Page 57 of Siren Problems

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My heart stutters.

Luna.

“Speak,” she says. “Not as weapon. Not as command. Asoffering.Asinvitation.”

The pool glows faintly. I feel warmth radiate from it.

“Only a voice givenfreelycan undo what was bound in chains of fear.”

I stagger back, breath shallow, limbs shaking.

Because suddenly I understand.

This curse—it’s not a leash.

It’s a wound.

And if I want to heal...

I have to open my mouth again.

Tochoosemy voice.

Not in rage.

Not in defense.

But in love.

Real, terrifying, heart-laid-bare love.

The kind Luna would accept without flinching.

The kind she already gave me.

My knees hit the rock as the truth crashes into me like a wave too heavy to resist.

I whisper her name.

It doesn’t echo.

But itresonates.

Deep in my chest. Deep in the cave.

Deep in the curse.

And the Oracle smiles.

“Good,” she says. “Now go earn her ears.”

CHAPTER 19

LUNA

The email pings at 8:03 a.m.

Which is already a red flag. Nothing good ever shows up in my inbox before coffee and a minor existential spiral.

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