[Valen's POV]
The Siren Festival was a yearly tradition, passed down for generations.
Every year, one major Siren clan would host it in their coastal territory, and being chosen as host was considered a massive honor. It wasn't just some party with seashell necklaces and catchy songs, it was the stage where traditions were enforced, alliances were forged, and power was displayed.
Sirens from every corner of the world would travel to attend. And this year's festival? In Miami. Hosted by none other than the Barclays- mom's family.
Famous for their flawless voices, iron grip on the Siren Council, and the tendency to remind everyone of both facts with every chance they got.
The thing about sirens? Most were obsessed with business and power. And my mother used to be the Barclay prodigy, adored for her haunting voice, the golden child of the Barclays. She was supposed to marry a high-ranking Siren and secure the family's influence. Instead, she fell for my father.
And unfortunately, dad wasn't a high-status Siren. He wasn't even a Siren. He was a shapeshifter. Which, according to the Barclay's, ranked somewhere between "utter betrayal" and "bringing a tuna sandwich to a five-star banquet."
The punishment was social exile. No invitations to key clan gatherings, cold shoulders at every meeting. The last time she appeared publicly, the whispers cut like knives ."She threw away her bloodline for a forgotten shapeshifter clan. So much for being a prodigy."
The only reason they couldn't exile her completely was her fame as a singer. Her voice brought prestige and money to the clan, cutting ties would have been political suicide.
And all that childhood jealousy the other sirens had toward her transformed into open ridicule.
And me? A half-blood who hadn't even sung [1]yet, was basically free ammunition for them.
The one time I tried defending myself, an elder silenced me with a single word. Just like that, shut down.
And honestly, I didn't even know when my powers would awaken. I hadn't even awakened any of my father's abilities yet. According to him, awakening was something I had to do on my own. Once I managed that, he promised he'd help me master them. The catch? I had absolutely no idea how to start.
Worse, I wasn't even sure what his powers really were. Sure, he could sprout claws and fangs, but I once saw an old recording of him forming a sword out of thin air. A full weapon, shimmering, solid, and terrifying. There's no way that was just "basic shapeshifting." I tried asking mom about the ancient legends of the clan, but she refused to say a word about it, said it was not for her to tell.
Future-me's problem. Definitely.
Present-me had only one mission- survive or more like thrive in the Siren Festival.
If I could perform well, maybe a few elders would take interest in me. Maybe my mother would regain some of the backing she'd lost. That's why I'd been practicing nonstop, pushing myself until my throat felt like sandpaper. That's the only way I can help mom right now... with how powerless I currently am.
And now, after all that work, the time had finally come.
Miami, here we go!
*
The Dreamonts were on their way to the airport.
We were based in Kansas, which meant it would take at least three to four hours to reach Miami. Long trip ahead, but the real problem wasn't the distance. It was Dad.
Inside the airport, Mom's voice trembled as she tugged at his sleeve, "Are you sure, dear? Do you really have to go?"
Dad gave her that same apologetic smile he always did. "I'm really sorry, darling. I'll make it up to you when I come back, I promise." He leaned in, kissed her forehead, and she just nodded, trying to look strong but failing a little.
That was the thing about Dad, he was unpredictable. His work could call him at any moment, and when it did, he had no choice but to run. Honestly, wasn't this basically Spider-Man logic? Just, you know… minus the spandex.
The call had come while we were still on the way to the airport. Sometimes he disappeared for days, sometimes for weeks, and once, for months. There was no pattern, no consistency. Just a phone call and then poof*... he was gone.
He crouched down in front of me, his arms pulling me into a quick hug. "Sorry, son." He gave me a long look, then added, "Take care of your mom for me, okay?"
I nodded.
He ruffled my hair, grinning like nothing was wrong. "Don't worry, I'll be there before your performance. That's a promise. Now go have fun, alright?"
Then he hugged Mom one last time and jogged off, vanishing into the crowd.
We just stood there, watching him leave.
Mom let out a long, heavy sigh before forcing a smile and squeezing my hand. "Well… looks like it's just us, huh? Don't worry, we'll have so much fun your dad will be jealous when he comes back. And you know how he is... he never breaks a promise."
"Yeah, Mom," I said, smiling back at her.
Together, we grabbed our luggage and headed toward security.
****
The glass doors slid open with a hiss, and Miami hit me like a wave.
Warm, humid air wrapped around me, sticky and heavy, carrying with it the scent of salt and sunscreen. Palm trees lined the road outside the terminal, their fronds swaying lazily as if mocking every traveler dragging suitcases behind them. Beyond the traffic and the endless line of taxis, I could already see a hint of the blue ocean stretching out to the horizon.
Miami wasn't subtle. Neon billboards flashed with hotel ads, the chatter of tourists mixed with car horns, and music pulsed faintly from somewhere in the distance, Latin rhythms carried on the wind, blending perfectly with the city's chaotic heartbeat.
And then, just when I thought I might actually enjoy this chaotic postcard of a city, someone had to ruin it.
"Hey, cousin!"
The voice grated on me instantly, like nails dragging across a chalkboard.
I turned- a man in a crisp suit, holding up a sign that read The Dreamonts in bold black letters. And standing just behind him…was her.
Great. Just great. Out of all the faces Miami could've welcomed me with- the ocean, the skyline, literally any random tourist! It just had to be her.
My oh-so-beloved cousin.
Bianca.
[1] Awakening of Siren Songs (meaning their supernatural powers)