Page 94 of Heir of the Beast

A voice I have never heard before speaks. “Well, this is surprising, to say the least.”

Apollo shifts slightly. “I assume you already know what grave offense you’re committing to the House of Garthorn and House of Galleon. I will go easy on you if you call off the drone.”

I hear laughter.

“Who sent you?” Apollo growls.

“The great Apollo of Garthorn, at my mercy. I am actually surprised I was able to catch you off your guard. Though,” he pauses, “I don’t blame you. She is quite distracting.”

“Call off the drone.”

“I’m afraid I do not take orders from you,” he says easily.

I hear Apollo curse. “Who the hell sent you?”

“Unfortunately, I am not here for you, but for the impostor in front of you. It seems the House of Garthorn was infiltrated. Compromised, I’d say.

“And from the looks of it, she has you wrapped around her little finger. I’m impressed.”

I can feel Apollo’s questioning stare on me.

“Don’t listen to him, Apollo,” I whisper with my eyes closed.

Suddenly I hear a distant scream and know without a doubt it’s Laura. Alarms in my head start ringing. She is not that good of an actor. That was a scream produced by pure, authentic fear.

Adrenaline starts pounding in my bloodstream. If Laura is screaming, then this is worse than I thought. I was about to tell Apollo Laura set this up out of jealousy, but now I am confused.

What is going on?!

“Who sent me is not your concern, Apollo. I am just here for the women, and we will be on our way,” comes the man’s firm request. “Apollo, this is in your best interest.”

“My best interest?” Apollo asks with mockery. His voice is dark and threatening. “Very thoughtful of you. I will remember when I spill your blood.”

“She can open her eyes. I deactivated it already,” the man’s voice says. I open them right as I feel Apollo react.

“Don’t!” Apollo yells, but too late.

Apollo, with quick reflexes, grabs the snake before its fangs sink into my ankle but only to puncture Apollo’s forearm.

“Apollo!”

I’m such an idiot!

He tosses the snake a hundred feet, and I see two red dots forming. Blood trickles out of them as Apollo falls to his knees with a gasp, grabbing the wound. ~This is all my fault!~

“Apollo!” I scream as tears stream down my cheeks. No, this is not happening! Not happening…

He’s going to die.

This. Is. Not. Happening.

I see men surround me, but all I can see is the anguish on Apollo’s face. “Apollo!”

He looks up at me, dark eyes glittering. I see his pain as he says, “Angel, anything you want to tell me before they t-take you?” I can see the veins in his neck protruding.

I feel a strong arm on me, and I blurt, “Apollo, forgive me! Queen Irena! She’s a witch—”

Blackness overtakes me.

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