Chapter 195 Sea Demons in the Mist

    Carris‘ POV

    b31 /b

    Finished

    I crouched behind the thick tree trunk, holding my breath, cars tuned to every sound the three Sea Demons made.

    They were yelling in Common–loud, crude voices that made the skin crawl.

    “This ce has beastkin? Damn it, not even worth wasting enchanted bolts on!” one of them snarled, voice raspy.

    “Think that explorer’s close? Might be a fat catch,” another chuckled slyly.

    “Grab him and see. If he’s not, we gut him,” the third said–voice cold as a de.

    I nced at Leslie. Her face had gone paper–white, eyes wide like a frightened deer. She looked like her soul had fled her body.

    I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm.

    We needed a n. We couldn’t let them find us.

    Suddenly, a flurry of bolts hissed through the air–sharp, cutting.

    I heard shouting from the beastkin side–panicked voices and stomping feet scattering in all directions.

    I peeked out and saw a few beastkin swinging clubs and axes, running wildly–clearly rattled by the sudden attack.

    Then a deep, guttural roar echoed through the clearing–the sound of a leader giving orders.

    In an instant, the beastkin snapped into action, charging at the Sea Demons like madmen, clubs and axes swinging wildly.

    One pirate cursed and ducked a flying club, quick as a fish in water.

    “Don’t get bogged down! More beastkin areing! We’ll piss them off–we pull out!” one of them barked, his voice tense with reluctant retreat.

    I held my breath, watching as the pirates swore and backed away, still loosing bolts as they went, trying to keep up the intimidation.

    I heard a few grunts–some beastkin had been hit–but there wasn’t time to check.

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    Chapter 195 Sea Demons in the Mist

    The beastkin war cries grew louder. Their feet pounded the jungle floor, chasing the Sea Demons into the chaos.

    b31 /b

    Finished

    I looked to Leslie. She exhaled shakily, still pale, but there was a spark of relief in her eyes now.

    I grinned at her, trying to y it cool. “That was close. Whew.”

    But I didn’t rx. My eyes swept the area, ears sharp, alert for anything left behind.

    “Let’s take another path,” I whispered. “Avoid any more run–ins with the beastkin.”

    Leslie nodded, her eyes full of trust.

    I was just about to lead her away when a sudden roar filled the sky above us–rotor des.

    Not one. Several.

    My heart jumped. I looked up, trying to see through the trees.

    Leslie’s POV

    “It’s rescue!” Asphodel screamed in my head, his voice trembling with joy. “Our people are here!”

    Tears nearly burst from my eyes. My breath caught in my throat. “My brothers are here!” I choked. My chest felt crushed under a mountain of fear and relief. For a while, I’d been sure I was going to die in this hell.

    The sound of helicopters thundered above like a war march, shaking the sky.

    I’d never heard anything more beautiful. It was like fire in my veins–rekindling all the hope I’d buried.

    I kicked off into a sprint, twice as fast as usual, lungs burning, heart racing.

    Carris was ahead of me, his expression lit with excitement. He looked back over his shoulder. “Leslie, we’re getting out together, right? You won’t leave me behind, will you?”

    I grinned, breathless. “Of course not!”

    He panted as he ran, then added, “When we’re back, no matter what happens… you can’t ignore me, okay?”

    I figured he was worried I’d ghost him after all this. I pped my chest. “Rx. You’ve got a lifetime of luxurying your way.”

    We ran like maniacs for twenty minutes. Branches tore at my clothes. I was caked in mud,

    Chapter 195 Sea Demons in the Mist

    grime, unrecognizable.

    ))

    b31 /b

    Finished

    My hands–once soft and pale–were now bloodied, covered in scrapes and cuts.

    Sure, the wounds would heal in minutes, but damn, they hurt.

    Still, I didn’t stop. I didn’t make a sound. Pain meant nothing–living was everything.

    We finally broke through the trees. The shore exploded into view–sand, reef, and ocean stretching far and wide.

    Three ck helicopters sat on the beach, des still spinning, wind howling.

    Farther out, eight speedboats rode the waves. On each one stood six or seven werewolves–tall, armed, stone–faced in dark shades.

    The sea crashed against the rocks, wind sharp with the scent of blood and gunmetal.

    It didn’t look like a rescue.

    It looked like a war.

    My eyes narrowed. My heart sank.

    On the closest rock stood three werewolves in Sea Demons uniforms. Each carried a massive enchanted crossbow, and all of them were puffing on cigarettes like they didn’t have a care in the world.

    They turned their heads toward us.

    Their eyes sparkled with amusement–like hunters watching prey walk straight into the trap.

    Send Gifts

    138

    Burn in the Alpha Princess’s Wrath