Regaining consciousness was like crawling out of a bottomless, dark pit. Sensory overload took over as soon as I opened my eyes. I heard low, muffled chatter along with my frantic breathing and racing heartbeat. I looked down at my tail and saw the blood-soaked bandage covering it, wrapped tightly around the wound.

I tasted blood in my mouth and realized I must have bitten my tongue. My throat was bone-dry as I forced myself to swallow. The coppery tang of blood filled my nostrils, and I had to fight against the nausea that rose inside me.

I heard a muffled gasp as I closed my eyes again. Then, a voice, low and worried. "Faye? Sweetie, can you hear me?"

Mom. I forced my eyes open, meeting her wide-eyed gaze. She reached out and brushed a sweaty strand of hair off my forehead. "Oh, sweetie. We were so worried." Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks as she put a cool hand on my cheek.

When she finished speaking, I realized we were back in Jonah's and my suite. I put a hand to my head, groaning as pain sliced through my brain. Slowly, fragments of the past twenty-four hours came back in bits and pieces: waking up in Aegrem instead of Pelathas, the vicious spell of nausea and fatigue that followed, hearing about Drew's injuries and my violent reaction to the news. Everything hit me with the force of a hurricane.

Mom disappeared, reappearing a heartbeat later with a cold cloth that she placed on my forehead. She shook her head when I opened my mouth. "Don't speak, honey. You had a panic attack and passed out; your body needs to rest and heal. If you feel up to it, try to eat something."

She gestured to the bedside table, where a tray of bubble tea and shrimp lay untouched. I had no appetite, but I picked up the bubble tea and took a few cautious sips. I nearly moaned in relief as the liquid soothed my cracked and dry throat. Jonah?

I mouthed his name, but Mom understood nonetheless. "Heading back now. He's been with Waverly and Laguna, working on a safe house for them." At my worried glance, she quickly shook her head. "With you and Waverly being the last two living Sirens, we're taking no chances. Laguna and I decided that she and Waverly should keep their distance until this all blows over. The last thing we need is the two of you together to make an easier target."

Regret shone in her eyes as the words left her mouth. She understood the sensitive nature of our still-healing friendship, yet she also knew that I was terrified for her. If Waverly got hurt because of me... I shook my head, not even finishing that thought.

Sensing my worry, she pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to me. "Waverly sent this about an hour ago. I've been waiting for you to wake up to give it to you."

My hand was trembling as I took the paper from her. A sense of foreboding overtook me, along with a bone-chilling fear. It was Waverly's handwriting, of that I was sure, but something about it seemed... off. I couldn't put my finger on it, but as my eyes scanned the words, I felt my heart skip a beat.

'I know it's risky for us to communicate with each other, but this can't wait. I found another Siren. I hadn't meant to leave the safe house, but as soon as I heard the first note, I was mesmerized. I found a mermaid about a year younger than us. Her face was pale, gaunt, and covered with bruises. When she saw me, her face lit up. After talking with her for a while, I discovered she'd known Kailani and Mica since the beginning. She, too, is an orphan—her parents died a year ago of coral poisoning.'

I had to tear my gaze away and take several deep breaths. Another Siren? Even after everything, a part of me longed to meet her. To find another sister whose power hadn't yet seduced her. The other part warned me against it, bringing back memories of Raina and her betrayal.

Could I risk putting myself out there again? I had let my empathy and kindness be used against me once before, causing the mess with Raina. Did I want to open myself up to that vulnerability again? I quickly shook my head and returned my gaze to the letter.

'I told her about you and how your birth mother was a descendant of the Sirens. She confided in me about how she'd always felt alone growing up, ostracized because of her voice and the power it gave her. I convinced her to return to the safe house where we could safely patch her up.'

'Once there, she told us about her brother, who'd gone missing about a month ago. She hadn't sung in years, but ever since they were little, her voice had always drawn him back to her. They're inseparable. That's why she was out in the first place—she'd been using her voice, hoping it would lure him to her.'

I shivered as dread shuddered through me. Something about this didn't sit right with me. Nevertheless, my eyes never left the page, my heart pounding so loud I was amazed no one else could hear it. 'Mom and I both encouraged her to stay with us until she healed, concerned for her safety. After a while, she finally opened up and told us her name: Sara Cruise.'

A strangled gasp left my lips as the realization hit me like a slap to the face. Cruise. I knew that name. But... it was impossible. I hadn't heard that name in years. I hadn't so much as thought of Wyatt in years. Yet, as the sob rolled through me, so did the memories from years ago. Getting the note at work that set everything into motion; Wyatt bringing me back to the palace after I passed out; that specific nightmare where he'd mentioned that mermaid's name.

Isla. Wyatt was her nephew. The pieces fell into place, one by one, until it all made sickening sense. Sara must be his sister. Was Wyatt even still alive? I hadn't heard a whisper of him in years, since that fateful day that changed everything.

With a trembling exhale, I read the rest of the letter, trying to keep my hands steady. 'I know we can't risk contact with one another, but I encouraged Sara to find you. I knew that you'd probably do a better job of keeping her safe. I miss you, Faye. We both do. Send our love to your parents, Drew, and Jonah. Love, Waverly'

It wasn't until Mom put a hand on my arm that I realized I was shaking. "What is it, honey? Is Waverly okay?"

Before I could open my mouth (not that I had any idea of what I would say), a knock sounded on the suite door. As the sound echoed in the silence that had fallen over us, I took a deep breath and slowly got out of bed. Mom shook her head, concern lining her face, but I ignored her. Several agonizing strokes later, I put a trembling hand on the doorknob.

When I opened the door, a mermaid with hazel eyes stared back at me, her clothes stained with silt and face lined with exhaustion. All she had was the clothes on her back, save for a gold locket on a chain around her neck. "Faye Mercer?" Her voice was hoarse and rough, like she hadn't spoken recently.

Anger warred with sympathy as I stared at her, my mouth opening and closing several times before I finally spoke, my voice barely more than a whisper. "Hello, Sister Siren."

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