Page 54 of Midnight Deception

They are going to kill you, girl! Release me!

The pain suddenly stops. Tears roll down my cheeks, and I take great gasping breaths as control over my own body returns. Slowly, even though it’s the last thing I want to do, I peel my eyes open and lift my head, watching as the other male, who’s been silent and still until now, steps forward, frowning at the younger witch at his side. “Stop playing around. Just kill her now and get this done.”

“Filthy wolf,” the strong witch holding me spits in my ear, his hatred for me evident. “I’m going to enjoy watching this.”

Although I don’t recognise any of the males here, I’m pretty sure they are part of the werewolf hating sect that Atlas had been indoctrinated into. Maliki had made it pretty clear that they’d come after me if I didn’t disappear, and this male just confirmed my suspicions. Most of the witches here don’t openly hate me now, especially seeing as there are rumours travelling around that I’m the one from the prophecy. It took me a little while to notice, but now that I have, it’s fairly easy to pick out the ones who think otherwise.

The witch who threw the balls of magic at me makes a noise of disappointment that his little torture session can’t continue, but he doesn’t complain as he steps forward, his hands twisting together as the magic in his hands seems to freeze. I watch with horror as, with a pulling motion, he manipulates the ice in his hands into a dagger. Star is in front of me now, trying to block his path, but she seems weakened, her physical attacks not having caused any damage. Something is wrong. I’ve seen the damage she can cause with her fangs and claws.

This is really happening. I’m about to die. I send up a prayer to the goddess, asking that she takes care of my mates, then I send out one last wave of love to all of them, wishing I had more time. Closing my eyes, I hand over control to the darkness inside me.

Things change immediately as she fills my body, my eyes snapping open and locking onto the male who’s about to stab me with the ice dagger. The darkness pulls on my magic, and with a powerfulshove, she throws it out in a wave, knocking back all three males with a tsunami of stars. The move saves us but doesn’t quite get us out of the dagger’s path as it swings and slams into my shoulder. Roaring in rage and pain, the presence throws out my power again, breaking free of whatever was binding my hands. The need to get retribution burns through my veins, and for once, I’m in agreement with the presence.

However, as she raises her arms to blast the males again and make them pay for what they’ve done, I stumble and feel her flicker.

Something is wrong. Our power is being drained. The dagger must have been magicked.

Before I even have time to contemplate the meaning of her words, I feel her flicker in me again, and I suddenly have control back. Stumbling, I look around and take in the carnage surrounding me. The two males who’d been in front of me are unconscious on the ground, trickles of blood running down their foreheads, clearly from smashing into the wall with the blast of my magic.

Reaching up, I rip the gag from my mouth and take a deep, shuddering breath. I don’t feel right, and it’s not just because my shoulder is screaming and blood is running down my arm. A groan from behind me has me spinning, and I have to grip onto the wall to keep myself upright, my stomach lurching at the sudden movement. The large male who grabbed and restrained me is slumped against the wall opposite me. His eyelids are fluttering, and I know I have to do something.

I don’t want to kill him, and I’m almost out of magic, Star flickering at my side. However, it’s only a matter of time before he wakes up, and if he tries to attack me again, then I’m done for. Racking my sluggish mind, I try to remember my self-defence lessons from my time with Joel, my heart panging just at the thought of my alpha mate. I fall to my knees beside the large male, knowing I need to act quickly. Sliding one arm behind him, I hook it around his neck and squeeze, just like I was taught. The male’s eyes bulge open, and he struggles a little, but he’s still too out of it from whatever my magic did to him, and thankfully whatever magical protection he had over him now seems to be gone. My shoulder screams the whole time, but I don’t let go until his body slumps and I know he’s out.

The three of them will eventually wake up, and I’m sure they’ll come for me. I’ve seen their faces after all, which means I need to get out of here and get help as quickly as possible. Easier said than done, as I can barely stand right now, let alone find my way through the maze of this place.

Star flickers out of existence, and I know I’m in trouble. The magic of the corridor hides the exit, so I stumble forward until my hand slips through the illusion of the wall. Out in the main corridor, I almost cry with relief when I find the magical shields are gone and I stagger towards the training hall, knowing that Atlas is waiting for me there. My whole body aches and protests after being hit with so much magic, little bursts of pain making my knees weak, but I grit my teeth and keep walking. My left arm hangs limply at my side, the injury in my shoulder making it too painful to use.

My vision narrows, and I have to use the wall to keep myself upright, one thought running through my mind.Get to Atlas, and you’ll be safe. It repeats over and over, and it’s what keeps me going. I have no idea how I’m so sure of this. He probably knew the people who did this, but in my soul, I know he’ll protect me.

The walk feels like it’s never going to end, the corridors long and infinite. I’m about to give up, my energy well and truly depleted, when warmth spreads across my chest and the goddess’s presence fills me.

Keep going, little moon,she whispers into my mind, giving me the strength to keep moving forward.

Running footsteps eventually break through my mantra, and I lift my gaze to see Atlas thundering towards me. I’m so glad he’s here that a sob bursts from my chest, tears rolling down my cheeks. He’s at my side in an instant, skidding to a stop when he sees my injured shoulder, his eyes darkening with a murderous rage.

“Laelia, what happened?” He clearly wants to touch me but doesn’t know where, worried about hurting me.

He needn’t have worried though, as my knees give way. He manages to catch me before he gently lowers me to the floor and pulls me onto his lap, running his hands over my exposed skin as he looks for more injuries.

“Attacked… Tried to kill me. I escaped.” My words are disjointed, my blood dripping into a pool on the floor.

“Who?” a familiar voice asks, practical and to the point. Blinking slowly, I glance over Atlas’s shoulder to see Master Dune standing a respectful distance from us. He must have followed Atlas here. “Who attacked you, Laelia?”

“I didn’t recognise them.” Guilt stirs in my gut even though I acted purely in self-defence. “My magic came out when I got stabbed.” Wincing, I lean back against Atlas, my head falling forward as I try to stay awake. “I think they are hurt,” I mumble.

“They are still alive?” Dune sounds both surprised and impressed, but I don’t have the energy to process that or take in his expression.

“They won’t be for much longer,” Atlas growls, the depth of his anger so great it reaches me through our partial bond.

I’m about to tell him not to murder them, at least not until we question them and find out who they are and why they attacked me. Only, as I open my mouth, a wave of pain and dizziness washes over me, and my head falls back against him. His arms wrap around me, and I marvel for a moment at how warm they are for someone whose magic manifests as ice. My bond hums in my chest, telling me I’m safe.

“I’ve got you, mate,” he promises in a low voice as he holds me close.

My eyes slide closed, and I allow sleep to claim me.

ChapterTwenty

“Laelia, mate.”

---