Chapter 156

Sebastian

Liam was struggling to fight for his life as the torturer continued to kick and berate him.

Sebastian was the strongest in his entire kingdom. This torturer didn’t look to be as much of a match against him. He slammed the door open, causing the man to turn in his direction and narrow his eyes.

“Who the hell are you?” The man barked.

Sebastian could feel fury rising through him, but he couldn’t shift into his wolf. As soon as he did, he would give himself away. The entire palace, hell, the entire underworld, would be able to smell his wolf scent. He had to be careful while fighting this battle.

He wasn’t afraid though; Sebastian was by far superior in this situation. He still had his wolf’s strength even if he didn’t shift.

To this man, Sebastian looked like a normal vampire. His scent was still masked so he couldn’t be smelled or sensed.

“Release this man this instance,” Sebastian ordered, keeping his voice calm.

“I don’t take orders from you,” the man scoffed.

“If you don’t do as I say, I’ll have to take more drastic measures.”

Liam lifted his head to look over at Sebastian, but Sebastian was too fixated on the torturer.

“You’re going to be sorry for interrupting us” the torturer hissed.

Sebastian smirked as the man ran toward him at full speed; he could see his aura darkening and his eyes turning black. Sebastian allowed the man to take his first swing; he didn’t like fighting unless he was attacked first. The man was able to swing his fist and get Sebastian in the face; but to Sebastian, it didn’t phase him as much as the man would have liked.

Sebastian dodged his next attack with ease and then swung his fist, hitting him on the side of the face. Blood spilled from the man’s nose and his lip grew in size. The man stood to his feet and went to lunge at Sebastian again, but Sebastian used his foot to trip the guy, causing him to fall into the puddle of Liam’s blood. Sebastian used his foot to kick him in his stomach.

He coughed and rolled onto his back. Sebastian walked toward him, placing his foot on the man’s stomach, making it impossible for him to move. He winced in pain, struggling to get up.

“I’m going to tell you again, release this man,” Sebastian said in a low and threatening tone.

The torturer looked like he wanted to argue more, but Sebastian deepened his foot in his stomach. He yelled out in agony; Sebastian was way too strong for him.

“Release him.”

“Fine,” the man finally spat. “Get him out of here before I change my mind.”

“Heal him.”

“Fuck you,” the torturer spat.

Sebastian deepened his foot again causing the torturer to yell again.

“On the table,” the man grunted, looking over at the table across the room. “It’s a potion that will heal him.”

Sebastian took his foot off him and made his way over to the table. He grabbed the small bottle of potion off the table and went back to Liam. He was practically unconscious at that point. Sebastian knelt beside him and lifted his head. His eyes fluttered open and landed on Sebastian. He could see the fear in his eyes; Liam didn’t deserve this. It would destroy Hannah if she ever saw her brother like this.

“Drink this,” Sebastian said in a low voice, bringing the potion to Liam’s lips.

The liquid made its way into Liam’s mouth and down his throat. He coughed for a minute but soon his breathing was becoming stronger, and his wounds were starting to disappear. He sat up and looked around the room like he was confused as to where he was.

“Xander is going to kill you both,” the torturer grunted.

“I’m not worried about Xander,” Sebastian said, standing to his feet.

“Where’s Hannah?” Liam asked as he also stood to his feet.

“We’ll catch up with her after,” Sebastian told him.

“Oh,” the man coughed up more blood as he laughed. “I know you. You’re that werewolf everyone’s been looking for. He’s really going to kill you now.”

Sebastian ignored him and motioned for Liam to follow him. As they left, Sebastian paused before going toward the foyer. He turned to Liam who stood against the wall and stared back at him with worry planted all over his face.

“Look, Liam. Level with me. You must know that Hannah is here for you. She’s here because she loves you and wants you to return home with us. You don’t belong in a place like this. Xander is not who you should be following,” Sebastian said, keeping his eyes locked on Liam.

“He promised he wouldn’t hurt me if Hannah came here…” Liam said, keeping his tone low. He fixated his gaze on the ground. He looked utterly defeated. “He promised I could live a happy life with my mom and sister…”

“You don’t belong here Liam and I think you know that. Your body, your real body, is lying in a hospital bed. If you wait any longer, you won’t be able to return to it.”

Liam looked like he was contemplating everything he knew. He stared at Sebastian with misty eyes. He knew Sebastian was right; deep down, he knew he didn’t belong here. But the thought of leaving his mother was too much for him to handle. He just got his mother back; he didn’t want to give that up.

“Remember when your mom died? Remember where you said she was? You said that she was somewhere…”

“Paradise,” Liam said. “I said she was in paradise.”

“Does this look like paradise?”

He looked around briefly before looking back at Sebastian.

“No.”

“Your mother isn’t here, Liam. She wouldn’t want this for you. But your sister is here, and she wants to help you. It’s up to you if you want to let her. But if you choose to let her help you, then you must help us too.”

Liam was quiet for a minute; Sebastian heard light chatter coming from the foyer, causing him to back into the corner and disappear into the darkness. Liam’s breathing was shaky, and Sebastian could feel his rising nerves. After a few moments, the voices got quieter until they disappeared altogether.

“What is it you need me to do?” Liam finally asked.

“I’m looking for something called a moonstone scepter. Xander took it from me. He’s storing it somewhere in this palace. Did you see anything like that here?”

Liam thought about it for a moment.

“Is it like a sword with a purple ball on the end?”

“Yes,” Sebastian said quickly. “Exactly like that. You’ve seen it?”

“Yes…” Liam breathed as he got lost in thought. “He’s used it to…” his voice trailed off.

“To what?”

“To…” he paused again; whatever Xander used it for, obviously had Liam distraught. “To…” he tried again but stopped again. His body began trembling and tears welled up in his eyes.

“It’s okay,” Sebastian assured him. “You don’t have to talk about it. But do you remember where he put it after he used it?”

Liam thought about it for a moment longer and then nodded.

“Yes,” he answered. “He has a vault in his study. I can take you to it but…” He paused and glanced down at his feet. “But can you take me to Hannah after?”

“Of course,” Sebastian promised. “I’ll take you to Hannah. Just take me to his vault.”

…

Hannah

I pulled on the door for the thousandth time; it was no use; I wasn’t going to be able to escape this room. Not without the help of Sebastian. But he was too busy searching for the scepter. I just hoped that he got the scepter without Xander finding him.

I was forced to be patient and just wait for him. I slumped on the bed, feeling defeated. The only thing getting me through was the thought of returning home and being with Wrenley again. I just wanted to see my daughter.

I was starting to lose track of time and growing worried for Sebastian.

CRASH!

I sprung from my bed as a rock flew through my window and landed on the ground in front of me. Glass was shattered everywhere.

What the hell?

A figure in a hooded cloak climbed through the window and stood before me. They made no sudden movements, but I saw its hands reaching toward the hood and tugging at it, revealing to me its face.

My breath got caught in my throat.

“Caroline?!”