“Shut up,” Lorelei shouted. Her knife-like fingers twitched at her sides, but her gaze never left the pool. She feared the gods.

The sirens appeared not a minute later. “It is done, Queen Lorelei. All is restored.”

Her head swung to me for the first time since I’d emerged from the water. Wine-red tresses whipped at her face, the once neat braid coming undone. “You thought you could call on the gods to help you?” Lorelei boomed. As she stalked closer, each step thundered. “Humans are so pathetic.” She spat blood at my feet. An act of disgust, but a small smile twitched my lips. My boot had done damage. “I had wanted to make this honorable, but I’ve lost my patience. I shall destroy you, peel your skin off layer by layer, and make Lander watch as punishment for bringing you here.”

“No,” Rylander said. “Sister—don’t.”

She waved him off. “Did you know, Captain Lou, that should we choose to inflict only a scratch, our poison will still kill you, but much, much slower? A fitting way to torture a filthy creature such as yourself, don’t you agree?”

I crossed my arms. Her threats were as futile as my own attempt to call on the gods. I came here knowing death was eminent. I only hoped maybe we stood a small chance of victory.

The two sirens holding me jerked me backward.

“Cut her,” Lorelei barked.

Another siren approached, flicking her claw out. Sinking my weight into the guards’ hands, I lifted my soaking boots into the air and double kicked her in the jaw. She stumbled and fell to the ground.

“Hold her damn legs,” Lorelei yelled.

Two more sirens hurried to my side, now pinning all my limbs in place. Lorelei sauntered over to me. Her eyes trained on Rylander. Without a word, she flicked her pointer finger, and her talon grew. White poison dripped from the point. She slashed it across my stomach. Bursts of light ruptured behind my eyes, and I screamed in agony. Flames lapped the edges of the cut.

“Stop it,” Rylander shouted. “Take me. Let her go and take me.”

I could barely hear him over the thumping of my accelerated heart.

Lorelei flicked her finger to the top button on my tunic, and it soared across the room. Before I saw where it landed, she sliced my chest. I moaned. The wet hiss of sizzling, torn skin trailed her touch. Bubbled poison mixed with my blood, frothing at the wound’s edges, and the scorching pain radiated out across my chest. I licked my lips and tasted copper. Blood dripped from my mouth to my chin. When I looked back up, I saw two blurry Loreleis, swaying as my stomach roiled from the pain. I didn’t dare look at Rylander.