Page 106 of Liar Witch

“You have no ship…”

“There’s one hidden in an underground bay on the west side of the island,” Monroe interjects. “It was Rinaldi’s, in case he needed a swift getaway. It was designed for two men, so it might be a little small, but I’m sure we can make do.”

I nod. “If you’re sure.”

All five of them nod.

“Then there’s just one matter left to resolve.” Cassie’s expression hardens at the reminder.

“Shen,” I agree, noting how several sirens flinch at just hearing the name. “Do you want the honours?”

Cassie bites her lip but shakes her head.

“They need to claim their own vengeance,” she replies.

Vespar, the quietest of her four mates, understands what she means the fastest.

He strides from the room and returns less than a second later with the mutilated Shen hung over his shoulder. When he reaches our group he dumps her at the feet of the surviving sirens.

Anguish. Fear. Rage. All manner of emotions seem to cross the women’s gaunt faces as they drag her with a surprising amount of strength towards one of the remaining cells.

Shen, as if realising what’s about to happen to her, starts to struggle in earnest. Her screeches echo off the walls, before they turn to pleas for mercy. It makes no difference.

The crowd of sirens drag back the metal grate and force her body into the pool.

The Captain can’t swim. Not in the condition I left her in. But they lock her down there anyway, chucking the keys across the room for good measure.

The whole group watches intently as the last bubbles of the captain’s breath float to the surface, then stop.

Only when the water is completely still do they look up once more.

I hope that that small vengeance brings them comfort when they get home. I hope it helps them find peace.

“If you’re flooding the tunnel, then I need to go,” I mutter. “I’ll signal Klaus to get the distraction ready.”

Cassie nods, taking Monroe’s hand, and heads towards the rest of the sirens.

I don’t follow immediately. “Are you still bonded to Klaus? Can you reach him?” I ask Opal.

“If I really must,”she replies. At my raised eyebrow, she gives me a dissatisfied feline rumble.“Fine. I have told him you’re ready. But I am not a messenger, and I never plan on biting the ungrateful fish-man again, so—”

I tune out her ranting and head back to Cassie.

“It’s done.”

The Seer nods, then surprises me by pulling me into a hug. “We will meet again soon,” she promises. “Now, you need to hurry if you’re going to make it out of here in time.”

I don’t need any more encouragement than that. I hesitate only for the second it takes for Opal to leap on my shoulders, then channel magic to the agility sigils on my legs. With a single leap, I make it back up to the catwalk, unhooking my broom from across my back as I go.

I barely make it into the tunnel with the rails before I hear the sound of crashing waves.

“Get us out of here!”

Opal’s tone has lost it’s sarcastic edge, and her claws dig painfully into my shoulders as I swing a leg over the broom and lean hard over the handle, urging it to speed up.

The lights go out all at once as the sea water comes into contact with the crystal workings of the system. The loss leaves me momentarily blind as my Lunar eyesight adjusts. Even when I can see again, I don’t dare look back at what’s happening behind us. I can smell the brine, hear the crashing of water below.

If I look back, I’ll panic.