Page 84 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

I hailed a petty cab. Sinking into the seat, my body relaxed, and soreness set in. I knew getting the song wouldn’t be easy, but I hadn’t expected having to kill the queen. I closed my eyes and let the rhythm of the carriage lull me to sleep. When I awoke, the cab was parked out front of the Alder Townhome.

Finneas opened the door, and a rush of cold air swooped into the cab. I pulled my cloak tighter around my neck. The siren sapphire weighed heavy on my chest.

“Welcome back, my Lady,” he said, extending a hand to me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a swath of baby blue. Baylis strolled up the circle drive, two of the Hunt in tow.

“What are you doing?” I sounded like our mother, but I didn’t care.

Her cheeks flushed.

“I just wanted to see the city. I haven’t been here before, and you were gone. I took the Hunt with me.”

Her face paled as she noticed the blood strewn across my face.

“Are you alright? What happened?”

I waved her off. “I’m fine. Now get inside”

Amolie greeted us when we walked in. “Hi?—”

“I need you to look at my wounds,” I said before she could finish.

Taking the hint, she set down her needle work.

“Of course, I’ll meet you in your chambers. Just let me grab my things.” She turned and headed up the stairs.

“Do you want me to help you to your room?” Baylis asked, gently touching my arm.

I sighed. “No, it’s fine. I’m just exhausted.” I motioned for Finneas. “Go with Finn and have the cooks make you something sweet. I just need to rest for a little bit.”

Her gray eyes flicked between the satyr and me suspiciously, but she did not protest.

I quickly climbed the stairs to my room where Amolie waited for me. Jars of herbs and salves adorned the side table.

“Sit,” she said, and I did as she commanded. “I assume this is more than just the usual mending.”

She took a cloth and cleaned my face.

“Mmhmm. I don’t know if I can trust Baylis, but I know I can trust you, Amolie.”

“What happened?” She scooped salve onto her fingers, dabbing it into my cuts.

“Well, I killed the siren queen, for starters, but I also got this.” I pulled the sapphire from my neck and dangled it from my fingers.

Her hazel eyes went wide.

“Is this… the song?”

“Yes.”

She set down the salve, wiped her hands on a cloth, and took the jewel from me.

“It’s stunning. I want to open it…”

“Don’t. They say it only works at sea but who knows. Calliope thinks she can make it work on land.”

Amolie clicked her tongue at me.

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