Page 99 of King

Daniel exhaled slowly, then gave her a small nod. “Come on.”

They left the building without another word. Not one demon dared to lift their eyes to Daniel. King may be a badass up in his world, but down here, Daniel was the apex predator.

King walked outside and glanced at the jackal-head dude lying on the ground where Charger was toeing him with his boot.

“Damn, Daniel.” Kane grinned, shaking his head. “A little warning before you start shooting assholes out of the buildings. You almost took Creed out.”

“This is the fucking weirdest place I’ve ever seen,” King mumbled, shaking his head.

“You haven’t seen anything yet, my friend.” Kane grinned with a chuckle.

They walked a short distance away and stopped in a field beyond the buildings. Sibyl finally spoke. “You’re looking for the girl.”

“We are,” Daniel confirmed, then lifted her face again. “Let me get you the hell out of here, Sibyl. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”

Her expression twisted with a mixture of pain, fear, and resignation. “I can’t,” she murmured. Then her gaze flicked to King. “This girl… she’s the one with Golden Blood?”

“Yes,” Daniel answered before King could open his mouth.

Where the fuck is she? King wanted to demand. But he bit his tongue.

Sibyl hesitated. Then, voice barely above a whisper, she said: “The sixth portal.”

King’s pulse thundered. But then she dropped another bomb.

“A Warlock named Valkas has her,” Sibyl continued, her voice tight. “The hag told me he put a spell on her to turn her into a half-breed so her blood would be more powerful.”

King’s stomach plummeted. The world blurred for a second, rage pounding through his veins like a fucking war drum. His gaze met Kane’s at the mention of the name Valkas.

“It was a success,” Sibyl added quietly.

“Did the hag help him?” Daniel’s voice was sharp now, demanding the truth.

“No. Valkas is powerful. And he has the backing of the Legions.” Her voice trembled. “A demon named Locke is one of many who are searching for people like the woman Valkas has. They want you dead, Daniel. They won’t stop until they succeed.”

Daniel exhaled a dark chuckle. “Story of my life.”

Then he put his arm around Sibyl. “Thank you,” he murmured. “Your debt is paid in full. You never have to go back to that place.”

Sibyl nodded. But she didn’t leave. “How many witches do you have?” she asked suddenly.

“One witch. One warlock,” Daniel replied, already shaking his head. “You’re not going.”

“It’s not enough,” she muttered, then shrugged. “Too late, I’m already there. Hurry up.” She snapped her fingers and was gone.

“Fuck!” Daniel cursed. Then he turned back to the group, eyes blazing. “Let’s go.”

Daniel took off, and King followed, grabbing his sword from Kane without breaking stride. No one spoke. The only sound was their footfalls pounding against the barren ground as they ran.

The air was thick, almost suffocating, charged with a dark energy that pressed down on him like a weight. But none of that mattered. Amara was here. And he was going to get her back.

After what felt like forever, Daniel skidded to a stop on a bare hill. King pulled up beside him, breathing hard, his eyes scanning the field below. His stomach dropped.

The landscape was filled with twisted, monstrous creatures, their grotesque bodies shifting restlessly, waiting. A nightmare made real. And somewhere among them—Amara.

Sibyl suddenly appeared beside him. King jolted back, gripping his sword tighter. She gave him a small, apologetic smile before stepping around him to Daniel.

“The girl is there.” Sibyl pointed.

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