Chapter 124: Chapter 124

The only indicator that another day had passed was the clock in the kitchen. Elena had been staring at it for minutes, hours, inwardly praying that Ryder had made progress. She couldn’t do anything but wait, and it wore her out. Her anxiety was always there to torment her, preventing her from getting sleep at night. Her thoughts drifted into a scary direction, spiraling out of control, and Elena had been caught up in them like a butterfly in a spider’s web. The last thing she wanted was to die at the hands of her family’s murderer. She didn’t want Jacob and Louis to win. She didn’t want to lose Ryder.

“What are you thinking of?”

Alan’s soft voice distracted her from her gloomy thoughts. He sat down in a chair next to her and propped his elbows up on the kitchen table, watching the older witch and trying to figure out what was going through her head.

“Jacob and Louis,” she grimaced. “Ever since you told me about it, I can’t stop thinking about their sick plan, and it bothers me that I can’t do anything to prevent it.”

“I used to be just like you when I first arrived here,” Alan shrugged defeatedly. “I wanted to escape at all costs, but there’s no way out. The vampires are far too strong and smart.”

“You sound like you’ve given up, but there’s hope. My soulmate and the council are hunting Louis down as we speak.”

“It’s insane how much trust you’re putting into a bunch of bloodsuckers,” Belle chimed in. Her frosty tone matched her gaze as she entered the kitchen.

Elena sighed. She obviously couldn’t convince all of her new acquaintances to trust her clan. It made sense for them to be cautious, considering they had been hurt severely by vampires. In a way, they were just like her before she had met Ryder, so she empathized with them.

“My clan is on our side. When they find us, they won’t hurt you.” She would repeat this as many times as was necessary in order to make them believe it.

“You said when they find us,” Alan remarked. “You’re convinced they will succeed.”

He was desperate to hold on to the inkling of hope that had grown in him. His eyes were wide, eager to believe her. The innocence in his features was plain to see; even the cruel actions of Louis’s clan hadn’t smothered it yet. Elena bit her lip. Someone as young as him shouldn’t be stuck in this situation at all.

“There’s no other option for me,” Elena replied. “The mere thought of letting Louis and Jacob win makes me want to throw up. I can’t stand it.”

They were interrupted by a loud bang. Alan paled, turned as white as a sheet. His entire body went rigid. He sat in his chair like a robot, unmoving. Belle cursed and moved away from the door. The atmosphere changed, and Elena understood why when she heard Jacob’s cruel voice.

“Where are you? Stop hiding,” he called. Although he seemed to be in a good mood, his tone was suspicious—Elena feared he had bad intentions in coming here. “Your leader is here to see you.”

Elena got up, taking note of the hidden threat in his tone. She was the first of the witches and wizards to reach the hallway, encountering Jacob and a man she had never seen before. She froze in shock when she saw an unfamiliar wizard lying at Jacob’s feet. He was unconscious, had injuries all over his body, and seemed to be clinging to life. She sensed traces of wind magic on him—the vampires had found a replacement for John.

“What did you do to him?” Elena hissed and threw a glare at Jacob, who challenged her with a look of equal hatred. The injuries caused by her magic had not fully healed yet. Red streaks were visible on his neck, and he looked a little paler than the last time she had seen him. Good. Elena wanted the bastard to suffer for what he had done to her and her parents.

“How rude, haven’t your parents taught you to introduce yourself first when you meet someone new?” the unfamiliar vampire taunted. His reddish eyes scrutinized her, a sadistic grin playing with his lips. “Oh, my bad. Your parents are dead.” He laughed without humor and continued to stare at her.

Anger struck Elena like lightning. She gritted her teeth. “Why don’t you introduce yourself first?” she countered, ignoring his comment about her parents. She wouldn’t take the bait.

Now the other witches and wizards showed themselves as well, reluctantly arriving in the hallway. Alan was terrified and hid behind Alex’s back, clutching his friend’s shirt as if to stop him from getting too close to the vampires. Belle and Wendy watched the scene wordlessly, taking note of the wizard on the ground. He hadn’t moved at all.

The vampire bowed mockingly, his condescending smirk never wavering. “My name is Louis. I’m the leader of your new clan.”

“I never joined your clan,” Elena said coldly. She realized too late that her defiance was too much—she had overstepped a boundary.

The moment Louis’s eyes narrowed, her breath hitched—and then Jacob was right in front of her, grabbing her by the neck and shoving her against the wall.

“Show some respect to your leader, witch,” Jacob growled in her ear. His cold hand on her neck was like a vice, prompting her to panic. “Whether you like it or not, you belong to him. Just like all of you.”

Louis watched the spectacle with interest, deciding not to step in. The witch needed to be taught a lesson, after all. “Since I am in a good mood today, I brought you a new friend. You should be grateful,” Louis taunted and kicked the unconscious wizard’s back.

Alex looked ready to attack the vampire, his fists curling. The air temperature around him went up by a few degrees, but Alan’s hand on his shoulder blade reminded him to hold himself back—because it wouldn’t end well for him if he angered the vampires. They were far stronger and faster than the wizard; they could break his neck in a second if they felt like it.