Chapter 5

Chapter

Five

~ Prince Callan ~

M y Ahalian Touizda has been taken from me . My mate. Rage makes my blood heat as my soul demands vengeance. I think about finding those who have taken her from me, and making them suffer unimaginable pain. Instinctively, I try to access my power, digging for that energy inside me, but pain rushes up my leg, making my muscles contract. Not having my magic is an incredible inconvenience, but right now the agony is like a breath of fresh air, and I breathe through the pain like I have done since I discovered the demon princess was gone.

When we were in the ruins of Perstalia, I’d thought I could handle not being with her. I’d deluded myself into thinking I could reject the bond and return to Toralyn alone, but now that lie has been shattered. Whether I want the bond or not, the demon princess is my fated, and I don’t know what the fuck I’m going to do about it. The pain from the cuff helps me focus my mind, and I close my eyes, surrendering myself to it. I think about the promise I made all those years ago. I need to get back to Toralyn, but it looks like I’m going to have to find a way to take my mate with me. Because she is… mine.

I open my eyes in time to see one of the prison guards slam his fist into Nate’s face. The shifter is thrown backward, and he laughs as he picks himself up from the floor. This angers the guards more, and they start dealing out blow after blow, attacking him mercilessly. The demon, Dante, gets the same treatment, the two of them sharing the punishment, but I don’t move from my position. It’s nothing Nine Lives doesn’t deserve, and the image of him bleeding on the floor of a prison cell reminds me of the first time I saw him in Toralyn…

“Ah, this must be your generous hospitality I’ve heard so much about,” the prisoner laughs, lifting his head from the filthy floor that’s smeared with his blood. Three angels watch on, and one of them flicks his hand sending out another wave of power. The prisoner curls up on his side, clenching his teeth as he hisses in pain.

“That’ll do,” I say, striding into the cell. “Leave us.”

The prisoner’s head slumps to the stone floor, and he lays there breathing heavily as the guards file out. When the door to the cell closes again, the prisoner peers up at me through bloodshot eyes. Claws peek from his fingertips, but the magical barrier around the cell stops him from shifting entirely. His lips twist into a crooked smile. “An audience with an archangel prince. Now what did I do to deserve this honor?”

I ignore his question and watch as he sits up and props his back against the cell wall. “Your execution has been planned for the end of the week to correlate with the queen’s birthday,” I say. “I hear, it’ll be quite the spectacle to have Nine Lives tortured and killed as the opening act of her party. The infamous shifter thief caught in Toralyn. It’s all anyone is talking about.”

The prisoner chuckles dryly. “The openin’ act? Had I known the angels loved me this much, I would’ve visited years ago.”

My brow wrinkles as I stare at him. I’m not sure whether he understands the gravity of his situation. “I don’t know exactly what the queen has planned, but I can assure you it will be unpleasant. Likely, you’ll wish for death long before the moment comes. I find it curious that you would even contemplate trying to steal our most sacred artifact, considering this palace is the most secure place in Toralyn.”

He smiles. “What can I say? The greater the challenge, the bigger the reward.”

My lips quirk up at the sides, and I cross my arms in front of my chest, surprised by the male’s casual demeanor. I’d prepared myself to converse with a savage thief, but had we lived different lives, I could imagine myself sharing a drink with the male across from me. It’s an odd thought that leaves me unsettled.

I lift my gaze to the camera in the left corner of the room. The red light is still not blinking, but I know I don’t have much time. When I turn my attention back to the prisoner, his slitted gaze is clear and calculating, and there’s something in his eyes that makes me think he already noticed the camera isn’t recording.

“Nine prisons,” I say. “I’m told you’ve escaped from nine prisons in the past, and nine death sentences, hence the name, Nine Lives. Can I ask, did you come up with the nickname yourself?”

He grins. “Actually, I’ve escaped more times than that, but Eleven Lives doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it?”

“Well, unfortunately for you, this isn’t a prison you’re going to be able to break out of. The moment the queen realized who she’d captured, she took extra measures to ensure your…secure incarceration. Not even someone with your reputation could make it past the multiple security layers she’s put into place.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “If that’s the case, and I am fucked, then do me a favor and leave me in peace to enjoy my last moments, will you?”

His lack of fear intrigues me, and had this been a different situation, I would have walked away just so I could see if he is as great at escaping prisons as I’ve been told.

I glance at the camera again. Still no red light. “I’ll admit, I do regret stopping you from enjoying your time with the guards,” I say, smirking. “You’re somewhat of a celebrity around here, and I know they’re keen to get to know you.”

He lounges back against the wall. “In that case, if you’re done gloating.” He gestures to the door, but I don’t move.

My lips flatten. “I didn’t come here to watch you squirm, shifter.”

