Chapter 141 The Emerald Claw

Chapter 141 The Emerald Claw
Umbra-Hollow

Gideon paced back and forth across the cold marble floor of the cathedral's hall. His boots echoed loudly, marking his rising panic.

William and Anastasia were supposed to be with them hours ago.

He stopped abruptly and turned toward Zevrak, who was standing in the middle of the hall. “Can you reach him now?"

Zevrak stood, his leg spread wide on the floor, his eyes squeezed shut. He spread his hands out, and his magic flared. He exhaled a heavy frustrated breath and opened his eyes, shaking his head. “I think someone is blocking me. I cannot get in.

Regner walked over to join them, his large body casting his shadow over the marble floor. He glanced at Zevrak. “How is it?"

“Still nothing," Zevrak replied, his tone annoyed. “The barrier between our realm and the Fae realm is completely sealed."

Their plan was falling apart. It was already time for them to leave for Thaelborn for the second prophecy. William had promised to return to their realm right after the wedding. But the time had passed. William was not here, and now Zevrak was completely blocked from talking to anyone in that realm.

The heavy doors of the cathedral suddenly opened. Ryan and Mason walked into the Grand Hall. Mason's eyes darted around as he clung beside Ryan.

Gideon stepped forward. “Lucius?”

"His fever is so intense it burns through the sheets," Ryan answered quietly. “He still cannot open his eyes.

Gideon clenched his jaw. A heavy wave of fear hit his chest. His mate had suddenly fallen sick the day before. Lucius had suddenly broken out in a burning fever overnight, and strangely, it wasn't getting better.

Ryan looked at Gideon with steady eyes. “I placed my prayer beads over his heart to stabilize his life force," Ryan said quietly. “For now, his breathing is steady, and he has stopped shaking. But…"

"But?” Gideon asked, his voice tight.

"But the energy of the beads will not last long,” Ryan added. "Because I have not known exactly what was draining it. The moment it fades, his life force will begin to drop again. Ryan's beads are only holding him together and buying us a little time. They are not curing whatever is draining him.”

Gideon stared at the marble floor. He walked toward the window of the cathedral. The journey ahead was unpredictable. No one knows what to expect. But it couldn't wait anymore. William was trapped behind the Fae realm, and Gideon could only force himself to leave Lucius behind and travel to Thaelborn. His hands curled into tight fists.

“We do not have time to waste anymore," Regnar said. He looked toward the high windows. "The moon is already up. We have to move fast.

Gideon spun around and glared fiercely at Mason. “And why did you bring him here?" Gideon demanded. Mason was human and he had no business being anywhere near Umbra-Hollow.

Ryan stepped between them. “He was the one who had the vision, Prince Gideoniel. And the one to lead us there, that's why he had to come with us.

“We need all the help we can get,” Zevrak said, stepping forward. He raised his hands and muttered chants under his breath. The air shimmered and tore open, creating a glowing magical portal that looked exactly like an open door. One by one, the men stepped through. Zevrak walked in last, and the portal snapped shut behind him.

They landed near the dark, foggy edge of the Thaelborn Forest. Gideon looked at the endless, dark trees. “Which way?"

Mason glanced around, trying to match the forest to his vision. He pointed into the deep woods. “This way."

“No," Regnar said sharply, stepping out of the shadows. “Rogue werewolves have taken over that side of the forest. If we go that way, we will have to fight them, and it will waste the little time we have."

Mason frowned. "But this is the path I saw.”

Gideon groaned, his patience was running out. " Why would your vision show you the way if it just leads us into a trap?” You're starting to get on my nerves."

Regar crossed his arms and looked at Mason. “Where exactly are we going from here, Mason?"

Mason searched his memory “I saw a rock… but it is not just a rock. It was massive, and it was utterly covered in green moss.”

Regnar's eyes lit up. "That sounds like the Emerald Claw Mountain.”

"You know it?” Gideon asked.

"I did my assignment, just as Lord Liam asked,” Regnar explained. "I got some help from Sylvamor."

“You saw Sylvamor?" Gideon asked, surprised.

“No," Regnar shook his head. “But I was able to speak to his people. The place he described is called the Emerald Claw, and it is located far to the North. That was the only place that matched Mason's description perfectly.”

