Page 44 of Witch's Promise

Gabe hesitated, torn between the urgency to reach his father and the need to protect Sean. "You're human, Sean. Don't be stupid!"

Sean's jaw clenched, a flicker of something - hurt? frustration? - passing across his face. "Trust me, Gabe. I can handle myself. Go!"

The desperation in Sean's voice made the decision for him. With a curt nod, Gabe pushed forward, leaving Sean to face whatever threat lurked in the shadows. The guilt of abandoning him warred with the overwhelming need to reach his father, adding to the crushing weight of responsibility that seemed to press down on Gabe's shoulders with every step.

As he neared the stage, more figures emerged from the darkness, their features obscured by shadow and malice. Gabe's defensive magic flared instinctively, creating a shimmering barrier that repelled the first wave of attackers. But they kept coming, relentless and unnervingly coordinated.

Gabe's mind raced as he fought, trying to make sense of the attack. This wasn't some random assault - it was too well-planned, too targeted. But who would want to hurt his family? And why now, of all times?

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of magical combat, Gabe reached the stage. The sight that greeted him made his blood run cold.

His father lay crumpled on the platform, a black-coated dagger protruding from his chest. Blood seeped from the wound, dark and ominous against the pale fabric of his shirt.

"No, no, no," Gabe muttered, dropping to his knees beside his father. His hands hovered over the wound, magic pulsing at his fingertips as he assessed the damage. "Come on, Dad. Stay with me."

His dad’s eyes fluttered open, focusing on Gabe with effort. "Son," he wheezed, his voice barely above a whisper. "You have to... protect the coven. The transfer... it's not complete."

Gabe shook his head, pushing down the panic that threatened to overwhelm him. "Don't talk, Dad. We need to get you out of here."

With as much care as he could muster, Gabe gathered his father into his arms. The older man felt frighteningly light, as if the attack had drained more than just blood from his body. Gabe's muscles strained as he lifted, his magic instinctively forming a protective cocoon around them both.

As he turned to carry his father to safety, a figure materialized before him, seemingly stepping out of the very shadows themselves. A mask obscured their features, but the malevolent energy radiating from them was unmistakable.

"You may have saved your father for now," the masked figure taunted, their voice distorted and inhuman, "but the poison in that dagger will definitely kill him soon enough. But for now, we are taking the girl."

Gabe's head snapped to the left, following the figure's gaze. His heart dropped as he saw Jessy, unconscious and being dragged away by two more masked assailants. And there, sprawled on the ground nearby, was his brother - clearly having tried and failed to protect her.

"No!" Gabe shouted, desperation fueling his magic. He lashed out with a spell, raw power crackling through the air. But it was too late. The attackers, along with Jessy, vanished into the shadows, leaving nothing but a lingering sense of dread in their wake.

"Fuck!" Gabe cursed, his mind reeling. This was a nightmare. His father dying, Jessy kidnapped, his brother injured - and he'd failed to stop any of it. Some fucking hero he was turning out to be.

"Gabe!" Sean's voice cut through his spiral of self-recrimination. He appeared at Gabe's side, breathless andsporting a nasty-looking gash on his forehead. "Jesus Christ, is that your dad? Here, let me help."

Together, they maneuvered His dad into a more stable position, Sean taking some of the weight. Gabe couldn't help but notice the ease with which Sean handled himself, the fluid movements speaking of training far beyond what any "normal" human should possess. But there wasn't time to dwell on that mystery now.

"We need to get him inside," Gabe said, his voice tight with strain. "There's a panic room in the basement. It's warded, should be safe."

Sean nodded, already moving. "Lead the way. I'll cover our six."

Chapter 13

Gabe

Fuck, how had everything gone so wrong so quickly?

Gabe's muscles screamed in protest as he carried his father's limp form up the stairs. The night's chaos weighed heavily on him, each step a stark reminder of how quickly everything had spiraled out of control.

"Sean," he called out, voice strained. "Can you take Gino to the living room? There's a couch where he can rest."

Sean nodded, concern etched on his face as he carefully lifted Gino's unconscious body. "Sure thing. Where should I go after?"

"Meet me in the master bedroom," Gabe replied, adjusting his grip on his father. "But first, grab a vial of green liquid from the kitchen cupboard. It's Mom's healing potion."

As Sean disappeared down the hallway with Gino, Gabe continued his arduous journey to the master bedroom. The familiar space now felt alien, tainted by the night's violence.

Gabe staggered under his father's dead weight, muscles screaming in protest as he navigated the familiar hallway. The events of the night pressed down on him, each step a reminder of how quickly everything had gone to hell.

The door to the bedroom burst open before they reached it, Gabe's mother and sister spilling out into the hallway. Themoment his mother’s eyes landed on her husbands’s bloodied form, a keening wail escaped her lips, the sound tearing at Gabe's already frayed nerves.

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