Lunar Flare Book 2: Midnight Eclipse

Chapter ???

The Grand Magus had retreated into the council chambers with Valerie and most of the other wizards, to discuss what to do about William and the gem. They had left Will in the antechamber with just Galdur guarding him, and Cornelius shifting around nervously over by the wall. Oh, and Azrael of course, who was leaning over Will's shoulder, smiling malevolently. As William was stuck to the chair, they hadn't worried much about him trying to escape, though had said there were more wizards guarding the door out in the hallway as well, just in case he got any ideas.

William had already attempted to beg Alexavier for his life. He had even tried calling him father for once, tried to appeal to any sort of empathy the immortal might have, though Will wasn't even sure if faeries could feel those sorts of human emotions. But the Grand Magus had just looked down at him with pity as Will pleaded pathetically, then suggested that they take the conversation about the matter away from his proximity.

William couldn't believe that this was happening to him. That his own twin sister had proposed his execution, though he knew that she hated him, that was still a new low for her. That his adoptive parent was in the other room seriously discussing it as a possibility, though he didn't know if Alexavier had ever felt any love for him either. That his best friend had betrayed him. He glanced over at Cornelius, who was avoiding eye contact with him.

You have to give me control, Will. Only I can get you out of this now, Azrael said slyly, his ghostly hand caressing Will's cheek. William shuddered at the touch and tried to pull away, but he couldn't move very far. He was still hesitant to give Azrael control, as he had a feeling that once he did so, he would never get control of his own body back again, and he would be trapped as the Dark Lord's puppet forever.

"Conny," Will hissed at his friend to get his attention. "You have to help me. You heard them, they said they are going to kill me!"

"Will... Will I'm so sorry, I didn't realise it would turn out like this!" Cornelius said, finally looking at his friend, his expression a mess of anxiety and guilt.

"Do not converse with the prisoner," Galdur instructed from where he stood by the council chambers doorway.

"So then help me, for gods' sake!" Will growled, staring intently at his friend.

"Perhaps it would be best if you wait outside Cornelius," Galdur said, stepping over towards him.

Cornelius looked nervously between William and Galdur as the older wizard approached him. Then, suddenly, he stepped forward, sending a fist flying. Galdur's eyes widened in surprise as he was struck in the side of the head. He stumbled backwards, and then fell to the floor limply.

Cornelius hurried over to William. "You have to get me out of this chair," Will said, struggling against the binding spell. "Can you break the spell? I can try and instruct you on how to-"

Will's sentence was cut off as Cornelius picked up the entire chair and then slammed it towards the ground. The legs broke off on impact, and the rest of its frame cracked too, the shock painfully running through Will's body as well. But it seemed the chair's partial destruction also broke the spell, as William quickly felt that he wasn't stuck in place anymore.

Still feeling a bit dizzy from the impact, William attempted to get to his feet, only to be quickly picked up by Cornelius and then set down gently. Cornelius held onto Will's shoulders to steady him, looking down at him with concern. "Are you okay Will?"
William shook his head, not as an answer but to try and clear it. "I'm fine, let's get going." With that he swiftly followed Cornelius over to the door leading into the hallway.

Once they opened the door, Cornelius physically dealt with the wizard guarding it on one side while William cast an incapacitation spell on the other. They had caught the two guarding wizards unawares, so were successful in quickly taking them down. Then Cornelius grabbed Will's hand and together they started running down the hallway.