Page 111 of Blood Debt
A hiss fills the room. Thick white fumes roll in from hidden vents above, curling fast, choking the air.
“Gas!” I bellow. My lungs already burn, my instincts screaming. I whip toward Matteo, shouting, “Don’t breathe! Hold—!”
Marcello slides on a sleek black mask with calm precision, his eyes glowing with triumph through the haze. His silhouette becomes monstrous in the smoke.
Matteo staggers first, his gun slipping from his grasp as his knees buckle. He coughs, chokes, and crashes to the ground with a heavy thud.
“No—!” I roar, stumbling toward him, my vision blurring, every breath clawing fire into my chest. I drop to my knees beside him, fighting the pull of unconsciousness, forcing myself to stay awake.
My fingers brush Matteo’s shoulder, my teeth grit—my body refuses to obey. The haze presses down like a weight.
Marcello’s laugh is the last thing I hear as blackness claws me under.
Chapter 30 – Serafina
Marcello’s Estate
“Mama, I’m scared,” Bianca whispers, her small voice trembling like a fragile thread about to snap. Her little fingers clutch mine tightly, as if letting go means she’ll vanish into the darkness swallowing us.
I pull her close with one arm, my other bracing Isla’s frail body against me. Isla’s breaths are shallow, her swollen belly pressing against my side. Her wrists are raw from the ropes, her skin mottled with bruises. Even in half-consciousness, she fights to stay upright, her chin tilted as if sheer will can hold her together.
The cage reeks of rust and damp. The iron door gapes just slightly ajar, taunting me with its false hope. Freedom, only an inch away, but locked by forces far bigger than metal.
I press my lips to Bianca’s hair, murmuring, “Mama will protect you. I promise.” My voice breaks, but I force strength into the words. My baby can’t hear the quake in my chest. Not now.
My eyes sting as I turn to Isla. She forces a smile, the corners of her lips trembling. “I missed you,” she whispers, her voice hoarse, each syllable a battle.
A sob claws its way up my throat, but I swallow it down, shaking my head. “This is my fault,” I breathe. “I did this to you. I dragged you into this.”
Isla’s weak laugh echoes like a ghost. She shakes her head, wincing at the motion. “Don’t be silly,” she rasps, her eyes soft. “I knew you’d come for me. Always.”
Her words cut deeper than any blade. My vision blurs, and suddenly I’m back in that cramped academy room, two girls standing in front of a cracked mirror. We pinned our shiny new badges to our chests, our hands clasped together, swearing we’d never leave the other behind. Always come for me, she had whispered then. And I had promised.
I clutch her now, my arms trembling around her battered body. “I’ll get you out. I swear it. You and Bianca.”
Bianca whimpers, pressing her face into my side, hiding from the nightmare. My tears finally spill over, dripping into her hair.
“I’ll get you safe,” I whisper again, as much to convince myself as them. “We’ll all be safe.”
I cup Bianca’s cheeks, forcing my trembling lips into something that might pass for calm. “Baby, I know this is scary,” I whisper, my voice quaking as my thumb wipes at the tears streaking her face. “I know you’re confused, but listen to me—we have to find a way to help Aunty Isla, okay?”
Before she can answer, Isla jerks against my arm, her eyes wide, panic breaking through her exhaustion. “No…no…God, no….” Her voice cracks, and I see it in her face, the clench of her jaw, the arch of her back—she’s going into labor.
“Shhh, Isla, it’s okay.” My voice trembles as I press a hand to her damp forehead, stroking sweaty strands of hair back. “You’re safe. I’m here. I swear to you, you’ll be safe.” My other hand grips hers, tighter than I mean to, as though I can hold her pain for her.
Desperation claws at me. I glance at the rusted bars—warped, corroded with age. I drag myself upright, my arms straining as I push with every ounce of strength I have left. Mypalms burn, my muscles scream, but the iron groans, shifting just enough to give me hope. The gap widens, jagged edges scraping my skin as I try to wedge myself through.
Too big. I’m too big.
My breath comes in shallow gasps. I shove harder, the metal biting into my ribs, but my body won’t pass. I slam my fists against the bars in rage and despair, sobbing as I drop back inside.
“Mama, look.” Bianca’s small voice cuts through, and when I lift my head, my blood runs cold.
She’s on the other side of the cage. She managed to squeeze through.
My heart seizes. “Bianca—no!” My voice hisses out sharp, desperate, louder than it should be. I scramble to the bars, clawing at them, my arms straining through the gap. “Come back here, right now!”
Her big hazel-green eyes are wet but steady. “Mama, I’ll go and find someone to help Aunty Isla.”
