Page 68 of The Hellbeast's Betrayal

“Or we could just use those steps,” he said, making my eyes widen as he let me go. Because he was right, there was, in fact, a staircase built into the stone that lead to the top of the mountain above us. One that daylight was pouring in from. I sighed in relief, something mirrored by the other two, as this had thankfully got them out of the shit.

“You lucky sons of bitches!” I said, now looking back at them, making my brother shrug as Marcus leaned against the wall, looked at his nails, and said,

“No biggy, I knew that was there.”

“Ha, like fuck you did,” Orth scoffed.

“Now I am going in there and no matter what, I don’t want any of you to follow.”

“But…” my brother tried to protest like I knew he would.

“I am serious, Orth, anything happens, get your arses out of here and alert the others.”

At this my brother’s shoulders lowered in defeat.

“Fine. But for the record, I don’t fucking like this plan,” he stated gruffly.

“Yeah well, it’s the only one we got, so it’s tough shit. Now wish me luck,” I said, now facing the door, breaking the lock, and stepping inside.

I knew my brother didn’t like letting me do this alone, his expression told me as much. But in all honesty, I couldn’t risk it. I was already trying to break out the love of my life, the last thing I needed was potentially losing my brother too.

Plus, it was like I said, it would be easier to stay hidden this way. Something that was proven when I started to hear voices, making me put my back to the wall, keeping to the shadows. Guards were obviously making their rounds, and they spoke of the upcoming battle. I listened in, knowing that any information I could obtain was only going to be useful later on. However, the second I heard talk of their Queen’s return, I had a job to keep my breathing even.

I waited for the voices to trail off before stepping from the wall and making my way through the hallway once more. There was no natural light, as this castle had been built inside a mountain, one very similar to Lucius’s home in Germany.

It was a catacomb of tunnels and hidden rooms that I knew I could easily get lost in. But thankfully, the map had shown exactly where to go, one I had memorized. As there was only one place a merchant providing dresses and material needed to go and that was the bedchamber. A place I hoped they were keeping her, as the anger at thinking of her in some damp, dark jail cell somewhere had me even more on edge.

But then, I also had to question Garmr’s need to get her dresses in the first place. Knowing I would also lose my shit if I found out he was keeping her in his own bedchamber. I swear if he laid a finger on her, then nothing would stop me from bursting into my HellBeast.

I tried to push these murderous thoughts down as far as they would go, so I could concentrate on finding her. I walked through an open arch and looked both ways, to find only one door that looked like it could belong to a bedroom. So, I made a left and after checking there was no one standing guard, I tried the door, surprised when I found it unlocked.

I almost gave up before looking, as I knew he wouldn’t have chanced her behind a door that wasn’t secure. As surely, Ella would have tried to have run. However, I was glad when I did, as the second I saw her red hair against the pillow, I swear my heart nearly stopped.

I had found her.

I stepped further inside, making sure to close the door behind me quietly, so as not to alarm her enough to scream out. I walked softly to the bed, briefly taking note of the gothic room, making me grit my teeth, hoping it had only been used for her.

The second I got to the bed and saw her start to stir, I quickly covered her mouth with my hand, lifting my finger up to cover my lips when she opened her eyes. They were wide with a moment of shock before narrowing furiously, making me frown. I removed my hand slowly and told her on instinct,

“Ella, it’s me.” However, the second her eyes started to glow green, I knew the awful truth…I was too late.This was proven when she suddenly grabbed me by the throat and was strong enough to force me backwards as she rose to sitting.

“E…ll…a,” I choked out as her grip tightened before she suddenly tossed me backwards, her strength shocking… her aim even better, as I crashed into a pair of wooden screens. Damn it, but she almost winded me, making me rub my throat and try again.

“Ella… it’s me… fuck.”

“My name is Anástasi!”she roared at me, thrusting out her hands and making me move from the walls as streams of her power started circling the room. I rose to my feet, panic beginning to take hold. She was wearing a green night dress, flowing around her as if she was her own energy source, manipulating even the material she wore.

“No! Your name is Ella, and I am Jared!” At this she shook her head a bit, making me watch her like a hawk.

“Silence!” she screamed, banging her head with the palm of her hand, as if my girl was trying to break out.

“ELLA, PUSH THROUGH IT!” I shouted.

“NO! She is no more! There is only I, the Summoner Queen!” she bellowed, flicking her wrist and making her power lasso my hands and my arms, holding me prisoner.

“That’s not true, I know she is in there. Ella, you have to try!” Again, she shook her head, making me try harder to tell her.

“I am your HellBeast! I am Cerberus!” I shouted, making her sob suddenly, covering her mouth with both hands and releasing me of her power.

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