Chapter 30 "Hades" Has Arrived!

"James?" Aiden's eyes fluttered open, and when he saw me, a flicker of joy crossed his face. "Why are you here?"

"No time for explanations," I said, my hands working frantically to loosen the ropes biting into his wrists. "We're getting out of here."

"Watch out!" Aiden suddenly yelled.

Almost at the same moment, a shadowy figure dropped from above, knife in hand, lunging straight at me!

I couldn't dodge in time; the knife sliced my arm, and blood started pouring out.

"James!" Isabella and Harper shouted, pulling out their guns and firing!

The dark figure took a hit, crumpled to the ground, and let out a scream.

Ignoring the pain, I stepped forward to check. There was a guy lying in a pool of blood, wearing a clown mask.

"Ryder!" I gasped. After we caught Jeremy, I never thought his brother, Ryder Wright, would show up here!

I had seen his info while digging into Jeremy, and there were photos. The second I saw him, I knew who he was.

Ryder clutched his chest, blood oozing through his fingers and staining the floor.

"Why are you here?" I asked, stunned.

He clutched his chest, blood seeping between his fingers. "Aiden...he'll pay..."

"Why Aiden?" I demanded, my voice raw with fury. "What does he have to do with this?"

"He deserves to die! He betrayed Hecate, betrayed Hades! He must die!" Ryder roared, sounding like a wounded animal.

"You're talking nonsense!" I yelled back. "Aiden doesn't know anything about Hecate or Hades!"

Ryder started laughing like a maniac. "You're so naive, James! Do you think you know Aiden? He's been lying to you the whole time! He's been using you!"

His laughter faded into painful groans.

"Hades won't let you go. He..." Before Ryder could finish, the light in his eyes dimmed, and his head slumped to the side, lifeless.

His words sent a chill down my spine. Betrayal? What was Ryder talking about?

I felt like I was stumbling through a fog, everything around me getting blurrier.

"Aiden, are you okay?" I quickly supported the weak Aiden. He looked pale, lips cracked, with multiple wounds on his body.

"I'm fine, James. You need to go now. They have more people!" He grabbed my arm.

Almost at the same time, a deafening explosion rocked the villa, followed by intense gunfire and chaotic shouting.

"Damn it! We've been set up!" I cursed under my breath. I didn't expect the "Hecate" group to be this prepared. This villa was just a trap!

I helped Aiden and quickly hid in a corner. Through the window, I saw flames outside, and a bunch of guys in black were shooting at the villa. Bullets rained down, sending debris flying from the walls.

"They're here! We have to get out!" Aiden struggled to stand.

"Aiden, you're still hurt. I'll cover you!" I pushed him down. "You go out the back door first, I'll be right behind you!"

"No way! We go together!" Aiden refused to leave me.

"Stop arguing! Go now!" I shoved him. "If you stay, you'll just slow me down!"

"Be careful then!" He turned and rushed to the back door while I grabbed a gun and started firing at the guys in black, buying time for Aiden.

The gunfire was deafening, bullets flying everywhere, taking down the guys in black at the front.

I kept shooting while backing up, looking for cover.

But the "Hecate" group's firepower was too strong, and I was quickly pinned down.

Bullets hit the walls, sending debris flying. A stray bullet grazed my cheek, the burning pain reminding me I needed to break through fast!

I pulled out a grenade, bit off the pin, and tossed it towards the densest group of guys in black.

With a loud bang, the grenade exploded among them, flames shooting up, and the shockwave knocked several of them down, their screams echoing.

Amidst the smoke and dust, I took advantage of the chaos, crouched low, and dashed out of the villa like a leopard, making it to the backyard.

In the backyard, searchlights were sweeping back and forth. The men in black, guns in hand, were hunting for Aiden like a pack of bloodthirsty hounds.

Their footsteps were heavy, breaths rapid, and they were cursing under their breath, anger and murderous intent thick in the air.

My heart was pounding, adrenaline surging, as I hid behind a large, leafy tree, holding my breath and carefully observing the surroundings.

I had to find Aiden fast and get us both out of here!

My eyes darted around, scanning every corner and shadow, trying to spot Aiden.

Then, I saw a familiar figure crouching behind a pile of wooden crates.

He was wearing a black T-shirt, stained with blood and dirt, but his muscular build was still evident.

He was cautiously observing the surroundings, his eyes sharp, his movements agile, like a tiger ready to pounce on its prey.

"Aiden!" I called out in a low voice.

Aiden immediately poked his head out, his face also smeared with blood.

"James, are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine, what about you?"

"I'm fine too, let's go!"

Just as we were about to leave, a cold voice sounded behind us, "Thought you could run? No way!"

I spun around to see a tall man standing behind us, wearing a black ghost mask. Beneath the mask, his eyes glinted coldly.

"Hades!" My heart skipped a beat; I didn't expect him to show up in person!

"You can't escape." He raised his gun, aiming it at me.

In a split second, Aiden lunged at me, using his body to shield me from the fatal bullet.

"Aiden!" I cried out, my heart gripped by an invisible hand, an indescribable fear and sorrow overwhelming me.

Warm blood gushed from Aiden's chest, staining his clothes and my vision red.

I felt his weight pressing on me, his breathing rapid and weak, life slipping away quickly.

"James... go..." Aiden struggled to open his eyes, looking at me with a pale smile. His voice grew fainter, his consciousness fading.

"No! I won't leave you!" I held Aiden tightly, tears blurring my vision. His blood soaked through my clothes, burning my soul.

"Go... they... they won't let you go..." he said weakly, each word draining his strength. His hand fell limply, touching the cold ground.

"Hades, you jerk! I'll kill you!" I roared, pushing Aiden aside, getting up, and aiming my gun at Hades. My finger trembled on the trigger, wanting to unleash all the bullets on him.

However, Hades just sneered. His face, hidden behind the ghost mask, looked especially sinister and terrifying to me. "You? Do you think you can kill me?"

He waved his hand dismissively, and the men in black behind him pounced on us like a pack of hungry wolves, surrounding us.

I closed my eyes in despair, Aiden's weak calls echoing in my ears.

Just then, a piercing siren broke the night's silence! "Police! Don't move!"

Michael!

At that moment, his voice sounded like a heavenly melody in my ears!

I snapped my eyes open to see Michael leading a large group of police officers, charging in from all directions!

"Michael? How are you here?" I asked in disbelief!

"I'm here to save you." Michael explained while directing the police to surround the "Hecate" members. "I got your message and immediately contacted the police in Lannan, asking for their help."

I looked at Michael gratefully. "Thank you, Michael."

"Don't thank me yet, wait until you're safe," Michael said. "Now, let's arrest these guys!"

The police swarmed in, subduing all the "Hecate" members.

Hades tried to resist but I grabbed him and slammed him to the ground.

"I'll kill you!" I roared, punching Hades in the face.

"Stop! James!" Michael pulled me back. "Let the law deal with him!"

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.

Michael was right; I couldn't lose my mind to hatred.

I released Hades, letting the police take him away.

Then I stumbled to the ambulance, holding Aiden. "Doctor! Please save him!"

The doctors immediately lifted Aiden onto the ambulance and headed to the hospital.

The hospital waiting room was a sterile purgatory, the fluorescent lights amplifying the tremor in my hands, the frantic beat of my heart. Time lost all meaning, each second stretching into an eternity as I waited for news, any news.

Aiden. Please, let him be alright.