HELLHOUND (Book Two of the Wisteria Chronicles)

CHAPTER 21~Curiosity~

Leo

    It was absolute chaos when the first bomb went off. Oliver, James and I lead our small teams into the compound to evacuate as many people as possible. I had to break the glass enclosures to free those who were being displayed. After opening the cells on the lower levels, I guided everyone to the rendezvous spot. 

     We marched up the hill, the portal insight. The crowd was becoming restless as we got closer. Angry whispers turned into shouting as a man pushed his way to the front. “I can’t wait any longer!” he shouted, sprinting towards the portal. I chased after him, yelling for him to stop. 

     I managed to grab the back of his shirt, trying to pull him away. He struggled against my hold, pushing his finger through the glimmering barrier. The collar around his neck started to glow, initiating the spell. His hand was turning black, pieces of his arm began to chip away. 

    He held his hand, the deterioration already moving past his elbow. I released his shirt, stepping away from his melting form. He turned his head, his shrieks echoed; promising to haunt me dreams. The spell quickly claimed his legs, his weight falling forward. He stared up at me with wide eyes as his face disintegrated into tiny specs. 

    The large horde of slaves started to panic. “You’ve brought us to our deaths!” “We will never be free!” they shouted. Oliver and James tried to calm them. I scanned the crowd, searching for Titus and Phoebe. They should’ve been here two minutes ago, where were they? “You’ve killed us all!” a woman shouted, holding her thin infant close to her body.

    I raised my hands, “Everyone calm down! We WILL get you out of here safely. We are just waiting for the last of the team to arrive.” I wanted to reassure them, but I wasn’t sure how we were going to pass the barrier; it was the only flaw with the plan. “How?!” someone shouted from the crowd, everyone cheered at his question.          

     I held my breath, I didn’t know. The shouting was becoming angrier, their taunts making them look like a mob. “EVERYONE, QUIET!” Titus’s Alpha voice rang out. Everyone remained silent as he made his way towards me, an unconscious woman in his hands. Phoebe was close behind him, a near dead Faedan with her. I rushed over, helping her rest his ragged body against a tree. 

    She fumbled with the keys in her hands, trying to find the correct one. She let out a wild laugh as the last key opened Faedan’s collar. Oliver helped me pull him up and we walked to the portal. Oliver took his first steps through the thick film, successfully taking Faedan out of the Underworld. 

  Phoebe grinned at me before taking the woman’s collar off. James took her from Titus’s arms and crossed over. The crowd began to murmur with renewed hope. My teams started to line everyone up to get their collars removed. Phoebe smiled as new slaves came forward, thankful for her help. 

     Cameron came up to report to Titus. “We have roughly 120 slaves waiting. I noticed we have a few stragglers coming out at the end of the line. I think our numbers will increase to 150 or more.” Titus grunted, “Casualties?” Cameron smiled, “None on our end sir.” Titus clapped the both of us on the back. ” Well done.”

Phoebe

     Titus and I were the last to leave the Underworld. 142 liberated slaves now frequented the Vortex. Hell’s Shield had medics and staff waiting to tend to them. Family members were already lining up to reclaim their loved ones. I followed Faedan’s scent, his blood standing out in the crush of people. Titus knocked on the hotel room door, a nurse promptly let us in.

    Faedan was face down on his bed, his severe wounds exposed. Yurah was quietly sobbing, holding his hand to her chest. She held out a free hand when she saw me, reaching out for comfort. I rushed to her side, fear for my brother’s life spurring my movements. I looked up at the doctor, “Is he going to be ok?” 

    The doctor sighed, “He is in grave condition. There is nothing we can medically do at this time. Yurah let out a loud wail. “What do you suggest?” Titus asked. “A healer. They would be able to seal the wounds enough to allow the medical staff to administer stitches.” Yurah yelped, “I have magic! I can help him!” 

    I swiveled my head to her, looking her in the eye. “We can help him. You haven’t used your magic in a while and you’re still weak. Let’s do it together.” I told her. She nodded and wiped her tears away. “What do you need?” I asked her. I’ve never used healing magic before; Blair only mentioned the basics.

    “Fire, I need fire. I’m too scared to create a flame myself, I don’t want to risk it getting out of control.” she said, braiding her long hair. We stood on either side of Faedan. I rubbed my hands together, building a small fireball. Yurah leaned forward, chanting in a strange language. She guided a flame over one of Faedan’s gash, coaxing it inside his flesh.

   The wound slowly started to mend together, the torn tissue sealing together. I held my fire steady as Yurah worked her way across his back. Faedan’s heavy breathing turned light, motivating us to move faster.  

