61. Bay
Bay
I never thought I’d see this place again, and so soon—the city that cast me out, the bloodline that turned its back on me. But this time, I’ve returned stronger. Prepared. This isn’t my home, nor my family, but I will take what I came for—whether they like it or not.
I feel it rising in me—the fury, the hunger for revenge—spurring me forward.
Are you ready? I ask Myko as the city’s guards line up before me, their spears pointed, their eyes shadowed with fear. They know what it means to face someone ‘Black Blooded.’
Always ready. Myko’s voice hums in my mind, steady and unwavering. The familiar purple light flares from my chest, blinding the guards as Myko bursts into form above me, swirling protectively, a menacing presence that causes the water to ripple beneath his figure.
One of the guards falters, his confidence breaking. He stumbles back ward, eyes wide in panic, but those in front—those who’ve been trained to resist—still dare to keep their spears raised.
They won’t back down. They won’t run. But neither will I.
I swim forward, and with every inch I gain, my pulse quickens, each beat resonating with the weight of my return. I feel the adrenaline surging through my veins, mingling with the burning need for vengeance. I won’t be denied again. Not this time.
The city may have once turned away from me, but now? They will feel what it truly means to cross someone like me—someone who has nothing left to lose. I’m a force they never should have underestimated. Now, they either follow my lead or fall. Let them come .
“Call Queen Lora,” I demand, my voice cold. They hesitate, so I signal to Myko. He growls, baring his teeth, and they recoil, but before they can react, a voice rings out—the one I’ve been waiting for.
“I’m here,” she announces. As I turn, I see my aunt isn’t alone; my uncle, King Clarion, stands beside her.
“Are you so afraid of me that you brought King Clarion along?” I taunt, barely concealing my disbelief.
“We were already near the gates; handling matters in the market. Don’t take it personally,” she says, though her eyes betray distrust I’d never seen before. But this isn’t my fight, and it’s not my home. I let it go.
“I’m here for the marked woman,” I say without preamble.
“Bay, you can’t take her from our pod. She is bound by our line—”
“I don’t care what binds her. I’m finding a solution, and I need her as a test subject,” I lie bluntly for the reason, though her expression tells me she’s not convinced.
“Would it matter if I told you this is the only way to save your heir’s life?” I add, impatience breaking through. Her eyes widen in shock.
“What’s happened to my daughter?” she demands, rage flooding her as she surges toward me, currents of water swirling around her. But before I can even flinch, Myko lashes out, knocking her back with his tail into my uncle’s arms, then coils around me like an immense shield, growling.
“I would never harm you, but my dragon won’t hesitate if you touch me,” I say with a smirk. My aunt tried to hurt me. I take a deep breath, steadying myself—I need Luca’s mother’s body.
“Alin touched the Coral of Life,” I say with no remorse, masking my pain. Her face drains of color, and I see my uncle tense beside her.
“Where is she?” she asks, her voice faltering.
“With her real family,” I say, letting the words cut deep. “Now, bring me the body if you want to save her and your city.”
After a long pause, she nods silently and swims back through the gates. She returns within minutes, using a water current to guide the glass casket toward us. As Florencia’s body nears, the light at her forehead glows even brighter, reacting to Myko’s presence.
“Myko,” I call, and he knows what to do. He grasps the glass casket in his claws, awaiting my next command.
Queen Lora gasps as Myko draws near, her gills fluttering, but she exhales in relief as he moves to my side, stirring the water around us as he goes. I hardly notice anymore; I’m used to his presence. But the others tense, instinctively moving into defensive stances.
“Thank you,” I say finally, meeting her pained gaze. “I’ll do everything I can to save her.” She nods, but as I turn to Myko, her voice cuts through the water.“Avi-El and Mette are banished.”
“What did you say?” My voice catches as I process her words. “You banished my parents? You said you couldn’t do that yet!” I snap, shocked. My breath hitches as a surge of concern from Myko floods over me, forcing me to take a steadying breath.
“I told you to be patient. I waited until I could catch them off guard, with a charge that would warrant banishment.” Queen Lora’s words resonate, and my chest feels tight as I try to breathe through my gills to calm down. They’re banished. Finally banished.
Sometimes, my dear huntress, personal revenge is sweet—but karma? She’s a bitch, Myko says with a dark grin. The guards edge back, likely thinking he’s baring his teeth to snack on them.
It’s not karma. It’s fair justice, I smile to myself. “Thank you, Queen Lora.” I will never dare to call her aunt again.
She nods, and her voice softens. “Save my daughter,” she pleads, as Myko’s massive claw wraps around me gently. He propels us toward the shore so fast that water bubbles blur my vision, forcing me to close my eyes.
As we near the coastline, he lifts above the water, carrying us into the air. The breeze hits my face as I open my eyes, blinking back the tears gathering at the corners. I want to feel happy about my parents’ banishment, but I can’t celebrate until I find a way to save Alin.
Floating higher, I glimpse the distant roads, crowded with cars. Myko, they can’t see a dragon in the sky, I remind him, thinking about tomorrow’s news headlines and how I’d explain them to Alin. If she wakes up…
Okay, okay. He growls, slightly annoyed, and in an instant, we’re surrounded by a shimmering, purplish aura.
“What’s this?” I ask, excitement bubbling up—though it’s not entirely mine.
It’s my aura cloak. Humans can’t see us through it, he explains, pride lacing his voice.
You can just...do that? I grin, realizing how useful this could be.
It’s no problem to stay hidden from humans until their death. Only their souls can perceive me.
A weird black mist and a totally cool aura cloak. Anything else you’re hiding? I tease, curious.
That’s a story for another day, he chuckles.
Oh, come on!