Lou tossed her drink aside and lifted on her toes to brush her lips against mine, coaxing out what felt like my first real breath since we’d entered my childhood home. My tongue traced her lips, tart from the berry wine. She pushed out of my embrace slowly, her eyes memorizing me. Her chest rose and fell, unspoken words passed between us. Then she ran and dove into the pool.

Chapter thirty-two

Lou

Calliope hadn’t been the most receptive to my presence, but I trusted her regardless. Nobody wanted to live in a prison, especially one made from the humans she so despised. So, if she wanted the runes on the pool’s floor wiped away so we could call on the gods for help, I’d gladly oblige. She’d set up this distraction for me. It was now or never. The Siren Queen had more power than Rylander and I combined, and to defeat her we needed assistance. We needed the gods.

My body sliced through the surface of the warm water. Apollo’s whispered words caressed my mind as I pushed farther down into the depths. Should Rylander give up, you must take your own life with your gifted blade. Do not let another kill you. Your death will save him; it will save us all. I found it hard to believe that Rylander would falter. His resolve to end the War of the Sea was as unwavering as mine. If he gave up, would my actions be in vain? Apollo didn’t offer much help in his warning.

My legs and arms burned with exertion as I swam past gold relics and coin, some floating and others piled on the sand. Men’s broken and decayed bodies stacked on top of each other around the edges, but the rune sat clear in the center, untouched. They took care to preserve the rune’s protection. I guessed Calliope herself never had access before.

My hands connected with the sand. Grit gathered at my palms, and I cut through the demarcations, disfiguring the shape. The last bit of it was almost gone when a hand captured my ankle. I twisted and saw Lorelei’s glowing silver eyes. She flicked her claws out and smiled, delighted at the chance to poison me.