Nick was about to give up when he came across a file that was old and written in Greek. However, it seemed his aunt or someone had translated it. It was a little hard to read, but what was described was eerily similar:
Zauberin-Siren. These desolate creatures crave attention to their 'song'. In mythology, it was rumored that these 'maidens' would sing a song luring seamen to their fates. Among those to survive and outsmart them were the infamous hero and Grimm, Odysseus. His actual account speaks of a group of beautiful women; surrounded by fields of hyacinths whose only joy in life were the companionship of men. However, their spell was so strong, the men died within days from starvation and exposure. The creatures were so overcome with grief, they sang for help, for sorrow, and for love, only to attract more trouble. It is a curse following their bloodlines.
Today, these women are born every seven generations. Most have been wiped out due to suicide and violence; however, those that survive are lonely and crave attention. However, when they gain the attention using their gifts, they only kill their ideal prey within days.
Their victims appear to die as a corpse would age in years. There is no violence done to the victim, only death from lack of food, health, and exposure. One victim I came across looked as though it had aged over 30 years, however, the death was only five days prior according to witnesses.
When I came across the Siren, she was a young woman who had no place in this world, was frightened for her life, and was very sad. I took pity on her only to find she'd killed again. I had no choice but to end her life for fear of her repeating her mistakes again and again. The poor child was only sixteen years old and had no idea the powers she possessed. What a waste of so many young lives and what a curse to be reckoned with.
Nick paused, remembering the victims, and then continued to read:
These creatures do not change or morph like other Wesen. Instead, they grow more beautiful by the second. Only a Grimm notices the unique change. By covering your ears, one can withstand a Siren. Be cautioned.
Nick thought back to the victims. If these so called murderers were indeed just accidents, then why would the victim leave a hyacinth at the scene of the crime? He had to do more digging. He decided his first step was to see if any of the men had a connection with one woman. He'd start with clubs and bars. If there was some poor girl running around and accidentally killing these men, then he had to stop it. He only hoped he could succeed far better than his ancestors had.
…
Holly was so happy to see Roddy. He looked nervous, but he would do anything for Holly. She'd called him last night begging him to come to the party today. He had a feeling that with Monroe distracted; she was feeling nervous and needed some extra comfort. He put on a brave face and brought his violin by. Hey, if something happened, he could always lull the Blutbaden to sleep with his epic skills.
Holly was filling Roddy in on her family when Rosalee knocked on the door. Monroe was just as happy as Holly was to see her. She did a good job putting on a brave face. Monroe had to wonder if she was just brave or really good at hiding her emotions. She smiled and handed him a bowl of her famous potato salad.
"Thanks!" Monroe said, letting her in. Holly and Roddy waved to her and continued talking.
"Am I too early?" she asked.
"No, I told you and Roddy an earlier time. I didn't want to throw you guys into the pit too suddenly." Monroe admitted.
"They can't be that bad." Rosalee said, looking at all of his clocks.
"No, just a little aggressive in their tactics." Monroe admitted. She followed him to the kitchen and sat down.
Monroe put her bowl on the counter and turned to face her. She grinned at him, "Monroe, really, I don't mind coming. You look like you could use an extra hand today."
"Thanks, Holly and I really appreciate it." He said.
He was feeling so awkward. He didn't know if he should kiss her again or not. He hated rushing things and he definitely didn't want to scare her off. Hell, if his parents didn't he was certainly doing a fine job of it by just standing there like a moron.
He was so busy thinking, he didn't even notice Rosalee get up and come over to him. Before he could react, she quickly kissed him.
"You looked like you were struggling with that." She laughed. He laughed with her, feeling a little better.
"So, about that dinner…" he started, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I'm free tomorrow at six." She said, smiling.
"Great!" he said, a little too loudly, so he quickly recovered, "Great. I'll umm…pick you up."
She grinned, "Sounds great."
They both turned their heads when Roddy started playing his violin for Holly. Monroe hated to admit he adored that kid. He always found a way to brighten Holly's day. And for all his annoying pranks, Monroe found it a little refreshing. But he would never admit that to Roddy, ever.
"He's really good." Rosalee said.
Monroe snorted, "He's okay."
They both laughed.
Monroe's parents knocked on the door minutes later. Ellie immediately went to hug Holly and squeezed her tight.
"Ellie, you've only been gone for 12 hours." Sam grumbled, waiting to hug Holly.
"Hush up!" Ellie said, "Holly, it is so good to see you again. And who is this?" she said looking over at Roddy who hastily put his violin on the coffee table. He straightened and awkwardly held out his hand, "I'm Roddy, Roddy Geiger." He said, nervously.
