I took my phone out, wondering if Alejandro had seen my message.
My Love: That’s risky, Kia, wait for us. I’ll be there in fifteen.
I frowned but nodded. He wasn’t wrong. I needed to be careful.
Kia: Okay. I’m on the property, though, I’ll hide.
By the looks of it, the property was lived in. I could see that clearly from the way the house was well kept and clear marks of footprints covered the ground.
I kept to the shadows, trying to find the best place to lay low, when I felt that same ominous aura behind me that I had felt when Delsanra had performed that spell on Dante. My heart thumped in my chest, and I spun around quickly, tossing my phone into the bushes.
Before I could even see or take in anything else, something grabbed my throat. Pain seared through me as if I was being burned to death. A shriek left my lips at the pain that hammered my entire body. Pure agony was ripping through me. It was an excruciating pain that made my head, and my body scream for reprieve. What… I could handle pain usually… this…
Whatever was holding onto me was like poison and death itself. I felt my energy being drained from me as I struggled to free myself with everything I had, but it was futile. My attacker was unseen as it slammed me against a tree, but it was there, and I could feel its darkness and power.
I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t….
I clawed at the invisible hands that squeezed my neck. I could see the blood that was dripping down my neck and smell it in the air. Goddess…
Kataleya.
Fuck, no. I couldn’t let this happen. I had to be strong for her.
Summoning everything I had with a burst of energy, my eyes blazed purple. I was not weak! I was not going to succumb to this. With strength that I did not even know I still had, I pushed whatever was holding me away from me, my aura swirling around me like a shield.
“Do not mess with me,” I growled venomously.
The dark entity that I couldn’t see pressed against my barriers, and I heard it hiss as it moved away. So, whatever it was, it couldn’t go against my barrier. Good, because I was not there to lose. Not when my daughter was close.
Just when I thought that I might win this round, loud growls erupted in the air, and I spun around just as six blazing, urban, reddish-brown wolves lunged at me with their eyes glowing like burning embers. I couldn’t even move out of the way. The impact knocked me to the ground, and two of them began biting into me viciously. I kicked them off, my anger flaring up.
“I demand to speak to the Crimson King!” I growled ferociously. The command in my voice emanated throughout the area, and I saw the hesitation in the wolves as they exchanged looks.
So, I was correct. It was the home of the Crimson King. Which meant Kataleya was there. She was there, and I was going to find her.Mama’s coming, baby girl, just hold out till we got you.
The wolves watched me carefully as I got to my feet, my aura still swirling around me. As much as I wanted to rip them all to pieces for everything they had done, I knew I wouldn’t win. The bites on my thigh and hip were painful, but nothing was as bad as the aftereffect of the unseen entity. I didn’t move, hoping they understood I was waiting for their reply. I had a feeling they were conversing with one another from the way they were looking at each other until one of them shifted into a man with pale skin and flaming red hair. His eyes held such a coldness that they didn’t seem… human.
“So, the Queen has come to get her pup all alone.” His voice was as bitter and cold as the rest of him, filled with disgust and hatred towards me. He had an accent... Spanish? Well, the feeling was mutual.
“Yes. I’m here for my pup, and I will not leave without her. As for anyone who has hurt her, I will unleash hell. Now, show me to your king, who seems to want something from us. Let’s see what this debt is regarding.”
One of the other men who had shifted had my bag, and even though I tried to reach out through the link, either Alejandro was too far out, or something was blocking me from communicating with him because all I could feel was the block. I just prayed he got my location notification and that my phone didn’t break completely.
It was obvious whatever that thing earlier was didn’t care about the phone. Was it the Djinn? I shuddered inwardly at the very thought.
I had to play it safe, even if it meant stalling for time. We just needed to get Kataleya out. I just needed my baby girl safe…
The Second Clash
Kiara
“Very well, if you so wish to see him. Cover her eyes!” He finally commanded, his cold eyes almost biting into my skin. I would obey. The main thing was that I needed to buy Alejandro time. Was Kataleya okay?
“I will allow you to blindfold my eyes, but first, can I see my daughter?” I asked, trying my best to sound emotionless, despite the worry that was eating me up inside. He smirked,
“You don’t make the rules here.”
“I’m only asking to see my daughter first,” I growled venomously. “Just one look to make sure she’s okay.”
