“I, on the other hand, find you highly entertaining.” Lorelei winked at Lou. “I rather like the surprise of Lander with a human. Mother forgets that her daughters”—Lorelei waved her hand motioning to all the sirens lounging in the room—“sleep with humans all the time.” She snapped her fingers. “In fact, that gives me an idea. Originally, I wanted to challenge you for the crown, Lander. I thought it a fair fight—poetic even. Because although I adore bending men to their knees, I will not take pleasure in killing my baby brother. It has to be a worthy battle.” She nodded toward Mother, then me. “But you must die if I’m to win the War of the Sea and take dominion over the seas.”

“That will never happen,” Lou growled.

As a pirate, a siren-ruled sea would be the death of Lou, but if I didn’t think fast, her end might come sooner. My original idea to keep her safe with Artemis’s arrow was no longer possible. Until I found another way, I needed to rein in my anger and stall.

Lorelei saluted Lou with her cup. “I’m glad you think so. For I’ve decided I will fight you to the death first.”

“No!” I thundered, taking a step forward. Forget controlling my rage. “This fight is between you and me. You said so yourself. Leave Lou out of this. In fact, let her leave, and I promise I won’t kill your entire bloodline.”

Lorelei grinned. “Oh, Lander, knock that off. Your loss is inevitable, no matter the order of your demises. And in any case, if you wanted to keep Lou alive, you wouldn’t have brought her here.” She tapped her bottom lip. Her tongue slid over her fangs. “Why did you bring her here? Your affection is evident, yet you choose to gamble with her life. Why?”

My teeth ached from the tension in my jaw.

Lorelei cackled. “Ahh, she didn’t give you a choice, did she?” My sister stroked her chin. “I very much like you, Captain Elouise Farrington. Although you will die today, I thank you for loving my brother when I could not. You willfully joined him, knowing you marched to your funeral. I find that admirable.”

Lou’s brow wrinkled. “The only one dying today will be you.”

“Hmmmm,” Lorelei hummed. “To our toasts then.” The Siren Queen flicked her hand, and guards surrounded us with spears. “Please hold up your glasses.”

I froze, refusing her command. A blade poked my back. I didn’t move. It wasn’t until the spear tip tore through my shirt and punctured my skin that I complied with my sister’s order. I held the goblet up and motioned to Lou to do the same. I could heal. Lou couldn’t. I wouldn’t play with her life.

Calliope followed suit. Her pink lips thinned into a straight line.