Under the soft glow of the candlelight, Siren’s plan begins as a quiet, almost seductive pact between mother and daughter, born from late-night confessions over red wine. Evelyn, the mother (mid-50s, widowed for over a decade, and aching with unspoken desires), admits to Siren how long it’s been since anyone has truly touched her, tasted her. Siren, married to Matt for 7 years, understands intimately what her mother is mi...

The storm broke faster than the forecast dared to predict, a sudden fury that plunged the evening sky into dark. Bethany had just finished stacking another armload of firewood on Richard’s porch when the heavens cracked open. Rain lashed sideways, thunder rolling so low it rattled the windows of the old Victorian next door. Richard, her quiet, silver-haired neighbor of years, appeared at his front door, umbrella in one ha...