A DEBT OF BLOOD

A DEBT OF BLOOD
Chapter 166

Claudia's pov.

I sat in a defensive position, one foot in front of the other ready for any attacks. We hadn't predicted there would be more witches on their side.

Chancing a worried glance towards Warren, our eyes locked momentarily as we shared the same surprise. We don't have time for this, it felt like we were on a timer as I stared at the figure anxiously as he withdrew the hooded cloak from his head.

“You have to go, the others would soon be done with the setting,” he whispered, taking a stand before me and blocking my view from this stranger.

I heard a low chuckle, “Don't have any ideas boy, being a hybrid doesn't make you all that powerful,” 

He seemed just as dangerous as Sage, who knows, maybe even more.

“I have a personal vendetta with this chosen one, if you don't mind, get out of my way,” he flicked his wrist and sent Warren flying, crashing into the doors of the house.

Taking a step back in fear, my eyes widened in shock, “Warren!!” My heart is pounding so loudly.

“I think it's best if you pay attention to yourself rather than others, don't you think?” my gaze wiped back to the man and I couldn't help but take another step backwards.

Yet he kept advancing further until he was standing a few inches away from me, his dark eyes glared at me, filled with so much hatred and disgust, this was more than a simple tactic to prevent us from reaching Croft.

Frozen in place, all I could do was return his stare, no matter how I tried to move my limbs, they wouldn't budge.

“Hmm, I wonder how a small fry like you could possibly have my brother killed,” he his voice barely above a whisper like he couldn't believe I was real.

Cold fingers grazed my cheeks, pushing a strand of my hair aside, I felt a shiver run down my spine as I wondered who his brother was.

“I……I don't know what you are talking about,” I choked out, willing myself to stand strong.

He towered over me, forcing him to peer down while I gazed up, my neck hurt.

Death was an unlikely event for me, I wouldn't have killed anyone on purpose, that is.

He blinked slowly, “That's not the information I received, I heard you went as far as breaking the witches code to get him done,” 

Breaking the witch's code? The only Code I had broken was the use of dark…….

I paused in my tracks, my eyes widened in shock as I realised who his brother was, “Seth?!”

“Ah, I seem to have jogged your memory, although his name wasn't really Seth, it was Gabriel, yes he was a bit of a mad man but he was still my brother,” 

“I didn't mean to kill him that way………..” I rushed to explain by the man before me shushed me and I jerked in fear.

What the hell am I doing? How am I meant to face croft if I can't even stand up to him?

The man continued, “I am here to return the favour, although the dark magic should consume you later on, I just can't wait for that to happen,” 

His fingers grazed my abdomen and I felt a sharp pain but only mine tarli as he was sent flying to the other side of me.

I sucked in a sharp breath as I pressed my hands against my stomach, feeling like a part of me was almost drained out.

My gaze swerved around in confusion as I wondered what truly had happened, that was until I spotted Warren, dragging himself out of the rumble.

I sprung forward to help him out. He was covered in dirt but that didn't stop him from glaring at our intruder.

“Are you okay?” For a second, I feared for his life the same way I had feared for mine barely seconds ago.

Warren nodded, dusting himself off, “I'm fine,” he growled low, “I don't want to leave you alone but you need to leave this place,” 

“I can't leave you with him, he's too powerful,” I glanced over at the spot covered in dust, “....too dangerous,” he was out for revenge and the one thing I found similar with people like him, they didn't mind who was in their way, as long as they got what they wanted.

Warren spun me around by the shoulder to face him, his breathing heavy, his eyes pinned me down, “We both know what he wants, and we can't give that to him, don't worry about me, I can handle this, you need to keep going,” 

Sweat trickled down the side of his face, despite the night being a chilly one.

An inner battle within me surged, I didn't want to leave him, at the same time, I knew I had my own role to play in this fickle war.

Glancing one last time at Gabriel's brother before setting my gaze on Warren, I pulled him into a deep hug, praying to the moon goddess to protect him, “Let the light be with you,” I whispered, pecking him before finally letting him go.

Warren hurried me and I was set on a path straight for the palace. The corners of my eyes stung with unshed tears but I blinked it away, now was not the time for my emotions to be over the place.

I ran without looking back, everyone else was fulfilling their duty in this war, I would have to do the same myself or else I would have failed them all.

Something did occur to me however, what if Micheal wasn't the only witch who had returned to aid Sage. What if they were more scattered over the castle?

We hadn't anticipated Sage to call for back up, but yet she did , and this might put us in more danger than we had anticipated.

But the real question is why?

The last time I had encountered them was with Jacob, and their purpose still left a scar on not just the earth but me as well