Chapter 5 Maria

''Anna....What are you?''

She knew.

Maria knew... she saw me.

How? how could I be so careless.

''Anna, what are you?'' She asks again, but I don't say anything, I was too afraid. I had to leave. And that's what I

began to do. I went to pack my stuff, but Maria called my name again and I just ignored her.

I messed up,

I have to leave,

She knows.

Oh God!

''Annalise!'' she calls again, this time she grabs my hand and forces me to look at her. I can see the questions and the confusion swimming in her eyes, but... I don't see any sign of fear, just curiosity?

Why isn't she scared? Humans normally get scared about things they don't understand.

''What are you,'' she asks once more, '' please.'' she sounds more calm... genuine, but this only confused me more.

why isn't she scared?

I looked at her hand on my hand, she noticed this and quickly removed her hand as if the contact burnt her hands,

''Sorry.'' she says embarrassed.

Why is she acting like this? I looked at her face for any inclination as to why she doesn't look scared, but I find nothing.

''Please Anna, tell me what you are.'' she asks again. I look at her once more before looking away and sighing. I walk over to the bed and sit on the edge of it. A few moments later, I feel the bed beside me dip. We are both quiet for about a minute before she speaks.

''I need to know.'' the urgency in her voice is what catches my off-guard, I look up to her only to find her staring outside the window with this longing on her face.

''why?'' I ask her, curious to know why she hasn't run for the hills yet. She was quiet for a moment before she finally spoke, and what she said next only shocked me further.

"Because...." She sighs, her eyes lost in thought.

''You're not the only one I've seen who is like you.'' she turns to me, the questions are still swimming in her eyes. I have questions of my own.

''who else?'' I ask carefully. she looks at me as if she is searching for the answers on my face, then she sighs and looks down at her hands as if contemplating something.

''Maria-''

''My mother.'' she whispers.

''What?'' I blink at her. her mom?

''My mother is the same as you, but she's the only one that I've ever seen, and then,'' her eyes look up to me. ''-you.

How is this possible? What are you?''

''Did you ever ask your mom?'' I ask, and she nods.

''I tried but every time I did she would always tell me to keep it between the three of us.''

Three?

''Cory and I were both there that night. She made us swear not to say a word, we were only eight years old at the time. ever since that night, I never made sense of what we saw, she would always dodge my questions. eventually

Cory and I stopped asking, I guess over the years it just became a memory, like a dream. We never spoke about it since.'' I can see the tears start to fill in her hazel eyes, but she doesn't cry, she looks at me once more and asks again,

''What are you Anna?''

''I'm a... Uh." I close my eyes for a few seconds and take a deep breath

"I'm a Siren,'' I watch as she inhales deeply, her eyes grow wide. ''Well. half Si, half Human. My mother too, is a Siren, my Father is human.'' I explain further.

''I don't understand, how is this even possible?'' she stands up, "a Siren?" she looks even more confused, ''How are you even real? for a long time I thought I was crazy, I started to believe that I was dream-''

''believe me, we are real.'' I gave a small smile, ''very real, just rare.'' I stand up and walk towards her.

''look,'' she sighs, ''I'm not gonna say a word to anyone, I promise you, but I- I just need to know more about you, about my mom, please don't leave.'' she pleads. I watch her carefully and see the sincerity in her eyes.

I can trust her. At least I hope I can.

''I will tell you everything.'' I nod and she smiles gratefully in return which only made me smile too.

''Thank you.'' she hugs me and I hug her back, ''I promise this will stay between us.'' I let go of her, not sure what to do now, then she speaks.

''well, we better get you dressed, Queen Rosa and Kota have something planned for you,'' she reminds me.

Damn, I almost forgot!

''Do you know what it is?'' I ask her, hopefully she knows something, but she shakes her head no in a sorry manner.

''can you help me find something to wear?" she smiles and nods her head, ''of course, its kind of my job to assist you.'' I laugh at that, Maria walks into my closet and picks an outfit, she walks back out and places the dress neatly on my bed.

