Page 80 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

Below us, dozens of pregnant sirens lay on their back in pools of pristine water, legs spread, pushing with all their might.

“Yes! My children! Yes! You’re bringing the next generation of sirens into the world.”

With no guards nearby and the queen distracted, I launched into her mind.

19AELIA

A thick groveof seaweed wrapped around my limbs, pulling me down into the darkness of the queen’s mind. The smell of muck turned my stomach. I held my breath but remembered I didn’t need air to survive here. Balling my fists, I pulled as hard as I could against the slippery tendrils. Breaking free, I floated to the surface, where water lapped at an entrance to a small cave.Great, another fucking cave.

I hauled myself onto the rocky shore. Darkness loomed before me. Trinity only knew what awaited me inside. Snapping my fingers, I dried myself before summoning a torch to my hand. If Calypso was Calliope’s sister, then she was ancient. Likely as old as the Alder King had been. Possibly even an original. Her mind would be full of traps. However, I’d been surprised more than once at how few precautions those who perceived themselves as deities took when protecting their minds. To most, telepaths were a myth. Why would they need to protect themselves from a ghost?

Damp air seeped into my bones, sending a chill down my spine as I traversed the circuitous tunnel through the cave. Like warm coffee with cream, Calypso’s deep voice echoed through the cavern’s halls.

“Mind Breaker—why have you come?”

I swallowed hard. “I think you know why I am here.”

“Ah, yes, the song—mysong. Despite my sister’s royal standing, she has always been jealous of my gift.”

“It’s nothing personal.”

“It never is.”

“I need Calliope to clear the monsters surrounding the Isle of Fate. The song was her price.” And before I could stop myself, the words, “Make a deal with me,” came out of my mouth.

“A deal? What could you possibly give me for my song?”

“Give me the song. Just long enough to complete my bargain with Ursula, er, Calliope. I have also promised it to a sailor who wishes to see his love. Let them each have their moment, and then I will return it. I will also bring back a vision from the Fates.”

Calypso chuckled then stopped abruptly. “The Fates are useless gossip whores. They twist their visions to suit the highest bidder.”

I entered a clearing where the lute sat on a pedestal bathed in sunlight. Vines snaked their way up the walls.

“You underestimate my power, Calypso. You can make this deal with me, and I can leave with the song, or I can take the song and crush your mind as I leave. You decide.” I picked up the lute, and as my fingers touched it, the gold vines wrapped themselves around my legs.

“Oh, I don’t think you’ll be going anywhere with my song.” An evil cackle echoed through the chamber.

Adrenaline coursed through my veins. The vines sprouted thorns, ripping through my flesh.Breathe, Aelia. This isn’t real.

“You may be a god, but I am the master here.” My fingernails turned to claws, and I ripped the vines from my body before running into the tunnels.

The sound of beating wings followed me. Bats. Giant fucking bats. Their red eyes glowed through the darkness, fangs bared, ready to sink into me.

The mind was my domain, and I could bend it to my will. Calling a ball of fire to my hand, I sent one flying at the giant beasts, sending it hurtling to the ground. It did little to deter the others.

The path twisted and turned, confusing me. Which way had I come in? Was this maze part of the mind’s protection?

The sharp sensation of teeth on flesh pulled me from my thoughts. A bat latched onto my neck, pulling a scream from deep within me. My chest tightened. I hadn’t been afraid in a mind in a long time, but Calypso had been luring men to their deaths for millennia. Perhaps even my powers might not be enough to outwit her.

I slammed my body into the nearest wall, and the bat fell to the ground. Pain radiated through me. Hot blood spewed from the wound. I placed my hand over the gash and summoned the power to close it. My skin grew, knitting together the throbbing tear.

More bats flooded the corridor. It would take all my power to get out of here. I turned another corner. Light streamed in through a crack in the wall. What was going on in the real world?Trinity, Ursula, what are you doing?

The squeaking of bats and flapping wings echoed behind me. Without thinking, I wedged myself through the crack, but the lute wouldn’t fit through. As hard as I tried it refused to leave Calypso’s mind. Seemed the old god had a few tricks left up her sleeve.

A horrifying sight awaited me when I opened my eyes. Ursula perched atop the throne, knife to the queen’s neck.

“Ursula, what are you doing? She will give us the song!” The words scraped against the dryness of my mouth.

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