Kael's POV
Kael was in his study, going
over the reports sent in by commander Cormac.
The scouts reported unusual
activities behind the border. While the attacks from the A'shae have reduced
drastically, they seemed to be retreating, moving further and further away from
the boundaries which left Kael puzzled. Something was wrong, he could feel it
deep within him.
The A'shae were relentless and ruthless creatures, giving up was not part of their nature. Kael had a feeling that whatever reason had driven them away from the boundaries, it was definitely not them retreating.
A dull ache began to throb in his temples. He massaged the spot with his fingertips, trying to ease the growing tension.
Jax burst in a moment later, his face flushed with panic. "My Lord, I'm so sorry," he gasped, out of breath.
"Aria escaped."
Kael's expression turned glacial, his eyes narrowing into slits. "Explain," he growled, his voice low and menacing.
Jax swallowed hard, his eyes darting nervously around the room. "I escorted her beyond the castle walls for her daily walk, My Lord. After sunset, she suddenly bolted into the woods. I tried to follow, but she vanished into the woods."
Kael's gaze bore into Jax, his anger and frustration simmering just below the surface. "You lost her," he stated, his voice devoid of emotion.
Jax nodded, his face pale.
Kael's anger spiked with his admission, his mind racing with worst scenarios. The thought of Aria vulnerable and alone in
the woods sent a chill down his spine. He felt the darkness starting to rise in him, feeding off his restlessness.
If he didn't get his anger under control, he would have bigger problems than Aria's escape.
He took a deep breath trying to calm himself but images of Aria dying in gruesome ways kept plaguing his mind. The more he tried to dispell them the harder they came.
The darkness within him had taken hold, his mind becoming a vessel for the creature's malevolent presence. It fed on his fear and anger, growing stronger with each passing moment, while Kael's grip on it began to slip.
He forced the darkness back. He couldn't afford to lose control not now not ever. Instead he willed his mind to focus on the task at hand. Aria's safety was what mattered, if she dies then there was no hope for obsidian. He couldn't afford to let his inner turmoil distract him.
He refocused his energy, calling on his
powers. In a swirl of shadows and black mist, he disappeared.
The shadows dissipated, leaving
Kael standing amidst the trees, the black mist lingered around him like a living entity. It seeped from his form, tendrils of shadow snaking through the underbrush drawn to Aria's trail. With a silent, fluid motion, Kael began to move through the woods, the misty appendages probing the surroundings,
searching for any sign of her. Kael heaved a sigh as he finally caught a glimpse of Aria.
His relief at spotting Aria quickly turned to alarm as he took in the scene before him. His eyes locked onto the A'shae towering over her limp form, and his heart sank. He froze, his gaze fixed on the creature as his mind raced.
The creature's jaws were open wide, ready to strike. Kael knew he had to act fast.
Kael knew better than to rely on his powers in this situation. The A'shae fed on magic, and using his abilities would have only served to strengthen the creature. He would have to rely on brute strength and the element of surprise.
He creeped in on the A'shae and with deadly precision, he launched himself at the A'shae, his shadows bursting forth to amplify his speed.
He targeted the vulnerable spot on its
head, his fingers extended like claws, ready to strike at the core that served as both the creature's brain and it's heart.
With a swift, merciless motion, Kael yanked his hands upward, ripping the core from the A'shae's skull.
The A'shae let out a roar that was cut off abruptly as Kael's grip crushed the green core, releasing a burst of dark, viscous fluid that splattered his hands and clothes. The creature's body slumped, lifeless, as the last remnants of the core's energy was destroyed.
Kael turned to Aria scooping her up in his arms. He held her limp form close as he scanned her wounded body.
She was unconscious but alive though her shallow heartbeat pointed that she might not be for much longer. She was losing too much blood he noted with clenched jaws.
His grip on her tightened as he called forth his magic, opening a portal. Concentrating on his room, he stepped into the void-like portal.
He gently lowered Aria into his bed and rang for a maid. The maid arrived within a few seconds.
"Get the healer now. Tell him it's urgent." Kael ordered.
The maid nodded frantically.
"And if he doesn't get here on time you will both wish for a fate worse than death." he added, his voice dripping with menace.
The maid's eyes widened in terror as the shadows around him seeming to deepen in tandem with his darkening tone.
She nodded hastily, backing away before turning to sprint off, her footsteps echoing through the space as she rushed to fetch the healer.
He sat on the bed holding Aria, overcome by guilt and self loathing. It was his fault that this happened to her. He should have not allowed Jax to guard her. He should have been more careful, should have made sure she was safer, he should have never allowed her to step foot outside.
Someone wanted Aria dead. They was no other explanation, the A'shae was too far from the barrier for it to have escaped undetected.
The only way It could've gotten this close to
the castle was if someone allowed it to do so or had planted it there.
Kael's jaw clenched, a cold
determination settling in. He would make sure those responsible for Aria's suffering paid dearly. Jax, and anyone else who had failed in their duty, would face the
full weight of his wrath.