Chapter 98: Taken By The Enemy

Reiss

I grabbed the nearest sword and used that to block an incoming blow. The sharp end cut his fist. I pushed myself off the ground. The blade first entered his stomach. I withdrew it and cut his neck.

I dropped the sword. My hand transformed into that of a wolf’s. I went for the nearest enemy. The slashes I made on their torso caused blood to flow freely, turning the dirt under his feet a dark red.

I jumped on top of the platform and swept my gaze across my surroundings. I smiled.

The results were better than I could have ever asked for. Roger Bryce was influential enough to convince quite a large number of people to leave their packs and join his messed-up idea of a revolution. Despite that, it wasn’t enough to fend off the people who had bonded together to protect what they held dear. The enemy forces were thinning out. There were a few who realized they were outnumbered and escaped through the only exit, the entrance to the cave.

Unfortunately for them, we had already ensured that there were people outside ready to pick off the runners.

I was so preoccupied that I didn’t think about the chairman at all. It wasn’t until I kicked someone off the platform I stood on did I hear Alpha Colt calling out to me.

“He’s not here!” He shouted. “We found his office, but the bastard isn’t here.”

He might be able to run but he can’t hide. I jumped down. “Did you pick up on his scent?”

He nodded. “It’s faint but it’s there. If we leave now we should be able to catch up with him before he reaches his destination.”

“Let’s do that then.”

He must have run away once he knew we meant business. I was so high on the thrill of the fight that I didn’t think clearly. Has Roger Bryce ever been the type to run away? He was a power-hungry bastard, but when has he ever been an idiot with no plan in mind?

Where had he gone?

______

Cindy

Armed with a broom, I peaked over the island. There wasn’t any movement. Krystal reached for the light switch. Bryant smacked her hand.

“What the hell?!” She hissed, rubbing the spot where he hit.

Bryant placed a finger in front of his mouth.

We moved in silence. The knocking stopped. The early morning breeze shook the branches outside. I braced against the sink and peaked through the window. It didn’t give me a clear view of the backyard, however what I saw only left me more confused. It’s as if the noises we heard were some kind of audio hallucination, because there wasn’t a single person in sight.

But there doesn’t mean there never was. We snuck to the door. None of us uttered a whisper. There could have been someone in need. We couldn’t in good conscience pretend not to hear them.

Terror rushed through my veins. Bryant’s hand rested on the doorknob.

He unlocked it, but didn’t make a move to pull it open.

“Just hurry up already,” Berry urged. After Bryant shot her a glare, she snuck behind me. “Or maybe not.” She pulled the blanket over her head. “Take your time.”

The door swung open. I tightened my grip on the broomstick.Krystal went first. She shook her head. “I’m not picking up a scent.”

With that in mind, we pushed past our fears. The cold temperature immediately enveloped me. “There’s no one here,” I said, lowering my makeshift weapon. “Then what the heck was making that noise?”

“Maybe it was a tree branch?” Berry shrugged. There were no trees close enough to do that. A wave of relief passed over us.

We turned around and headed back inside. I froze.

Terror spread through my veins. Lifting my arms was like lifting a ton of bricks. I tried to convince myself that I needed to run inside and I shouldn’t dare look back. I hardly got a chance to. A black cloth was placed over my head. Someone’s large hands muffled my scream. I was dragged away, scared and ashamed that I didn’t see this coming.

_____

Some time later

I pushed myself off the ground. After a moment of confusion, the fog cleared and I took in my surroundings. My eyes scanned the room for any threats.

It wasn’t a room, rather a cell. The ground was like the roads the bus drove on when the whole grade went on a trip to the countryside. The bars were rusted despite being made of steel. I pushed myself off the floor. I ran my fingers through my tangled hair. There was a small bed in the corner. After making sure there were no bugs, I sat on it.

My hands shook. I drew in a deep breath. I needed to stop shaking. If the one who kidnapped me was watching right now they would see me as weak and easily disturbed.

Picking up a whimper, I glanced towards the corridor.

There was another cell across from mine. The girl inside had her head down and eyes closed. She leaned her torso on the wall with her back turned to me.

If I listened closely, I could make out little sounds that were similar to hers.

Is this where they’ve been keeping the kidnapped girls they’ve been using for transactions?

Something knocked against the bars. I sat up straight. Sharpe fingernails scraped the metal each time it made contact. I stole a glance through the corner of my eye.

“Hm, luck is on my side.” Roger Bryce stood on the outside of my cell, a cocky smile on his face. “I didn’t have to wait long for you to wake up.”

“Why did you bring me here?” I asked. “And how did you get so far into our territory?”

“‘Our territory’, aren’t you getting too comfortable?” He gripped the bars. “There is nothing magic and money can’t get me. As for why you’re here, I’m sure you know.”

He hired a witch to hide his presence. Of course he did. “Do I look like a mindreader to you?” I rolled my eyes.

The councilman kept smiling as if my attitude didn’t affect him.

“Keep up the act all you want. Since you’re here, your mates must be going crazy not knowing where you are. And Antonio, poor Antonio. He’ll no doubt be blamed. How could he let you get taken right under his nose? That’s where I would come in. I’ll offer them a deal. They can have their lost mate, but only after they give up their siege. They might think that they’ll simply come after me again. But little do they know, you’ll have a bomb inside you. I’ll blow you up, and they’ll be gone in the blink of an eye. And so will their loyal followers.”

An image of my body being blown to pieces manifested in my mind. Pieces of my flesh spread everywhere. My parents and sister crying as they picked up the pieces. I wrapped my arms around my torso.

“What makes you think your plan will work the way you want it to?”

“Why wouldn’t it?” Roger’s smile grew wider. “It’s not like you can do anything to stop me. You’re human.”