Sumnmary: Simon wants to sleep with his girlfriend Vanessa but her response surprises him.
In Vanessa's room, Simon is surprised by his girlfriend's response.
“You know I love you, but I don't think it's a good idea for us to sleep together.”
“Because you're a Siren?” he asks Vanessa, and he's right.
“Yes. As I explained to you...”
“And as my brother Caleb explained to me again...”
“I am one of the Water Lilies. My Siren powers are greater; I need more vital energy from men and...”
“You're afraid of killing me.”
“No, hurting you! And I would never forgive myself!”
Vanessa holds back her tears. Simon wants to take her in his arms but she pushes him away.
“No, Simon! If you touch me, I'll want you even more.”
Simon is discouraged. He wants to be there for his girlfriend. He wants to help her but how can he do that without touching her, without hugging her when she needs him? He thinks back to his brother's words.
“If Vanessa distances herself from you, respect her wishes, and if you have any questions about the Sirens, ask Paige.”
Paige, Vanessa's friend, is also a Siren but she’s not part of the Water Lilies.
“I'm sorry,” said Vanessa. “I am ruining everything.”
“No, not at all. We can still talk, can't we?”
“You're right.”
Vanessa smiles slightly. Simon smiles back. They talk about this and that. When it's time to leave, Vanessa kisses him on the forehead, the only thing she can do and Simon goes home. On the way, he calls Paige on his cell phone.
“Simon Carmichael? To what do I owe this honor?”
“My brother gave me your number. Vanessa and I... I think we're at an impasse.”
“And you need my Siren knowledge to help?”
“Yes. She didn’t want to sleep with me. Yet I felt she wanted me. She’s afraid of hurting me.”
“That's normal. Has she ever explained to you what happens when she recharges her vital energy?”
“No, never.”
“She wants to protect you, that's for sure. When I... when we attract a man to drain his energy, we feel... alive, excited, passionate! But that feeling quickly becomes addictive like a drug. We want more, always more, and soon a simple touch becomes a kiss, a kiss becomes full sexual intercourse... and if we don't stop in time, our partner dies.”
“I... I see. Have you ever killed anyone?”
“No, never! I always stop in time but Vanessa is one of the Water Lilies; she needs more to regenerate. She washes herself and often bathes in salt water like me. That regenerates me often but I know for her it’s no longer enough. She has to drink from the source, from men.”
“In that case, do you think she slept with other men besides me? Not counting Parker.”
“I don't think so, no, but you know she's already killed once and she'll have to do it again.”
“I know.”
This worries him but he doesn't tell Paige. After saying goodbye, Simon hangs up.