"Since we know the exact name and location, this is much easier,” Zevrak said. He raised his hands and chanted again. The portal opened like a doorway in the air. They stepped through it like they always did.

Instantly, they felt the cold, biting wind of the North.

As the portal closed behind Zevrak, he came out last. They were standing at the base of the massive mountain. It was strange and intimidating. The bottom of the mountain was round, but the stone curved upward, taking the smooth shape of a giant egg. Just as Mason had said, the entire massive rock was covered in thick, dark green moss.

The men tilted their heads back, staring up at the giant structure in silence.

“Alright," Gideon said, turning to look at Mason. “What next?"

Gideon scoffed. “So useless," he mumbled under his breath. He looked at Mason with pure frustration. “Remind me again why we brought you along?"

"It's okay,” Zevrak said as he continued to stare at the big rock.

“Alright. Tell me how,” Gideon said his patience had run out. He dragged his hands down his face, groaning in pure frustration. He stared at the massive, egg-shaped rock. The air around the mountain hummed with thick, heavy magic. The pressure was so strong it made the hairs on his arms stand up and made their ears ring.

Zevrak and Regnar walked slowly along the edge of the giant stone, running their hands over the thick green moss. They were desperately searching for a hidden door, a crack, or any sign of a path inside.

While the others were distracted, Mason backed away. The magic pressure of the mountain was making him feel sick and dizzy. He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small, sharp knife. He quickly dragged the blade across his thumb. A drop of blood swelled on his skin. He squeezed the blood onto a shining crystal pendant he kept hidden in his palm.

Ryan, whose sharp eyes missed nothing, caught the sudden flash of light. “What is that in your hand?"

Mason jumped. He immediately shoved the bloody crystal and knife deep into his pocket. “Nothing," he muttered, looking at him. “Just checking my pocket."

Gideon’s fangs bared as he growled.

"What is it?” Zevrak asked.

"I smell blood,” Gideon's eyes looked from Ryan to Mason. He retracted his fangs, ignoring the scent.

Ryan narrowed his eyes, but before he could say a word, Gideon kicked a loose stone hard into the trees. “We have been staring at the moss for hours!" his voice echoed in the dark forest. “What is the exact next step, Zevrak?"

Zevrak shrugged. "No idea,” He glanced up. The bright silver moon was sinking incredibly fast. It was already touching the branches of the dark, twisted trees. "If the moon disappears completely, my magic. My magic will not work here, and that will delay us.”

Gideon's heavy boots carved a deep path in the dirt as he paced aggressively back and forth. His mind was on Lucius dying overnight in a cold bed alone. Every second they wasted staring at a mossy rock was a second closer to Lucius' heart getting worse.

Suddenly, Regnar's head snapped toward the dark tree line. His nostrils flared wide, pulling in the cold forest air.

A low, vibrating growl echoed from the bushes. Another growl joined it. Slowly dozens of glowing amber and blue eyes pierced the deep shadows of the forest. The smell of wet fur washed over the clearing.

“Rogues," Regnar hissed. His fingernails instantly grew into thick, sharp claws. "We are completely surrounded.”

"There are many. Something definitely lurks here,” Zevrak said, and he walked forward, raising both of his hands.

Massive, wild wolves exploded from the bushes surrounding them. They were huge, and foaming at the mouth with madness.

Gideon did not wait for them to come to him. He blurred forward, moving with the terrifying speed of an ancient vampire. A big gray wolf lunged at him, its huge jaws snapping for its neck. Gideon caught the beast in mid-air, wrapping his hands tightly around its throat. He snapped the wolf's neck in one grip. The beast collapsed to the ground, dead.

Two more wolves rushed him from the side. Gideon spun, kicking one in the ribs so hard the wolf flew backward and smashed into a tree trunk.

A werewolf tried to rush past him toward Zevrak. Gideon caught it in his hands, slammed it to the floor before snapping its neck.

Another lunged at Zevrak. Magic surged from his hand. He thrust them forward, blasting a huge wave of dark, crackling energy into the dirt. A massive explosion of magic threw three charging wolves high into the air, tossing them into the bushes.

“Watch the left side!" Regnar roared. The werewolf ran straight at the group of incoming rogues. Midway, Regnar's bones cracked violently. The loud sound of breaking bones echoed over the fighting. He hit the ground on four paws, fully shifted into a massive wolf. He tackled a rogue, sinking his fangs into the enemy's shoulder and flinging the wolf aside like a rag doll.

