Chapter 120: The Alpha King’s Virgin by Charmeleon Chapter 119

Chapter 119

RAINE

We stepped out of the portal into the fortress. The heavy scent of smoke and sulfur permeated the air, making it difficult to take in a breath. No signs of life in the upper level of the fortress where the witches usually assembled. I listened intently, but heard no sounds, not a whisper or a heartbeat. It felt deserted.

“Where are they?” I took in the surrounding chaos. Shattered glass crunched under our feet, tables overturned, and broken furniture scattered about. All signs of a struggle.

any would–be attackers. Joanna and Pippa flanked me on both sides, keeping a watchful eye out for The only light came from the raging fires outside the fortress’s grounds, casting eerie shadows along the walls and across our faces.

“Maybe they’re hiding out in the dungeon.” Pippa suggested. “They can’t be…dead. Can they?” “No, we would have felt it. We are all connected.” Joanna tried to assure Pippa.

I hoped she was right. The vision I had didn’t afford me much hope.

Pippa picked up Quindin’s Book of Shadows, that lay underneath a smashed chair. “I don’t know. This feels wrong.

An overwhelming sense of guilt washed over me, forcing me to sit. “I shouldn’t have left them here alone. This is my duty.”

“But you

needed to recover, Magus.” Joanna placed a hand on my shoulder. “Isn’t it possible that the convoy had already taken them away before this attack happened?”

I shook my head. “No, Amaris would have received news.” Amaris. The look on his face when he realized that I’ve put a spell on him to stop him from following me… He was devastated. I could only hope that he would forgive me.

“We have to find them.” I heaved myself up and went to the stairwell leading down. There were so many scents in the building, it was hard to recognize and concentrate on a specific one to follow.

Down we went into the lower region of the fortress. “Did you say dungeons, Pippa?” I’ve never been to that part of the fortress.

“Yeah, but Quindin never used them for anything but to store stuff in.” Pippa looked around nervously. “Still doesn’t feel right to me.”

“You’re very intuitive.” Joanna slowed her steps.

air feels charged somehow. My skin is

crawling.” She looked at the hairs on her arms, standing to attention. “I think this is a…”

“Trap!” I finished for her. “Run!”

Chapter 119

But it was too late. Glowing red eyes emerged from the shadows, and the bulk of the creature slowly took shape. Shadow Dragon. There was no way to escape it.

“Raine! Use fire magic.” Joanna yelled at me, shoving Pippa out of the way.

“I don’t know how!” I screamed back. The creature was advancing slowly, its putrid breath billowing

towards us.

The fire outside. Use it. Draw it in or whatever the you do.’ I heard Tasha’s panicked voice. ‘You’d better be quick!”

I took a deep breath and concentrated on the flames. Soon, I felt its heat spread through my bones, rising, rising, until it filled me completely. The shadow dragon soared to its full length, towering above me, reaching for me.

Fire erupted from my hands, not just tiny flames, but a roaring inferno. My scream merged with the shriek of the dragon as the ball of fire engulfed it, forcing it back. It disappeared in a puff of smoke. I collapsed to the floor.

‘I didn’t want to say it, but you really should have listened to Amaris. Tasha whimpered, hiding her head between her paws. “That was too close.’

“Are you alright?” Joanna held her hand out to pull me up.

Pippa dusted herself off. “Please don’t let there be more where that came from.”

I nodded. “I didn’t know I could do that.” My body shook from the effort. Maybe Tasha was right. I acted too impulsively.

‘Damn straight!‘ Tasha piped up again. I shut her down. The situation was bad enough without her having to judge me.

“Only a few of us have that ability. I am not one of them.” Joanna said. “There could be more of them around. We need torches.”

I

guess if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.” Athan extracted himself from a dark alcove he was hiding in. “Tsk. That was my last pet. Oh, well…”

“You. I should’ve known!” I whirled around to face him. “You tricked me into coming here. Where are they, and what have you done with them?”

He clapped his hands, applauding me. “Correct. I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist coming to save your witches.”

“Stay back!” I reached for that surge of power deep down inside, but there was only a slight tingle. Pippa and Joanna joined hands! They were attempting to open a portal. No, I couldn’t leave without knowing what he did with Joyce and the rest of my coven.

Athan shook his head. “Now, now. If you kill me, you’ll never find them.” His smug smile made me want to risk it. “And don’t try any of your little magic tricks on me. It won’t work. I am immune to

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Chapter 119

magic, sweetheart.”

“You’re lying.” I spat at him.

“He’s telling the truth.” Joanna whispered to me. “You need to rip out his heart.”

“That can be arranged.” I snarled at him, letting my canines and my claws out.

He bellowed out loud. “Oh, come now, my queen. You don’t stand a chance against me.”

“I’m not anything of yours, Bloodsucker!”

“I love it when you talk dirty to me,” he snorted. “But come, we’re wasting time. I will let your precious witches go, on one condition. Surrender to me.”

I barked out a harsh laugh. “Over my dead body.”

“I thought you’d say that. Joanna?” He snapped his fingers at Joanna.

I turned around, frowning. Why would he look at her like that?

Joanna had a strange, vacant look on her face. It sparked a memory. The slaves in Athan’s castle had

that same look.

“Joanna is my little secret weapon.” Athan’s dark chuckle resounded off the walls.

“Dorme!” I heard Joanna say before I crumpled to the floor.