Chapter Seven

Soren

The rumbling of the soldiers drew my attention away from the woman in my bed.

I turned my head, listening to what they were saying. “What are you doing? Open up now!”

“What in the world?” I went to stand, but the Halfling grabbed at my neck.

“Soren…”

I pulled away, disinterested in her—she was meant to compensate for something I had lost long ago. But nothing beats the original.

She will never be her.

“Later.” I replied, immediately leaving the room, and making my way to the soldiers.

It took a few minutes, but I arrived to, at least, ten guards climbing over each other—each attempting to open the entrance of my home with no success.

“What…” At the sound of my voice, my creatures stood at attention. “…is going on here? Why are you causing such a commotion?”

They all appeared nervous, but after a moment of silence, the one nearest the door answered. “We were in pursuit of intruders, sire. They made it out the exit, but Basalt has allowed them to escape, and even holds us back from capturing them.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Intruders?”

“Yes, sire. The serpent and a foreign woman.” Flint continued to answer. “They appear to have taken the prisoner.”

I clenched my fist tightly, hoping I had misheard. “Say that again, Flint.”

He looked towards the ground before saying, “They appear to have taken the prisoner.”

Something snapped inside of me at the confirmation of his words. I waved my hand forcefully to the side, coercing the entrance of my home to open, and sending Basalt flying with it. The guards watched me but were smart enough to stay a distance away as I stepped up to Basalt and raised my hand up slightly, forcing him off the ground.

“Master,” Fear presented itself in my creature. “Have I done something wrong?”

My mouth twitched in an irritated smirk. “Wrong? I’d say you did much more than something wrong. You’re a traitor!” I spat. “How is it…” I pushed Basalt against the wall, causing him to stumble and grasp for the side of my palace. “…that you allow two intruders and my prisoner to escape from this place freely?”

Basalt seemed truly befuddled. “Master, no one has entered or exited your fortress. I swear.”

“Then why were you holding the door when your comrades were in pursuit of these ‘imaginary fugitives’?” I rubbed my fingers against my palm, causing Basalt’s arm to disintegrate into gravel. “I would tell the truth if I were you. Do not forget, I can return you to the ground.”

Basalt’s eyes were wide as he watched his arm disappear. “I don’t know!” he exclaimed, panicked. “Someone said to shut it. I did as I was told. That is all!”

I stared into his eyes and noticed a fading glaze in them. “Impossible…” I whispered, snapping my fingers, and returning his arm.

A spell? But I haven’t seen this since… I felt panic seize me. It’s happening.

I placed my hand over Basalt’s eyes, removing the illusion from his mind. “Think, now.” I returned my arm to the side of my body. “Who entered my home?”

The soldier blinked hard, thinking with even more difficulty. “A-a woman, I think. And the serpent. The one who led you to the prisoner.”

I gritted my teeth, feeling too many emotions, but none as powerful as fear and fury. “Guards!” I shouted. They all filed out alongside Basalt, saluting me. “I want the prisoner returned, and the serpent killed.”

“And the woman, sire?” Flint inquired.

“Bring her to me.”