Page 112 of Voice of the Ocean

“Hot water doesn’t hold enough oxygen...” Celeste explained, numbly.

Torben’s eyes widened.

“They might be trying to force the sirens to surface,” Maeve said.

“You should go.” Celeste gripped Maeve’s magenta hands in hers. “Warn the queen.”

She expected her friend to refuse. Maeve had always been a fighter, eager to prove herself. But she didn’t. Instead, she nodded and looked at their hands, confused. The touch was human. Far too familiar for a siren. Surprised by herself, Celeste released their hands, and Maeve retreated into the water without another glance. And with a sweep of rolling tentacles, she was gone.

The waves were at Celeste’s chest now. She pushed herself from the sandy floor and began to kick toward theRed Revenge. But the trident in her hand made progress slow. The rest of the crew swam ahead, Nasir carrying Kiyami’s unconscious body upon his back. From somewhere near the king’s fleet, the Chorus’s Song began. The notes clashed against each other, twisting into a cacophonous melody. Celeste lifted her head as she swam, looking toward the ship. Nothing was happening.

The king’s crew moved around the ship, entirely unaffected.

Celeste fell still. There wasn’t any way humans could resist the sirens’ magic. Any living creature with ears was defenseless against the Chorus’s Song. Everyone except, perhaps, Raiden and the king. Unless...unless they couldn’t hear.

“It’s a trap!” Celeste cried, switching directions. She paddled furiously toward the sirens, but her voice was drowned in the noise. Panic rose like bile in her throat. But before she could reach them, strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her backward. She flailed in their grip, kicking her legs and swinging the trident.

“Let me go!”

“No,” Raiden said, his mouth beside her ear. She bucked against him, but he pulled her closer, until her back pressed against his chest.

“Let me go, you bastard!”

A terrible noise ripped through the air, followed by a splash.

The Song was replaced by screams.

Celeste froze. She lifted her eyes to the king’s ships. When the next blast came, she saw it. Saw the cannon fire from the ship. Saw the siren beneath as they were blown apart.

“No!” The scream ripped through her, raw and guttural. Tears stung her eyes.

“Celeste, we need to get out of the water.”

The Chorus retreated.

Red stains bloomed in the dark water.

“Sephone!”

But her sister did not hear her. Her sightless eyes stared out upon the chaos. Beside her, the Pirate King still smiled.

Shaking, Celeste clutched the trident to her chest, cradling it like a child. But it did not bring her comfort. Raiden spoke in her ear. But she did not hear it. And then he was turning her away from the carnage, tucking her into his chest. She did not notice when he’d started to swim. But she could still see everything over his shoulder. Sirens dove into the water only to emerge moments later, gasping. The searing sea offered no escape. All the while, Sephone continued to sing, the angelic melody a sickening accompaniment to the horrors below.

Why?The word became a chant.Why? Why? Why? Why? Why were they doing this? Why didn’t Sephone fight?Then a new thought moved through her like poison, shouting until it couldn’t be ignored.

This is my fault.

The island sank lower into the rising sea, until the water smothered the glowing heart within. And then it was gone.

“Lower the rope!” Raiden shouted.

They had reached theRed Revenge. She hadn’t even noticed. The great ship loomed above them in the darkness, a black silhouette against the moonless sky. The place she had called home for the last several months. Where she had played at being a hero. But she felt so foolish now. It had all been a lie. She knew nothing about this war. About the humans. Aboutherself. And it had cost everything.

Cold air needled her skin as her body was pulled from the searing water. She hadn’t felt Raiden tie the rope around them. She couldn’t even feel him beside her anymore.

“Just hang on,” Raiden said. But his words sounded so far away.

Useless. You’re useless, a voice inside her head said, achingly familiar.Look at you. Falling apart when those around you need you most. Pathetic. They’re paying for your mistakes. It spoke in her own voice.You’re a liability. She squeezed her eyes shut but could not silence it. After all, it had a lifetime of practice. Celeste’s body fell onto the deck, but inside she continued to spiral down and down. Every new thought sent her deeper.

---