Succo assessed me, and I caught the vague shape of a slow smirk. “Fine. You have one shot, Emperor.” Succo spat my title like it tasted bitter on her tongue. “Yemma, move to the middle of the glen,” she commanded.

Yemma hesitated. The savage siren jabbed her spear hilt into Yemma’s back, staggering her to one knee. Recovering, she moved before they could strike her again, cradling her injured arm, coated in a crimson tattoo. It took all my willpower to stay put. To not run to her side to catch her. She dragged her feet, watching me. I wanted nothing more than to cure her fear with a nod or a soft word, but I couldn’t chance the other two sirens intervening on suspicion. I clenched my teeth and held my composure.

The siren guards stayed put, as I knew they would once Yemma was yards away. They thought they were safe from my arrows. It might have been laughable if not for the gravity of the situation should I muck it up. The son of Apollo, God of Archery, had no limits to his aim.

Yemma stopped into the middle of the vale and called, “I love you, my child.”

Tears pricked behind my eyes, but I never blinked. Instead, I lined up my targets, drew the arrows back, and fired. The golden arrow had a shorter distance to soar, piercing Yemma’s heart. The bronze hit its mark a breath later, puncturing the chest of the green-skirted guard. I felt the slight shift in weight that told me another bronze arrow had materialized in my quiver.

My breath hitched, though I knew Yemma’s plight wasn’t fatal. She collapsed, writhing and mewling. Her talons tore at her muddied hair, as if wanting to rip her auburn roots from her head. Her arms and legs contorted, breaking and snapping, only to reform into slender limbs covered in brown fur. Her spine arched like a scared cat’s, tearing her seaweed top into shreds. The rest of her skin rippled and puckered until it sprouted hair.

I bit the inside of my cheek, needing to feel something.

Yemma, now a terrified deer, bleated at me.

“Run as fast as you can,” I shouted. “You’ll be fine. I promise.”

Yemma looked back at Succo, standing in open-mouthed shock over her dead partner. Here on Anthemusa, the corpse would remain whole, to be buried and mourned appropriately. With a final look from her big, crystal doe eyes, Yemma took off.

“You fool.” Succo laughed, throwing her head back.

I didn’t stay around to hear her noxious words or an explanation to why she found humor in her compatriot’s death. I strode down the hill, careful not to run and prematurely ignite Hermes’ blessed boots. Prepared to thank Lou for finally listening, I dodged branches, keeping my eyes trained on the tree.

Upon my approach, Lou jumped out of her hiding spot, weapon unsheathed.