Chapter 60: Chapter 60

My grip tightened on the dagger, the cold metal burning through my skin. If someone had said that I would be battling the Inferus in the middle of the night with no army, I would have laughed at their faces. There was no way we were going to emerge victoriously. It was four of us versus them. That didn’t deter me because all I could think was keeping them away from Talia till she gets on the other side of the portal.

As I murmured a silent chant in the air, a sharp metallic dagger appeared in my hand. I sliced the wind through the dagger, admiring the sharp silver blade winking at me. The dagger was sort of my gift for a job well done, something I got right after fighting the previous King of the throne. It can kill any demonic spirit, even the faceless shadows, but they did not die easy.

The Inferus were agile, swift with their movements and above all could teleport from one place to other. That’s why no one has lived to tell the tale of defeating their kind. No one lived that long. I took a shaky breath and looked over my shoulder. Talia was trying to navigate the way to our room. She had her arm clutching her belly protectively, eyes shifting around as she tentatively took each step.

My eyes automatically shifted towards Dean, he was indulged with one of the shadows, but I had no other option. Two of them were on me. I couldn’t drive them towards Talia. That would beat the entire purpose. Besides, Dean was closer to her.

“Dean” I furiously whispered, holding the dagger in front of me. I know that those shadows won’t attack while I’m distracted.

“My lord?” He gritted, a sheen of sweat over his forehead and eyes narrowed dangerously. He was frustrated at them. In a fight, you would expect the opponent to do something, but if they don’t, it makes you lose your mind.

That’s what the Inferus thrive on. I was very familiar with their strategy. They stand in front and dodge the blows aimed at them but never take the lead. It’s to annoy and tire their enemy when the enemy is no longer reliable and lose their energy that’s when they attack—just one sharp blow to the gut and its enough to send us to knees. I was nervous about that happening. Even though I had an immortal life, I could be killed.

“Cover Talia!”

“Okay,” He yelled back and turned towards the hallway. As soon as he inched towards Talia, I let out a sigh of relief.

The shadows cackled at my attempt, shaking their heads. My nose flared at their action. I could feel the anger burning in my stomach.

“Who sent you?!” I growled at them, my hands tightening around the dagger. One slash to their faces, and it would be over. I thought to myself while trying to take a quiet step in their direction.

They threw their head back, laughter ringing around the room. Losers. I muttered under my breath, feeling confident. I chose that exact moment to saunter forward, raising the dagger in the air but before I could bring it down, they slid back. A groan slipped out of my mouth. How did they see that?!

“You can’t kill us, King Lukas.”

“Not again” Another one murmured, dragging his cloak higher and covering his face.

I froze as I heard those words. That’s when it clicked me that I killed them before. I saw that in the pond. One of them was lying on the ground in the form of ashes. Why couldn’t I remember how I did that?

Before I could say something, I heard Dean yelp; my head immediately turned towards him. He had a deep gash running through his shoulder, the ripped material laying on the ground. My eyes widened as he wobbled suddenly. The sudden panic settled in. Will he make it?

Dean stood his foot, brushing it off and swiftly moved his spear, swinging in their direction, but as always they ducked it. I let out a sigh. There had to be a way of defeating them. But what was it? I thought to myself, looking around.

“Are you giving up already, King?” The mocking sound pricked my skin. Swallowing harshly I met their taunting eyes and masked smirks. That was all the push I needed to raise my dagger and swing back at them with full force when I felt someone behind me.

My breathing hitched in my throat as I felt harsh cold breath fanning my neck. Before I could turn around, I felt something tearing through my neck. A cry ripped from my throat, and my vision faltered, black liquid gushing out of me. Choking on my saliva, I gurgled turning around only to see a malicious smile on the masked persons face.

I felt my body turn cold and my eyes turn bright red, anger coursing through my body. Just then I noticed Talia on the floor, unmoving. A cold sweat broke out of my body as I tried to stagger in her direction, my knees weak.

Something appeared out of thin air and stood beside her, throwing a smirk in my direction. My hands loosened around the dagger and clattered on the floor, the noise echoing around the room.

“Talia!” I screamed as that thing picked her off the ground. Before I could take a step, black dots danced across my vision, and I succumbed to the darkness.

***

When I blinked my eyes open a wince slipped out of my lips. The cold air brushed against my body, and I shuddered, realising that they stripped me bare, save for the boxers. I felt a rod in my back and the sharp object still lodged in the side of my neck. As I tried to use my hand, I realised that they were pulled back behind me and cuffed together, suspended high in the air in a gruellingly uncomfortable position. I clenched my jaw at that. Someone had a death wish.

My body was littered with marks and wounds, from my face to the knees. Thick black liquid spurted out from the side of my neck almost methodically and dripped on the ground. My hair was pulled back, drenched in blood and sticking to the side of my face. My lips stung as I tried to lick them because of the various cuts. What did they do to me? I internally shuddered.

My eyes roamed around the room. It was bare, nothing in sight. The plain walls stared back at me and the closed oak door. Where am I? I thought to myself.

When I heard the footsteps from outside, I stilled, trying not to make any noise. My hair was tugged, and head tilted harshly. A slow whistle escaped my lips when I came face to face with the person I detested the most. Ajaxson. The one who wanted to take Talia away from me.

“Phaeton” He sneered, blinking at me.

“It’s King Lukas to you, Ajaxson” I spat back, recoiled at the use of that name. It brought back memories. Not the good kind.

He laughed, throwing his head in the air, “It’s Jaxon now. Surprised Talia didn’t tell you about me.”

At the mention of my soulmate, I froze. Talia. Someone had taken her away. That’s the last thing I remember. I couldn’t even see the person who managed to disappear in the thin air. My throat closed as I thought about the possibility of never seeing her or our child. The thought made my heart clench. I always promised to protect her, and our child, the brooch on her chest as a reminder of that, but I failed. Shame overtook my features, and I let my head hung low. What kind of King was I?

Jaxon cooed, gripping my jaw tightly, “Aww don’t worry that pretty little head of yours. Talia is with me as she should be. I am going to mate her this time after I get rid of that bastard inside her”

My eyes turned red at the mention of our child. I growled, my chest aching at the impact and staggered forward to rip his head off, but my hands were tightly bound.

“Funny how fate works! I was feeling the same last time, and you can feel it now.”

I curled my lips in disgust, “She will hate you again!”

“Not if I hold you captive. She has no choice but to be nice to me.”

I growled, stomping my foot at the chains which only made me bleed more. The action amused Jaxson as he threw his head back and laughed, a smirk on his face, “I love this! You cannot do anything with your hands tied back.”

“I will kill you!”

“Yeah you can try, but you won’t succeed” Jaxon brushed off the invisible lint off his shoulder, motioning towards the guards on the door.

“Enjoy rotting here forever” With that he was gone.

***

Two more chapters till end!