Page 4 of Tortured Royals

Nate snaps happily at some of the doves as they pass him, like he just can’t help himself, but the doves avoid his jaws, and he goes back to tearing through witches.

Dante and Alaric are with him now, moving like harbingers of death, sweeping through the town. I hardly see Alaric’s blades move before they’re embedded in another witch. Around them, my doves make quick work of the other witches. Multiple birds attack each witch, swarming them until they’re covered in white, and it’s not long before the dove’s feathers turn black with witch blood. Prince Callan lifts into the air, following me, and we all drop down close to Dad.

Mason’s face is hard as he lands, his wings flaring wide as he drives his sword into one of the witches standing in the circle. The female screams, already blinded by my birds who are clawing at her face.

A projectile flies at me, but I dodge to the side, and it slams into the building behind me. The explosion throws me forward, and when I look up again, there’s a witch before me. Dead birds are littered around her feet, and she lifts her hands, a crooked grin on her face. Cackling, she sends power rushing at me, but before I can even think about deflecting, Nate leaps over my head. She screams as his fangs sink into her flesh, and then she’s silent.

I jump to my feet, and my mates form up around me as we attack the remaining witches. Many of them are still chanting, my birds bleeding on the ground around them, and I snarl, anger pulsing through me. A few of the witches try to redirect their power and attack us rather than trapping my Dad and the demons, and the moment their chanting changes, the king and the demons are freed from their magic prison. Dad bellows,lunging for the closest witch, and the demon soldiers help us to disband the rest of the witch circle.

When there’s only one witch remaining, she stares in horror at her sisters, and her shrill wail cuts through the air. She draws her hands together and glares at the king, whispering something in a language I can’t understand. I expect Dad to take care of her, but he just straightens, his face lined with fatigue as he merely watches the female. Her magic surges toward him, and he doesn’t even try to fucking move. I’m caught off guard, and I know I’ll be too late to stop what’s about to happen. For a moment, time seems to slow, and I watch as Prince Callan’s blade cleaves through the witch’s abdomen.

It doesn’t stop the rippling ball of magic that shoots toward the king, but before it can slam into Dad’s chest, Mason is there, grabbing the king. The pair of them tumble to the side, and I shout as the witch’s magic flies past, crashing into the building behind them and setting it alight with green flame.

Breathing heavily, my gaze scans the area for more threats, but the witches around us are all dead, and going by the cheering from the angels in the air and on the ground, I’m guessing the witches have all been defeated in the township.

I move to the demon king, but Mason is already up and has his hand out. Dad’s dark gaze assesses the winged centaur, but then his lips twist into a smile and he takes Mason’s hand, letting him lift him to his feet.

“And you would be?” King Dalton asks casually, as though we weren’t just under attack.

“Mason,” my mate replies.

“He’s from Perstalia,” I say, going to stand beside Mason.

Dad stares at my centaur like he’s trying to decide if my mate is a friend or foe.

“Turns out, not all of the Perstalians died,” I explain. “They were just underground.”

King Dalton turns toward me, his gaze softening. “Ah, I was wondering when you’d join me, daughter.” His voice is as affectionate as I’ve ever heard it, and I wonder if it’s because the battle has worn him down.

I clear my throat. “I would’ve been here sooner if it weren’t for…” I trail off before saying, “well, we can discuss that another time.”

His shrewd gaze sweeps over me and my other mates. “Yes, I heard you had completed your task and left with your mates,” he says slyly.

I don’t miss his insinuation, but I choose to ignore it. “If by my ‘task’ you’re referring to the competition of survival you threw me into so I could find my mates, then yeah, I guess so.” I would be more irritated at Dad for orchestrating the competition if it hadn’t in fact led to me discovering Nate and the others, and even Mason.

“But I didn’t exactlyleavewith my mates,” I mutter, though I don’t explain further. “None of that matters right now. Can we please talk about the fact that you shouldn’t be fighting? What are you doing here?”

“I’m fine,” Dad says with a dismissive wave of his hand, but when he stumbles, I grab his arm to steady him.

“You’re not fine,” I chastise, staring at his pale face with concern. “Why isn’t the angel queen here?”

He pats my hand, but his eyes darken. “Queen Vespera refuses to believe the witches are a real threat. Even though the witches have now attacked numerous cities and townships around Toralyn, the queen believes it’s an angel problem that she’ll be able to easily manage.”

I stare incredulously at the carnage around us, including the mass of dead witches and angels. “Easily manage? Has she forgotten what happened the last time the witches declared war?”

“She’s always been stubborn,” Prince Callan says, stepping close. “And in all fairness, until recently, we had thought the witches had been eradicated.” I’m not sure if it’s because of the sunlight glinting on his golden wings, but my archangel looks even more princely than usual. “I’ve been advised that my brothers and the majority of our forces are busy protecting other more important cities around the realm.”

My brows lower even more as I continue staring at the damage around us.

King Dalton grunts as he stretches his body, moving his head from side to side until his neck cracks.

“Queen Vespera should call on the allied realms,” I say. “Before the angels are overwhelmed. Clearly, there are more witches than any of us would have imagined. Do we know why the witches are in Toralyn?”

“Whatever the reason, Queen Vespera is determined that this is an internal problem they can solve without intervention,” Dad replies grimly. “As to the why…I was hoping coming here would shed some light on that, but so far, I’ve discovered nothing.”

I turn my attention to Prince Callan. “Is there something special about this town?”

“Nothing that would be of use to the witches,” he replies.

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