Page 55 of Liar Witch

Just the rushing of water between the wrecks and the occasional slight scrape of the hull against the rocks.

The tight turns are making me gnaw at my lip. It seems like every time we turn one corner, a new, tighter turn is just up ahead. The ships on either side are blocking out the light, making it even more daunting.

Each one is manned by more warriors. Spears and bows ready for action.

It’s a fierce welcome. Intimidating in the extreme.

I see now why the sirens have always been able to keep their independence. No sailor would be able to get through this ravine of wrecks without knowing exactly when and where to turn. Even with Alexandra’s advice, I can hear Val cursing every time his boat hits a submerged rock.

I wonder idly if the scratches on the hull will translate to scratches on his ass, and can’t help smirking at the possibility.

Every creak and groan from the ship seems to make time slow. It feels like we’re there for hours, but it’s really only minutes at most until we clear the bottleneck completely. The water evens out and the narrow passage we’re sailing down gradually widens until it reveals a city unlike any I’ve seen before.

“Behold, Marisang!” Alexandra announces with a proud grin. “You’re one of the few outsiders to see it.”

It’s made of the same combination of shipwrecks and sharp rocks as the walls around it. Every inch as brutal as the warrior women who live there. There’s a kind of beauty in it’s savagery, but it’s an uncomfortable thing to behold all the same.

It’s tempting to stare at the strange, curved roofs and large, open areas of water filled with sirens in their alternate forms. But what really catches my attention is the small fleet of ships moored in front of us.

“What use do sirens have for ships?” I whisper, confused.

“Destroying other ships which trespass on our waters.”

The amusement in Alexandra’s eyes tells me she expects me to protest.

I’m not so naïve.

“The Eagle’s ships, perchance?”

Her whole body stiffens. “Be plain with your words, witch. Our people have no time for your machinations.”

I meet her gaze with a level one of my own. “I come here as an enemy of Queen Catherine of the Isles, seeking my mate, but also her demise. My people are under threat, as are yours. We could both use an alliance.”

Her eyes give me a cool, assessing look.

“Such matters are for the Empress to decide. Should you survive the challenge, perhaps she will hear your proposal.”

“I’ve seen what the Eagle does to your people. I burned the scales I found in her palace to ashes.”

“Even if that’s true, we owe you nothing. Your actions will just cause more pain when the Eagle redoubles her efforts to replace what she has lost.”

I grimace at the thought. “My Goddess has commanded me to kill her, and I have a personal vendetta against the Alchemist. If I succeed, she won’t bother your people or mine ever again.”

Alexandra gives me a curt nod, but says nothing.

Instead, she tosses her head back and yells to Val. “You’ll moor in the starboard side of the marina.” She turns back to me, eyes assessing. “Prepare yourself for the presentation feast. Should neither party withdraw, the mate challenge will happen tomorrow at dusk.”

“Weird,”Opal mutters, slinking around my ankles.“You’d have thought that they’d jump at the chance for any alliance.”

I nod discreetly, picking her up so she can climb around my neck.

“I think,” I whisper into her fur. “There is much more going on here than we realise.”

Niklaus

There’s something about waking to your sibling’s face directly in front of yours which is uniquely irritating. Cassandra’s pearly white eyes stare blankly at me as I grimace and push myself up.

“What is it?”