There’s a gleam in his reddish-gold eyes as he watches me. “Then why are you here, prince?”

I take the time to choose my words carefully. “It’s not possible for you to escape this place,” I say, hesitating before continuing. “But with a little assistance it could potentially be achievable.”

He stares at me warily, and though the movement is subtle, I note the way he sits up a little straighter. “Assistance?” he questions, speaking slowly. “And what would this assistance cost?”

I check the camera again. “I need to get someone out of Toralyn. If I can get you out of the prison, you must take them with you to the beast realm.”

His brows slam down. “I’m no smuggler.”

“Either you take her with you, or you suffer at the hands of the queen. The choice is yours, thief.”

“Her?” He leans back against the wall again, and a moment passes before he asks. “Who do you want me to get out of Toralyn?”

“Someone I’ve made a promise to,” I reply. “Now, if we’re agreed, I’ll arrange for there to be lighter security measures around your cell on the night before your execution. The palace will be a hive of activity as the servants prepare for the party. I trust you know the layout of the palace well? Meet me in the portal room one hour before sunrise.” It’s a risk to trust the shifter thief to meet me there, but moving throughout the palace without detection is near impossible. It’ll be easier for him to achieve without an escort.

There’s a knock on the cell door, and I know my time is almost up.

“When I get your friend to the beast realm, what then?” he asks. “I’m not in the babysittin’ business.”

“While the city recovers from the celebration, I’ll be able to leave Toralyn and meet you there the following day,” I drawl. “All you need to do is make sure you remain in Genzen City, and that you leave enough crumbs for me to follow.”

His expression becomes thoughtful. “You must be desperate if you’re askin’ me to do this.”

“Then I guess right now we’re one and the same,” I reply. “If this is the part where you ask for money, I don’t have time for it. Get her there or suffer your execution.”

Leaning forward, he rubs the stubble on his chin. “Well, when you put it like that, how could I refuse?”

“I need to hear the words, shifter. Say you agree.”

He stares at me like he thinks I’m joking, but my gaze is unwavering.

“Yes, I agree oh merciful one,” he finally mocks, but the serious edge in his gaze is enough to satisfy me.

“Good.” I reach the door in a few strides before turning back. “Oh, and if you cross me, rest assured I’ll stop at nothing until I’ve found you, and your execution will be even grander than what the queen would have you endure.” I don’t wait for him to reply. I exit the room, because I have plans to put into motion.

Over the following days, I bribe multiple guards, weaken wards, and run through various scenarios in my mind. I don’t advise my sister, Sen, on what’s going to happen. If she knows, she might let something slip when talking to her maids. Between my duties and my plans, my days are absorbed quickly, but every night I visit the shifter. I tell myself I’m simply there to check that he’s still in his cell. As impossible as escape sounds, the stories surrounding the infamous Nine Lives thief have me questioning whether he would be able to find some weakness I’m not aware of on his own. But every night, he remains, and by the third night, I realize I look forward to our chats. His responses are always entertaining. He tells me amusing tales involving some of his more outlandish exploits, stories of which I’m certain must be grossly embellished, and I tell him tales of battles in Toralyn, and the great games held in the grand ampitheater. Shifters rarely come to our realm, and it’s refreshing to hear his different views on the realms and those within them.

It's the fourth night when he finally asks me about Sen, though there were multiple times when I thought he’d ask.

“Why her?” he questions as he takes the flask of wine I offer him. “Why risk freeing me for a female? Is she your forbidden mistress or somethin’?”

I study him, calculating how to respond. I shouldn’t say anything, but the wine I’ve consumed makes my lips loosen. “I think of her as a little sister,” I say, twisting the truth as I take another swig from my own flask. Unbeknownst to the shifter, our flasks contain one of the finest wines in Toralyn from the vineyards on the floating hills in the north. The smooth liquid warms my throat, and nothing could dampen my mood in this moment. “She’s in a bad position, and if she doesn’t leave, her life is in danger. I need to get her away from here.” I lift my head higher. “No matter the cost.”

Nine Lives doesn’t speak for a moment, and his eyes lose focus like he’s lost in his own memories. Eventually, he nods and takes another drink of his wine. “And what if this whole plan of yours doesn’t work. What if I’m captured and slaughtered like a squealin’ pig, and your little friend never sees the beast realm. What then?”

I contemplate before answering, “Then I stay to make sure she doesn’t die.”

I know he doesn’t truly understand the gravity of what I’m telling him. How could he when I’ve only shared a taste of the truth? But at my words, he lifts his flask in salute and takes another swig. “Then I guess we’d better make this fuckin’ work.”

My lips twitch, and I take a drink as well. “I guess so.” Blowing out a breath, I pocket my flask and walk toward the cell door. “See you in the portal room tomorrow, shifter. Remember, your life depends upon it.”

