She gulps down but doesn’t look away. “No. It’s fine. I’ll help.”
She holds the Wilka’s body while I saw down the horn. It’s a tough material and it takes me a long time to completely remove it even with my currently enhanced strength. Once it’s off the body, I place it carefully aside.
Next is the abdominal cavity where the heart is housed.
Using a knife, I cut through the semi-translucent skin. A pop resounds in the air and a clear liquid with specks of glitter flows out of the chamber.
Both Moe and I look at it curiously.
“I wonder if this liquid has any benefits…” I muse to myself. Moe, efficient as always, takes out an empty container and places it under the leaking hole, gathering as much of the liquid as she can.
I chuckle but give her a nod of approval. Although it might not be useful forus, I’m sure we can get some money for it. After all, just the mythical status of the Wilka should attract attention to it.
When the last drops of liquid have been emptied, I grasp onto the skin and pull to the side, enlarging the hole. There are similarly translucent ribs covering a vividly purple heart. Even in death, it retains its perfect coloring. Using the saw again, I cut off the ribs. Then, careful not to squeeze too hard, I take the heart out.
“This is yours.”
She’s about to protest again, but I cut her off.
“No buts. I already said this is yours.”
“Nyk, it’s too much,” she murmurs. “That’s the most valuable part. You said it yourself… It can help an immortal?—”
“I’d ratheryouhave it. I want you stronger, Moe. This will make you stronger permanently, with none of the unpredictability or the side effects of the Zantrax.”
She purses her lips.
“All right.”
Then, slowly, she reaches out. Her fingers brush mine as she takes the heart, and for a brief moment neither of us lets go.
“What should I do now? Just…eat it?” Her nose wrinkles in distaste.
“That seems to be the most logical course. The book says it must be consumed.”
“They should have had some cooking instructions,” she grumbles.
“Perhaps it’s more potent raw?” I offer.
We both stare at the purple heart in her hands, blood still leaking from its orifices.
Moe makes a gagging sound as she squeezes her eyes shut.
“All right,” she says, more to herself. Bringing the heart to her lips, she takes a big bite. Purple blood smears around her mouth. Somehow, the image is familiar, though I cannot say why—such a ritualistic scene, why would I have witnessed it before?
“It’s foul,” she grunts, swallowing with difficulty. But that doesn’t stop her. Bite after bite, she swallows each awful morsel.
By the time she’s finished, she’s breathing hard. She brings her hand to her chest, gasping for air.
I’m on my feet before I even realize I’ve moved, kneeling by her side and patting her on the back.
The surface of her skin lights up, small purple particles moving haphazardly all around her body. It’s identical to the way the Wilka’s chest was lighting up while it was alive.
“Something—” she presses her lips together. “I can feel it.”
Energy moves through her—I can feel it. It’s like something is forcing its way into every part of her body, burrowing into every cell. The color starts a little muted and it gains in intensity with every passing second.
Her hands curl slightly at her sides, her shoulders tensing as she braces against it. I keep patting her back, comforting her as the changes within her take shape.
