Page 103 of Sworn to Revenge
“Alin touched the Coral of Life,” I say with no remorse, masking my pain. Her face drains of color, and I see my uncle tense beside her.
“Where is she?” she asks, her voice faltering.
“With herrealfamily,” I say, letting the words cut deep. “Now, bring me the body if you want to save her and your city.”
After a long pause, she nods silently and swims back through the gates. She returns within minutes, using a water current to guide the glass casket toward us. As Florencia’s body nears, the light at her forehead glows even brighter, reacting to Myko’s presence.
“Myko,” I call, and he knows what to do. He grasps the glass casket in his claws, awaiting my next command.
Queen Lora gasps as Myko draws near, her gills fluttering, but she exhales in relief as he moves to my side, stirring the water around us as he goes. I hardly notice anymore; I’m used to his presence. But the others tense, instinctively moving into defensive stances.
“Thank you,” I say finally, meeting her pained gaze. “I’ll do everything I can to save her.” She nods, but as I turn to Myko, her voice cuts through the water.“Avi-El and Mette are banished.”
“What did you say?” My voice catches as I process her words. “You banished my parents? You said you couldn’t do that yet!” I snap, shocked. My breath hitches as a surge of concern from Myko floods over me, forcing me to take a steadying breath.
“I told you to be patient. I waited until I could catch them off guard, with a charge that would warrant banishment.” Queen Lora’s words resonate, and my chest feels tight as I try to breathe through my gills to calm down. They’re banished.Finallybanished.
Sometimes, my dear huntress, personal revenge is sweet—but karma? She’s a bitch,Myko says with a dark grin. The guards edge back, likely thinking he’s baring his teeth to snack on them.
It’s not karma. It’s fair justice,I smile to myself. “Thank you, Queen Lora.” I will never dare to call her aunt again.
She nods, and her voice softens. “Save my daughter,” she pleads, as Myko’s massive claw wraps around me gently. He propels us toward the shore so fast that water bubbles blur my vision, forcing me to close my eyes.
As we near the coastline, he lifts above the water, carrying us into the air. The breeze hits my face as I open my eyes, blinking back the tears gatheringat the corners. I want to feel happy about my parents’ banishment, but I can’t celebrate until I find a way to save Alin.
Floating higher, I glimpse the distant roads, crowded with cars.Myko, they can’t see a dragon in the sky,I remind him, thinking about tomorrow’s news headlines and how I’d explain them to Alin.If she wakes up…
Okay, okay.He growls, slightly annoyed, and in an instant, we’re surrounded by a shimmering, purplish aura.
“What’s this?” I ask, excitement bubbling up—though it’s not entirely mine.
It’s my aura cloak. Humans can’t see us through it,he explains, pride lacing his voice.
You can just...do that?I grin, realizing how useful this could be.
It’s no problem to stay hidden from humans until their death. Only their souls can perceive me.
A weird black mist and a totally cool aura cloak. Anything else you’re hiding?I tease, curious.
That’s a story for another day,he chuckles.
Oh, come on!
Pedro
“I’m sorry, brother. We really weren’t prepared for that ambush…” I say, feeling the weight of my mistake. It was partly my fault Alin was there—I’d commanded, in Myko’s name, to bring her.
Luca doesn’t respond, his gaze fixed on Alin’s unconscious body lying on his bed. His eyes are bloodshot from crying, and he seems too consumed by grief to even acknowledge my words.
Mariano’s hand rests on my shoulder from behind, while Cora, on the other side of the bed, has her face buried in Luca’s sheets, sobbing. I feel tears sting my own eyes—guilt, grief, and anger are all pressing in on me, and I’m at a loss for where to direct them. But I have to believe in Bay; she’s our best hope. She’s the one linked to the Guardian with the power that hit Alin.
“Bay will be back soon,” I say, breaking the silence, hoping my words offer even a glimmer of comfort. “I think she has a solution.”
Both Luca and Cora snap their gazes to me, drained but suddenly alert. “She has a solution?” Luca rises from the bed and shoves me back against the wall, his voice a low, pained roar. “And you just let us grieve like this?”
Before I can respond, a soft glow intensifies from Alin’s mouth. My gut clenches—the dragon is close; I’m sure of it!
“Bay’s here. Let’s see what she says,” I say quickly, sidestepping Luca’s fury.
