Chapter 104 Untitled Chapter

Chapter 104 Untitled Chapter
Rina clenched her teeth hard, knowing she was in a tough position. As it was, the sorceress held all the power and she knew it, the smug bitch.

Tabitha and Omaron were still making incoherent grumbles. Their lives were also on the line as well. She knew that if she were to say what the sorceress didn't want to hear she wouldn’t hesitate to kill Tabitha and Omaron right where they were.

“Rina.”

“Can I just have one moment? I need to think?”

She turned her back on everything, hoping that closing her eyes could give her some clarity. She really didn’t want to work with the witch but if she didn’t. All her friend’s life would be in danger. And also, she wouldn’t have to mean it right?

She could trick the witch and make her think she was on her side when she really wasn’t…

No, the sorceress was too smart for that. She would have some way to test her to ensure Rina’s loyalty. She couldn’t risk that.

What should she do? Just as this thought crossed her mind, she noticed Omaron trying to catch her eye. The keeper was staring at her so intently, it was as if she was trying to pass a message across to her.

Just what could she want to tell her? She thought worriedly to herself and followed the subtle jerk of her head to the far end of a corner. It was deeply shadowed, and she frowned, wondering what Omaron could possibly want her to see there.

Then just then, she saw it. The barest flicker of movement before it stilled and suddenly she understood. Help was there. They were going to be saved.

The idea bolstered her courage and she let out a relieved breath. Tabitha and Omaron had actually come with a plan. But how could she help them? The sorceress was way too powerful right now, Rina doubted she would be taken down by a surprise attack. No, she needed to be distracted.

She whirled around, softening her demeanor a little so the sorceress would take her seriously but not too much so she wouldn't realize she was stalling until it was too late.

“Why do you want me? You’re the most powerful witch in the realm.” She started, making sure not to stammer. “I’m sure you can take over the entire kingdom by yourself.”

There was a tense moment as the sorceress evaluated her critically before drawling, “Is this your way of telling me no?”

Heat blazed in her eyes, not hard to conjure as she thought of all the sorceress had put her through. “I’m not agreeing to anything yet. Answer my question first. Why do you want me to join you? I don’t have any powers that you might want.”

“It’s not necessarily you that I want. It’s what you signify. Rina you are the first hybrid in a long, long time.” Beyond her, she could sense Frieda stiffen. “Your kind was responsible for almost wiping out half the world’s population. That’s the kind of power I want by my side, that’s all. No need to get all worked up.”

Rina glared. “I’m not going to be party to anything that involves innocent people getting hurt.”

“And they won’t. Not unless they stand in my way.” She straightened. “So what’s it to be, Rina?” Her tone made it clear she was fast losing patience with her.

Rina sighed wearily, making a show of caving in. “Fine. I’ll join you. Now untie the ropes of my friends.”

The healer inclined her head briefly, and the two mercenaries immediately caught the signal and without hesitation began untying Omaron and Tabitha. Rina let out a sigh of relief as she saw her friends finally free of their bonds but there was still one more thing left to do.

She kept her chin firm. “When I meant friends, I also meant my wolf too.”

That caused the sorceress’ brow to arch even further. “I see. Very well then, open the cage.”

This time the goons did hesitate. Even Frieda took a step forward. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea, Reneé..”

The sorceress, Reneé's gaze stopped her in her tracks. “Rina has accepted to join us. That makes her one of us. And we don’t put one of ours in cages, Frieda.”

Her gaze slanted over to her. “Open the cage.” She ordered.

Rina’s heart thudded hard in her chest. She was also being released? This was almost too good to be true.

Slowly but surely, Rin watched half in disbelief as the goon approached, grunting irritatedly before turning the lock, and with barely a whisper, the steel bars swung open and Rina was free.

She took a small step forward, hesitant. Looking up she saw the sorceress’s lip curl. It was meant to be reassuring. Surprise, surprise it wasn’t.

“You’re free, Rina. No one’s going to hurt you I promise.”

Still something screamed within Rina. This could be a trap, don’t fall for it. But Rina ignored it. She couldn’t let fear rule her. Not now when she needed to be brave.

Then she walked out and the cage closed behind her with a loud bang, startling her.

She wanted to run straight to her friends and reassure herself that they were alright but she forced her body to stay still. She could afford to make any mistakes. Not now.

Just then she felt movement behind her hair, something cold and dark. She froze and dropped her gaze only to see one of Reneé’s shadows slithering around her neck.

“What the hell’s this?” She bit out, standing still.

“Don’t panic now. It’s just presenting you with a key. Look.”

True to form, when she looked down the thing had something silvery within it. The key to her wolf’s chains. Raising her hands slowly, she tried to pry it out, making sure to have as minimum contact with it as possible.

When the slithering snake had relinquished its prize, it slithered back into the darkness.

She held the key in her fist and stride to unlock the chains as the rest of the occupants in the room watched. But before she could insert the key, the sorceress’s voice came from behind her.

“Before you turn that key Rina there’s one more thing you have to fulfil.”

Rina stiffened, not liking the sound of that.

She turned slowly. “What do you mean by that?” She demanded.

Reneé gave her a sickening, saccharine smile. “You didn’t really think it was going to be that easy, did you? First, I want your blood.”