7. Bay
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.
“But Elyr, on the other hand, can start her challenge now,” she sneers, and my breath catches.
“Bay. BAY!” A familiar voice cuts through the haze, jolting me awake. My heart pounds as I blink against the dim light, taking a few seconds to register where I am—my bed, on solid ground. Safe.
“What are you doing here?” I ask dryly as Pedro wipes the sweat from my forehead. I shove his hand off, letting the damp towel drop to the floor.
“You were having another nightmare. I heard you crying and came over,” he says, his eyes soften with worry.
“I told you, Pedro, I don’t need a ‘brother,’ and I definitely don’t need your pity. Get out!” My voice cuts through the room like a whip.
He stiffens, the softness in his eyes hardening into something unreadable. For a moment, he doesn’t move, then he silently raises and walks to the door. The soft click as it closes behind him feels louder than it should.
Left alone, I reach up, my fingers brushing against the damp streaks on my cheeks. I’ll never get used to the feeling of tears on my skin.
Reaching for my phone, I try to shake off the suffocating heaviness in my chest. The clock reads 6:00 p.m.—I’ve slept through the entire day. I tap the first name on my short contact list.
Alin picks up on the second ring, her voice bright. “Finally awake, huh?”
“Yes,” I chuckle. “Where are you?”
“With Cora, in her kitchen. Maria made pancakes.”
“And you didn’t think to wake me? You know they’re my favorite here!” I scold, hopping out of bed and heading barefoot to the elevator, taking it up to Mariano’s apartment on the third floor.
Alin and Cora meet me at the entrance, laughing at my mock-scowl.
“Alright, alright! Won’t happen again,” Alin laughs, surrendering playfully. I pull Cora into a hug, thrilled to see her after a few days away.
“So, how was your trip home?” Cora asks, but Alin elbows her rib, silencing her.
I roll my eyes at Alin. “I told you, I’m fine.” Then I turn to Cora. “And it looks like things are finally going my way.” I force a smile that isn’t entirely fake.
As we settle on the kitchen counter, Maria brings me a plate stacked with golden pancakes, butter melting into maple syrup drizzled over the top. My stomach growls, the sweet scent intoxicating.
“God, Bay, the way you’re looking at those pancakes—I bet Pedro wishes he could be in their place right now,” Cora teases, and suddenly, I lose my appetite.
“Can we not talk about him?” I ask, his words from earlier replaying painfully in my head. I stab my fork into the top pancake, taking a less enthusiastic bite.
Both of them turn to me, surprised. “Since when don’t you want to talk about Pedro? He’s all you think about,” Cora says, eyes wide with concern.
I sigh and answer quickly to shut them up. “He made it clear I’m just family. He treats me like a sister .”
They both stare at me like I’ve got a sea urchin stuck in my hair, then suddenly burst into laughter. I raise an eyebrow at them, bewildered.
“A sister? Bay, are you serious? He looks at you the way you look at that pancake!” Cora exclaims, only stopping when she sees I’m serious.
“Wait—are you sure you heard him right?” she asks, exchanging a glance with Alin, who just shrugs. I nod. Loud and clear.
“Just ignore him for a few days,” Alin says, as though she’s well-versed in his moods. “He’s probably got issues with Luca and is pushing everyone away.”
I’m about to ask her more when Cora’s phone rings, and she squeals with excitement.
“Rina! It’s been ages! I heard you’re doing great with modeling in Milan!” she gushes into the phone, and I give Alin a curious look, mouthing, “Rina?”
“Her cousin,” Alin mouths back, and I realize I’ve heard Pedro mention that name before.
Cora leaves to chat, leaving me alone with Alin in the kitchen.
“I think I’ve heard Pedro mention her before. Do you know her?” I ask, my curiosity piqued.
“No, but Cora talks about her a lot. Pedro does know her, though; he stayed at Cora’s parents’ house in Vegas for a year when he was younger. They were close.”
A strange feeling stirs in my chest. “Were they…?” I can’t bring myself to finish the question.
She shakes her head. “Not that I know of.”
So much for not wanting to talk about Pedro. Alin, as if reading my mind, adds, “I don’t love the idea of you two together, but there’s no reason to be jealous.” She places a warm hand on my thigh. Jealous? Is that what this is?
“Bay! Alin! Look!” Cora returns, showing us a picture of a tall, muscular, blond man in nothing but boxers. “He’s damn hot!” I gasp, swallowing as I take in the photo.
“Right? It’s Rina’s boyfriend. He’s a famous celebrity in Milan,” she shares, putting the phone back to her ear. “The girls here are practically drooling, sis—keep him close,” Cora teases, and I laugh.
“Who’s hot?” Mariano enters, knowing exactly where to find his wife, and pulls her close. “Eyes only on this face,” he jokes, pointing at himself as she chuckles. Pedro follows him in, and I avoid his eyes, a nervous flutter rising in me even though he’s made his stance clear.
“That was Bay’s call,” Cora blames, and I shoot her a glare before laughing.
“He is pretty hot,” I say, and if I didn’t know better, I’d think Pedro was about to explode. Is he… upset?
No , I tell myself. No more Pedro.
“We’re heading out for a few hours. Stay here with Graham; Abert’s coming with us,” Mariano announces, his gaze locked on Cora like she’s the only person in the room. It must be so nice to be loved like that…