CHAPTER 243: CHAPTER 243 NO WAY OUT

I let out a sigh of exasperation. "Really, your emotions are a mess, at least get it under control."

He finally spared me his almighty glance. "You should get yours in control... You are driving crazy with your emotions too."

"Sure, I will." I brushed past him. ’What a crazy fellow. What does he even think that he is? Acting cold in a moment and protective in the next. He didn’t even apologize for making me mad!’

Before I knew it I was already walking next to Rhydian. "You look mad." He said softly with his eyes on the path forward.

"I’m mad." I sighed.

"You still look beautiful though, but I prefer it when you are not." His lips pulled up into a smile.

"Really?" I glanced at him. His blue eyes were calm like the sea, and his expression and aura were so soothing that they made you forget all of your worries.

He turned, meeting my gaze. "When you smile you’re the prettiest." He said without batting an eye.

I playfully slapped his shoulders. "Stop..." I pushed back my hair to the back of my ear. A smile formed on my lips.

"What? I’m only telling the truth. Any man that makes you angry is a big asshole." he chuckled.

Suddenly, I felt the temperature dropping drastically, and daggers shooting at my back. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was, as I felt waves of bitter feelings crashing through me like tidal waves... It was jealousy.

"I totally agree with you." I chuckled, feeling a little better.

Then, we both went silent, enjoying the comfort between us. The chirping of the insects, and the snapping of the twigs were the only sounds in the forest.

I don’t know how long we have been walking, but the trees had become denser and thicker. The canopies of the trees were bigger, covering the night sky.

It had become so dark that Pathfinder began to burn brightly, illuminating our path.

"Where are we going next after we leave the witches’ realm?" I fidgeted with the hem of my dress. Deep down I felt unease spreading through me like a virus.

"Naturally, it is the Vampire’s realm, however we can easily bypass it." Rhydian paused. "Where do you want to go exactly, Aeris?"

I blinked, ’Where do I want to go?’ I hadn’t really thought about where I wanted to go, or where I really wanted to see.

"I want to go wherever the wind takes me." I inhaled sharply.

Every single breath, and every time the wind brushed through my skin, I felt a crawling sensation all over me. The air felt suffocating... I wondered if leaving now was the best option.

A yelp tore from my throat when my leg suddenly got caught in a root sticking out from the ground. Before I hit the ground, Rhydian caught me, his arms wrapping around my waist.

My heart hammered in my chest, my gaze interlocked with his, and I quickly looked away before pushing myself to my feet.

"Thank you," I murmured, my cheeks burned from embarrassment.

’Why can’t you look at where you are going?’

"Are you alright? Did you get hurt?" Rhydian asked worriedly.

I shook my head. "I’m fine." My eyes wouldn’t stop blinking, and my fingers trembled slightly at my sides. ’He is a fine man.’

We continued walking, then, I suddenly felt another presence beside me. It was none other than the almighty Damon. Yeah, with his death glare and stoic expression. His dark ruffled hair made him look like a handsome demon walking the plain earth...

’Stop, he can’t compare to Rhydian... not everything is about looks.’ I huffed.

"Having a nice time I see." Damon’s hoarse voice resonated in the air with bitterness clothed in an icy tone.

"Sure I am." I folded my arms across my chest, rolling my eyes inwardly.

Alaric and Mr. Four Eyes trailed closely behind us.

"Don’t you all feel like something is not right?" Mr. Four Eyes pushed his glasses, scanning the surroundings meticulously.

That was when we realised, there was no chirping of insects, or animal’s movement. It was silent and still.

Damon quickly got into a defensive stance. "Something is wrong."

Alaric and Mr. Four Eyes turned to observe the surroundings as they stepped closer, forming a circle around me.

My heart skittered in my chest, as ominous thoughts squirmed at the back of my mind. ’What if we can’t make it out alive?’

The silence grew thicker, almost causing a pressure disruption in our heads.

Golden hid inside my dress, peeking out in nervousness. "Princess... I sense danger..."

Before Golden could finish speaking, a thin layer of red barrier formed above the trees’ canopies, stretching wide, sealing us inside.

"Fuck... Rhydian open a fucking portal right now!" Damon yelled.

Boom.

The ground shook, debris turned to ashes instantly, and the space around us erupted in flames.

More magic balls flew towards us, Damon pulled me behind him. Rhydian stepped forward and created a blue shield.

"We are not here to fight. Hand over the Lycan King..." The voice paused. "And the Chosen."

’Chosen? Lycan King? There are no such people here.’

I cleared my throat, summoning all of my courage. "Um... Miss, I think you have it wrong. There is no Chosen or Lycan King here." I stammered.

The voice chuckled, and the flame went down a little. I peeped from behind Damon’s frame.

Figures blurred behind the flames, they were all in black long cloaks, swinging to the invisible wind. Their faces were hidden under their black hoods.

Blood drained from my face as I watched in numbed horror... The witches.

"Come with us willingly, or your friends will pay the price." The figure said swirling fire in her hand.

Damon’s gaze hardened, he exchanged a knowing look with the petrified Alaric, who seemed torn between two impossible choices.

"I just said there is no one like that here!" I raised my voice.

A cold chill swept down my spine. I turned slowly... only to realize we were surrounded... There was no way out.

"Lies." The witch drawled. The fire swirling around her hand turned into a big ball, with a swift move.

The fire hurtled toward me, heat scorching the air. I started mindlessly, my legs paralyzed in my spot. I couldn’t breathe... all I saw was the incoming fire.