Chapter 165: His Sinister Plan

Chapter 165: His Sinister Plan
Lucy’s POV
I had had it with that worm called Donald. There was no way he was escaping again—not after everything, not when he was finally within my reach. The moment Kenneth told me he was gone from the battlefield, something dark and violent unfurled inside my chest.
I immediately searched for his accomplice.
The wizard.
Of course, Donald would never flee alone. That coward always hid behind others—behind magic, behind pawns, behind lies. Richardson had helped him escape. I was certain of it.
Around us, the battlefield was slowly settling. The minotaurs Donald had dragged into this madness were retreating, wounded, broken, or dead. A bitter pang twisted inside me. They had been used—sent to die for a king who would never stand with them. Their losses were heavy, and I knew what this meant. Their children would grow up hearing only one version of this war. Hatred would be passed down like inheritance.
A lifetime feud.
I clenched my fists.
‘Enough,’ Lira said sharply. ‘Donald is still alive. Focus.’
She was right.
‘We need to act now,’ she continued. ‘Engage Katty. She can trace him. Then ask either Mayi or Pontione to teleport us. Something about this escape feels wrong.’
I felt it too—a deep, crawling unease that made my skin prickle. Donald was cornered, and a cornered animal was at its most dangerous.
Before leaving, I needed to make sure the wizard didn’t escape back to the earth’s recess. If Richardson vanished, this nightmare would only resurface later.
I inhaled deeply and engaged my heightened senses. Beneath the blood, smoke, and fear, there it was—the wizard’s scent. Twisted. Metallic. Cloaked in layers of concealment magic that might fool others, but not Lira and me.
My gaze landed on Pontione.
He was finishing off the leader of the minotaurs with ruthless efficiency. The massive body collapsed, shaking the ground. I sighed softly. Pity flickered through me again. This war had created too many orphans already.
Most of the remaining minotaurs were retreating now, panic overriding whatever loyalty Donald had purchased with lies.
I approached Pontione quickly.
“Donald escaped,” I said.
He went still.
Slowly, he turned to face me, his eyes scanning the battlefield as if willing Donald to materialize before him. “What?” he asked, his voice dangerously calm.
I nodded once. “He fled—with help. Lira thinks Katty can track him. Either you or Mayi will need to teleport us. But Richardson is still nearby. Katty bound him earlier, yet he can still hide or disguise himself.”
Pontione’s growl rolled deep in his chest. “Leave the wizard to me,” he said coldly. “I will deal with him. Mayi will help you.”
Without waiting, he lifted his head and inhaled deeply, scenting the air with terrifying precision. Watching him work reminded me why entire realms feared his name.
I immediately mindlinked Katty, asking her to locate Donald. At the same time, I reached out to Mayi, warning him to prepare for teleportation.
‘I think he’s heading to the basement,’ I told Kenneth through our bond. ‘Where my family is.’
There was no hesitation in his response. ‘I’m coming with you.’
Before I could object—or even process it—he was already beside me.
Katty confirmed it, her voice chimed in moments later. ‘He’s heading toward the castle. Nelly and I are coming too. Go with Dad. We’ll flank.’
I relayed the information quickly. Mayi nodded once.
“Hold on,” he said.
The world folded in on itself.
When my vision cleared, the smell hit me first.
Damp stone. Old blood. Rot. Despair.
Then I saw them.
My family.
Caged.
My knees nearly buckled.
They were gaunt, skeletal, barely recognizable as the proud lions of my bloodline. Skin clung to bone, eyes dull and sunken from years of suffering. I couldn’t even tell who was my grandfather and who was my father anymore.
Except for one.
Ryan.
My brother.
Alive.
Donald held him from behind, one arm locked cruelly around his chest. My breath hitched painfully, and a sob tore out of me before I could stop it. I didn’t realize tears were falling until Kenneth brushed one away, his touch anchoring me as my heart shattered into pieces.
Grief surged through me.
Then fury followed.
Lira’s rage exploded, scorching and violent, barely contained within my mind.
I forced myself to focus.
Donald stood between me and my family, his back rigid. That was when Lira pointed it out—a pack strapped tightly against his spine.
Explosives.
‘He’s wired,’ she said grimly. ‘One trigger and everything goes up.’
My blood ran cold.
‘Mayi,’ I mindlinked urgently, ‘link three trusted warriors. Bring his family here. By force if you must.’
Donald adored his family—or at least the image of himself reflected in their admiration. He would never want them to see this version of him. That was my leverage.
I took a slow step forward, keeping my voice calm. “Isn’t this war supposed to be against King Pontione? What does my family have to do with it, Donald?”
Kenneth’s concern brushed against my mind. ‘Lucy… be careful.’
‘I’m buying time,’ I replied. ‘Trust me.’
Donald sneered, spitting onto the stone floor. “What could a child like you possibly know about me?”
That was my opening.
I nodded subtly to Mayi.
The air shifted.
Magic hummed.
Unseen runes flared as Mayi amplified the space, breaking the soundproofing that had sealed this basement for decades. Our voices would now carry—far beyond these walls.
Outside.
To where the warriors held them.
To Donald’s family.
I lifted my chin and spoke clearly, deliberately.
“Oh, I know a lot Donald,” I said. “I know you tried to overthrow King Pontione in Badosa and failed. I know you fled, changed your name, and pretended to be Bratton. I know you challenged my father, used dark magic to win, and then claimed you executed my family while keeping them imprisoned here.”
Donald’s breathing turned ragged.
“You drained their blood to keep yourself alive,” I continued coldly. “You lied to your mate. To your children. You let them worship a monster.”
His roar shook the chamber. “So what if I did it? I still defeated your weak father! And I’ll make sure we all die here if I have to! To that, my family will think you unjustly murdered me and will avenge me.”
Gasps echoed.
Not from us.
From outside.
The doors burst open.
Lilith stood there, frozen in horror, flanked by their children—Patricia included. Shock, betrayal, and devastation carved their faces.
“Lilith…” Donald whispered, his grip loosening.
That was all Nelly needed.
She moved like lightning, binding him in a flash of magic. The remote slipped from his hand and clattered uselessly to the floor as Ryan was yanked free and rushed away.
Donald screamed, thrashing helplessly. “How—this place is soundproof!”
I smiled bitterly. “Does it matter anymore, Lovett? Or Donald? Or Bratton? Whatever your name is. Your lies are done.”
Pontione appeared beside me, his presence filling the space. “Your guardian angel sends his regards,” he said calmly, looking at Lilith.
Warriors surged in.
“Take my family to the infirmary,” I commanded, my voice breaking as they were freed. “Have Mayi and Victor Lot tend to them.”