Page 79 of Tortured Royals

“See you soon,your highness,”that strange voice hisses from between Ivar’s lips, and then the green disappears from Ivar’s eyes. The demon starts convulsing, his body shuddering violently.

“Help me!” Ivar lets out a broken cry, his voice no longer that of the witch, but of the demon leader.

“No! He was supposed to die by my blade,” Alaric growls, but Ivar’s convulsing increases, his eyes rolling to the back of his head. And then, the demon leader falls silent. Prince Callan and Alaric release him, letting his lifeless body fall to the floor.

“I had hoped to make him suffer,” Alaric grumbles. “Here, let me have that.” He grabs Dante’s sword, and with a single blow, he severs Ivar’s head from his body.

“I think he was already dead,” Dante drawls.

Alaric shrugs. “Now we can be sure.”

We all stare down at the clan leader.

“What do you think Ivar was talking about?” Prince Callan asks. “A sentient being?”

Nate’s face is hard. “You think it’s some kind of beast that’s been captured and is being kept in the castle?”

I rack my brain trying to think of everything I know of the war with the witches. Of everything Dad has told me, but he’s never mentioned that there might be somethingalivebehind the black door.

“We need to get to the castle,” I say simply. “Whatever it is, the witches are coming for it. And it’s time Dad answered some questions.”

Chapter

Twenty-Six

~ Princess Blake ~

“So, witches, huh?” Scarlett asks when we walk outside Ivar’s mansion.

Zachary swipes his hair away from his eyes. “Should we be worried?”

I don’t answer that. Scarlett and her mates all heard what the witch said. “Be ready,” I tell them. “When the witches attack, we’ll need everyone.”

“So, it is as bad as it sounded,” Zachary comments. There’s humor in his voice, but his eyes darken.

Scarlett dips her head. “Is that all I can do for now, your highness?”

I smile at her. The first time I saw the she-demon she was scared and broken, but now, despite her exhaustion from using her power on Ivar, there’s strength in her gaze.

“Thank you,” I tell her. “We’ll take it from here.”

She smiles, her eyes soft, and she turns with her mates, heading toward their car on the side of the street.

When they’re gone, I face my mates and spread my wings. “We could portal outside the castle, but after what I’ve just heard, I need to stretch my wings. Who wants a ride? You have three amazing options.”

Mason and Prince Callan step up on either side of me, and Alaric, Nate, and Dante share a look.

“Not this time, gorgeous,” Nate says, giving me a lop-sided grin. “The beast side isn’t too happy he missed the action just now. I’m gonna go for a run.”

Alaric flexes his muscles, and points to a sports car up ahead on the side of the road. “Dante and I can take that.”

“What, not a fan of flying?” I tease.

Alaric scowls. “The only thing that makes it bearable is you, mate. But it might look strange arriving at the castle in your arms.”

I roll my eyes. “So, you’re worried what the demons will think?”

“I prefer my hand around your throat, mate, not you cradling me like a baby,” Alaric counters. “And seeing as shifting into my giant form would cause unwanted attention, the car will do.”

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