Chapter 139

Sebastian

Sebastian felt like his body was being electrocuted. His entire body jolted in pain, and he nearly tumbled to the ground; however, he maintained his stance. He gripped the ledge of the stairs, holding onto it tightly until his knuckles grew white. He gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw, trying to take in a deep breath as another jolt of pain took over his body.

He tasted blood pooling in his mouth and dripping to the ground, forming a puddle around his feet.

“What the fuck is happening?!” He growled; the pain was nearly taking over his entire body.

He didn’t want to let anyone else see him like this and he would be damned if he remained where he was knowing that his gammas and alphas were lurking around the palace.

“If I had to guess, I would say it’s whatever they are doing to your wolf in the underworld,” Gemma said, rushing toward him with a towel.

The towel was warm, and it felt nice as he covered his face with it, allowing it to soak up the blood that continued to pour from his mouth. He wasn’t thinking it was happening to his wolf, it was most likely happening to Liam. Sebastian was used to feeling Liam’s pain, but there were never actual physical injuries to either Sebastian’s or Liam’s bodies.

It made him wonder if Liam’s body in the hospital was also facing these damages. He knew Hannah was going to the hospital to see him before she went to king’s creek. He wished he could mindlink her and make sure she was okay, but without his wolf, that was impossible.

“Just take in a deep breath,” Gemma said slowly.

The pain was starting to reside slightly, and the blood stopped forming in his mouth.

“We don’t have a lot of time. Whatever is happening to Liam is starting to take effect on us physically,” Sebastian told her. “Maybe it’s because he now has my entire wolf and not just a part of it.”

“The vampire king is a very powerful being. That’s why it’s important he doesn’t get free from the underworld. He can do a lot of damage,” Gemma told him.

Sebastian nodded in agreement.

“He might be a powerful being, but so am I,” Sebastian said; his tone was darkening and threatening. “Xander has no idea what he’s up against.”

…

Hannah

“Liam!” I said, rushing toward his bedside. He jolted a couple more times and more blood pooled out of his mouth. I wondered if Sebastian was feeling this pain as well. Whatever Xander was doing to him in the underworld, was taking a toll on Liam physically and it was probably taking a toll on Sebastian too.

I grabbed a rag nearby and began wiping the blood away from Liam’s face. Once I was sure he wasn’t producing more blood, I began to clean the inside of his mouth too. I didn’t have time for this; I could still feel darkness lurking around Liam’s hospital room, even after Henry left. I needed to get the supplies for the ritual. Sundown was only a few hours away. If I really wanted to protect Liam and get him out of the underworld, I would need to get through the portal and get him out myself.

I touched Liam’s damp forehead and leaned down to kiss his warm head.

“I love you,” I said to him as I pulled away. Wrenley sat comfortably against my chest; I was glad she wasn’t old enough to understand what was happening. I knew I wouldn’t be able to shield her from this forever.

I kissed the top of her head before leaving the hospital room with her still close to my chest. It felt nice going outside and getting some air. My heart still squeezed painfully for my brother, but I pushed the feeling deep into my stomach. I couldn’t let this distract me.

We reached the forest quickly; I ran without a wolf so by the time I got to the forest, I was a bit winded. At that moment, I wished I could reach out to Sebastian from our mindlink and make sure he was okay. There was no doubt in my mind that he was in pain after what happened to Liam.

It didn’t take long to get to king’s creek. It was a river that sat in the forest with crystal blue waters. I used the pale that Gemma had given me and filled it with water. Wrenley was staring down at the water with amazement, which made me smile.

I placed my fingers in the cold water and brought it to her so she can also feel it. she splashed the water in my hand, and I saw a smile appearing on her face. I couldn’t help but chuckle. We couldn’t stay at the creek for long though; I needed to get the water back to the palace. I could already see the sun switching directions and getting lower in the sky. It wouldn’t be long before sundown. If we waited any longer, it’ll be too late.

I grabbed the pale and made my way out of the forest. As we reached the palace, I already knew Sebastian was there. Even without my wolf, I could sense him easily. It must have been because of the mark on my neck. I was relieved to see him as I went into the living room. He looked relieved as well.

He wrapped his arms around me and hugged both Wren and me at the same time.

“Are you okay?” I found myself asking him. I peered up at him with worry in my eyes. “I was with Liam and…”

“Something was happening to him in the underworld,” Sebastian finished my thought for me. I nodded my head, keeping my eyes locked on his. “I’m okay, but that just proves we are running out of time. Their power is getting stronger, and we can’t let that happen.”

“I saw something when I was in Liam’s room,” I told him. He watched me curiously for a moment, waiting for me to continue. “It was the hooded shadow.”

“What?” He asked. “He was in the hospital? Did he confront you?”

“Yes,” I answered. “He was warning me… or maybe it was a threat. He told me if we continued to fight against the vampire king, we will regret it. He told me to not resist the king. He also said that everyone I love will pay the price.” I glanced down at Wrenley and wrapped my arms around her tightly. “Everyone.”

“I’m not going to let anything happen to either of you,” he told me firmly. “Don’t worry about his threats.”

I believed him, but I still worried about what was going to happen once we open the portal.

“There’s something else…” I told him slowly. “He revealed to me his identity.”

“He did what?” Sebastian asked, raising his brows. “You saw his face?”

I nodded slowly, lifting my gaze to meet his once again.

“It’s Henry,” I told him.

Sebastian looked confused for a moment, but then he shook his head.

“Henry wasn’t the one I saw torturing him in the underworld. I don’t think he can come and go throughout the realms that easily. Considering he needs your wolf to enter the portal to get into the underworld, it’s unlikely.”

“Okay, but it was him,” I told him. “I saw his face and he talked to me as Henry.”

Sebastian thought about it for a moment before realization crossed his gaze.

“Xander isn’t able to come here on his own because of the banishment. Henry must have been one of the werewolves that got themselves trapped in the underworld, probably around the time that Gemma and Lila were there as well. Maybe even around the time I was there…”

“You think when Lila was released, so was Henry?” I asked.

“I think Xander is using both Henry and Lila to do his bidding on our land while he’s stuck in his land. Henry is a vessel of the vampire king.”