts, Aria. And from what I hear, hers have been pulling her toward Jaxon for a long time.”

I stood again, my head spinning. “Thank you for your time.”

She smiled gently. “Anytime.”

I left the library with my heart pounding, the world feeling slightly off balance, like I had stepped into a story I did not remember agreeing to be part of.

When I found Jaxon later, he was sitting on the edge of the bed, lacing his boots, and he looked up when I walked in.

“Hey,” he said. “You okay.”

I forced a smile and crossed the room, sitting beside him. “Can I ask you something.”

“Anything,” he said.

I took a breath. “How long have you known Lyra.”

He stiffened slightly. “Why.”

“Just answer,” I said softly.

“A few years,” he replied. “Why.”

“And did she ever make you feel…different,” I asked carefully. “Like your emotions were not your own.”

He frowned. “What are you saying.”

“I am asking if you ever felt pulled toward her in a way you could not explain.”

He looked away. “Sometimes.”

My stomach sank.

“But that does not matter,” he added quickly. “It is you now. I choose you.”

I reached for his hand and held it tight. “I need you to trust me.”

“I do,” he said without hesitation.

“Then stay away from her,” I said. “Please.”

He studied my face. “Did she do something.”

“Yes,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “And I do not think she meant to. But she is dangerous.”

His jaw tightened. “She would never hurt anyone.”

“You saw what happened,” I said. “So did I.”

He nodded slowly. “I will keep my distance.”

Relief flooded me, mixed with guilt.

As he stood to leave, pulling me into a brief hug, I stared past his shoulder at the wall, my thoughts racing.

Lyra was not just a girl with a past.

She was a siren.

And whether she meant to or not, her song had already started a war.