A school of red-haired sirens swam around me, but none dared attack. They stared with open fascination. Many had never met me before, but they all knew that in some respects they still served me as their crowned emperor, despite my betrayal to Lorelei.

The shiver of sirens parted, allowing me to swim freely. Yemma hadn’t divulged the sirens’ strategy, but I knew Lorelei. Her followers had orders to rip the boat to shreds, kill the humans, and make me watch. Then one of the generals would no doubt be tasked with bringing me back to Anthemusa alive. None knew of the treasured weapon around my neck. They believed the tool of their destruction was a pretty gift from their leader.

I twirled in circles, taking in my surroundings. Sirens swarmed the ship in tight lines, wrenching boards free in chunks with their claws. I swam beneath their numbers, avoiding knocks to the head from both tails and sinking wood. I jolted when three pairs of eyes caught mine. Lou, Via, and Krinny’s paled faces peered out of a porthole. Lou’s amber eyes danced with fear, zipping after the hundreds of sirens circling the wooden cage that would become their coffin if I failed. Lou pressed her palms against the glass, found my gaze, and mouthed, I trust you.

Three simple words changed everything, wiped away all doubts. With Lou’s faith, I was the most powerful man in the sea. Not so long ago, she’d first looked upon me with pure, burning hatred. She’d wanted me dead. Now, her honeyed irises had ensnared hope and trust, maybe even love. If I died today, this would have all been worth it.

I offered her a quick nod, then plunged under the rudder and to the keel, pulling sirens off the boat as I passed them. Claws scratched at me in defense, tearing open my skin. The currents caught my blood in crimson streaks. My flesh burned as if peeled back by hot poker sticks. I settled myself below the boat’s bloated middle, hovering in the vessel’s shadow. Glistening fish flitted past me, desperate to escape the siren’s jaws. I lifted my amulet off my neck and held it in between both palms.

One of the sirens, a leader of some sort by the crown of seaweed and coral atop her head, approached me. She extended her hands in an invitation. “We aren’t here to harm you, Emperor. We are here to retrieve you and take you home.” She bowed, speaking the siren tongue. “I am General Mersia.”