Page 48 of Monster's Obsession

The crowds burst into hoots and shouts, screaming out,death for Steele.

A part of me died on the inside to hear the hatred, to know that so many of them believed he’d killed their queen.

Then the announcer continued, “Monster sistren and brethren, we have assembled to bear witness to the undeniable guilt of the accused. The charge is the regicide of our queen. Despite indisputable evidence, the felon insults us further by requesting a Red Battle. As per our rites, the accuser must face the accused in a battle to assuage any doubt of guilt. For this trial, the accuser is the queen’s guard, Captain Vero, who failed to protect his queen’s life. As by agreement, Vero’s life was forfeited when he failed in his duty, but not before vowing to return to meet judgment on the queen’s murderer. By pure strength of vengeance, back from the unending tortures of Darkevers, I present former guard Captain Vero!”

“Darkevers,” I muttered under my breath.

“What humans call Hell,” Ash whispered in my ear.

“And did he just say he’s summoning a dead guard?”

“With ancient magic, he has the power to do so.”

I blinked up at Ash, my body shaking. “What’s wrong, gorgeous?”

“If he can summon the dead guard, then that’s perfect. They can ask him who killed the queen, and everyone will see that Steele is innocent.” A thread of hope flared over me.

A pitiful expression twisted Ash’s face as his hand on mine tightened. “I wish I could say it’d be that easy. Except, bringing anyone back from the dead is complicated, and a spell that has been in the making for the last couple of days. But those who return are not themselves. They can’t speak and don’t hold memories from the past. They are simply prime animalistic creatures who go ballistic when torn from the afterlife and brought back here.”

I shuddered, his response welling in my chest like forming ice, numbing me all over. “So does Steele stand any chance of winning?”

Ash shrugged. “If he’s innocent, he should.”

“Should?” I squeaked, but Ash drew me against him, and that was when Creed stood and joined me on the other side. As much as I was furious at him, I took his hand in mine as well, needing the strength that was wrecking me from the inside out.

With a single wave of the gold monster’s hand, he tossed a fistful of golden powder into the air that took on a life of its own, swirling into a vortex, expanding in size. The monster started chanting something in a tongue I didn’t understand.

The golden storm grew, blowing against us with unbearable strength, knocking me into Creed.

He rapidly embraced me and turned us around so he shielded me with his body. I tucked myself against him, the howling cry of the wind sounding like someone stood right behind me, roaring.

The storm flatlined in a heartbeat.

Followed by unbearable silence.

I untangled myself from his arms. Tempest and Seven had taken cover by ducking.

The crowds exploded into cheers and hoots.

Frantically, I pushed past Creed to see what was going on, finding Steele facing a hideous creature who resembled a troll. Greenish in color, long wiry hair hung down his back and from his chin, and muscles rippled, looking ready to burst out of his soldier's uniform.

That had to be Captain Vero.

Light glinted off the curved blade he grasped, and terror filled me. I clenched my fists at seeing this monster tower over Steele. But not one to sit back, Steele unleashed his terrifying form too.

Black mist spun around him, his body expanding with thicker muscles. His talons and fangs elongated, and he seemed to almost elevate himself on a cloud of darkness. Glowing eyes peered at his opponent, his chest heaving for breath, while his hands curled in balls.

Wait, he didn’t have a weapon.

“As is customary, we will need a lightbringer to start the Red Battle.” The announcer lifted a hand, pointing it at me.

Terror punched through me, and I froze on the spot. In seconds, a guard had burst into our balcony and bowed in front of me on one knee, both hands holding out two sticks.

I was so confused, yet I felt every single eye on me in the cavern.

“Pick them up,” Ash whispered in my ear, which I did, even though I was trembling with nerves.

The crowds cheered, and I turned to face the arena once more.

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