In the Chao, four wolves noticed Mason and sprinted directly toward him. He scrambled backward, his eyes wide with terror. His back hit the hard moss of the mountain. There was nowhere left to run. A dark blade suddenly flashed right in front of Mason's face.

Ryan stepped directly between Mason and the charging pack. The human warrior held a long, curved sword in each hand. His face was perfectly calm, his breathing slow and steady.

“Stay beside the rock," Ryan ordered, never taking his eyes off the rushing wolves.

Mason ducked behind the rock but kept peeking around its edges.

The first wolf lunged, snapping its jaws at Ryan's legs. Ryan dropped low, sweeping his right blade sharply across the beast's chest. The wolf yelped and stumbled back, leaving a trail of blood.

The second wolf jumped straight for Ryan's throat. He spun sharply on his heel, dodging the fangs by a single inch, and kicked the wolf hard in the jaw. As he spun, his left blade slashed the third wolf charging from the side.

“Behind you, Ryan!" Mason screamed, pointing a finger.

A huge black wolf lunged from a blind spot..

Ryan stepped backward, throwing his weight against Mason to shield him. The wolf's claws scraped across Ryan's shoulder tearing his shirt. Ryan stumbled back, the wolf lunged again without hesitation. Rayan twisted around, driving his blade straight into the wolf's neck, and cut it off, blood splashing, the wolf's body wobbled to the ground.

He planted one blade to the ground to steady himself. Mason ran to his side helping him up.

On the other side of the clearing. A giant rogue tackled Gideon to the ground. The beast snapped its jaws, trying to tear Gideon's face off. Gideon's claws shot out as he tore the wolf's throat open.

Hot, fresh blood exploded from the beast, splashing onto his face and soaking his clothes.

Gideon froze. The smell of blood hit his nose. The fresh blood dripped down his cheek and touched his lips. Instantly, Gideon's mind went totally blank. His starving vampire instinct woke.

His eyes turned crimson. His fangs slid out of his gums, growing longer and sharper than normal. An animalistic growl escaped his throat.

Zevrak heard the sound. “Gideon," he shouted, blasting another wolf away. “Gideon!"

But Gideon could not hear him. The bloodlust was deafening. A rogue bit his arm. He grabbed the wolf by the fur, and pulled it close, and sank his fangs into its neck. He drank from its neck, then tore the rogue apart with pure, animalistic savagery.

Gideon's guttural growl grew louder, his eyes turned crimson as he moved toward them like an apex predator, his aura was suffocating. The remaining wolves stopped attacking. Seeing the vampire turn into a bloodthirsty monster terrified them. The last three rogues whined, put their tails between their legs, and ran deep into the forest.

The clearing went quiet, with only the snarling and growling of Gideon. He dropped the piece of the dead wolf from his hands. His chest heaved up and down. He was covered in blood. His crimson eyes scanned the clearing. He was no longer looking at his people, he was looking at his prey.

He turned his head toward Mason. Now that his vampire instincts had fully awakened, the tiny scent of fresh blood coming from Mason earlier hit him.. Gideon let out a low, hungry rumble from deep inside his chest. He took a slow step toward Mason.

Ryan stepped forward between them, raising his bloody blades and pointing the right one at Gideon. Blood still flowed from the wound on his shoulder. “Prince Gideoniel,” Ryan called. His voice was calm, but his grip on his swords was incredibly tight. “Prince Gideoniel, can you hear me?”

Zevrak lunged the magic toward him to distract his attention toward him. Gideon faced him, growling, he was about to lunge toward him when Zevrak attacked him with his magic again.

“Gideon snapped out of it,” Zevrak shouted. "We are not here because of this. Lucius is still back there on his deathbed.”

The name hit him. Gideon gasped loudly. He stumbled backward, he grabbed his own head, his fingers digging into his hair. He squeezed his eyes shut, fighting the monster inside of him.

“Lucius," Gideon choked out. “Lucius."

He stood there for a long minute, putting himself together. Slowly, the crimson color faded from his eyes, returning to normal. His fangs pulled back into his gums. He opened his eyes and looked down at his blood-soaked hands. He finally regained himself.

The moon had finally dipped behind the dark trees.

“Great," Zevrak muttered bitterly. “We are completely out of time.”