Riley Hayes | A Vampire Novel | Book 2

Chapter 13

My fury was all-consuming, an inferno that surged with each new revelation. My rage became a force unto itself, propelling me beyond my physical limits. The magical spikes, designed to contain me, trembled under the weight of my relentless fury. With a primal roar, I threw myself against the barrier again and again, each impact more violent than the last. My strength and determination overpowered the magical wards, and with a final, explosive burst of willpower, I shattered through the spikes.

Rayna's eyes widened in astonishment as she watched me break free. The sight was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The power I wielded was immense, fueled by the desperate need to save my family and the raw pain of betrayal.

May, seeing her last hope evaporate, fell to her knees, her face a mask of terror. She scrambled to crawl away from me, her voice a frantic plea for mercy. "Please, Leuca! I'm sorry! I didn't want any of this! Forgive me! Please!"

But my rage was unrelenting, my focus unyielding. I could not afford to be swayed by pleas or apologies. The betrayal was too great, the stakes too high. I ignored May's desperate cries, my gaze fixed on my only goal: retribution.

With a swift, decisive motion, I drew my weapon and severed May's head from her shoulders. The act was swift and final, a grim punctuation to the pain and anger I had endured. Her head fell, rolling to the ground as her body slumped forward, lifeless.

Rayna stood in stunned silence, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. The violence of the act, combined with the heavy weight of our situation, left her grappling with a mixture of shock and sorrow. She had never seen me so consumed by rage, and the sight was both unsettling and profoundly moving.

I wiped the blood from my hands with grim satisfaction, my face set in a mask of cold determination. I turned to Rayna, my expression hard and unyielding. "We have no time to waste. We need to get back to my home and deal with whatever trap has been set. There's no more room for hesitation."

Rayna nodded, her resolve solidifying as she prepared to follow me. The urgency of our mission, coupled with the grim reality of the situation, drove us forward. My focus was now entirely on rescuing my family and confronting the threat that loomed over us. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but I was ready to face it with unwavering determination.

Turning to the remaining witches, my voice cut through the lingering tension like a blade. My gaze swept over the gathered coven, each member now silent and cowed by the display of my wrath.

"Listen and listen well," I said, my tone brooking no argument. "Cross me again, go behind my back again, or attempt to trap me in any way, and you will all suffer the same fate as May. I will not hesitate to take every last one of you down, leaving no one to mourn you. No one crosses me."

The threat was palpable, the finality in my words leaving no room for misinterpretation. The witches, who had once been so confident and defiant, now stood in fear-stricken silence. The lesson had been harsh but clear. I was not a lord to be trifled with, and the consequences of betrayal were dire.

Rayna rushed to one of the witches, her desperation clear in every hurried step. "I need a relic or vessel containing magic," she demanded, her voice strained with urgency. "Now!"

The witch, visibly intimidated, fumbled nervously before reaching for a pendant hanging around her neck. With trembling hands, she unfastened it and handed the necklace to Rayna. The piece of jewelry was adorned with intricate runes, faintly glowing with latent magic.

Without a moment's hesitation, Rayna clasped the necklace around her neck and closed her eyes, drawing deeply from its magical essence. The energy flowed into her, visibly rejuvenating her as she absorbed the potent magic. The color returned to her cheeks, and her breathing steadied as she replenished her strength.