Page 64 of Sworn to Revenge
“Don’t forget, my huntress, ‘The Huntress’s Kiss’ doesn’t last long, and you won’t be able to use it again,” he notes before vanishing from my thoughts.
I turn immediately to Luca, who’s eyeing me cautiously, trying to figure out if I’m still locked in conversation with the Guardian, earplugs already in hand.
I chuckle, “I don’t think you need to worry about me right now.”
He exhales with relief, “He really enjoys talking to you, huh?” he taunts.
“You have no idea just how much,” I respond with exasperation. “But at least this time he was helpful.”
Luca gives me a questioning look, but I wave it off.
“You don’t want to know. I’ll fill you in when we get there.”
Pedro
Since Alin ended the call with Bay an hour ago, she’s been on edge—more unbearable than usual, and stubbornly withholding information. I’m doing my best to suppress the urge to let my powers spiral out of control again. Hours of nonstop training with Alin and Mariano—whether I wanted it or not—seem to have made that easier.
“Alright, I think that’s enough for one day,” I announce as I try once more to create electric currents on my own but fail. I’m exhausted; it’s much harder than I imagined.
“Idecide when enough is enough!” she snarls, and my water bottle, which was sitting on the bench in the room, suddenly crashes to the floor, rolling back and forth as the water inside tries to escape through the tightly closed cap.
I raise my hands in mock surrender. “I’m not messing with you when you’re like this.”
She arches her eyebrow in reproach, but before I can say anything more, Mariano cuts in.
“Okay. Okay. Break time, we all need to chill.”
I let out a sigh, sending him a grateful look, and he chuckles nervously. The two of us wait for Alin’s response, which feels like it takes an eternity to come.
“Fine. Half an hour!” she agrees reluctantly, storming out of the room, her anger clear in her voice.
“Tell me you know what’s going on with her?” I ask, though I know Mariano is just as lost as I am.
He shrugs, sighing as he picks up the water bottle from the floor and slumps down onto the bench, his hair plastered to his forehead with sweat.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been this wiped out,” I state, sitting next to him, taking the bottle from his hand and drinking one long sip.
“I’m still shocked that you even have powers,” he says offhandedly, grabbing a small towel from the edge of the bench and wiping his forehead. “And a freaking tail.”
I let out a tense laugh. “Would you believe me if I told you that I too still can’t wrap my head around all of this?”
“I don’t think I’d ever be able to accept something like that if it happened to me, but I have to admit, it’s a serious and useful weapon for us.” A sly grin spreads across his lips.
I’m not at the point of being excited about these powers yet, but I can’t deny that it gives me more confidence in Bay’s world. I won’t be useless to her; I can protect her—if I just learn to control it properly.
I throw a smirk at my brother and take another gulp from the water bottle, wiping the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand.
“So, you and Bay, huh?” Mariano says suddenly, his tone half-teasing. “I didn’t think Luca would let that slide.”
An uncontrollable laugh escapes me. “Even he’s afraid of his wife,” I grumble, drained, and Mariano joins in my laughter.
“Another tail for the family. We’ve gone from a crime family to theLittle Mermaid magic world.” His laugh turns rough, edged with mockery.“I’m not sure the Little Mermaid had a shitty water dragon and coral that devours human souls,” I counter, grinning. “But their city, brother—you can’t even imagine it.”
Excitement creeps into my voice as I continue, “Everything’s lit with gold and gems, merfolk swimming everywhere, houses made of giant shells. And wait till you see the secret room where they’re hiding your mom—”
I stop abruptly, my enthusiasm faltering as I realize I’ve ventured into sensitive territory.
“Sorry,” I mutter, glancing at him.