“It’s Nate.”

My brow furrows, and I turn my head to the side.

“My name’s Nate,” he clarifies, not moving from where he’s sitting next to the wall.

I pause thoughtfully. “Well, it’s not quite as mysterious as Nine Lives, is it?”

He chuckles. “No, I s’pose not.”

“Until tomorrow night, Nate.”

The night before the execution…

I can scarcely remember the last time my heart pounded this furiously. When I was a child, perhaps? It’s a risk. A big one. But using the shifter thief is too good of an opportunity to pass up. He’s exactly what I need. Someone who’s a master at staying in the shadows. At keeping hidden. If anyone can get Sen away, it’ll be him.

I’m not worried that the shifter will harm her in any way. Even though she’s a child, with her power, he’d be dead before he managed to do anything that would cause her to lose sleep. A part of me feels guilty I didn’t warn him of this, but he’ll figure it out the moment he sees her.

No, as long as he can get her to Genzen City, that’s all I need. No matter what happens, I can find her after that. I think of the promise I made to her as I lead her through the palace and toward the portal room, toward her escape from this place. I won’t let the queen use her. I won’t let her become another pawn to be abused by our court.

Sen is silent as we dart down the corridors, neither of us speaking, not even when we reach the portal room, our hoods pulled low. The guards outside the room are loyal to me, and they start opening the doors the moment they see me. I don’t bother asking them if they’ve seen Nate. If he’s as good as they say, undoubtedly the shifter has found a way inside without alerting them. I usher Sen inside and follow after her.

There’s a brief moment, when I fear Nate won’t be there. When I imagine the room to be empty, and the entire plan to be a failure. It’s possible the shifter could have simply escaped into the city with plans to find another route home, but then I spot the shifter’s broad form.

He stands before the empty portal gates and turns, grinning at me. “Thought I’d be gone, didn’ ya? Gettin’ here wasn’t the easiest task, but nothin’ I couldn’t handle.” His relaxed smile fades when he sees who I’m with.

When he spots her ashen face beneath her hood, his playful expression darkens. “You didn’t tell me that’s who I was takin’,” he says. “Is that ? —”

“My sister, the Princess Mirelle,” I confirm. “And if I had, would you have agreed?”

“Not fuckin’ likely,” he admits, scrubbing a hand over his face. Then he winces as if he only just remembers that she can hear him. “Look I appreciate that I’m not in the cells anymore, but had I known this is what you were askin’…”

“You’d have what?” I retort, giving him a deadpan look. “Waited for your execution?”

“I’d have found another way,” he replies, running a hand through his hair. “I can’t have the whole of Toralyn after me, prince.”

I frown, my patience wearing thin. “We don’t have time for this, Nate. Given the tales of your exploits, this doesn’t seem like too big a task for you. Now, let’s see.” I pause, pulling a thin object from my robes. The turquoise ring glitters as I rub the crystal and whisper a few words. Magic hums through me, and energy crackles around the gateway before the center floods with silver light that shimmers and ripples, moving like liquid metal. Smiling in satisfaction, I tell him. “Believe me, you will be rewarded for this.”

“You say rewarded, but you mean ‘hunted,’ brother,” he replies, but I ignore him, turning to Sen.

Crouching down, I open my mouth to speak to my sister when the doors of the room swing open. Varek, my mother’s prized general, storms into the room with four soldiers marching behind him. “What is the meaning of this?” he shouts, his temples pulsing with anger as he takes in the scene.

The guards fan out at his sides, but I lift my hand, sending out a burst of wind that sends them flying backward. All of them, that is, except Varek. His wings are spread wide, and he braces, his enchanted shield protecting him from my onslaught.

“You’ll be punished for this,” the general snarls.

“Get her out of here!” I shout at Nate, but when I turn my head, the shifter is gone. The silver fire of the portal burns brighter, the only indication of where Nine Lives has disappeared, but Sen still stands behind me, her hood pulled back to reveal the markings all over her face. Her eyes are round and frightened as she watches me.

“Damn it!” I curse as panic makes my heart rate spike. “Go, Sen! Before the portal closes!” I shout, but as I take a step toward my sister, Varek’s illusion power rushes at me. In seconds, multiple Varek’s materialize around me, blocking my view of her. I hear the portal close, the crackling energy silencing, right before someone crashes into me from behind.

No!

My mind snaps back to the present, and I’m still staring at Nate’s bloodied face. It’s because of him that my sister never made it out that day. He left without her, and it’s because of him she’s still in Toralyn suffering the fate I’d hoped to save her from. I clench my jaw, and it’s not until the shifter is on the ground unconscious next to Dante that I lift to my feet. Alaric still hasn’t moved from his spot against the cell bars.

The guards turn their gazes to me, and I give them an emotionless smile. “My turn.”