Chapter 42 Break it
Sebastian POV
The room stilled.
Not with the quiet of peace. But the quiet before teeth sink into a throat.
I’m going to get her back. I won’t lose Amara like I lost Loralai. She was right there.. and then she was gone.
Sybil’s eyes glowed like stormglass as she traced the last trembling line across the map. “Right.. there,” she breathed.
My gaze followed her fingertip across the parchment through the dark forest and into vampire territory. My heart plunged when she stopped at the castle I’ve only stepped foot in a couple times. Every instinct in me recoiled and lunged at the same time.
“Leviath,” I muttered.
The Vampire King.
Sybil nodded once. “Your mate is inside the vampire kings castle. I thought there was a peace treaty? What could he possibly want with your wolf queen?”
I thought there was too.. but I guess I was wrong. “I have no idea, but there will be war for this. He kidnapped my mate. MY QUEEN. MINE.” My canines protruded at the thought of ripping off the vampire kings head.
“Alright, alright. Calm down before you shift, yeah?” She backed away ever so slightly, her hands ready if she needs to use her magic.
I suck in a breath as I reel myself.
She’s located.
Finally.
Then the little amount of relief I had curdled.
Because the air in the room thickened, and Sybil’s expression went hard as iron. “But before you start storming the gates like a lovesick lycan with a death wish.. he’s sealed the grounds with a barrier spell.”
Lovesick? I don’t think-
“I wonder what’s in it for Cassian.” She mutters to herself.
“Let’s break it.” I spout. It can’t be too hard can it?
“If I could simply ‘break it,’ don’t you think I would have started there?” She arched a brow, and the pale sigil at her collar shimmered faintly.
“Cassian was smart about this. We will have to take down the artifacts holding the barrier down. Any witch who touches it before that happens risks getting their mind shredded. And anyone trying to cross without permission..”
She dragged her thumb across her throat.
I grunted. Yeah, never that easy.
“Okay” I said. “So we find these artifacts. We get the barrier down, we rescue Amara, killing everyone in our way.”
“It sounds more simple than it actually is King Sebastian.” Her voice didn’t rise, but it hit like a slap. “This is Cassian. He built the barrier to repel power. The more you push, the stronger it gets.. it may not be so easy to find the artifacts. And they could be anything, depending on how much power he wanted to use for the spell.. and he used a lot.”
My fingers curled into fists. The desk was already ruined; I’ve got to stop breaking things.
“So how do we begin to find out what they are and where they are?” I asked. We’re getting somewhere at nowhere with this all at once. We’re losing time.
Sybil exhaled slowly, tension tightening her shoulders. “If you can get me close enough to the ward.. I think I have just the thing to help us find everything. He’s left a flaw somewhere, so it won’t be impossible. He always does. Arrogance is his religion.” Her mouth twisted. “But finding it will take precision and time.. and we only have a few hours before he notices we found the artifacts.”
Time again. Always time. Always running out.
The bond between Amara and me pulsed like a bruise, a dull ache in my chest. She was there. I could feel it. But that’s just it. I couldn’t tell if she was scared or anything. Only that she’s alive.
I dragged in a ragged breath. “How long do you need to prepare? I’ll gather some men to join us.”
Sybil stood, black skirts whispering across the floor like spilled ink. “Not long.” She says. “But, there’s one more problem.”
Of course there is.
“What.”
She met my eyes. “Cassian always has a trick up his sleeve. And I’m not sure exactly what it is, yet. But if you bring men, choose only those you’re certain will not turn against you and you can trust entirely with the queen and your own life.”
Silence stretched thin and dangerous.
Anyone here would die for their king and queen. But there’s only a select few I’m willing to risk. “Fine. Then we take a small strike team. Trusted. Fast.”
Her lips curved. Not quite a smile. “Now you’re thinking like a king instead of a grieving husband.”
I didn’t rise to the jab. I was already moving, calling for armor, for my second in command, for the lycans most loyal to me. The ones who I’ve fought in battles with. The castle outside of my office erupted into motion, boots and leather and steel, the air heavy with purpose.
Inside my chest, the bond tugged again.
I murmured into the hollow space where her presence used to be, “I’m coming, Amara.”
Even if your prison is wrapped in blood and magic.
Even if I have to hunt down every vampire on this planet. I will bring you home.
•••••••••••••••••••••••
Edgar, Luther, Aven. That’s who I chose. All quick and efficient. I trust them entirely with Amara’s life, and they’re all incredibly skilled in combat.
Keeping the team small is the best route, seeing as we want to go undetected for as long as possible. Sybil has gathered everything she needs and is readying the portal as everyone goes over the objective.
Protect Sybil as she works in locating the artifacts. Retrieve the artifacts and destroy them, causing the barrier to break. Then we only have so long before anyone realizes that it’s down.
Get in, get Amara, get out.
I can worry about war once she’s back home safe where she belongs.
Seems easy enough, right?
“Alright, it’s just about ready.” Sybil gains everyone’s attention.
Sybil had traded her gowns for war. A crimson blouse, black trousers tucked into high boots, and a dark coat marked with faint silver runes. Her hair was braided back, and wore gloves that were cut at the knuckles.
She radiates old magic, and I’m not sure whether I trust that or not.
“Everyone ready?” She asks.
Edgar, Luther, and Aven follow me as I step toward her.
I’d also changed into more appropriate attire for the mission, as well as everyone else.
I wore a black coat tonight. High collar, silver trim, leather bracers at my wrists, boots laced to the knee. All layered with the strongest battle material there is. The linen at my throat wouldn’t stay buttoned, so I left it.
“Let’s go get our queen and kill these vampires.” I nodded, just as the portal opened.