Ellie shook his hand, smiling, "Were you the one playing that beautiful Telemann Fantasia?" she asked him.
Roddy nodded, shyly.
"No wonder my Holly has taken such a shine to you!" she grinned, nodding her approval to Holly, "I'm Ellie, Holly's grandmother, and this is my husband, Sam."
Sam shook Roddy's hand and smiled genuinely. Roddy could see now where Monroe got his patience and acceptance from. His parents were really nice for Blutbaden. Roddy only hoped they were vegetarian as well. One slip up and he could be their dinner. Sam quickly hugged Holly then went over to Monroe to meet Rosalee.
"Son, who is this lovely woman?" he asked, smiling.
"I'm Rosalee Calvert." She said, shaking his hand, "It's so nice to meet you."
Ellie came over, but didn't seem to want to pass judgment just yet. It was one thing for her granddaughter to be with a Reinegan, it was another for her son to be with a Fuchsbau. She politely introduced herself and shook Rosalee's hand, then went to the kitchen to help with lunch.
It didn't bother Rosalee in the least. She considered it a 'count your blessings' deal. At least they weren't ripping her to shreds.
More family started stumbling in and it became quite a 'bad house' as Holly would say.
Holly got to meet Monroe's Aunt Sophia from her father's side, who was a very kind and wise woman who seemed full of spirit in her old age. She showed the same compassion and care when meeting Roddy and Rosalee so Holly liked her right away.
Rob and Julia were 2 distant cousins on her father's side as well, and although they were nice, they were pretty rambunctious adults who seemed to think a party meant a drunk fest in the woods terrorizing people for fun. Monroe wasn't too fond of them being there, but when push came to shove, they would be there for Monroe and Holly whenever the time came, so he didn't complain.
What did start his complaining was when they decided that they were bored and wanted to go for a 'run' in the woods. They were inviting others to join them, but Sam made them quit their antics and just throw around a pig-skin for fun.
"Be like a normal family, for God's sake!" he growled, throwing them a football, "And don't make a mess in my son's front yard!" he called as they ran outside, some of the kids following.
Things were going well until Monroe groaned as his three least favorite relatives walked in the door. His dad had to put a hand on his shoulder and whisper to him, "I was hoping your mother would forget to call her sister, but as you can see, that didn't happen." Monroe quickly went to Holly; she would need him once his aunt Carla started talking. Uncle Emerson and Aunt Carla and their son Niles were a very uppity bunch who felt it was their duty to keep Blutbaden as the dominant species.
Aunt Carla took a very obvious measure of Holly, Roddy, and Rosalee and Monroe wanted to kick her out as soon as she spoke. He could tell Holly was hurt when she bluntly told her, "For a feral child, you seem fairly bright, but naive. Hopefully an education is possible for you."
"Holly's smarter than you think." Monroe quickly said, forcefully. Monroe got a little angrier when Holly leaned closer to Roddy than her dad. Roddy put his arm around her comfortingly and Ellie took note and smiled in approval.
"I'll have you know, Carla," Sam said, jumping in Monroe and Holly's defense, "This girl survived on her own for nine years. And when she came home to our Ed, she mastered education in months. She learns quicker than all of us put together."
Holly smiled shyly.
Carla huffed and walked away glaring at Roddy and giving Rosalee a disgusted look.
"Ignore her." Sam said, then looked at Roddy, "Hey kid, you wanna play us a tune?"
"uhh…" Roddy wasn't sure if he could even hold a violin in front of all these Blutbaden. Holly beamed at him and that gave him all the courage he needed.
Everyone from outside actually came inside as he played. Monroe was happy for the reprieve of rambunctious Blutbaden and stole away to the kitchen for a breather. Rosalee followed him.
"Holly's doing fine, so is Roddy. He's practically stealing the show out there." She whispered, "Calm down and enjoy your family."
He wished he could. As much as he loved his family, he hated feeling tempted by their lifestyle. He couldn't deny he missed those days when a party meant streaking in the woods and catching the biggest deer for fun. But he loved his life now, more so than ever. But it was occasions like this he hated. Where he felt he was being judged just for being a vegetarian and for choosing a life of peace and solitude. His brothers were always ripping into him, calling him a celibate monk. His cousins were worse. He was just scared Holly would get the same treatment. Maybe after Nick, he started feeling more detached than usual, without even telling anyone what he was doing with a Grimm. He felt…guilty.
"Monroe, what's wrong?" Rosalee asked him.
"Nothing, I just need a minute." He said, brushing past her to go to the restroom.
He heard Roddy finish and everyone hoot and whistle.
