Obsidian's Reign ¹

∷ Chapter 48 ∷

LUTHER COULD BARELY contain his anger. He'd always expected Celdric to betray him at some point in his service but not to this extent. Not when he was on the brink of achieving the goals he'd sought after for so long. But then again, the importance of the matter alone was enough to convince anyone of the possibility of betrayal should one occur.

Yet, it slipped the general's mind. The thought of acquiring his most prized possession taking precedence and now he had to reap the consequences of his mistake.

The tense atmosphere in the office seemed to thicken, the sounds of the ensuing fight outside keeping the silence from getting overwhelming. The anger that presented itself on Luther's face stayed in place for a moment longer before it dissipated with his sardonic chuckle.

"So—what was the plan?" he asked. "Sneak into Heaven and kill me? Just like that?"

He left no room for discussion when a dark look crossed his face as he continued, "Did you really think it would be that easy?"

"No," Celdric admitted. "But I thought it was worth a try."

Luther scoffed.

"Why? Because I did a few things, bent a few rules, all in favour of bettering our society?"

"Your society," Celdric corrected. "I was never part of this place."

Luther was silent for a few seconds as though contemplating the demon's words before he spoke.

"I saved you from the worthlessness of your birthplace. I gave you a new life here and you start spewing about your lack of belonging? You should be grateful to me. You should be thanking me. Instead, you plan to kill me? You–"

"Oh, shut up," Adric interrupted with a loud groan. "Enough already. Stop whining like a baby, would you?"

Luther shifted his gaze—the object of his anger momentarily forgotten—his focus now on the unfamiliar face in the room.

"I was in the middle of having a conversation," he stated, staring pointedly at the demon.

"Yeah, so?"

"Hasn't anyone told you that it's rude to interrupt when someone else is speaking?"

"I'm a demon," he shrugged. "Do you think manners is something I care about?"

Luther said nothing to that, though a smile toyed on his lips as he started making his way towards the prince. He lifted his arm as though inspecting it curiously, gaze locking with Adric's just moments before his smile vanished completely.

He clenched his hands into a fist and almost immediately, Adric felt himself gasping for air. It was as though his airflow had been restricted and he was on the verge of death. His eyes widened as he struggled for breath, grasping at nothing as he clawed at his throat.

But just as quickly as his oxygen had been cut, he felt its sweet existence yet again when the invisible force was lifted. He was left in a coughing fit on the floor, unable to keep his orientation at bay as he inhaled deeply. He heard the sound of approaching footsteps before Luther was crouching in front of him, a pitiful smile on his face.

"I was in the middle of a conversation," he repeated.

He stood, turning to face Celdric before saying, "Now, where were we? Oh, right—your ungrateful behaviour."

He hummed beneath his breath, one hand casually gripping the wrist of the other, both arms behind his back, as he strolled languidly towards Celdric. From her position a little to the side, Clara was able to see the silver dagger that had materialised in the palm of the general's hand; a weapon concealed to harm his intended target.