Page 7 of Sworn to Revenge
“We had nothing,” I cut her off, ripping the bandage off fast. It’s the best thing for her, for both of us. My heart pounds as I lie to her face about my intentions. “We’re family, Bay, not a couple. The sooner you accept that, the better.” I never lie.I’ve never lied. I didn’t think lying could hurt this much.
The light in her eyes dims, and I see her tears well up at the corners.
“We’re…family?” she repeats slowly, almost like she’s trying to convince herself.
“Yes. You’re my family, Bay. That’s why I’m here. That’s why you’re here.”
She takes a step back, looking stunned, as if I’ve just crushed every hope she held onto. My fists clench so tightly I feel my nails dig into my palms. It takes everything I have not to pull her close, to wipe away the pain and tears. But I’m not allowed to comfort her as a lover—only as family.
“But you said something different before…” Her voice is fractured, and she leans on the wall for balance. I bite down hard, trapping every word I want to say behind clenched jaw. Her skin looks even paler than usual.
“I never meant to confuse you, Bay. You’re Alin’s cousin, like a sister to me. We’re not…a thing,” I lie again, forcing the words out through gritted teeth.
“Sister, huh?” Now her eyes narrow with anger as she steadies herself. “I’d rather stay an only child, thanks.” Her voice drips with sarcasm, andshe whirls around, heading toward the guest room without waiting for me to respond.
“Bay,” I call out before she shuts the door. The storm raging in my mind nearly chokes me as she turns, brows raised, her anger written across her face.
“Your things…” I hold out the sack I carried from the beach, and she snatches it from me without a word, slamming the door behind her so hard it makes me flinch.
In my room, I kick the door closed and let out a string of curses under my breath. This is supposed to protect her, but it feels like I’ve just shattered something precious.
My phone buzzes, and I’m almost grateful for the distraction. I glance at the message from Mateo.
The night the van was stolen, we got a CCTV hit on a familiar face. Will Duval. Isn’t that the French bastard who escaped us last time when the capo was in Vegas?
10:38 a.m.
What the hell is Will doing here? That piece of shit slipped through my fingers once, but he won’t get the chance again. I fire back a quick response.
Track his CCTV trail with police intel. I want to know why he’s stealing on Russian territory and where he went that night.
10:39 a.m.
I lie back on my bed, realizing I don’t know if I should be relieved thather scent doesn’t linger on the new sheets the cleaners put in. She’d snuck into my bed at night a few times last month, curling up against me, her skin damp with sweat. When she was like that, vulnerable and trembling from nightmares, I never touched her. I held back, watching her suffer through whatever terror haunted her.
There’s no way I’ll let Luca send her back to the place she hates most.
Bay
The cage looks even more terrifying up close. A vast arena with rock-hewn seating surrounds the golden cage in the center. Its dark, cloud-like aura cancels out the shimmer of the gold, sending a chill through me. Anyone called by the pod elders to enter the cage who refuses is marked a traitor, and they don’t stop until that huntress is barred from every monthly hunt.
That means losing her tail, sinking to the depths as a human—a fate worse than death. The one rule is clear: you can never kill another huntress. But you can make her wish you would. The bones in the hunters’ cave belong to those who couldn’t bear it anymore, who chose their own end.
My heart races as I glance over at Elyr by my side. “The dark aura in the cage will make you face your deepest, most horrifying fears. It’s all an illusion,” I whisper, hoping my words give her strength. “It’ll feel real—it can hurt you, both physically and mentally—but if you face it head-on, you’ll pass.” I can barely convince myself, let alone her.
She stares at me, terrified. “How do you know that?” Her mouth drops open,as she’s new here. She’s never seen the cage in action. I’d only learned about it from Aunt Lora’s stories of the cage magic and potions.
“I’ll go first.” I swallow hard, swimming forward as the pod gathers, excitement lighting up their faces. They fit right in here, not me.
My whole body trembles as I approach the cage, its entrance looming. But a familiar roar suddenly vibrates through my head, and I freeze.
“You’re not going in,” a voice growls, piercing me with pain so sharp I want to claw at my ears. The volume is overwhelming, as if it’s tearing through my brain. I squeeze my eyes shut, but when I open them, I hear whispers all around me. Why are they staring?
“Bay, you’re not required to enter the cage.” Sonia’s disappointed voice sounds behind me, as if she’d rather see me crushed inside it.
“What? What’s happening?” I glance around, seeing wary, fearful glances from the other huntresses. Is it the Guardian’s doing? Is that why he roared in my head?
“The Coral of Life is denying your challenge,” Sonia explains, barely masking her fury. I’ve never seen her so angry. The Guardian of the Great Coral of Life must be protecting me because of my connection to the first five royal families’ blood.