    We worked diligently for over an hour. Titus would wipe the sweat from our heads and give us water. Yurah chanted her last spell, pushing the flame into the remaining laceration. Yurah collapsed in the seat behind her while I leaned against Titus. The doctor came over to examine our work. “That was magnificent. He will scar, but he doesn’t need stitches.” I released a relieved sigh. The doctor exited the room with Titus. 

    “Yurah, are you ok?” I asked her. She was pale and sweaty, a wide girl on her face. “Yes.” she chuckled. She caught her breath then stood up to help me clean the blood and grime off of Faedan’s back. Yurah’s touch was light as he touched Faedan, murmuring sweet words to him. “Do you love him?” I asked her. “Yes.” she said with a bright blush. 

     “Good, he needs a lot of love.” I smiled back. “And you? Do you love that love sick puppy who follows you around?” she asked, her accent thick. I laughed at her bluntness. “I do.”  I answered shyly. Yurah gave me a wide smile, “You should tell him.” Titus walked into the room. “Tell me what?” he questioned, his eyebrow raised. “Nothing!” I said quickly.

    Titus chuckled, his face full of curiosity. “I brought a change of clothes for you and Faedan. A nurse will be in shortly to help change him.” he said, handing over the clothing. I told Yurah to get some rest, pushing Titus out of the room before he could ask her any questions. Titus laughed and grabbed my hand. We walked towards our room, I was so ready to sleep.

   “Titus!” Leo yelled from behind us. He was with Oliver, making their way to meet us. “What’s up?” Titus asked. “I’m sorry to bother you, but we need you to come down to the office to look over the paperwork. We have twenty families who are outside wanting answers.” Oliver said. Titus looked down at me with an apologetic face. 

     I nudged his shoulder, “It’s ok, baby. Go handle your business.” Titus rubbed his weary face then bent down to give me a kiss. “I’ll try not to take too long, ok?” he whispered. I nodded my head and watched him leave with the guys. I took my time walking back to our room, twirling around Gozredal’s keys. Hmm, that reminds me.

   Once behind my door I walked over to the bathroom, locking the door.  I lifted the toilet tank cover, pulling out the gilded box I had found at the villa. I sat down on the seat, studying the padlock. Why did Gozredal have such a feminine box and why was it locked? I ran my hand over the satin material, tracing the golden edges.

   I check the key ring, locating the small gold object. My curiosity was killing me. I placed the box on my lap and inserted the key. The small crate opened, revealing several white envelopes and few black ones. I lifted up a white envelope, the seal on the candle wax looked familiar. I studied it closely. 

    Yes, these are the seals from the Council. I remember seeing them on my father’s desk when a Council member planned on visiting. I lifted a shaky finger to slide out the note that was nestled inside. It was a letter about a royal, who was announcing a wedding. I read the other white letters, all of them containing information of royal families and their offspring. 

     There was even a letter about Nythsgroth, and Krya’s lack of heir. Why was Gozredal keeping correspondence with a Council member? What did royal children have to do with his slave collection? I reached for a black letter, my arms raising with goosebumps. There were only two of them in the box, the candle wax seal completely removed.

     A sudden urge of uneasiness washed over me. I removed the letter from its black sleeve. The writer was thanking Gozredal for his continued patronage on behalf of their ‘Lord M’. It spoke of how his last shipment of slaves made a big impact, increasing the rank numbers and boosting troop morale. The letter ended with a wish to meet in the future, time and date to be decided later. The writer once again thanked him for his business and signed, M. Laverna.

     The second letter left me with more questions. It was the same author, speaking on the lord’s behalf again. Laverena wrote of her lord's displeasure when the last delivery of slaves did not arrive. She advised Gozredal that Lord M will not take this slight without disciplinary action. Lord M would no longer offer him protection in the upcoming battles. She ends the note with “You have been warned.”

      Ranks? Troops? Battles? Who was this Lord M, and why did it sound like he was preparing for a war? Was this the clue Lilith hinted at? I was more confused, none of my questions had answers. Was this war connected to the upcoming evil the goddess warned me about?

Unk Pov

    I woke from my sleep in a cold sweat. A surge of power swept through my body as the mark on my arm glowed with a red tint. I let out a roar of sinister laughter. I knew this day would come. I needed to find Dorvina to prepare the spell. I waited years for this day. I let out another round of laughter, the sound foreign to my ears. 

   The residual power made my body tingle. I reached up, caressing my horns. I gritted my teeth when I felt the jagged edge of the one that was broken. I always get what I want, there was no way I would let my destiny slip through my fingers again.