Chapter 64 Chapter Sixty-four

Chapter 64 Chapter Sixty-four
One minute Alaric was standing in front of Briar and the next, he was back in Kaelindor. Never in his life did he think that he would ever not be happy to see this place. It was where he called home but in the last few weeks, home had meant something entirely different. He could hardly feel her existence. Alaric felt panic claw up his throat but he forced himself to stay calm.

“Shit,” Kieran said.

Amara had teleported them to somewhere in the woods that surrounded the capital. He could see the castle from here.

“Let's get moving. Once I settle things here, I'm going back for Briar.”

Tobais said Kieran shared a look but said nothing. Alaric knew that look. They didn't think it was a good idea but would decide to humour him for now. They followed him silently till they reached the castle.

Something felt off.

The castle would normally be bustling with vampires and humans alike and the sky above would be graced with the occasional flying vampire. Now there weren't even any guards at the gate.

“Maybe they've all gone to the human realm,” Tobias said, answering the question he didn't voice out.

“How were they to know about daylight tolerance?” Kieran asked.

“I sent word. You would know that if your head weren't so stuck up your ass.” Alaric said. Time also ran differently here. For all he knew, days might have already gone by.

“Alaric trying to be funny?” Kieran scoffed. “Yeah I can actually walk in the sun and this isn't even a dream.”

Alaric’s ears perked when he heard voices. His head snapped toward them for confirmation.

Tobais nodded. “The throneroom.”

Alaric sped through the familiar hallways that were all but deserted now, Kieran and Tobais hot on his heels. He skidded to a stop by the sight waiting for him.

“Alaric,” Cormac purred, “You're just in time.”

There, sitting on his throne cross-legged like the bastard he was, was Cormac. About fifteen vampires surrounded him. Alaric recognized who they were. Cormac was responsible for the imprisonment of the most unhinged of the vampires. The absolute worst of the worst. The ones he usually used for his “experiments”. They looked rabid, their fangs fully elongated, touching their lips and all, drool and blood dripping from their mouths. Fuck only knew what kind of sick things Cormac had done with then.

Shocked whispers from the few vampires nobles that were present. They all looked at him like they had seen a ghost. Except Cormac. He looked like he had been expecting this.

The most shocking thing however was the sight behind the throne. Azriel, limp and bloody, his wings spread out before him and nailed to the wall. A vampire's wings were the most sensitive part of their body. The only part that never healed and that was why it was kept hidden most of the time. With this level of damage, Azriel would never fly again. Alaric was surprised he was even alive. Brooke was on the floor, beneath Azriel, sobbing softly. Her gaze perused their group, searching for her sister no doubt.

“I should've fucking killed you when I had the chance.” Kieran’s lips drew back in a snarl.

Alaric stepped forward, slowly.
“Marcus, tell me all that transpired in my absence.” He said not taking his eyes off Cormac. They stared each other down and Alaric was thinking of all his favourite methods of killing a vampire.

“W…when you left sire, Marcus stuttered, “things were as you left them at first. Azriel rules in your stead like you ordered. The wolves attacked only once, laying waste to the ninth clan but by then everyone there had already evacuated.”

“Then you sent word about daylight tolerance and it sent everyone into a frenzy. It happened a few days ago. We all thought you would never return.”

Cormac decided that was the right time to open his fucking mouth. “I told Azriel to abdicate. He didn't listen. So I took his wings out.”

Alaric's jaw locked so hard,it ached. Fury clawed up his spine and wrapped around his throat so hard he found it hard to breathe. He forced himself to focus, to stay calm because blind rage would do him no good here.

“Fine. I don't even have time for this. Give Azriel to me and we'll be on our way. The throne's yours.”

Everyone stared at him in shock and he nearly rolled his eyes.

“I don't think so. He's my trophy.”

“Cormac,” Alaric growled. “Give. Him. To. Me. You honestly do not want to get into a fight with me. You're shit for combat and your dogs can only protect you for so long. You're only on that throne because I have more important things to do than play with you.”

Cormac squinted his eyes but adhered. He motioned to one of the vampires and the nails binding Azriel were removed. The wound looked gruesome, wings covered in so much blood that any speck of black showed. Alaric hauled Azriel's limp body over his shoulder and walked out of the throneroom. The nobles who were present; Marcus, Octavian, Kael and Rayden–all cowards–couldn’t even meet his eyes as he passed.

He went to one of the empty house close to the castle. The owners had already left, leaving all their things. He lay Azriel's bloody form on the couch. Brooke’s eyes were red-rimmed from all her crying. She sat beside Azriel, stroking his face.

“Where's Briar?” She said with a cracked voice.

“She was…taken. By Amara. But I'll get her back, I promise.” He felt ashamed to even utter those words.

Brooke bit her lip. “He hasn't woken up since. I'm scared, Alaric.”

“Don't be. His body is still trying to adjust. He'll wake soon.”

“Alaric, what exactly are we going to do?” Tobias asked.

Alaric stared at Azriel's unconscious body, weighing his options. Nothing was more important than getting Briar back. Who knew the plans Amara had for her?

“Brooke, you should stay here till Azriel wakes. I'm going back to the human realm to get Briar back. Tobias and Kieran, you two can do whatever you want.”

Kieran scoffed. “Azriel is going to kill you if he wakes and finds out you went to the human realm again without him.”

Brooke sniffed “He's right. Besides, I want to come with you. I'm going to help get my sister back.”

Alaric shook his head but Brooke would hear none of it. “You're not stopping me so don't bother trying.”

Stubborn. Just like her sister.

He looked at Kieran in askance. Kieran merely shrugged. “Sounds like fun.”

Tobias looked down, tugging the edge of his tunic. Alaric knew of his plan to leave completely and had no problem with that. Tobias was free to do whatever he wanted as long as Kieran didn't interfere.

“I'll come. Briar needs all the help she can get.” He said.

“Are you sure?” He asked.

Tobias nodded. “The world isn't going anywhere. I have a lifetime ahead of me.”

Alaric noticed how piercing Kieran's gaze was. It was like he was silently daring Tobias to say he was going to leave. He shook his head. Those two really needed to work out their issues.

“Good. We'll go back to Kallum's and then Briar.”

“How exactly will we get her back though?Amara is not going to let her go so easily.” said Kieran.

“I'll find a way.” Was all he said.Get Briar
or spend the rest of his immortal life being completely miserable. The choice was fucking clear.