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I couldn't believe my eyes. Standing there was a shadow demon who reminded me so much of my men. He was dressed in battle armor, like a warrior king. His flesh had scars to prove he'd fought battles. His horns were large and reddened at the tips. He was huge with muscles cording every surface of his flesh. His skin was complexioned in the same exact gray tone as Morpheus's. His hair was silver, almost white—also just like Morpheus's. He had the eyes of Dominik, though. Icy, blue eyes that could freeze any man, mortal or immortal on the spot. This shadow demon wasn't just any shadow men. I knew this without a doubt. This was their father—the former demon king of Shadow World.
He laughed. "You seemed surprised, my dear. I'm so sorry that my sons never introduced us formally."
I gasped. It was him. I was so shocked, my words tripped in my throat. He looked young enough to be their brothers. Nothing about him said old man who had three full grown demon sons.
"We do age well, dear. That shouldn't be surprising. I am, after all, in my prime years."
"Stay out of my head!" I commanded.
He chuckled. "Since my sons appear to have forgotten their manners, allow me to introduce myself. I am Apollyn, rightful King and Ruler of Shadow World."
He flung back his mantle and stood tall with an undeniable presence of greatness. The other witches shrank away into a corner in fear. I had almost forgotten that the Cave witches were terrified of the father figure. Previously, the Cave witches had been ousted from Shadow World, and had since been in hiding in Nebulae.
"I also see my sons have been harboring fugitives themselves. Fugitives harboring fugitives. How fitting." He glared at the Cave witches.
"Leave them alone," I demanded. "You are no longer the King of Shadow World. You, too, were banished. You fled the throne. Fled from the wrath of your sons. You gave up your rights."
"You don't know what you're talking about." He took a couple steps forward and then quirked an eyebrow when he noticed how I stood my ground. "You are Sadie?"
I gasped. I wonder who told him my name.
"I got it right. Information is so easy to obtain these days. Sadie, you dare to conspire with my sons to banish me from my own lands? Do you have any idea what you've done? It has been left vulnerable and we all know my sons are not strong enough to hold it together. But you…” His brows squished together. His eyes were squinted in deep thought.
My heart was pounding with fear, but I knew that I had to keep standing my ground. "Shadow World is not vulnerable."
"Lies!" Apollyn's eyes narrowed with rage as he snarled out his words. “I have been looking for my sons to confront them but it is apparent you have bewitched them, sending them off on fool’s missions. And now I hear that you have been given unfettered access to my kingdom. You will grant me entry into my home realm, or face the full force of my wrath!" His finger shot out like an arrow and searing agony blazed through my body, ripping through my veins like molten lava, until I was engulfed in a fire of intolerable pain.
I was about to say something when the cave witches stepped up, placing their bodies in front of me.
"You shall not lay a finger on Sadie," Helena declared.
"She deprived me of what I rightfully owned, so it's only fair that I keep her to myself until the end of time itself." He lashed out, securing my ankle with a golden chain.
"No," I cried out, instantly lashing back and breaking the chains using shadow magic.
Apollyn grunted out. "Fucking fuck-tastic. You, witch, should not know that magic. Let me fix that."
Her crooked his fingers and I began to slid across the floor against my own will. I grabbed hold of a heavy chest, hugging myself to it and tried desperately to hit him again and again with my powers. He took every blast like a warrior and tried again and again to bring me closer to him.
"We won't permit you to take her!" Summer screamed. Her voice bounced off the walls of the cave.
The demon king laughed, "You think you can defeat me too? I'd like to see you try."
Helena blurted out a spell, calling forth a curse to be placed on Apollyn's head. He engulfed in black flames, but the flames were quickly put out within seconds by Apollyn himself.
A thick black fog rolled from his mouth and sparks of lightning flew from his fingertips, engulfing the cave witches in a shower of blue flames. I watched as one of the witches was dragged closer to kneel before him. Her screams of terror reverberating through the dark cave as he unleashed his power upon her. She passed out at his feet.
"Next," Apollyn called out. "Don't be afraid."
With the coven leader, unconscious, I saw the fear sinking deep within the others. I knew that I had to act fast.
I stood up and closed the distance between myself and Apollyn. Only about five feet lay behind us. Many others would consider that a death wish in and of itself, but I had to stand for something or be lost forever just like my loved ones, who I was trying to save.
I thrust my arms forward, and the shadows around me roared to life. A blaze erupted from my chest and I hurled it at the demon king with a fierce roar. He screamed in agony as his body crashed to the ground, his screams echoing off of the cavewalls. His hatred flared and he snarled as he tried to curse me, but only shadow essence flowed from his lips.
"I banish you from Nebulae, Apollyn. You are not the rightful ruler of Shadow World. I deny you entry. You shall remain an outcast!"
My words echoed around the barren cave and I watched as his face twisted with rage.
