17. Isabella

To my horror, the Minotaur King strides outside, into the battlefield. He walks across the courtyard, his head held high, his massive frame towering above everything.

This is his city. This is his home.

And he's going to defend it.

Asterion bellows out a loud war-cry, his roar echoing through the city, and the soldiers who pour into the city through the maze respond by raising their weapons.

It's a slaughter.

Asterion charges straight at them. Before they can even pull their triggers, the rampaging Minotaur has already crossed the distance between them.

Men are launched into the air.

Bodies are broken.

Blood is spilt.

The Minotaur King roars again, his eyes glowing fiercely, Emma and me both watching through the screens at the command center, both completely horrified and yet unable to look away.

He tramples men under his hooves. He snaps their necks with his bare hands. He gores them on his horns. Blood sprays across his thick fur, turning it into a dark crimson.

My heart is in my throat and my legs shake, while Emma is pale and quiet.

Just when I think Asterion is turning the tide, there's an incoming message on the command screen — from Darius Blackthorn.

I accept the call.

Darius's mean face fills the screen. His hair is slicked back, his red beard scruffy. His icy eyes see me, and he smiles.

"Isabella Starlight. It seems you weren't bullshitting me when you said found the fucking lost kingdom."

"Fuck off, Darius," I shoot back. "Just leave already. Your men are dead. You've lost."

"That vermin? Disposable," he says. "But no, I'm not going anywhere. Because I've got something, something you want, and you're going to call off that wild fucking beast of yours."

"And what's that?"

He snaps his fingers and someone is pushed onto his lap. A small, young girl, with a blonde ponytail.

Eden.

My little sister.

That bastard has my little sister.

My heart leaps into my throat, and Emma mutters curses under her breath next to me.

"You let her go," I say, my voice shaking. "You let her go right now!"

Darius wraps his hand around my struggling sister, holding her tightly. "Now, why would I do that?"

"Isa?" My little sister's voice breaks as she gazes into the camera. My heart just breaks at the pain and fear I hear in her voice.

I never meant to drag her into this. All I've done, I've done to keep her safe. No matter my best intentions, it seems I've failed — and now she's in the hands of the biggest predator in the galaxy.

"It'll be okay, Eden," I say, trying to stay calm. "It'll be okay."

"Yes, yes it will be," Darius cuts in, "because you're going tell that wild fucking bull of yours to stand down, aren't you?"

I swallow the lump in my throat. "Y-yes," I say. "Yes, I am."

Darius Blackthorn smirks.

"Good."