Chapter 66
CAEL’S POV
The following morning arrived, coloring the heavens in tones of gentle rose and amber. A deceptive assurance of serenity floated in the breeze, a sharp disparity to the upheaval that stormed inside me. I forced down the surge of remorse and compelled myself to concentrate. Zareth and I had to survey the prison, evaluate the sentry coverage and then devise a strategy.
We advanced with the honed stealth of phantoms, clinging to the edges of the dungeon, noting the sentries’ motions, their scouting routines and the rotation shifts.
“Four sentries cycling,” he whispered, his tone scarcely perceptible. “Two at the primary gateway, one scouting the East flank and another on the west. Rotation swaps every three hours.”
“Yeah, but the inside?” I questioned, pretending as if I lacked much knowledge, though I grasped it all.
“That’s the issue,” He exhaled, dragging a hand through his shadowy locks. “We can’t approach to view within without detection. We require a diversion.”
We devoted the subsequent hour brainstorming, rejecting one notion after another. Ultimately, Zareth’s gaze illuminated. “I’ve figured it, I’ll manage it. You simply follow orders and avoid errors.”
“Okay.” I replied, striving to keep my tone steady. “But you must ensure it appears believable.”
“I’m not a damn kid,” he growled at me. “You simply focus on executing this scheme so your sweetheart can remain secure.”
“She’s not my sweetheart, “ I growled in response.
“Who’s she then to you?”
“Nobody.” I replied, dodging his stare. I was deceiving and he recognized I was deceiving. The instant Clara’s name was uttered my thoughts blanked.
He huffed. “Whatever suits you. I’ll depart now. When you’re finished, rendezvous with me at the location.”
He rose and left. A short while later all the sentries dashed from the area, not a solitary one remaining.
Okay…that’s fine. All is proceeding as planned. I extracted the keys from my pouch, proceeded toward the dungeon.
Liberate the rogue, divert Elara by enticing her into foliage asserting there was a wounded youngster and then boom! They seize her and evaporate into oblivion.
That was the scheme.
Simple for me to execute.
But was I going to execute it?
I inhaled deeply and advanced toward the dungeon. My pulse thumped in my torso, a wild rhythm against my chest.
I located the rogue shackled to the barrier, his gaze brimming with a frantic optimism.
“You’re at last here!” He croaked, his tone raspy. “You’re going to release me from here?”
I unfastened the gate, the corroded metal moaning in objection. As I entered, I secured it after me. A surge of disquiet flooded me. The rogue, encouraged by his approaching liberty, pounced toward me, his gaze aflame with a frenzied vigor.
“Remove these restraints from me!” He growled.
“And if I don’t?” I lifted a brow as I crossed my arms over my chest.
As he parted his lips to respond. In a rapid motion I drew out an injector loaded with an immobilizing lethal toxin.. It was sufficient to slay him but in a gradual torturous manner. I administered it into his neck, the rogue inhaled in astonishment as the toxin seized control. His actions grew erratic, his limbs quaking.
“What..what did you do?” He stuttered, his tone diminishing.
I crouched, my features near his, my tone a subdued threatening murmur. “It’s fine, you’ll perish very shortly. But an agonizing slow demise.
Initially, you’ll forfeit the capacity to utter, your voice will cease. Then a scorching feeling will consume your throat and extend downward to your belly. However, if you desire a swift demise..sever your own tongue.”
The Rogue’s gaze expanded in terror. He attempted to resist the toxin, to escape its clutch. But it was too tardy. He flailed and contorted, a wordless cry ensnared in his gullet.
“Sever your tongue and conclude this swiftly. Either way you’d perish.”
The rogue persisted in struggling, his gaze imploring for leniency, but the poison had deprived him of his command. And then, with an ultimate frantic deed as he couldn’t endure the agony any longer. He clamped down on his tongue. A crimson flow streamed from his mouth, tainting his lips and jaw.
I observed, my belly churning, as the vitality slowly ebbed from his gaze. When I was certain he was deceased.. I exited the dungeon, where I encountered the other sentries. They had come back.
“I’m finished,” I stated, my tone flat and devoid of feeling. “Recall, like I mentioned, don’t utter anything.”
The sentries assented, their expressions somber.
They understood what needed to be done, and they grasped the necessity for quiet.
I pivoted and dashed toward the meeting spot, the vision of the rogue’s lifeless gaze etched into my recollection.
Upon arriving at Zareth, he promptly questioned, “Where’s the rogue? Where’s Elara?”
I halted, my core racing and locked eyes with him. “Actually, it’s merely me and you.”
His gaze tightened, a spark of doubt crossed his features. “What are you discussing?”
“I can’t deceive my Alpha and allow blameless individuals to perish.”
“You damn traitor!” Zareth pounced at me, his hand extending for the blade at his waist.
But I was swifter..I evaded his assault and thrust a blade I concealed in my pouch into his limb. Incapacitating him before thrusting another injector filled with toxin into his neck. He inhaled, his gaze wide with skepticism as the toxin surged through his vessels. He grasped at his throat, his features turning a speckled hue of violet.
He reeled rearward, his frame convulsing.
I observed, my features lacking feelings as Zareth drew his final inhale. The vitality drained from his eyes, leaving them vacant and hollow.
When I was certain he was deceased. I hauled his corpse to the brink of a close precipice and hurled him over. His lifeless shape vanished into the gorge below, engulfed by the obscurity.
I lingered there briefly, gazing into the void, the burden of my deeds bore down on me. I turned and gazed back at the palace, its pale walls shining in the morning sunlight. It’s time. I pondered..time to confront the repercussions of my deeds. Time to rectify matters, regardless of the expense.