The Calling (Darkness Rising 2)

We couldn't force them to accept that we had supernatural powers. Maybe they'd decide that these people were after us for another reason. Either way they'd keep running and that was all that mattered.

After a while, Corey turned on his haunches and said, "Too much damage. I'd need tools and even then I doubt I'd get her started."

"It was worth a shot," Daniel said. "Thanks."

Corey nodded and wiped a spot of grease from the red ATV's paint. "I don't have the same symptoms as you guys," he finally said. "But I know you think I'm something, too. Something supernatural."

"There were two other terms on that list," Daniel said. "Xana and sileni."

"Which are...?"

"I have no idea. I tried a Web search on all the terms. I couldn't get results for any, including benandanti and skin-walkers, which makes no sense, because we know they're part of folklore."

"We think the St. Clouds were blocking those terms," I said. "In case something like this happened and we tried looking them up. If we want clues, we need to look at the extracurricular activities they pushed at us. Clearly, with Daniel and me, they were trying to boost our natural talents: fighting for him and running for me. Serena, Hayley, and Nicole were all in the choir and on the swim team. Plus they're all blonde and pretty."

"Um, thanks," Hayley said as she came over. "But what..." Her brow furrowed. "You think we're mermaids?"

"Isn't that sirens?" Corey said. "Those chicks we studied in Greek mythology. Lured guys to their deaths by singing."

Hayley glared at him. "I thought you liked my singing."

"Yeah, because apparently it's magical. That's how you seduce guys."

"Seduce them? Or kill them?"

"Same thing, kind of, if you think about it. Like that other guy in mythology. The one who got his hair cut and lost all his power. Mr. Parks said it symbolized men losing their power by falling for women."

"No," I said. "Mr. Parks said it symbolizes men's irrational fear of losing their power to women. And unless I'm remembering it wrong, mermaids don't sing and sirens don't swim."

"Ariel sang in The Little Mermaid," Corey said.

Sam came over to join us. "Do I even want to know why you remember her name?"

"Mermaids and sirens weren't on the list," Daniel said. "Maya's point is that Hayley, Nicole, and Serena shared common characteristics, which probably means they're the same type, and it has something to do with singing and swimming."

"And being pretty," Hayley said.

"That's not a superpower," Sam muttered.

Hayley turned to her. "No? How many times have you gotten into movies for free because you're a tough warrior chick?"

"What about me?" Corey said. "What's my superpower?"

Silence fell.

"Oh, come on. I'm good at a lot of stuff. Right?"

More silence.

"You're cute," Hayley said. "Well, cute enough."

"Fun to be around," I offered.

"So I

'm ... a clown?"

"At least you're a cute clown," Hayley said. "Not a scary one."