Chapter 11 Chapter 11
Nathaniel’s POV
“Hello… Spike!”
That monkey boy was trying to kill me? The only thing he could do right was hang his ass up a tree. No, killing him now is not enough. This is going to be the cherry on top of the cream. I’m going to love this. Ares will hate me even more. Even more reason for me to start war with his people and wipe them out.
“So Spike, you really thought you could kill me with poison? It’s the easiest trick in the book. And how could you possibly think I’d fall for something like that? No wonder Ares keeps you on a leash. Why would he even send you after me?”
I let go of my grip on his throat so he could speak. He was still pinned to the wall, unable to move anywhere.
“Ares doesn’t know I’m here. None of them do. I came on my own.”
Stupid, or having a death wish. Probably both.
“Now why would you trouble yourself with such a thing? I haven’t done anything to you… yet!”
He glared at me with hatred. Yeah, I already did something to him—I just couldn’t remember what. After a certain number of killings, you stop keeping score.
“You killed the love of my life, you son of a—”
Ah, yes! Now I remember. That perky, mahogany-haired girl.
“Oh yes, I remember. This is just too much fuss over one girl. You have a lot of others out there. Now how does that saying go? Plenty of other fish in the sea?”
He was boiling with rage. I could feel it. Oh, nice—my empathy powers were coming back! He tried a telekinetic attack, but mine were far stronger. Spike still couldn’t move a muscle.
Being focused on him, I barely noticed most of the kitchen crowd had disappeared. I scare people. Those two assistants of his had run the minute they had the chance. Oh, never mind—they weren’t part of him. The kitchen was empty for about five minutes. I could hear guards rushing through the corridors to get here.
“So, any last wishes? Not that I grant them, but I like hearing them. Makes you sound desperate and pathetic.”
He stayed silent. The silent treatment won’t do him any good. I’d just extract everything I needed.
“Why are you actually here, Spike? Don’t tell me you wanted to figure out my weak spots like Ares’ friend? You realize I’ll kill you at the party just as I did him? There’s no point in defying me. Tell me why you’re here, and I’ll let you off the hook… and then kill you before the party.”
I gave him my innocent smile. Truly a privilege. Getting killed in front of everyone is humiliating. When I killed that guy last year, the rest of the ball was ruined. Actually… I was wrong. The rest of the party had been a blast.
“Screw you!” He spat at me. Why do people work against themselves? Cursing me won’t do a thing. I started twisting my fingers, imagining crushing an apple. His bones started cracking. One more squeeze and they’d all snap.
The guards rushed in, heavily armed, forming a circle around us and pointing their guns at Spike.
“My lord, are you alright? The chef’s assistants said there was an intruder in the kitchen!”
Idiots. Why do I keep employing numbskulls?
“Everything is in check. I’m just having a little spat with the chef over his soup—it wasn’t salty enough for my taste.”
They looked at me, confused. Seriously… where do they find these guys?
“So, now that you’re here, which one of you boys is head of security?”
Silence. Fear of standing out.
Finally, a man stepped forward. Middle thirties, medium height, dressed in the black military suit I had personally chosen. Short hair graying at the edges but young-looking otherwise. Probably a family man. Good. Somebody had to take responsibility.
“What is your name?”
“Samuel, my lord.”
“Sammy, why is security at such a low point? Even a cockroach like this can enter the front gate unseen.” I pointed to Spike, still struggling in my grip.
“My lord, the front gate and all others were sealed by the general himself. Security was doubled, staff backgrounds double-checked. The intruder must have found another way in.” He stepped back nervously.
“Is that so? How did you enter then, Spike?” I squeezed his bones a little more. Blood ran from his lower lip. He gritted his teeth, ripped it open, then laughed. Now he was just pissing me off. Finally, tears ran from his eyes.
“Wouldn’t you like to know? Not knowing something pisses you off. I’m not telling you! I don’t care if you kill me! More of us will come, and you won’t know how or when! We’ll never stop fighting for our freedom, and we will end you!”
He spat at my feet. That’s it. Done. I was going to rip him in half. I didn’t care if that idiot girl fainted again. I wouldn’t stand this insolence.
As I gathered energy in my index finger to slice him, a sharp pain hit my chest. Probably nothing. Just a little pain… right? I tried to channel the energy again, but it grew stronger. My heart pounded, my breathing quickened. What the hell? I instinctively grabbed my chest. It felt like someone was choking me from the inside.
An image of the girl flashed before my eyes—pale, breathing heavily, white smoke around her. God damn it. Can’t she be stable for at least a day?
My vision blurred. Sweat ran down my forehead. That bastard Spike got lucky. I’d have to deal with him later. I couldn’t expend another drop of energy. I’d collapse.
“Spike, lucky day. I have more questions.” I loosened my grip so he could breathe. He coughed, fell to the floor.
“Samuel, take him to a cell. Keep a close eye on him. If he tries to escape, cut his feet off. Do not kill him. He’s still useful alive.”
I gripped my chest again. Sharp pain hit like a tidal wave, spreading to shoulders and jaw. Heart attack. I hadn’t had one in years—last time was attempting teleportation to another dimension. Now? It was instantaneous. But why now? It had to be the girl. The white smoke—I recognized it. Antibacterial liquid from Lucian’s scanning machine. Something went wrong. I had to check.
“My lord, are you alright?” Samuel grabbed me under the arm. I was about to collapse. Didn’t even notice. Damn it. They all saw it. I couldn’t show weakness. Goals could crumble if they saw it. The girl had to be controlled. As long as she had the black heart, she’d have to learn it, or we’d both die.
“I’m fine. Just tripped on spilled soup.” I jerked my arm away. Why did he have to touch me? He’s new.
“Lock him up. I need to take care of something.” I stormed to Lucian’s lab. Pain increased. Head heavy. Heart stopped—then pounded. I gripped my chest. Focused all energy inward. Teleportation succeeded, but drained me. Exhausted and woozy.
Seconds later, I appeared in Lucian’s lab. He leaned over the unconscious girl. Her heart flatlined. Lucian performed CPR. He noticed me only after a moment.
“Shit!”
“What the hell happened?” He checked my vitals, shocked. Seeing me alive, he ran back to her.
Flatline still beeped. Then, slowly, curve appeared. 0… 40… 50… 70. Heartbeat restored.
She opened her eyes, jerked upright, gasping as if for the first time. Confused, coughing.
“What… what happened?” She held her head, supporting herself. Lucian examined her carefully.
“You died. Briefly. And in that moment, I hoped you’d stay dead so I could reclaim what’s mine. But you’re a tough nut, aren’t you?”
Shock widened her eyes. She stayed still, eyes focused on me. Hate rising. Good.
“Next time you get a heart attack, I’ll be sure to rip my heart from your chest…”
And I will. First you, then… Tristan. He’ll suffer for crossing me.