The air seemed dark and stale, every Lycan in the vicinity had made themselves as scarce as they could if not called upon by their King. It was a dark day and no one wanted to be in the presence of Zerth at the moment.
King Damian looked down at his son, his jaw clenched at the state of him, watching as he laid there unconscious, no sign of recovery in the long run, as would have happened had it been a mere cut or a stab like before. This time his face stuck in a painful expression that even if he hadn’t as much as opened his eyes yet, King Damian could feel Xeric howl deep within Legion, the pain a tingling sensation in his ears, his fists hard and clenched tightly, unable to take his eyes off the state of his son.
The Dark covers were laid above him, stopping just below his shoulders and the large curtains were drawn to shield him from the sun. No one was allowed to see the Feared Prince of Lycan in this state. King Damian feared even he was never meant to see his son like this. Life hanging by a thread. He gritted his teeth on the verge of wrecking something that had not yet been touched even though the hallway had been a wrecked mess at the fury of Zerth at the sight of his pup.
His jaw tightened remembering how they had found him, barely breathing, blood sprawled around him. From his abdomen jutted out a long metal rod, 8 inches thick. They had to cut the rod down, in order to take him and took skilled hands to take the sheet out, although the poison had already made it into his bloodstream by the time they found him and was infecting his heart.
Zerth stormed inside him, a ticking time bomb if they lost Legion and that probability seemed within reach. What frustrated him beyond anything else was not being able to know what exactly had happened to his son, and wishing he had listened to Zerth who had told him of the evil he felt was coming. This surely was it, the sight of the only thing that mattered to him on the verge of death.
Now his son lied in the balance, iron venom oozing through his veins, soon it would infect the rest of his heart and Legion would be lost. The last thing that had kept him sane was when he was on the verge of losing everything after Kivara’s death.
Tears stained his cheek, unable to keep them away. A constant growl echoing through his mind, knowing before he allowed himself to descend into madness, whoever had done this to his son would pay with blood and breath, and if Legion became Lost to him, the realms would suffer.
There was no rage like that of Moon Crested Lycan. Havoc would be declared across the crimson sky, his Lycan would be rogue and the masses would suffer for it.
He wiped away his tear away as a knock was heard on the large wooden doors, "Enter!" He growled and the door slowly opened, but no one entered,
"Your highness, we were able to find a few Witch healers-" Caleb began standing in the middle of the doorway, stepping aside and letting the women behind him in.
King Damian stood up with an Air of aggression as his eyes landed on the three witches before him, scrutinizing them. He had to make sure no threat would befall his son. Lycans had many enemies and he was sure Xeric had made a few in this realm.
"They are third Level Witches, your Majesty, they are fond of the young prince and will do their utter best in healing him, " Caleb said motioning the women in, they bowed low before the King, "Your majesty," they said in unison waiting.
King Damian gave them a nod to proceed, his eyes watching everything they did as they began their healing.
"Your majesty," Caleb began as King Damian's aggressive eyes landed back to him, "WHAT?!" he bellowed.
Caleb bowed once more, "We also found a witness, one werewolf boy who claims was there when whatever happened to his highness, went down. He goes to the same school, your majesty."
King Damian's eye widened glancing first at the witches, he stomped away toward the door but not before turning to Caleb, whispering lowly, "Make sure nothing happens to him under their care, or else I will make sure you are relieved of your head. After, all that is the use of a guardian if he doesn't do his job?" He growled lowly, and with that, he walked away. Julius pacing behind him as he moved into the hallway, sensing the fear of everything as they cowered away from his wrath.
*****************
King Damian gazed at the little wolf boy before him, dressed in a football jersey and some pair of jeans, his eyes ground to the floor, visibly shaking, as he knelt before the King.
It was what was expected for a mere wolf pup, who probably couldn't pass a sentence to his Alpha, so what more to his King? But King Damian was not in the mood to understand, his eyes seeping with rage as Zerth rattled on inside him, "speak" he bellowed causing the poor little wolf to almost have a heart attack.
"Y-your majesty, " he said barely able to glance up, Zerth rolled his eyes pulling the boy up to his measly feet with one hand, "When your King speaks directly to you boy, you speak and make sure you make sense," he growled harshly
The boy nodded with wide eyes as Zerth let him go. He didn't want to hurt the boy as his little wolf wouldn't be able to do anything against his Lycan, and if the King desired a fight, a worthy opponent was needed.
Also, he needed every bit of information he could gather from him unless torture would work as well.
"Speak,” he repeated.
The boy cleared his throat trying to calm his nerves, "I-It all happened so fast, your majesty, Azian just charged at his highness, slamming him into the wall, repeatedly, and then they flew up into the-"
"Azian?" King Damian asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, your majesty, they flew up into the sky and that was the last time I saw his highness."
"The boy, Azian, is he a Winged Man?" He asked wondering what sort of Winged man would have gone against Legion and completely won. And for what reasons?
"No, Your Majesty, he isn't a winged man. Winged men don't-they don't have that kind of power," he said lowly glancing at the ground, “his wings were metal, and he healed in mere seconds.”
