The Alpha's Temptation

They came across very less resistance throughout the way and it was mostly because they hid through the darkness of the dense trees. At the same time, Felis had asked Kaitos to conceal his men with magic. So, the little magic that Kaitos had used, covered all the Nyxers.

The palace gates at the rear were manned by very few soldiers. Felis put his hands up, signaling his men to stop. They all came to a stop a few meters from the gates. Not a single guard could detect them. Felis argued in his mind whether he should fight the guards or use his dark magic. If he fought with the guards, it would garner unnecessary attention. Using dark magic was a better option.

He closed his eyes and called his magic.

"It is not right to use it on innocent souls," Kaitos grated.

Felis snapped open his eyes, hating him for interrupting him. "I don't ask for opinions from anyone. So stay quiet!" he growled.

Kaitos clenched his jaws hard and then became quiet. He looked away, unable to witness what Felis was going to do.

Felis closed his eyes again. His magic swirled in his chest, burning it, heating his skin. It hissed and traveled to his hands. His eyes flickered a red and he hurled the dark tendrils of magic at the soldiers.

The magic obeyed his command. It traveled to the soldiers, curled around their neck and snapped them. The soldiers didn't even know what happened to them and they lay dead on the ground.

Satisfied, Felis used his magic to open the gates and entered the palace. He was sure that this was the beginning of his victory. He asked his men to abandon the horses and go on foot.

"Kaitos," he said as he dismounted his horse. "If you try to break away from me, you know the consequences."

Kaitos narrowed his eyes. "I know."

"However, I don't trust you," Felis growled. "I need a blood oath from you."

"I will never give my oath to you!" Kaitos rebelled.

"You will and you have to!" Felis looked at Gamon who came behind Kaitos. He grabbed his arms and twisted them behind. Another Nyxer came and despite Kaitos's resistance, he yanked his arm in the front. Felis took his dagger out. He spread the palm of Kaitos and sliced it in the center. Then he sliced his palm from the center. He joined both their hands and chanted a spell. Gray smoky tendrils coiled around their hands as the blood oath worked its way.

Felis chuckled. "Now you can't go against me even if you want to."

Gamon left Kaitos who was feeling like a huge boulder had passed over him. He doubled over and coughed blood. When he was straight, he looked at Felis and said, "I wish you never succeed, Felis. You are one sneaky bastard who deserves not even an inch of Araniea, let alone Hydra. You should have been dead long back. And I hope that this war ends with your death!"

Felis glared at him for a moment and then backhanded him. The monk fell on the floor. "Who cares for a monk? Just do what you are supposed to do. And I am going to succeed in front of your eyes. It would be fun to watch you bearing my commands without going against me!"

All other monks standing over there were so frightened that they became numb with fear. Felis scanned all of them and then turned around. The whole palace was in front of him and he had to start his way to the north wing where the chambers of the king and queen were. He was standing outside the south wing.

He entered with his men the corridor that was outside the south wing. He ran past the rooms that were all lying vacant. He knew that Biham must be too busy with the war and so he won't be entertaining any guests. That worked in his favor. He came across very few soldiers who dropped dead in the same manner as those who were manning the gates. Felis used his dark magic. Often, he would ask the monks to use it.

By the time he reached further inside, others had come to know that there were Nyxers in the palace. There was a huge commotion. In his frenzy to go ahead, Felis continued to kill every man and woman who came in the way using the dark magic. There was no way he could be stopped.

---

"Queen Tania!" Flora came running to her, her face etched with panic.

Tania was in her room along with Lerna. They were talking about how they could contribute to the war.

"What is it, Flora?" Tania asked with a frown.

"Nyxers are in the palace. They have attacked us. You must vacate the palace as soon as possible!" she said and started to pack her things with her magic.

"Nyxers?" Tania got up with a jerk. "How? When?"

Lerna was equally panicked. "How did the Nyxers breach the palace?"

"They came from the rear gates!" Flora said. "Please, Queen Tania and Lerna, you both must vacate this place now!"

Tania's wings flared up as anger surged in her chest. "I won't go anywhere! I am going to face those Nyxers." As if on a basic instinct, she felt protective towards the palace and its people. She thought of the Pegasii spirit.

"But-- but-- this is way too dangerous. I heard that the monks are also with the Nyxers. Some guards were found dead in the strangest way. Their necks were snapped at a weird angle! This means the Nyxers and monks are using dark magic."

"The only Nyxer who can use dark magic is my brother, Felis," Lerna said as a shudder passed through her body. Her gaze locked with that of Tania.

Tania was stunned for a moment. But then she narrowed her gaze and said, "Open your mind link with Rigel. Ask him to come to the palace now!"