Page 98 of Witch Queen

Vedran’s fingersloosened around his son’s neck asSubjugatescorched his insides. Oscar scowled, grabbed Vedran’s wrist, and tried to peel his fingers from his flesh, legs kicking out as he struggled to free himself.

Vedran cursed, nearly losing his grip on the sorcerer. He clenched his jaw and called forth the dark sword made of his familiar’s soul. It appeared in his right hand, the blade solid despite the debilitating spell afflicting him.

The weapon wavered as he aimed it at Oscar’s heart, Balkin roaring within it.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX

Heat surgedthrough Mae’s veins. She and Na Ri invoked the second spell Azazel had taught them.

“Soul Unchain!”

A sound of disbelief and agony left Vedran, his hold on Balkin shattering. The blade dissolved into a black mist before it could reach Oscar.

The power of Hell washed over the bridge and Mae’s back, startling her. She turned and cursed at the sight of the demon emerging from a portal with a vengeful expression.

“VEDRAN!” Barquiel roared.

Mae scowled. “I really don’t have time for this shit!”

She was about to call Hellreaver to her when a figure loomed behind the demon archduke and snatched him in a double-armed grip, trapping his wings and body. An outraged sound left Barquiel as Rambrog grunted and squeezed him.

“You foul giant!How dare you?!”

“Good job, Rambrog,” Vlad called out.

Incubus energy rolled off him and Tarang as they closed in on Barquiel.

Cortes and Popo accompanied them, the parrot’s eyes and wings blazing with the Arcane Magic dancing on the sorcerer’s sword and whip.

Vlad looked at Mae. “We’ve got this.”

She nodded and turned.

Surprise jolted her. The wisps of Balkin’s soul had coalesced to form the specter of the black wolf. He landed lightly on the bridge, his ethereal shape fluttering at the edges.

Vedran blanched and retreated a couple of steps, his jaw sagging open at the sight of the ghostly apparition.

“Bal—Balkin?!”

Balkin scowled at the man who had chained him in death for hundreds of years.

“Do not say my name,sorcerer.”

The wolf walked past Vedran.

Mae’s chest tightened when the noble wolf stopped and bowed his head.

“Thank you for freeing me, Witch Queen,”Balkin said calmly. His eyes gleamed as he met her stare. “May we meet again, in another life.”

The familiar’s form faded, his soul finally heading to the place he had long been denied.

Vedran fell to his knees. “Ah.”

Mae startled at the tears streaming down the Sorcerer King’s face.

Fear brightened Oscar’s pupils. He shook his head at her in warning and backed away from his father, like he knew what was coming next.

The air locked in Mae’s throat. Rage was filling Vedran’s eyes with a darkness that threatened to scorch the world.

---