THIRTEEN

Kane

MOM STRUGGLED AGAINST HER restraints, growling viciously while Lazarus pressed the blade to her cheek. He chuckled. She bared her canines when a trickle of blood ran down her cheek, steam hissing as it rose into the sky.

“Do you see it now? How she squirms and bares her teeth?” Lazarus enjoyed her suffering. He drew the blade deeper into her skin.

“Reptiles should die,” she growled.

“Mom, don’t,” I whispered, grabbing my chain with both hands. If she was going to die, I would stop it before hand, and I would also need Oliver’s help.

Dropping the mental barrier, I sensed Oliver curled up in a ball, his tail draped over his face.

Ollie, we don’t have time. Mom is being tortured! I said.

His head shot up as he stared at me, red eyes glowing like fire rubies. How is Mom…?

Remember how Lazarus captured us? He caught her some time later.

Oliver whimpered. He surged forward, and I sensed his added strength. With a tug at the chains, I felt the stake in the concrete jerk and a crack echoed. The maspets glanced at me, worry glinting in their eyes. One reached over and grabbed my hand, shaking his head ‘no’. He was the one who ate the slop out of my bowl.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, here comes our slayer of honor,” Lazarus exclaimed, taking the silver dagger and pointing toward the trees.

I could barely make out the figure, but it was man wearing all black, a red dragon mask carved from metal over his face, and a black cloak with silver fur sewn into the fabric. At his side was a long saber made from silver. He paused short of Lazarus and Mom. Circling them in slow motion, he raised his sword toward Mom, and drifted it toward Lazarus.

Wolf Slayer had arrived.

“You dare attempt to show off my talents without consulting me? Is that any way to treat a guest?” he commanded.

Lazarus pressed the blade back to Mom’s throat. “She’s a threat to the kingdom, Wolf Slayer.”

Mom sucked in sharp breath. The glow to her eyes faded and a short whimper escaped her. She pressed back against the pole, her eyes darting from noble to noble until she spotted me, tucked behind them with a chain around my neck.

“Kane!” she hollered.

I froze mid-tug. She said my name in front of everyone. All these nobles and the king. My pack rank was exposed. Everyone knew the Alpha and his heir’s name. Dad never wanted me to be reckless and get myself caught, but here I was, a war prisoner of the Stadia Kingdom.

King Zadicus followed her gaze with a steady eye. He stopped once he reached me, a scowl etched onto his face.

Only then did I realize that Astaroth had slipped back to his side while Wolf Slayer stood directly in front of Mom. His eyes were wide, staring at me with his mouth agape.

“It seems that this Luna has revealed a decadent treat for us,” King Zadicus said. With slow strides, he walked toward me, reaching into his long coat that almost touched the ground. He pulled out a pistol with a narrow barrel. As he reached me, he placed the barrel to my forehead.

In the background, I heard Mom screaming my name. I could barely see past Zadicus to notice she was crying, her head bowed as she struggled against the restraints.

“Stop this!” Astaroth screamed, running across the courtyard, one hand extended when black flames swirled at his fingertips.

In seconds, the barrel of the gun ignited with flames. I should have screamed. I should have pulled away. But the flames were cool, like the calm rush of stream water. The flames licked up the gun until Zadicus threw the gun to the ground a few feet away. The metal oozed into a puddle as it melted and the flames dispersed.

Astaroth reached my side, eyes blazing a sparkling silver-color. “You will not touch him!”

The command was sharp, and the tone of his voice… I had heard Mom get that voice when she defended the weak. Even her eyes changed to silver.

Smiling softly, I let go of the chain. He had come to get me.

“Anyone who dares to harm my maspet will be slain. Is that understood?” Astaroth continued.

Zadicus glared at him. “You dare strike the king?”

“Only if he threatens what is mine.”

With a scoff, Zadicus shook his hand. His eyes returned to me. “What a pathetic and weak child I bore.”

Astaroth rolled his eyes, before looking at me, a softness blanketing his features. He reached down and unlatched my chain. I followed him without argument, a smirk forming across my lips as I glanced at Zadicus.

We walked until Astaroth stopped behind Wolf Slayer, who lowered the saber.

“Why have you chosen that wolf?” the slayer asked.

“I made a deal with you,” Astaroth started. “You’ll take the she-wolf and I’ll keep mine.”

Wolf Slayer turned to look at us. His expression was unreadable from under the mask, but I recognized his scent.

Peering around the courtyard, I once again failed to notice someone; Astaroth’s guard was missing. And right in front of me was a male slightly taller than my mate. Lightning trickled across the saber for a moment, then it defused.

“Very well. Lord Lazarus, prepare the she-wolf.”

“But you were supposed to kill her!”

Wolf Slayer turned toward Lazarus. “Imbecile. I don’t show off in front of people! She will face justice for her kind, but only under my eye.”

I tensed. Was Anton really going to torture Mom?

Mom shrunk against the pole, her eyes focusing on me. She knew her time was coming. Death was a part of life. As long as Wolf Slayer was nearby, she would face her execution. This would probably be the last time I see her.

I took a step toward her when Anton raised the saber. His attention was solely on me now.

“Tame your mutt, Your Highness. In the meantime, I have a train to catch.”

Anton turned to face Mom again. He motioned for Lazarus to begin, when Astaroth tugged lightly at my chain and led me toward the castle.

We climbed a tall staircase that as at least three stories tall. By the time we reached the top, Astaroth took a moment to catch his breath. He looked at me with sad eyes.

“Don’t worry, Dios… I mean, that is your name right?” Astaroth asked, arching an eyebrow.

My gaze looked to the grass. “N-no. I… The she-wolf is my mom, and the name she called is my real name. I didn’t tell you because…”

Astaroth stared as my voice trailed off.

“Because why?”

He would have eventually found out over time. Oliver swished his tail in my mind.

I sighed. “Because I’m the heir. Who’s to say you wouldn’t have tortured me once you found out? I was better off staying in the shadows for as long as I could.”

After a pause, Astaroth yanked at the chain, pulling my face closer to him. “Do you really think that low of me? That I’m some monster?”

For that, I had no words. I did believe he was capable of being one. But after everything I saw, I didn’t think he would hurt me. He even saved me life just now.

“No, I don’t.”