Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

Author's POV

Before Magnus could force those words out, it was difficult. He felt a dull, suffocating pain on his chest making it difficult for him to breathe properly. He search through the dark room in his vision, looking for that one woman that was leading him out, but she had disappeared.

The word around him was a blur of shadows and he could hear the muffled voices of Viktor and Nerissa arguement. But that did nothing to pull him out. And then, a single, desperate plea cut through the haze in his mind.

"Please....."

Zara's voice. Soft. Frightened. Desperate. Familiar. There was something in that voice that he couldn't ignore. His eyelids which were pressed together tightly, forced open. The brightness of the room stabbed his skull, but he closed his eyes, adjusting to the light and then open it again.

His throat were still dry as sand, so he sucked in a sharp exhale.

Then he saw her. The woman whose voice had pulled him out of coma.

Zara stood before him, her cheeks blushed from Nerissa's slap, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Two guards gripped her arm roughly, their fingers digging into her skin.

Despite his weakness, anger surged through his body as he took in the sight. His voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper, but it was enough. Enough to save Zara, enough to stop Nerissa and the guards.

"Leave.... her.... alone."

Just three words, but it was sharp enough to silence the chaos in the room.

Nerissa head snapped towards him, her expression shifting from triumph to disbelief. She couldn't believe her eyes. She stepped closer to take a look at him. Viktor, standing just few inches away, looked relieved but wary still. The guards hesitated, their grip still on Zara. They glance between themselves unsure of what to do.

Have they forgotten who is in control here? Magnus thought, his jaw clenching. He tried to move, or at least sit up from the bed, but his body betrayed him. Every of his bones ached, every breath felt shallow especially from the spot where the silver bullet had hit him. Still he refused to stay down weak. He forced himself to sit, ignoring the pains.

The guards flinching under his glare left Zara alone. She took a step closer towards him, shock plastered on her face, her lips parting to say something but Nerissa beat her to it.

"You're awake." Nerissa stepped beside him, shoulder brushing Zara off the road that Zara almost stumbled to the floor. "Thank Moon Goddess," she said, forcing a smile.

Magnus glance at her, his once sharp eyes now burning with exhaustion and fury. He took in the sight before him: Nerissa standing tall, smug, as if she still controlled the room. The guards though had left Zara alone still stood beside her, ready to obey Nerissa orders. Then his soft gaze landed on Zara, who looked pale and fragile.

The sight of Zara was too bad to behold. She looked like a shadow of herself. Disgust. Rage. Guilt. Everything negative curled up inside him. His voice was stronger this time.

"What.... the hell was happening here?"

Silence.

Suddenly, Zara's legs gave out beneath her and she stumbled back, but Viktor was quick to hold her before she hits the floor. He led her to seat at a nearby couch in the room.

Bitch. She's putting on a show now that Magnus is awake. Nerissa thought, rolling her eyes. She raised her head, and noticed the way Magnus was staring at Zara, but little did she know that Magnus was actually getting stronger with the scent of Zara hitting his nostrils. He felt alive. Relieved as the pain was literally fading away.

Nerissa’s lips thinned. “You need to rest, Magnus. You’re not in any condition to—”

"Enough."

The single word was enough send chills through the room. And then Nerissa knew he wasn't pleased with her.

He turned slowly towards Viktor. "What's happening?"

Viktor hesitated, his mind torn between telling him or not. Magnus wasn't strong enough to be bothered about a battle. But he was still his boss and deserved to know the truth.

"Ashen is coming here tonight with his men," Viktor replied smoothly. "They are preparing for an attack."

Magnus stiffened. Ashen. That bastard was preparing to attack him again after sending him to coma. He was done trying to negotiate. He was done trying to make a man out of a monster. He was done trying to be peaceful and reasonable.

Now, he would make Ashen pay. He would let him know he wasn't weak like he had said, he was just being peaceful for old times sake.

Nerissa smirked. "That’s why I was going to put her at the gate. Since he wants her so badly, let him have her.”

Something inside Magnus snapped. Something cold and dangerous, but before he could react Nerissa barked out orders to the guards.

"Seize her, and put her at the gate." The guards stepped closer to Zara again. Zara who hadn't said a word shrieked with fear.

Gathering all his strength, Magnus stood up from the bed, ignoring the pain that still lingered, his gaze darkened as he locked eyes with the guard, his tone was low growl, dark and gruttal.

"Touch her again and I'll rip your throat out myself." The guards stepped back immediately like a scolded dogs.

For the first time, Nerissa's smirk disappeared. Magnus was defending Zara when she was trying to stop Ashen's attack. Unbelievable. Her stomach twisted with annoyance, but she couldn't say a word. Because the more she looked at Magnus, the more he looked different. He looked cold, dangerous, unforgiving and uncaring just like a man who had been been given a second chance at life, and he was determined to right his wrongs.

He stepped closer to Zara, crouched down and cupped her face with his hand. "Are you okay?"

Zara throat tightened, but she nodded. If she tried to talk, she would cry instead. Not for the pains Nerissa had inflicted, but for the numerous times she she hated Magnus even when he was nothing but kind to her.

Nerissa's face darkened with rage. Then as if to put the final nail on her coffin,  Magnus stood up slowly and turned to Nerissa.

"We're done, Nerissa. I'm claiming my mate."