I snarl, my rage speeding up the ocean currents.
How do I combat him when I can’t find him?
If I can’t beat him, I’m taking his toys.
I look down at Leaf.
“I am sorry it’s going to have to be like this. But you are mine, and I’m not quitting,” I murmur, then I sink my teeth into his shoulder.
His eyes snap open, and he flips us over, looming over me as his teeth sink into my stomach. The bite is deep and will leave a massive scar, but the bond is strong, stronger than before.
Leviathan wakes up and really sees me. His hands cup my face as he crushes our mouths together.
The Sirens falter.
I see Deux’s control over my Sirens flicker. Interesting.
“Do you want to catch me some Sirens?” I ask Leaf. “I want my shiver back.”
Leaf snarls and throws a hand out, jumping into a speeding current of water when it comes past. He’s gone in a second.
I twist and aim for Reed, he’s struggling not far from where I am. His growls and grunts show what extreme effort he’s putting into trying to break free. He’s fighting and actually managing to succeed. He hasn’t moved in the whole time I’ve been here. I circle him and dart in, attacking before he can even sense me in the water behind him. I get his shoulder from the back.
Sinking sharp teeth into him.
His scream is both despair and relief.
He turns and sinks his teeth into my upper arm. Two bonds like two doors open in my mind, and the tie, the rot that Deux put in my shiver, weakens.
He glows brighter in my mind, but further, I can feel him inside me, I can feel his horror that I’m here and his relief. Such intense and crippling emotions. But for Reed, they are his strength.
Lirin is watching, in my mind, his eyes are glowing an eerie red that I assume is Deux's control. Leaf slams Lirin into the seabed,hitting him from behind with the force of a truck. Reed is there in a second, holding him still while I bite deep into his palm.
Lirin’s relief is a gentle wave on the shore. He goes motionless in my arms and bites when I put my wrist in his mouth.
“Mei,” he whispers. “Oh, beautiful Strega. What are you doing here?”
I stroke his hair, then turn and watch as Canto and Ronit battle it out above me.
“I won’t let you hurt each other,” I say and dart up towards them. I bite deeply into Canto’s hip. He cries out and collapses in my arms, his teeth biting into the fleshy part of my upper chest.
“You came. I knew you would,” he whispers.
I let him go, turning to Ronit, who has snuck up on me. He leans in, biting over my scent gland in my neck before I even have a chance.
I cry out, and as soon as he releases me, I bite over his.
There’s only one dark spot. One stain left.
“You can’t have him!” Deux shouts.
“You aren’t keeping my song,” I say back, not bothering to yell.
Brio floats in front of a cave with a dagger held in shaking hands, pressed against his throat.
The Sirens line up behind me, not saying a word.
“Let him go!”
