63. Bay
Bay
I sit beside Pedro, who’s been watching me intently for the last ten minutes, ever since his father found out everything.
Luca and Mariano sit on either side of Francesco on the sofa in front of us in Luca’s living room, their mother’s glass case resting in the middle, glowing with that intense blue light right from Florencia’s forehead.
Cora’s in Luca’s room with Alin’s body, and I feel like the whole world could shatter with one wrong breath.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” I whisper to Pedro, feeling the tension coil tight in my chest, hoping to keep this conversation just between us.
“Sorry,” Pedro says, his voice low and honest. “My head’s spinning.
I just need to know if you’ve found a solution.
” He places his hand on my thigh, his touch a solid anchor keeping me grounded, reminding me that no matter what happens, he’s here.
I lean my head against his shoulder, silently thanking him.
I feel Myko’s presence stronger than ever, pulsing steadily in my chest, urging me forward.
There’s no turning back now. The future I’m finally ready to claim, the people I refuse to lose, and the promises I made… it all comes down to this.
I take a deep breath and raise my chin close to his ear. “I want to try the heart of Morlay.”
Pedro turns to me frantically. “You want to try what ?” His voice comes out louder than expected, and now all three men in front of us are staring in our direction.
I sigh heavily, repeating it so Luca and Mariano can hear too. “I want to try waking them both with the heart of Morlay.”
“I know that anyone who consumes it could gain Morlay’s powers. It’s a wild idea, but it might be enough to bring her back…” I explain, watching as they look at me, clearly baffled.
“What is she talking about?” Francesco finally speaks up, concern etched into his eyes.
“Long story,” Luca mutters, shooting him a ‘now’s not the time’ look before turning back to me.
“What would happen to her? Is she going to turn into some full-blown sea witch? Or end up with different powers?” he asks, each question laced with unease. And I can’t blame him—it is a crazy idea.
Myko’s voice breaks through, sounding worried for the first time. She’ll be banished like you, my huntress. She’ll become Black Blooded.
“Do you have a better option?” I say aloud in frustration. “I’m Black Blooded, too, and I’m perfectly fine .”
“Who is she talking to?” Francesco asks Mariano, who responds casually, “Her pet dragon.”
I don’t have a better option, Myko counters, but she’ll need an anchor, a pure one. Like you and me. Without one, she risks losing herself completely.
I gasp, feeling the weight of Myko’s words. It’s something I hadn’t fully understood before now. Tears sting at the corners of my eyes. “She could become… dangerous,” I admit, releasing the breath I’d been holding. Luca’s fist slams down on the coffee table in frustration.
“But it would keep her alive. She’d be Black Blooded like me,” I add softly. I know this isn’t a decision I can make alone; Luca knows what Alin would have wanted, too.
“So you’re telling me it’s either keeping her in this state indefinitely or risking her turning into something dark and unpredictable?” He growls, but I know his anger isn’t directed at me. I nod, unable to add anything else.
Then a thought strikes me. “Unless…” I murmur, the idea crystallizing.
Now that could work! Myko’s excitement is infectious, and my own confidence surges.
“Unless?” Luca’s impatience is palpable as he stands, his eyes narrowing with intensity. Pedro’s hand tightens around mine, urging me to explain.
“Trust me. This can work,” I promise, not giving them more details yet. My connection with Myko is complex, something only I fully understand, and I’ll need their trust.
I rush up the stairs, the others close behind. When I enter Luca’s room, I see Cora lying beside Alin’s body, showing her photos and funny videos, her face red from crying. She keeps talking to Alin, as if nothing’s wrong, as if everything’s fine.
This is the family’s love I always dreamed of… I think, letting myself feel the ache of it all.
This isn’t a dream, my huntress. It’s yours, Myko’s voice grounds me.
His words spur me on as I reach Alin’s closet and find her hidden drawer. The men stand silently at the entrance, watching my every move.
Pedro appears behind me. “Need a hand?” he says, and I’m managing a small smile, it’s all I can do not to pull him close and bury myself in his arms. I really don’t deserve his love and trust.
You’re the only one who deserves it! Myko’s low growl echoes in my mind, and I chuckle softly.
Yes, Dad , I tease inwardly before turning back to Pedro. I find the golden box I’d been searching for and stand, holding it out.
“Myko told me a Black Blooded needs something Alin has,” I whisper to Pedro, close enough that only he can hear. “But Florencia doesn’t. I thought I could fix this all with one heart, but now I’m not sure…”
He takes a steadying breath. “If you can bring Alin back, start with her,” he says confidently. “After she’s awake, we’ll let them decide if they’re ready to take the risk.”
His calm conviction fills me with gratitude. I mouth a silent thank you and step toward Alin’s body. “Are we doing this?” I ask, looking at Luca. He nods, silent and resolute. I can only pray I’m right.
I open the golden box, finally facing Morlay’s black heart.
Its rhythmic pulse, steady and surreal, captivates me.
Instead of disgust, I feel mesmerized, watching the way it beats as if it’s still within a living body.
Francesco mutters a few curses under his breath, and Mariano guides him from the room, leaving only Cora, Luca, Pedro, and me.
How do I do this? I think, waiting for Myko’s guidance, trusting his wisdom.
I follow his words and grasp the heart in my hand, tipping Alin’s head back as I let the black, pulsing blood drip slowly into her mouth.
When it’s done, I place it back in the box and wipe my hands on my shirt, then place both hands on Alin’s belly, feeling the life growing inside her, sending a warm pulse of energy from my hands through her body.
Almost instantly, her body begins to tremble, as if caught in a seizure, black veins threading beneath her skin, the purple glow sparking and flickering.
Don’t let go! Myko urges, his strength fueling me as I hold my hands steady.
Luca surges forward, trying to intervene, but Pedro seizes his arms, pinning him back with an electric shock that cracks beside his head, punching a hole in the wall.
Luca struggles, cursing, but stops abruptly as a calm settles over us all.
And then, a voice we’ve all been desperate to hear:
“Bay? Cora?”