The Darkness in the Light

Chapter Sixteen

I didn't know where to go after that. I found myself wandering the markets, looking at all the various wares and taking everything in. I didn't know anyone, though a few faces smiled at me as I passed, probably all too aware of any newcomers to their area. Recognising a handful of newcomers was easier for them than it was for me learning hundreds of faces.

"Five hundred and three."

I spun around, not surprised to find Jax leaning against a tent post, watching me.

"What?"

"Before I took you, we totalled five hundred and three, excluding me and Gemma. Which means there's that many new faces for you to learn."

"I don't even think that's possible."

"I know everyone here."

"You have also lived here longer than anyone else here has lived anywhere, ever," I pointed out.

"Good point."

"Did she just call you old?" a voice bellowed, and Joe stepped out from the tent beside us.

"Five hundred and two. You're Joe, you host karaoke. That's one face less for me to remember," I said with a grin. Jax smiled at us both.

"I think I did just get called old," Jax muttered. Joe laughed a deep, resonating laugh, slapping Jax on the back. Jax almost stumbled under the force of it, though it was all good intentions.

"Well, someone's not afraid to stand up to the big bad wolf, eh?" Joe guffawed, making my cheeks go red and getting laughter from Jax, "It's rare we get them this friendly from up top. Now young miss, you were meant to come find me and chat about a job opportunity. I need me a singer, and you sure can sing."

"Thank you very much for the opportunity, but I don't want to sing."

"How could you not want to sing? You're made for it."

I wasn't sure how to answer that, and they both seemed to realise it. I glanced at Jax desperately, hoping he had some idea how I might explain myself out of trouble. What was I meant to say? That I didn't want to accidentally manipulate a whole crowd of people with my voice because it wasn't just a human skill, but rather a Syren's call that was used to capture prey and devour them?

Joe moved closer, surprising me when his voice dropped to a quiet murmur. I'd only ever heard him speak at full volume. It didn't seem right to have to strain to hear someone with such a resonating voice.

"Now, young lady, I've been here longer than just about anyone other than the leader himself. I'm born and raised in Rewes, you know. Been handpicked by old man here for the odd mission to the up, the grim above, in fact. And I know how this old mind of his ticks, and you, my dear, have it ticking."

I don't really get what this has to do with me singing, or what he even means, really. I said to Jax silently, glancing over at him. He just shrugged, but that made Joe turn on him.

"Ah-ha! That confirms it!" he exclaimed, making us both jump. He quickly softened his voice, "Sorry, I had my suspicions, but you never really know for sure. You know?"

"Joe, whatever are you going on about?" Jax asked, coming closer.

"She's not usual, this one. Don't try and fool me, either of you. You, leader, have taken a much keener interest to her than you do to near all of us boring folk. And you, my girl, can't just sing. I've been around long enough to know there's something more behind that voice of yours. And you two are thinking at each other like that. She's in your head and you're in hers, and not in the normal teen crush kinda way. Really in there."