Tainted Bloodline...🩸

40.

"I caught a whiff!" Queen Zephyrine yelled, her voice laced with panic, as she gripped her husband's hand.

"Nimue?" She frantically scanned the area, but Nimue and the other kids were nowhere to be seen.

"Can we leave this argument for later?! Our kids are gone again!"

Queen Zephyrine's anxiety turned to determination. "I know where they are."

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Xavier emerged from the shadows behind Aria, his presence silent as a ghost.

"Stay behind me. Don't... I repeat, do not leave my sight. Is that understood?" His piercing gaze locked onto hers.

Aria's heart skipped a beat as she nodded, a tear escaping her trembling eyelids.

"Words bunny.." Xavier hummed

"Y-yes."

Xavier's fingers grazed her chin, his touch gentle yet firm. He released her, his expression resolute.

"Please be careful," Aria whispered, her hand brushing against his.

Xavier's nod was curt.

As he walked past her, Aria's fingers wrapped around his hand, hesitating before letting go.

Xavier swiftly intervened, pushing Asher away from Kael, who lay battered and bruised.

"T-thank you," Kael stammered, as Xavier pulled him to safety.

Meanwhile, Nimue rushed to Lax, who lay panting on the cold floor, his breath shallow and labored.

"Lax, are you okay?" Nimue asked, her hand hesitantly touching his ice-cold back.

"I'm trapped, Nimue... I'm in his mind... it's so fuckin cold" Lax shivered.

"What happened?" Nimue's concern deepened.

Asher's menacing chuckle echoed through the air.

"I'm gonna make this fun for all of us."

Kael's fragile voice cracked. "He's gone, Nimue... there's no bringing him back."

Nimue's determination ignited. "No."

"He's there... I can feel it."

As Nimue rose to confront Asher, a dark figure yanked her away...

Nimue turned to face Valmorth, his grip tightening on her arm like a vice.

"You...l-let me go!" She struggled, her voice laced with desperation.

Xavier sprang to his feet, eyes locked on Valmorth, but froze as the dagger pressed against Nimue's neck.

"One more step...and the girl dies,"

Valmorth sneered, his breath cold against Nimue's skin.

Nimue panted, her chest heaving.

Xavier halted, scanning the area for an escape route.

Suddenly, the clan burst into the scene.

"Nimue!" Queen Zephyrine yelled, rushing forward.

"Valmorth, release her this instant!" King Finnan commanded.