Chapter 160
LUCIAN’S P.O.V.
I stood with Rylan outside the cell, listening—or trying to listen—to the trembling witch inside. He kept mumbling something, his voice hoarse and raspy, like someone gargling with gravel.
My head tilted slightly as I tried to piece his words together. Ares growled impatiently in my mind. “Does he think we’re playing charades?
I turned to Rylan, frustration bubbling up like an overboiled pot. “What in the bloody hell is wrong with this guy? Why is he talking like he’s got gravel lodged in his throat p>
Rylan looked at me, wide-eyed, then slowly shook his head, his lips twitching as if he couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry. “Lucian He dragged my name out, his tone dripping with disbelief. “You… burnt his throat, remember? With the iron brand? You know, the same one he used on Mai’s foot? Ringing any bells p>
Ah. Now that he mentioned it p>
A bark of exaggerated laughter burst from me, reverberating off the cold stone walls. “Oh, that’s right! That was me!” I clapped a hand to my forehead, grinning. “How could I forget? What a satisfying scream he had back then.” The witch flinched, visibly shrinking into himself.
“Glad to see you’re amused,” Rylan muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. “But maybe cut him some slack? You did sort of… make his throat useless p>
“Which means,” I said, straightening and cracking my knuckles, “he’s useless to me now p>
The witch, still straining to form words, looked relieved, probably thinking my laughter was some sign of mercy. Rookie mistake.
“Well,” I said, drawing out the word as I turned back to him, “if your throat’s all burnt up, then you’re not much use to me, are you p>
His entire body seemed to sag in visible relief, the tension leaking out of him like air from a popped balloon.
“Lucian, wait!” Rylan’s voice was sharp with panic, his hands shooting up in a placating gesture. “Don’t do anything rash p>
But before he could finish, my fingers transformed into claws. With a fluid motion, I thrust my hand through the cell bars, piercing the witch’s chest and yanking out his heart in one swift, brutal pull. The man didn’t even have time to gasp before he slumped to the floor, lifeless.
The heart in my hand dripped crimson onto the stone floor. I flicked it aside with a grimace. “Ugh. Messy p>
The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the horrified gasps of the other prisoners. Chains rattled as they backed as far away from their cell bars as possible.
“Lucian Rylan pinched the bridge of his nose, his shoulders slumping like a man burdened by an impossible task. “You can’t just—never mind. You can, clearly. But… really p>
I shrugged, already waving at the guards. “Next p>
We approached the next cell, where Thaddeus, the so-called high priest who orchestrated Mai’s kidnapping, sat bound. His eyes were covered with a black cloth, his hands tied tightly behind him, and his mouth gagged.
I frowned. “What’s with the overkill? Why’s he wrapped up like a poorly packaged gift p>
“He’s tried escaping,” Rylan explained, clearly exasperated. “With magic. Several times p>
I smirked, eyeing the bindings. “And this was your best solution? Binding his hands p>
Before Rylan or the guard could respond, my claws sliced through the air, severing all ten of Thaddeus’s fingers in one swift motion. The digits hit the ground with a sickening dance, blood pooling beneath them.
The gagged man screamed into the cloth, a sound muffled but raw with pain.
“Much simpler,” I said with a laugh, watching as Thaddeus writhed.
Rylan groaned, rubbing a hand down his face. “Lucian, you really need to work on your people skills. Or… maybe not. It’s too late for that, isn’t it p>
Ignoring him, I tore the gag from Thaddeus’s mouth. “Let’s skip the theatrics. Did you hex Teresa p>
Thaddeus cloth-covered face, glared up at me, defiant despite the pain. “You’ll regret this,” he spat, blood dribbling from his lips.
Wrong answer.
Without a word, I ripped the blindfold from his eyes. Before he could even open them, my claws sliced across his face, blinding him permanently.
The collective gasp from the guards and Rylan was almost comical. The witch’s scream, however, was anything but.
“Regret?” I echoed, crouching so I was level with him. “No, Thaddeus. You’ll regret this p>
He continued screaming until I stuffed the gag back into his mouth, muffling the noise once more. “I’m not done with you yet,” I promised, turning on my heel and walking out of the cell. “Next p>
The guards scrambled to obey as we moved to the next prisoner: Serena, the witch high priestess who once convinced me to invite a demon into my body. She sat quietly in her cell, her posture one of resigned defeat.
I didn’t bother with pleasantries. “What do you know about Teresa’s condition p>
Serena lifted her gaze, her eyes hollow. “Nothing,” she said simply. “But if you allow me to examine her p>
I cut her off with a humorless laugh. “You think I’d trust you with my mate after what you’ve done? Try again p>
Her voice softened, almost pleading. “Lucian, I’ve never been your enemy p>
My claws twitched, itching to strike. I lifted my hand, and she flinched, her entire body bracing for the blow.
Before I could follow through, Adrian’s voice interrupted me, cool and unbothered, slipping into my mind through the mind link.
“Lucian, we’ve arrived at the pack lands. Waiting for permission to enter. You know how much I dislike protocol, but I’m enduring it for Teresa’s sake. Do hurry, would you p>
I sighed, my irritation melting into a begrudging smile. “On my way,” I replied through the link.
Rylan turned to Serena, his voice hard. “This isn’t over p>
“Let’s go,” I told Rylan, already heading for the exit. “Adrian’s waiting p>
As we walked out, the echo of Thaddeus’s muffled screams followed us, a haunting reminder of the lengths I was willing to go to for my mate, Teresa.