"What is he?"  Zerth asked, this time curiosity peaked.
"I-I don't know your m-majesty"
"How can you not know?! What is the nose on your wolf for?" The King bellowed.
"Azian is a dragon," a voice answered, “THE Dragon,” the voice rephrased with a slight chuckle.
King Damian's eyes shot up to see a dark hooded figure, his eyebrows furrowing, "How dare you come before me witch!" He snapped Zerth fangs showing. No one was allowed to appear before a king uninvited.
The wolf boy immediately run away from the King's presence, his power was just too much for him or his wolf to handle,
"Not even Old friend?" The witch replied pulling back her hood. The King paused as he stared at the Witch, unable to believe it was her after so many years. "Stephania?" Damian asked his eyes widening, as Zerth calmed down.
"Hello, old friend," she said with a smirk.
King Damian shook his head, trying to bring himself back- "Rumors said you were in this realm but -"
"You’re Surprised to see me I suppose," She grinned, taking her white gloves off, moving toward him,
He nodded firmly but kept his eyes on her, watching her every move on high alert, "What are you doing here?" He asked, his tone now largely defensive.
"Me? I was finding the dragon boy, helping King Alec, and the order. When we found out the boy was no longer in our realm, it was my mission to find him. Whilst the order controlled the dragons in the sup realm," she replied turning to him,
"Alec never said he thought the dragon was in this realm," King Damian replied his eyebrows furrowing, a low growl coming in from Zerth. They always knew the Vampire King was not to be trusted.
"Well, he wasn't really sure until he was.” she paused, with a slight hum, “Visiting your son?" She asked slyly.
Damian's eyes hardened, sensing something else but responded, “I am," he replied.
"I heard he found his mate...” She trailed off causing Damian’s eyes to shoot up to her,
He growled lowly, "Have you been following him?" he bellowed, not liking the fact that a dark witch had the insight into something so sensitive.
"I have been keeping-some tabs on him, " she replied softly.
"What are you doing here Stephania, I have no need of a dark Witch," he gritted out. It was time to part from her.
"Really? Maybe true, but your son. He needs me," she replied with a low sigh.
"My son is fine, he is being taken care of," King Damian spat back. Of course, the witch would know about Legion's ordeal.
But he wasn't stupid, Dark witches were never ones to be trusted, he swore never to go to one again, after the first time and definitely not the same one.
"You mean by the three witches? I assure you that though, Silla, Ella, and Irelene are decent witches, they can't really save him,” She replied.
"Stephania," Zerth bellowed displeased at what she was insinuating.
She shrugged, "go see for yourself. It is true they are trying their best, but the poison is already in his heart, what a third level witch can do then?" she asked.
He gritted his teeth knowing if she was this confident it only meant she was right, his voice became low and defeated, his heart mercilessly pleading for his son, "Can you save him?" He asked lowly.
"Oh my dear Damian, there is nothing I cannot do," she replied causing his heart to thump louder, she moved towards him, "you make me out to be an enemy Damian, yet I have never failed you, not even once," she eased.
His eyes followed her hand on his shoulder, "Kaya, is his mate not so?" She asked.
"True,” he said after a slight pause, "she is all we need to get out of this realm. I planned to take her as soon as I found out, but Legion hadn't even informed the girl. I should have just-"
"Yes you should have,” she replied sharply, her eyes sternly on him. That was how it was supposed to go “but now she doesn't belong to him anymore."
King Damian’s eyes sparked in confusion, "What are you saying?"
"Azian claimed her as his. The Dragon has taken her somewhere far away, or has put a barrier around them because it is difficult to find them," she said slowly.
His eyes glimmered in rage, "No!" he yelled shaking his head. That couldn’t be.,
"How is Erilyn’s spell going to be broken now, mmm?" Stephania taunted.
King Damian’s eyes shot back to her, Zerth resurfacing, "He can't claim a mate that isn't his! What happens when he finds his true mate?!" he bellowed.
"That's just it, Damian, can’t you see?” Stephania huffed, “The dragon doesn’t care that Kaya isn't his mate. When did that ever stop a dragon from claiming his possessions?" She asked.
King Damian’s jaw hardened at the news.
"Once I heal Legion, I imagine he is going to be furious?” Stephania continued with a tick in her jaw, “ However, there is little he can do to find her, if even I have failed" she sighed, "I can't imagine the pain he will be under, losing a mate in such away-tragic really, don't you think?"  She asked slyly.
His eyes dimmed in sadness as Kivara’s face flashed into his mind, as he turned to the witch, "What is your plan? You wouldn't have come here without one," he sneered lowly.
Stephania stood straighter, her eyes directly staring into the Kings, "I need the Dragon, and you need Kaya. Wherever Kaya goes his Dragon will follow," She said simply,
"You want to use her as bait?"
"Precisely, but nothing bad will befall her. If you and Legion so desire, she will be completely under your protection, and back to Legion, it's a win-win" she explained.
King Damian paused at this, before looking back up at the witch, "I'm listening."
Stephania nodded, "Excellent."