Chapter 64: Fight it
~Ava’s POV~
Raphael’s voice broke through our conversation like a brick, sharp and cold. I turned slowly, sweat clinging to my skin as I met his stormy gray eyes. His eyes went from Callie, still trembling on the floor, to the steaming bath pool behind me, the scent of herbs thick in the air.
“Find out what, Ava?” he repeated, his tone dangerously calm. There was an edge to his tone that made me shiver.
Suddenly, I felt bad for Callie. Knowing well, that Raphael won't spare her. Why did he have to come now? Callie is a sweet girl even though, she had planned to drug me, she didn't have a choice that's why she did it.
Callie whimpered softly, drawing from me from my thoughts as she shrank into herself. I stepped forward, blocking Raphael’s view of her.
“It’s not what you think,” I began, but his jaw tightened.
“Explain. Now.” He looked scary. Even I was scared. Much less, Callie trembling form.
I straightened, refusing to cower. I spilled the beans in an attempt to savage the situation and hope to the goddess that Callie would be spared.
“Lara is holding Callie’s brother hostage. She forced her to lace my bath with aphrodisiacs and leave the door unlocked. They meant to rape me, I think. I am not sure. ”
Raphael’s eyes darkened, a low growl rumbling in his chest. “And you decided to bathe in the pool regardless?”
“To expose Lara, yes, ” I said evenly. “If we play along, we can catch her in the act. Save Callie’s brother. End this.” Besides, I have no intention of letting Lara go a second time.
I let her go once for Gwen’s sake but it is not happening a second time. I am doing this for Callie as much as I am doing it for myself. Call me petty. I don't care. A promise is a promise. An eye for an eye.
I watch Raphael, for some seconds, he said nothing. Then, his gaze flicked to the herbs floating in the pool.
“Do you even know what those herbs are?”
“Aphrodisiacs,” I said, though doubt crept in, because of the tone of voice. Truth be told, I know nothing herbs.
I was just willing to trust Callie and protect her. I see myself in her. I can't tell Raphael that. He did think I am pathetic.
He ignores me and then strode to the bath, snatched a handful of leaves, and crushed them between his fingers. “Wolfsbane. Hemlock. These are poisonous for wolves.”
My breath hitched. Poison? I glanced back at Callie feeling betrayed.
Callie gasped. “N-no! She told me they were harmless! She swore…”
“Silence,” Raphael snarled, and Callie froze, her paler than Lystra morning weather. He turned to me, fury and fear warring in his eyes.
“You could have died.”
I swallowed. “We can still proceed. Let Lara think her plan worked. When she comes, we’ll…”
“We?” Raphael stepped closer, his voice a deadly whisper. “You will risk your life without consulting me?!”
I held his gaze. “Trust me. I will be fine.” If those were only poisonous herbs, I would actually be fine. I have Drakon.
Raphael said nothing else and then stormed out, slamming the door angrily. I knew he was angry but I couldn't help the little butterflies I felt when he listened to me and left without causing further drama.
Callie fled to warn Lara just like we planned. I don't know if I am doing the right thing but I certainly can't let Lara go for the life of me. To me, she has bitten more than she can chew.
Alone, I sank into a chair, numbness creeping into my veins. The door creaked open.
I summoned Drakon as I rubbed on the tattoo on my shoulder blade. The second I do, he appears. He gives me a weary smile obviously knowing what I intended to do.
I guess this only happens because we are bonded. He knows my thoughts and feels my pain.
“ Find the boy, please.” He looks at me skeptically.
“ I can't go outside the gates of the palace, Ava.” Ah… that's right. He did tell me this once.
“ He should be within the palace. So please find him.” I pleaded desperately.
“ If he is truly within the palace, I will find him,” he said with a promise in his voice, and he disappeared as though he was never there.
Lara swept in few minutes later, her smile venomous. “Oh, foolish human,” she purred. “How… vulnerable you look.” She sounded so hateful.
I forced a dazed slur. “W-what… did you…?”
She laughed. “Pathetic.” She gestured to the shadows. Two guards stepped forward. “Finish her.”
The men advanced…
The window shattered.
To everyone else, it seemed like a sudden gust of wind erupted in the room. The guards froze, confusion flashing across their faces as invisible claws tore into them.
To me, Drakon was a golden blur, his form fiery like blazing fire as he dismantled them. Their bodies crumpled silently, blood pooling as Lara stared in horror.
“W-what’s happening?!” she shrieked, backing away and around to see who's responsible. “ Who is there?” She yelled. Fear contorting her expression, her eyes wide.
Only I saw Drakon toss a bloodied key at my feet. His voice echoes in my mind; “The boy is in the east dungeon.”
Raphael burst in at that moment, his gaze darting between the dead guards and Lara. “What magic is this?”
“No magic,” I said, clutching the key. “Callie’s brother is safe. I found him.”
Raphael’s brow lifts up. He looked around, as though sensing the presence of someone. He couldn’t see the spectral of a golden haired man standing beside me, his eyes red and his claws stained red.
But he didn’t question me. He lunged at Lara and seized her arm, his claws digging into her flesh.
“You’re finished. I will make you regret this.”
She thrashed, desperation twisting her face. “Y-you can’t prove anything!” What does she possibly want to prove to her king? She is even more foolish than I thought.
I stood, my legs trembling a bit. But I ignored it. “The guards’ bodies. The herbs. Callie’s confession. Isn't that enough proof?” I asked genuinely curious about the dumb answer, she would likely give.
Lara’s panic expression shifted to a sly grin. She flicked her wrist, a vial appearing.
“The poison wasn’t just in the bath. It’s in your veins, you know.” Her lips spread into a devilish smile.
Before anyone could move, Drakon moved, unseen to all but me, yanked me back as Lara crushed the vial. Crimson smoke engulfed her, her laughter echoing.
“Check your veins, human! The black lines… they’re should be there already.” She laughs maniacally.
The smoke cleared. But, she was gone.
Raphael rolled up my sleeve. Thin black tendrils curled beneath my skin, inching toward my heart.
No. Am I dying again? My eyes darts to my mate. Fear made my heart sank.
“Ava…” His voice broke.
The world tilted. As I collapsed, I saw Drakon’s spectral form flicker, his growl fading in my mind, “Fight it.”
Darkness swallowed me.
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