A LAND OF FIRE AND DARKNESS

Chapter 34

We reached the entrance of the castle and found multiple still bodies with blood covering them. We searched in panic but fortunately found no Brallon amongst the dead. But we, unfortunately, did not find him at all.

Dorica was panicking as she gripped her head. "Where is he?" She asked with a shaking voice.

I searched around us at the empty entrance hall. I took in a shallow breath and continued to assess where the Oblivion might be.

The hair on my arms lifted and goosebumps spread out across my skin. I turned searching until I found the spot, I knew someone was standing. Not one, two. I could hear two heartbeats that were cloaked.

I clicked my finger allowing the blaze to engulf my hand before aiming it towards the spot.

"I would not do that." My flame nearly died out when I heard his voice.

He uncloaked himself revealing his brilliant green eyes glaring over at me. His dark hair fell over his face and he smirked.

"Eskar." I breathed out with panic.

He smirked as his grip on his hostage tightened. His grip on Brallon. He held a dagger to the Oblivion's neck.

Brallon groaned out and struggled against Eskar's grip, but it was in vain.

"Brallon!" Dorica stepped forward but Eskar immediately stopped her.

"Uh uh." He tsked as he dipped the dagger closer to his neck. "I would be very careful if I were you."

Dorica froze as her jaw clenched and her fists curled.

I kept my hands engulfed in purple flames and managed to pull enough strength to aim it at Eskar, "Let Brallon go." I ordered with a firm tone.

"I missed you, princess." He purred with a smile that caused my skin to shiver in revolt. I had once fallen for those eyes, and now I wished they would be stabbed out of his head.

"I cannot call out for Delcallon," Dorica stated in fear.

He cocked his head to her, "I have cloaked your minds." He chuckled with a proud smirk.

Shit. We were stuck to deal with this alone then.

Surely, we could. My fire was fast, and even if it did graze Brallon, it would be better than death. My fire in my grip grew.

"Put that out." He warned with a growl, "Or I may accidentally slip and slice his throat."

I creased my eyes in confusion. Slicing Brallon's throat was easily fixable. Delcallon recovered from a bolt to his head, and Eskar was not even using a silver blade.

He smiled further and tilted his head back. "I drained so much blood from you, Princess." He purred as the images of the cave flashed across my mind. "Did you honestly think I would not collect some for my own personal use?"

I stared at the dagger and then at Eskar's eyes.

"One slice and it will kill him." His grin grew.

"You are lying," Dorica exclaimed as tears began to grip her eyes.

He pursed his lips. "Should we test it." He pressed his dagger further into Brallon's neck about his cut his skin.

"No," I screamed out and I immediately extinguished my hands and put them up in defeat. I could not risk it. I could not risk losing Brallon because of my own Blood.

I put my blade on the ground and Dorica reluctantly did the same thing.

"What do you want?" I asked in a calm and careful tone.

He smiled in victory. "What I have always wanted, Princess." He said with an obvious tone. "You."

My heart froze and my skin grew cold again.

"Come with me, and I release your new friend." He said with a wicked smile. "Refuse and I get to see what Half-breed Highvarion blood does to an Oblivion." He looked at Brallon, "Ashtarions withered into prunes." He looked back at me. "I wonder what he will wither into."

Dorica's heart was racing so hard and fast I was sure it would climb out of her chest and kill her.

"Fine," I said stepping towards him slowly with my hands up at my head. "Take me, but release him."

"Alinta." Brallon groaned out as he regained consciousness. "Don't."

I looked into the Oblivion's blue eyes.

"Alinta, Don't." Eskar mocked with disgust. "Hurry up." He ordered as he looked at me. "I am growing impatient."

I stepped towards him until I was inches from him. He traced over my body and at my ripped-up dress.

Swiftly he pushed Brallon to the ground before restraining me the same way he had restrained Brallon. He leaned into my ear, "Burn me, and I ensure your blood accidentally gets dropped into the river here." He warned with a purr.

I looked at Dorica who rushed towards Brallon and cradled his body. He stared up at Eskar and me in disgust. "He will kill you." Brallon spat out.

"He is going to kill me anyway." Eskar shrugged with boredom. "Might as well get some work done before then." He pulled at my body and began leading me away from the Entrance and down the grand stairs that led to outside.

The air around us was still and I knew I could not risk hurting Eskar. He may have a telepath ready and waiting to drop the veil in a river killing a lot of Elementals. So I sucked in my breath and ensured I remained calm as to avoid accidentally burning him.

A simple carriage constructed of wood and white fabric stood waiting for Eskar no doubt. A man In a hood stood out from behind the wagon. His eyes were red and his hair was a dark brown that reminded me of the richest chocolates. His face hard, and I knew he had seen a lot of terrible things. He was not someone I wanted to mess with.

"Diego." Eskar snapped as he pulled me roughly towards the Elemental. "It is time to go." He barked with a hasty statement.

We reached the wagon and he spun me around to face him. He pressed me against his chest and forced me to stare into his deep green eyes I had once admired so fondly.

"I have not held you like this for a while." He taunted as his eyes traced my face and then my body.

I rolled my eyes and diverted my gaze in a mixture of disgust and boredom. He chuckled out at my reaction before snapping his attention to Diego. "Take her." He shoved me towards the scary-looking Elemental.

His grip on me was just as firm, but his handling on me was not as rough. His scarlet eyes glared over me briefly as he examined me.

"Where are you going?" He snapped as he looked back at Eskar.

I looked over my shoulder to see Eskar walking back into the palace. "I have a meeting with the boss." Eskar purred.

"Here?" Diego asked in confusion, and I had to admit I too was perplexed.

Eskar sighed out before slowly turning to face us, "Yes here." He stated with a darkened face that was not to be threatened with.

Diego nodded slowly before pulling me by my neck and leading me towards the wagon. Eskar disappeared as he cloaked himself and vanished behind the high walls of the castle.

I was pulled towards the back of the wagon and pushed to face the damp and dark space. I tried to call out for Delcallon, but I could feel my mind was still cloaked.

A sharp blunt force of pain hit the back of my head, swiftly turning my mind to darkness.