Chapter fifty five
Abraham felt tears blur his vision. Frustratingly, he dug his nails through his hair and began to pace to and fro worriedly. After he'd cursed every kind of curse, he plunged forward and hit a fist on the stone table that it cracked. "How do I know exactly where he is. I could teleport right now."
"I advise not," Nicholas finally glanced away from the sphere…and every form of amber light ceased.
Now he gave Abraham the look any concerned friend would. "Not that you aren't strong enough. But the number of foes is too great you may be too busy slaying them you forget to protect Martin while doing so."
"Then what can I do, Nicholas," the djinn almost barked, restlessness seeping into his veins like blood.
The demon patted his shoulder and replied. "I may not help you find Martin directly. But I could direct you to someone who would."
"Who would that be…"
"Europe's most reputable bounty hunter," replied Nicholas. "Vizal, djinn of waves. Although old, blind and mostly unsober, he could find Martin in the space of two minutes. If you're lucky, he could be your last recruit. That's a big if."
Sadness showed upon the King's features. And when he could not hold it in any longer, he broke the wall around his pride and cried into the other man's shoulder. "I'm running out of time, Nicholas."
The knowledge demon shook his head and patted him. "If God truly cares for these mortals, then Ozii will stand no chance. I'd join you but I'm afraid my fear supercedes my love for humanity. Vizal is a far stronger ally. Convince him."
***
"Escaped?!" Zuma roared into his face, his voice sounding strangely thunderous and wild. "How would an ambushed mortal locked in a cabin escape right under your noses?"
"My henchmen are presently on a search for him," replied Isaac with a disapproved edge in his tone. He watched the demon with an atom of mischief surrounding him; as he paced up and down rather nervously, smashing down everything in his path with insignificant effort.
"Find him," he suddenly stopped and snarled to the tavern owner. "And immediately you do, kill him and send his corpse to Decresh. Or this time, I swear you'll regret meeting me!"
Now Isaac was truly offended. Maybe he'd agreed to work for a rich, young lad; but he'd never bargained to be insulted, especially now he'd begun to suspect his so-called hirer. "I'm guessing this is the point I say I'm no longer interested in working for you," his shoulders rose and fell in confidence as a frown marred his face.
The two lads who'd accompanied him seemed to have agreed with their master. A choice too wrong they couldn't imagine how.
Zuma smirked in disapproval and grinned at Isaac. Before a fraction of a second passed, he'd dashed forward with that mystic speed he'd hidden from them…and was back to his spot like he'd never left.
Isaac had barely caught his lightning motion, but he'd surely felt the gush of air that came with it.
And slowly, he turned around only to find corpses of the two he'd brought along. Both had somehow been drilled into and robbed of their hearts. That was one scene he swore was far more bloody than any he'd ever seen, killer or not.
Now, he faced the speed demon again, trying to shield the fear crawling unto his face. But unknown to him, it was so obvious it could be smelt. However, the first place his mind went to was the warning of Martin some days back.
"You'll end up digging your own grave…"
"What are you," he asked the younger looking man with a voice so still even he wandered how he did it.
The smile on Zuma's face widened, and the usual spark of dominance flickered in his beautiful emerald eyes. "That is none of your concern. But what you should worry about is what I'll be when you do not kill the Prince. Your worst nightmare!"
When he thought he'd seen enough mystic for one day, another being appeared; one he recognized to have seen before. Martin had said his name. Ozii…!
He walked forward from behind Zuma and whispered to the demon. "I don't think you should bother about making them send his corpse to Decresh. Seems the King is already on a wild search for him. Decresh is open now, Zuma; are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
All the while, this horrified human gawked at the short interaction. He may have been confused but he was sure it was about tearing the Kingdom apart.
Something immediately changed in him that moment and he vowed to find Martin, alive! And somehow it meant finding him before his men did.
"Just pray Abraham Tonnel doesn't find you," said Zuma finally.
As he retreated with the thunder djinn, he slid his thumb across his throat slowly, sending a silent message well understood.
"He will kill you."
Then both were gone suddenly with the wind.
***
Sam found himself at a tight spot. The Kingdom Abraham had entrusted to his hands was at the brink of falling apart and there was nothing he could do about it.
Seven out of nine of them exchanged glares with him, each crested on their own unique horse. Even with the dire weakness he felt in his knees, he strived to be calm, confident, stern.
He had a fist tight around the spear which he'd pinned to the ground while looking through each and every one of the foes.
Just behind him, the Kingdom gates and the entire unprepared army; and just behind the other team, a vast shadow of creeping smoke he could swear was their wolves.
At this point, Samlong swallowed deeply, completely sure he was going to let Abraham down.
Ozii and his last ally finally joined the party after a few more moments of waiting. And just as Sam hoped, he didn't immediately call down lightning from the sky.
"It's almost belittling that your King gave a Kingdom raised from dust for several generations and is now this mighty to a mere mortal," he began, leaning his elbow against one of the horses.
And something sparked in his eyes when the human had the guts to speak back. "Who knows? He believes a miracle could happen this time."
Samlong had only realized the challenge in the words he'd said after they'd left his lips. The sweat on his forehead started drooling down the side of his face when Ozii frowned.
But a smirk replaced it soon after. And the thunder djinn offered. "Why don't I make this a bit fair for you? You fight against my ally who uses no divine powers; if you win, your damned Kingdom can stay. But I promise you, heaven will fall before that happens."