Yemma cleared her throat of unshed tears. “I was sent here to warn you. The sirens have vacated the oceans to gather in Anthemusa at your sister’s behest. There, they’re organizing a large, concerted attack. In the bustle, I was able to swim away without my absence being noticed. They are all too busy planning.”

“Planning what?” Smitter asked.

I appreciated his deliberate silence while I’d had my moment with my governess. I had loved her like an aunt, just as I loved my irksome uncle. But now that we’d moved onto business, Smitter’s tongue would no longer hold back.

“Yemma, this is Hermes. Hermes, my beloved Yemma.”

Yemma released her hold and bowed at her scaled waist. Clinging seaweed moved as an extension of her skin. “Thank you for watching over him all these years. May the Fates smile upon you.”

Smitter bowed his head in acknowledgement.

Yemma righted herself, flipping her auburn hair over her shoulder, her shimmering sunshine fin flapped against the rope. “You have maybe three days before the entire royal siren force is upon this ship. You must head for a dock, any dock, and at full speed. Do not sail closer to Anthemusa. They will be waiting for you, and you won’t stand a chance.” She gazed toward the dark waves as if someone might overhear. “They have more than five hundred in their clan now. They will rip this boat to shreds and feast on everyone aboard.”

Smitter’s face paled. The strain in his eyes infected his thinned lips.

“They will use the bones to build a museum on the island, a testament to siren supremacy. Your sister’s rage since your departure has grown tenfold. I fear no humanity resides inside her any longer.”

I grabbed the rope and pulled it to bring Yemma closer. “We can’t turn back. We mustn’t. I’ve worked to get to the island since I was old enough to man a ship. I must stop her. I’m the only one who can.”

Yemma lifted the amulet off my chest. “You can’t—”

“I would have warned you,” I assured, hoping to assuage the distress between her brows. “I would have made sure you and the others had time to escape before I used it.”

Yemma nodded. “I’m not worried about my own life, my child. I’m warning you about the power of this weapon. No human within the perimeter of the island will survive its wrath either.” She rested her head against the woven rope, red hair mingling with the twine braids. “If you don’t heed my warning, and the royal guards attack this ship, you cannot use the amulet without slaughtering every soul aboard along with th—”

Yemma’s diamond eyes widened, and she jerked back.

“Rylander, move!” Lou roared.