Page 95 of Sworn to Revenge
“It’s about time!” I sigh in relief as Alin finally informs Luca that the power control training is over. I’m still not entirely sure of my full capabilities, but I do know one thing—now I can do some serious damage. Precise, controlled damage at that. Alin steps into the waiting elevator, heading back up from the parking floor we’re in. She went down there just to confirm to my brother that I’m finally ready to join them in the field.
Will and Volva still haven’t made an appearance anywhere, and because the dragon left no one alive to question, we still have no clue who sent that well-prepared team to wipe us out. It could be the Russians, the French—or both. Honestly, I’m not even sure if this was an order from their men in New York after what happened in Vegas. All we know is they were prepared—sedating arrows, that strange substance in their ears, which we still haven’t figured out, but it clearly worked.
And then there’s Miguel. Word is spreading now, and both the Russians and the French seem to be banding together to gain the upper hand. At least now we understand why they’ve decided to work together recently—they have the same enemy.
“Now that Alin has confirmed it, give me updates on the plan. What’s the next move?” I approach Luca, who’s sending off a few messages on his phone and then looks up at me, Mariano’s jeep engine rumbles beside us.
“For starters, we’re waiting for Bay,” Luca says, finally giving me a clear answer, not cutting me out of the mission this time. Just pure impatience, like he’s fed up with having to wait for the girl who’s turned everything upside down for us.
“Waiting for Bay?” I raise an eyebrow, wondering how Bay is connected to this whole mission. He nods in confirmation, not explaining more. Is it just me, or has he become a lot more patient with my questions? By now, he’d usually be cursing—especially if I question him again to confirm what he says. There’s a strange, unfamiliar feeling prickling in my chest. Why’s he holding back?
“I’m here!” Bay’s voice echoes through the floor as the elevator doors slide open. Her voice is stronger than usual here, sharper—maybe it’s just another one of the heightened senses I’ve developed, and it’s driving me crazy. The sensitivity to smells is already unbearable, but at least I’m enjoying the sharp, hawk-like vision I’ve gained.
“Good. Now we can go.” Luca moves toward Mariano’s car, and Bay quickly skips over to my side, clutching my arm as if we’re heading out to play.
“Why did Luca call you?” I whisper, turning my head to her so Luca can’t see what we’re discussing.
“With Alin’s pregnancy, he doesn’t want to send her out on missionsanymore, so now that I have the Guardian—he asked me to join instead.”
I clench my fists as anger creeping in. So that’s why he was nice to me—he needs Bay on his good side.
“Not happening. You’re going back upstairs,” I declare aloud, not hiding the fury inside me at my brother.
“Pedro,” his growl sounds from the front seat beside Mariano. “She’ll be perfectly safe with us. Besides, I doubt anyone can mess with her now.”
Is he resonating with me instead of threatening me? I pull back for a second, surprised. I expected... way more anger. I take a deep breath, ignoring my brother completely as I turn to Bay. She’s still standing in place but seems ready to leave.
“Why did you agree to this?” I ask through clenched jaw, gathering all the strength in my body not to roar the question.
“Only Alin can help you guys with the missions?” She places her hands on her hips, making it clear she’s not pleased with my attitude.
“Bay, you know that’s not what I mean. I don’t want you getting hurt.” I take a step closer, my voice firm but laced with frustration. “I don’t want you seeing these horrors again.”
I exhale sharply, shaking my head. “I saw the way your body tensed when you watched Luca torture Mariana.”I plead as a last resort, my words softer now. Her hands drop from her hips, her gaze wavering.
Good, she’s starting to understand.
“I don’t enjoy it, okay. But I’m not made of glass—I’ll do anything for my family. Just like you vowed to,” Bay reaches out, taking my hands and loosening my clenched fists with such ease, as if her touch is a powerful sedative.
“Besides,” she adds quickly with a mischievous smile, “the Coral of Life is weak right now, and Myko wouldn’t mind a few more souls before we swim back to feed it.”
“Swim back?” I ask, this time it comes out more of a roar, and Luca yells impatiently for us to get in the car before she has any chance to respond.
“I need to return to the Coral of Life with the Guardian to feed it all the souls he took at the beach. The Coral of Life is weak—we have no choice.” She explains, gripping my hand and pulling me toward the car. I watch her in shock as she skips forward with such ease.
“Since when did you two become a ‘we’?!” I growl behind her. She glances back, rolls her eyes at me and sighs as she slips into the back seat, tugging on my arm to follow her. My body obeys naturally to the gesture, but my mind is in chaos. Does this girl truly have no fear, no sense of consequence? How can she say things like this so casually?
“There’s no way to break the bond between the Guardian and me, Pedro. We’re one now—whether you like it or not.”
I take a deep breath to calm the electric storm rising in my chest before it reaches my hands, silently thanking Alin for the training she forced me to undergo. I slam the car door shut and turn to face Bay again.
“I’m coming with you. And no—that’s not a question,” I declare, and she raises her hands in mock surrender, laughing.
“I choose my battles, andthisisn’t one of them,” she snorts, her voice teasing. “Now there’s nothing to fear anyway. With the Guardian on our side, it’s just another fun swim at the reef.”
Mariano chuckles from the front, and Luca is busy giving instructions over the phone. I’d rather listen to what he’s planning than think about that damn dragon in her chest—in the chest that belongs to me!
“We’re on our way.” He responds satisfied to our manon the other end of the call. I don’t think he sent any other men there but us. Is he being cocky, or have a big plan?