''I think this is perfect.'' she points to the dress, and I nod in agreement. it was a short-flowy- sky-blue summer dress, that reached above my knee and had a bare back. Maria paired the dress with a pair of silver sandals and silver jewellery. I went into the bathroom and put on the outfit. I looked in the mirror and was pleased with her choice. I walked back out into the bedroom where Maria was placing some of the clothes I had begun to pack, back into the closet.

''perfect, shall I do your hair as well?'' she offered with a smile.

''thank you'' I smile as I take a seat in-front of the vanity where Maria began to do my hair. When Maria was done, I was satisfied with the way I looked.

''I guess we will talk when you get back?'' she asks with a hopeful look, and I smile in return, ''Of course.'' With that being said, Maria waved goodbye and left, leaving me alone in my thoughts. Wow, this is going to be a long day.

With one last look in the mirror, I grabbed my purse and made my way to the Foyer where I found Victor waiting patiently for me.

''Hello, Victor.'' I smile, surprised to see him instead of Cory. Then I remembered what Cory told me, Victor will fill in for Cory if he wasn't available.

''Anna.'' he nods.

Just then, Kota walks in. Strangely enough, I smelt him before I saw him. Sandalwood and fresh rain with a mix of cologne.

He is wearing a white shirt with the first few buttons opened, and a pair of black dress pants. His hair looked slightly damp as if he had just gotten out of the shower but he still looked devilishly handsome.

''Annalise.'' he greets standing close to me making my cheeks redden.''Sorry I was unable to join you for breakfast this morning, I had some business to attend to, but that's been sorted.'' Something flashed in his eyes.

''That's alright,'' I smile. I noticed how tensed he looked, something was bothering him.

''Are you alright, Kota?'' I ask. Shocked by my question he shakes his head and forces a smile.

''Just the stress that comes with being King.'' he says as he cups my cheek with his palm, making me gasp in surprise.

I felt sparks on my cheek at the contact, "nothing you should worry yourself about."

''Today, I would like to take you somewhere,'' he says dropping his hand by his side. I inwardly sighed. ''We are going to visit one of the orphanages.'' I raise my eyebrows in shock.

Don't get me wrong, I love children, I would visit the orphanage near our kingdom back home. I was just surprised that Kota would take me there. Then again I don't really know him.

''As a Queen, it is your duty to get to know your people, and for them to know you as well.'' the Queen cuts in, making her presence known. Only then did I realise how close Kota and I were to each other. I took a step back causing him to frown. I felt a rush of guilt run through me. And even though we stood a meter apart, I wanted to be closer to him.

"I wanted you to see the city first but Kota felt that it would be too overwhelming for you, so he wanted to take you somewhere a little less hectic and somewhere more special," she looks to him with a playful smile, " seeing as you did only just get here." My heart fluttered at her words.

''Queen Rosa.'' I greet shyly, she smiles in return.

''Are you ready to leave?'' she teases with a glint in her eyes. Too embarrassed to speak, I nod my head instead.

''Good.'' she turns to Kota ''shall we?'' she motioned for Victor and I to follow her. I quickly glanced at Kota who looked to be deep in thought.

We make our way outside the castle doors. I spotted Victor standing with the door open for me. I nodded a thank you as I jumped in. He closed the door behind me and jumped in the car. I waited for Kota, thinking he would be joining me in this car, but as I watched him through the window, he seemed to be debating with himself. With one last look at my car, he sighs and jumps in the car with his mother. A small part of me was disappointed, but I guess I was grateful for that, I wouldn't be able to think straight being in a car with Kota.

As I sit in the car with Victor, I remember my conversation with Maria earlier.

Could I really trust her? She seemed like a genuine person, with a kind heart. But then again, my judge of character hasn't always been the best.?

We drive in silence to the city. I watch out the window at the beautiful scenery in-front of me, looking forward to the day ahead of me.