Chapter 111 Chapter 111
“I trust you to stay,” she smiled at him when they separated, feeling genuinely happy for the first time in weeks. She wanted to hug him, to kiss him a hundred times and never let go, but there was a problem they needed to deal with first…
“You’re making me want to throw up,” Zane chimed in when he finally managed to break through the shield made of light that Maxwell had put in between them. He was fuming, staring hatefully at Valerie and Maxwell, who had forgotten about his presence for a moment, too busy with each other.
“You must have been bonded to her. Disgusting,” Zane spat. “You’re not bonded anymore, demon. Why don’t you kill her now? What difference would it make? She’s a worthless human. Snapping her neck would be so easy, and you would be rid of this nuisance… You could just move on with your life.”
“Hold your tongue,” Maxwell snapped hatefully. “What I’m doing is none of your business.”
“Well, if you don’t do it, then I’m going to,” Zane grinned.
“Not like I would let you,” Maxwell countered aggressively, the look in his eyes screaming murder. It was burning with fiery madness, his pupil becoming smaller until it was the size of a needle. Valerie shuddered, but she didn’t let go of him.
She still found it hard to get used to the demonic side of him that craved to kill and to destroy. Whenever it appeared, she grew uneasy around him, an old habit she had never shaken off. However, knowing that she didn’t need to fear him reassured her.
“You’re a pathetic excuse for a demon,” Zane scoffed. “Did you go soft because of that useless bitch?”
The only answer he received was a low snarl coming from deep in Maxwell’s throat. He didn’t like being insulted, and Zane would pay soon enough. Shoving her behind him, he willed orbs of burning hot light into existence that hovered around his body and glowed ominously. The sight would have been bizarre had Valerie not seen it a hundred times already. Sensing his familiar magic that was so similar to hers had her calm down, so she didn’t feel afraid anymore. If they worked together against Zane, they would probably give him a run for his money.
However, Maxwell didn’t seem to plan on letting her participate in the fight, shooting her a dark glare over his shoulder when he felt her magic surge. “Don’t interfere,” he snapped, eyes flashing.
Valerie’s mouth formed a line. “Don’t tell me what to do.”
“You’d only get hurt,” he said stubbornly, his rough tone being something she was already used to.
Zane laughed amusedly, his condescending smirk riling Valerie up. “Do you hear that? You’re a nuisance to him, someone who’s just dragging him down,” he sneered. “Puny human.”
“Do not insult her.” Maxwell roared and attacked without warning. Light exploded around his fists, and then he did something that Valerie hadn’t thought possible. His magic formed a weapon—a long silver rapier with a sharp blade. He held the hilt in a tense grip and used it to attack Zane, who seemed just as surprised as Valerie.
The tip of the deadly blade shot towards him at the speed of light. He cursed, created a shield made of darkness, and evaded at the last possible moment. Maxwell wasn’t deterred by this; on the contrary. Facing a worthy opponent excited him, made his demonic self burn with the desire to kill.
His eyes faded to ruby, and a malicious smirk stretched over his lips as he continued to jab his rapier at Zane.
Valerie sensed that they were both using enormous amounts of magic as they fought, letting it all loose at once in the hopes of being victorious in this duel. They both knew that it wouldn’t end before one of them was dead, so they didn’t hold back at all. She was astonished that they were capable of using so much magic, and she hoped that this wouldn’t end up being a mistake.
Maxwell’s aggressive attacks forced Zane to go on the defensive since he hardly had a chance to retaliate. Using darkness and shadows to shield himself, he was driven back.
Maxwell twirled his rapier provocatively, inclining his head. “Is that all?” he mocked and smirked arrogantly. “I hunted you down for so long, and now you’re done for after only a few minutes? How disappointing.”
Zane gritted his teeth and glared at him, his anger fueling his will to win. Darkness rose around his body, and he sent it in Maxwell’s direction. Maxwell evaded narrowly, the fabric of his jacket being ripped at the sleeves.
“Are you getting desperate?” the white-haired demon taunted and used his rapier to slash Zane’s arm in retaliation. They clashed again and again, so fast that Valerie could barely follow them with her eyes. She had long since realized that she wouldn’t have stood a chance on her own—she was too slow to take Zane on, and even with her magic, she couldn’t have won easily.
The longer he had to dodge and evade without striking back, the angrier Zane became. He was seething with hate for his opponent, and his fury wanted to be let out. A surge of his magic manifested in front of him suddenly, and Maxwell’s eyes widened when he realized that he wouldn’t be able to avoid it.
He shielded his face with his arm when it hit him, sharp shreds made of pure darkness cutting his skin deep enough to draw blood. Clenching his jaw, he vowed to pay him back ten times, but Zane attacked once more, using the demon’s own shadow against him just like he’d done before with Valerie.
She saw the impending danger, saw that Maxwell didn’t notice, and decided to step in. Willing her magic into existence, she let it shoot towards him and repelled the darkness behind him. Now he finally realized his mistake, throwing Zane a dirty look.