"Ed, he's better than you!" Alan joked. Monroe looked in the mirror, "Ha ha." He said, then walked out into the living room. Rosalee smiled at him and he smiled back, taking her hand. He didn't mean to be so rude to her. He was glad she was such an understanding person. He looked over and Holly's aunts and grandmother were surrounding her, showering her with love. Monroe was happy she was getting that.
Ellie motioned for Rosalee to join them and Monroe was so glad his mother was coming around. Ellie watched as Holly practically snuggled with Rosalee on the couch. She beamed at Monroe who smiled back rolling his eyes like his father at his mother's emotional antics.
Roddy was putting his violin away when Niles bumped into him as a joke and said, "So anyone wanna tell me why I smell a rat? Oh wait!"
It got real quiet and before Monroe couldn't stop it, Holly broke from her aunts and lunged at Niles, a grown man, and had him pinned against a wall.
"Don't you ever insult him, EVER!" she growled.
Monroe and Sam quickly got Holly off of Niles who looked astonished, impressed, and annoyed all at the same time.
"Noted." He grumbled and walked toward the bathroom.
Holly was panting, looking angrier than Monroe had ever seen her before. It was very tense in the house and Monroe could sense the woge that was going around. Some of his cousins were conflicted on whose side to take. Uncle Emerson went so far as to get into Holly's face and growl. Because she wasn't an alpha, she actually shrunk back. Monroe quickly jumped in, protecting Holly.
"I think you all need to leave." Monroe growled. He looked around at his cousins, "NOW! Get out!"
Emerson, Carla, and Niles were the first to get their coats. Carla actually spat at Rosalee, "You sicken me." She glared at Monroe and Holly, "Blutbaden have no business associating with rats and vermin." Then they stormed out. His cousins left as well, but at least had the gall to say goodbye and hug Holly.
Aunt Sophia came up to Monroe and hugged him, "Holly is beautiful, you keep protecting your young, nephew." She smiled. Monroe hugged her back, she was his favorite aunt, for reasons that were too many to count. Before she left, she went over to Roddy and shook his hand, "It was wonderful to hear some talent. That's more than I can say for that lot who just left." She huffed. Roddy grinned and shook her hand. She hugged Holly then left, smiling at Rosalee on her way out.
His brothers didn't want to leave just yet, but Monroe was getting angry and they both decided it was for the best if they head home. Alan quickly ushered his family out, quickly saying his goodbyes. Evan, however, stayed behind to talk to Monroe before he left.
"Bro, I'm sorry things got out of hand."
"It's okay, Evan, at least Holly got to meet all of you and Sophia."
Evan smiled.
"So is it a boy or a girl?" Monroe asked.
"We're keeping it quiet, but Jackie's convinced it's a girl." Evan winked. He wouldn't admit it, but Evan really wanted another girl in the family.
They hugged quickly, then Evan and his family left.
Monroe's parents stayed behind to help clean up. His mother looked devastated but Sam kept giving Monroe and Holly the thumbs up behind her back, grinning.
Ellie and Rosalee were talking and doing dishes. Laughing like a couple of ladies gossiping. Monroe was glad his mother liked Rosalee. At least it would give her peace of mind from now on. When his parents were getting ready to leave, Monroe quickly went up to his mother, "Did you two want to stay another day? Maybe take Holly out tomorrow, just you three?"
Ellie beamed at him, "Oh Ed, you wouldn't mind?"
"Of course not, Mom, you're her grandmother, and she needs better women in her life."
Ellie looked ready to cry and Monroe rolled his eyes, "Mom, you have 4 grandkids, it's not that emotional."
She whacked him in the chest, "Oh stop it!"
Sam came over and Ellie told him what Monroe had said. He was thrilled, "Thanks, son, your mother and I would love that."
"I am sorry this party didn't go the way we would have liked it to. If she'd met Nadler or George, it would have been so much nicer." Ellie said.
Monroe smiled, "I think the party was nice, but a little too sudden and scary for her. But she did get to meet you two and Sophia. And she loved Evan and Alan's family."
"Of course she did, they're my sons too!" Ellie said, full of pride.
Monroe chuckled, "I'll call you two tomorrow. I'm taking Rosalee out for a dinner date, we didn't exactly get a second date this week." He admitted.
His father looked proud and his mother glowed with excitement, "she is a lovely woman, Ed. You know apothecaries are so hard to come by these days. I'm glad you met an educated woman." She nodded.
"We'll take care of Holly." Sam said, smiling.
"Thanks, you all have fun tomorrow." Monroe said, happy his parents were coming around.
Just then, his dad stiffened and his eyes went red.
Monroe heard a knock on the door. He sniffed and felt the ground leave his feet.
Nick was outside the door.
….
Haha! Couldn't resist making you guys gasp at the end there!
