Page 20 of Sworn to Revenge
I glance once more at the large safe Pedro had placed for me in the guest room, which has become my home over the past month. It’s completely empty now—I just hope Jocelyn won’t demand more than this.
My heart races as I think about what I have to do next. What are the chances I’ll survive this? It’s either this or living with the constant torment of that dragon.Dying definitely sounds like a better option.
I need to say goodbye to everyone just in case I don’t make it back.How do I do that? I might not even get to see Alin’s merling.A single tear escapes my eye, and I quickly wipe it away.
No, Bay. You can’t go back to being weak. You have a family waiting for you at home now. You have to do everything you can to come back alive.
I take a deep breath and sling the bag over my shoulder, casting one lastlook around the guest room. The bed is made, and the bright midday sunlight streams through the glass wall that faces the opposite side of the city, different view from Pedro’s room. I feel so small compared to the vastness of this city view. I really hope this won’t be the last time I see it.
“Bay, are you ready?” Alin’s voice pulls me from my thoughts as she enters the room, asking loudly as if I’m on the other side of the apartment. I nod silently, my face set in determination, and turn to show her the hefty bag I’ve packed.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” she asks again, her tone is soft, probably because her eyes have just caught another tear slipping uncontrollably from mine.
I quickly wipe that one away too and respond with the only choice I have, “Yes.”
She pulls me into a hug, squeezing me so tightly that I let out a small choking sound, causing her to ease up a bit.
“I’m going to worry myself sick, but I’ll swim with you all the way to the city. We’ll say our goodbyes there,” she informs me, and a sigh of relief escapes my lips. I don’t know why, but knowing this makes me feel a lot better. At least I won’t have to take the first step alone.
Alin, as if reading my mind, releases me from our hug and gives me one of her warm smiles. “No matter what happens, you’ll come back to me. I’m sure of it,” she declares, and now it seems tears are beginning to form at the corners of her eyes too.
“We need to hurry, Alin. There’s only one day left of the hunting period. The dragon’s barely calling to me now—it seems the Coral of Life isalready full. If the dragon falls asleep, we’ll have to wait until next month,” I remind her, and she nods, grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the room toward the first floor.
Suddenly, I remember the most important thing I haven’t asked. “You still haven’t told me what I need to get from Jocelyn,” I say, tugging on Alin’s hand to stop her in front of the apartment’s entrance, reminding her the fact that I am going on blind.
“I think if you knew, you’d lock yourself back in your room,” she surprises me with her answer, avoiding my eyes.Oh no.
I furrow my brows in anger. This is not the time to keep things from me. I don’t think I can handle any more bad news.
“Alright, alright, calm down. I thought I could tell you when we got to the city… but you’ll need to ask for Morlay’s heart,” she says nonchalantly, as if she’s sending me to pick up some fish eggs at Ondine’s stall.
“What the hell did you just say?” My voice rises in panic, my forehead wrinkling as my eyebrows shoot up in shock. My eyes nearly pop out of my sockets. “Jocelyn has Morlay’s heart? Nothing in this bag will cover that payment. Any creature with power in the ocean would kill to get their hands on it. And even if I manage to get it, I’ll be the next target on their hit list!”
Alin sighs, knowing full well this would be my reaction. That’s why she didn’t give me many details earlier. I’m boiling with rage now.
“Alin, I’m really starting to wonder if you’re deliberately trying to send me to my death or actually trying to help!” I snap at her, yanking my hand out of her grip with force. But I immediately regret my words when I seetears welling up in her eyes again. Damn this pregnancy—being around her is like swimming through a minefield of sea urchins.
I take a deep breath. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it. But you know how dangerous this is,” I say more calmly, reaching out to hold the hand I had just pulled away from.
“It’s okay. I’d be on edge too if I were in your shoes. But Bay, it’s either this or you’ll have to fulfill your duty as the Sacred Bride. Your choice,” she reminds me why I’m doing this insane mission in the first place, and I’m immediately remotivated.She’s right.
Even if it means getting the heart of Jocelyn’s predecessor, Morlay. Just mentioning her name anywhere across the oceans causes chaos and fear, even after her death. Rumor has it that her heart still holds a significant portion of her powers if consumed. The very thought makes me nauseous.
Wait.“Why the hell would the Guardian want Morlay’s heart? Doesn’t he already have enough power?” I ask, realizing Alin hasn’t revealed her full plan yet.
She gives me a sly smile. “She’s the witch who cursed him into theCoral of Life when he stole one of the gemstones she drew power from in her cave—more power than the heart holds. From what my mother heard, he’s thirsting for revenge against her more than anything. You could offer him that in exchange for your freedom.”
Now everything falls into place, and I suddenly fear the tactical mind Alin possesses. Maybe it’s because she’s been living among criminals for months?
It’s not a guaranteed success, but it definitely gives me a much betterchance of succeeding. Now the confidence this information gives me outweighs the fear.
The only thing I need to worry about now is how to get that heart from Jocelyn. Alin takes my hand without another word, and we leave the apartment.
“I hope you have a plan for getting the heart, too, because if she still has it, it probably means no one’s been able to meet her demands for a trade so far,” I comment as we head toward the car in the building’s parking garage.
“Don’t be so negative. Maybe it wasn’t even up for grabs,” she says with an optimistic smile that doesn’t match the mission I’m about to undertake.
“I’m not joking, Alin. You do have a plan, right?” I ask again, feeling the confidence she gave me earlier start to fade.
