Devils Roses 04 - Witch

Greece with the other Sirens. They shunned us when they saw what I was. We moved to Canada to live amongst the Wiccan's on an island in British Columbia. When I was nine my father’s friend Jonathan took my mother as his slave. She has lived in captivity for twenty years. I thought she had been taken by the government and let myself get abducted by them. I lived in captivity until you freed me.”
    Aimee looked confused, “You always said they were alive. How do you even kill a fallen? I'm sorry I said that Sam. I didn’t know.”
    He sighed, “No one does. I want to believe my parents loved each but the more time I spend with everyone, the more I think they just fell into the attraction. He was an angel and she was a Siren. Worst mix ever. How would you ever trust your love in that situation?”
    Aimee blushed, "That's what I always thought about Aleks. I always thought the love wasn’t real. It was part of whatever we all are. Is your mother still alive?”
    Sam shook his head, “I don’t know. Jonathan is a bad man. He has kept one Siren for a very long time. He had Daniel turn her apparently. If my mother, your sister, and Ophelia’s sister are all alive, it’ll be one huge miracle.”
    Aimee flinched, “Alise is alive. I know it.”
    Sam felt his eyes grow heavy, “That’s good.” He didn’t have the same feeling about his mother. He imagined that after twenty years of horror he wouldn't know her even if he did see her.

    xxxx

    He woke feeling the cloud of desperation and pain lifted. He stretched his arms freely. His heart didn’t burn. He felt something he had never felt before, freedom.
    He loved Hanna from the moment he saw her. He knew his future. His feelings for her had always been in the background. The freedom came at a price and he could feel the price tag attaching itself to him. He felt empty. There was no love. There was no possibility of love. Nothing inspired him. He was calm and even inside.
    He took a moment to adjust to the feeling of it. It didn’t hurt but it lacked joy and possibilities.
    Aimee was passed out next to him. He stroked her arm. He wished he could love her. She was perfect. He saw it clearly for the first time as the haze Hanna had created lifted from him.
    Her face was pretty but her heart was beautiful. He had no idea the capacity for love she had. She lived surrounded by constant guilt and pain. She would never find happiness and joy as long as the ones she loved lived in pain.
    She woke with a smirk, “Are you touching me in my sleep because that’s a little creepy.”
    He laughed. His laugh felt hollow. “No. I was admiring you. I wish I could be like you.”
    She laughed, “You wish to be bogged down with too many people’s happiness attached to your choices and to be heartbroken over a guy you didn’t choose. Yes my life is admirable, there is no doubt.”
    Sam laughed at her, “I like it when you pity yourself. No I was thinking about how many people you love. It’s astounding. You love Shane, Aleks, your father and sister, Giselle, Lydia, Ari, Lucas and Ben, me and I dare say you love Lorri even if she is shitty to be around.”
    She smiled, “You forgot someone.”
    He raised an eyebrow.
    “Annabelle. I love Annabelle. Sometimes I go there just for the baths. She gives these baths where she sings old weird Cajun songs and washes your back. It’s good. And I love Blake.”
    Sam winced, “He’s done so many terrible things Aimes.”
    She shook her head, “I know but in my heart I know it’s not him. He didn’t do it because he wanted to. They’ve done something to him.”
    “You’re setting yourself up for some serious disappointment my friend. When we finally find our way into their lab and we see he is there for his own selfish reasons you’re going to be hurt. Prepare yourself for the worst.”
    She shook her head, “I can’t. I just can’t. Not with him.”
    Giselle poked her face in the room, “Guys Hanna won’t leave the castle. Sam you have to talk to her.”
    Sam nodded and got up from the bed. He walked toward Giselle who was grinning at him, “You two got a thing going on?”
    He frowned, “No.”
    She shrugged, “She’ll tell me.” She walked into the room past him.
    His feet padded along the cold floor.
    He had hated the castle.
    He had hated his memories.
    He had hated Hanna.
    Suddenly it was gone. The hate was deflated and pathetic.
    He couldn’t bring himself to get past her betrayal. His emotions attached to