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“The guards are gone,” said Sehild to Riella. “And most of the customers. Some are still getting dressed.”

She peered nervously at Madame Quaan, and quickly looked away again. The hold the older woman had on them was severe. Even while under Riella’s control, the madame scared Sehild.

“Go upstairs and make sure the customers leave,” said Riella to Jarin. “Guard the entrance and don’t let anyone in. This place is closed for business.”

He nodded and went upstairs.

Now, she addressed Odeya. “Bring all the other women down here. Tell them to bring a bag each.”

Madame Quaan grizzled, but still did not dare speak.

The women of the house filed down. They were astounded by the contents of the stronghold, and equally surprised they could take their share of the riches. Yvette oversaw the process with grim satisfaction.

Riella tossed the pouch she stole from the Count to Yvette, to add to the loot. Now that Jarin was here, he could take her to the Black Cliffs. She didn’t need the gold.

As the riches were removed from the stronghold, Madame Quaan seemed to shrivel and shrink. By the time the last of the precious metals was divided among the women, her face was pale and her eyes were fathomless with rage.

The women native to Klatos offered to find lodging for those from other towns and kingdoms. After exchanging hugs and well wishes, the women gradually departed in small groups without ceremony.

Riella remained in the study with Yvette, Madame Quaan, and Gerret’s unconscious body.

“What are you going to do to me?” asked Madame Quaan through a clenched jaw. “Whatever it is, get it over with. I have nothing left.”

The siren frowned, trying to decide.

There was not a repentant bone in this woman’s body. If Riella released her, there was every chance she’d restart her vile business of slavery, either here in Klatos or elsewhere. That was an unacceptable risk.

But executing her in cold blood was extreme. While Riella felt confident in her jurisdiction in the ocean, she did not belong here on land. Did she have the right to judge this woman unworthy of life?

In the end, she drew inspiration from the blood enchantment. Riella dragged Madame Quaan and Gerret into the dark depths of the stronghold, shoving the woman hard so that she wouldn’t get up right away. Yvette stood back, watching impassively while holding her pouch of gold and silver to her chest.

“If you are deserving of life, your blood will grant it to you,” said Riella before slamming the door closed.

At once, the door sealed itself. Madame Quaan’s enraged shouts and thumping became barely audible, even to the siren’s highly attuned hearing.

When Riella looked up, she was alone in the room. Yvette had already left. Perhaps she’d return to save the madame and Gerret, having had a change of heart, but Riella suspected not.

Indeed, she found Yvette in the bar area, chatting animatedly with Sehild and Odeya. Their demeanor was completely different from just an hour ago. Their eyes were bright and they couldn’t stop laughing.

Yvette ran at Riella and hugged her tightly. “Thank you.”

The siren smiled into Yvette’s dark curls. “I wish only that you lead happy lives.”

Sehild and Odeya exchanged cheek kisses with Riella. Sirens did not practice this custom and the gesture spread a pleasant warmth through her chest. A siren would die for another siren in a heartbeat, but showing each other physical affection was unheard of.

Riella marveled at how the vitality and tenderness of human women were almost supernatural powers in themselves. In a horrid and twisted way, she saw why human men tried to capture it for themselves. Elves possessed similarly healing natures, and Seraphine was forced to confer her beautiful power to that ghoul, Polinth.

Eager to begin her journey to help the elf, Riella bid her new friends farewell and met Jarin by the front gate.

“Thank you,” she said to him. “For helping.”

“It was a tough job, hiding you from the guards, siren.” A devilish smile lit his face, his teeth white in the hazy copper afternoon light. “But I’d do it again.”

She balled her fist and punched his bicep, which only made his smile wider.

“Hey,” he said. “It worked, didn’t it? You achieved your ends.”

“I did,” replied Riella thoughtfully, watching a trio of women from Madame Quaan’s disappear down the street together.