I took advantage of her cocky display and kicked at her hand. My boot drove into her flesh, over and over—once even connecting with her face—until she released me. I pumped my arms harder, stretching for the last line of the symbol. I swiped the tips of my fingers back and forth. The rune disappeared, but now two siren guards had my legs in death grips. Bubbles floated around me, the air in my lungs drifting free as I struggled against their hold. They swam me to the surface, and when we broke through, I saw a bloodied Rylander pinned by twenty weapons. Spears held him down at his throat, arms, chest, and legs. The reddened, frayed edges of his shirt, torn down the middle, dripped pink raindrops onto the ground in a swill of blood and water that reminded me of the Teething Berry juice. He had fought to come after me while I worked at the bottom of the pool. I wondered if he had thought I was mad or if he’d understood my intentions.

“You stupid human,” Lorelei growled, pulling herself out onto the pearled ledge. She turned to the few guards who’d remained in the water. “Swim down and re-etch the rune before the gods decide to join us.” When they hesitated, she roared, “Now!” They swam furiously, until I couldn’t see their shimmering fins anymore.

In the corner of my eye, I watched an unguarded Calliope. She grabbed a loose rock and pierced her skin, emitting a wash of crimson. She smeared the obsidian wall behind her with the blood, creating a strange symbol composed of a horseshoe shape with three lines in its middle. Then she stood in front of it to block it from anyone else’s view. No one but me seemed to notice. Not even Rylander. I tilted my head. Calliope caught my gaze and winked. Caught off guard, I flinched.

Lorelei’s eyes never left the middle of the pool, waiting with tensed shoulders for her servants to redraw the rune. Rylander watched me. His face was stained red with anger. I shrugged. We clashed in a silent battle of wills until, overwhelmed, Rylander cracked.

“Why don’t you ever stay put and listen?” he growled. “Do you enjoy making my blood pressure rise like a damn tidal wave?”

“Why do you always assume I must stay put to survive?” I countered. “You act as if I’m a helpless, foolish damsel.” Embarrassment inflamed my cheeks. I couldn’t explain that I’d only done what his human-hating mother had asked. It wasn’t my fault Lorelei had countered so fast. But watching a smug Calliope, I wondered if I had somehow succeeded, regardless of the rune being redrawn.

“I didn’t say you were. But you act without thinking.” His arms flailed in the air, catching his skin on spear tips with no regard or notice. “Why can’t you ever—”