(Saiph)

I thought it would be a challenge to face her now that I am not under her spell.

It wasn’t.

She reeked of fear, seeing me, seeing my mate.

Since coming back to life, any fear, any subjugation I had for her has completely disappeared. Like someone has cleansed my heart.

The hatred and need for revenge I carry is strong. For her and her daughter. The one who has raped me multiple times.

I could forget that but she did it in front of Amaia. She hurt my mate and for that, I am going to punish her, in front of her mother.

We have come prepared for this. We knew they would take us to her, thinking she could hurt or kill us if we were alone. She is either underestimating Amaia and the combined effect our magic can create or she is still living in that delusional world where everything revolves around her.

Betelgeuse attacks first and is hurled back. His back collides with the pillar and a sickening sound of bones breaking is heard. The mother-daughter duo shout in horror rushing towards him.

The blood gurgles out of his mouth. He screams in pain and they pick him up.

Their guards attack, extracting their guns and weapons. Every bullet that hits the shield bounces back and hits them.

"Deal with them," I tell our sentinels and the vampires Hathial has sent with us. They obey, blasting the guards with their powers. The battle ensues.

"Go," Amaia softly says, keeping the shield intact, along with Alnilam.

Rigel and I move together. His shadows shoot out capturing Bellatrix. Alnilam’s hair elongates, coiling around Betelgeuse’s legs and arms, dragging him on the hard floor.

Rigel and Alnilam both plaster the twins on pillars facing their mother, binding their hands and arms.

Bellatrix screams in rage, her powers explode out of her but are instantly countered by Alnitak’s powers. They both possess the same mist-like affinity which can choke and kill others.

Mintaka’s ice affinity pierces her arms with ice stakes. Her anguished wails resonate in the air. It’s like music to my ears. The way I hate this woman.

"You dare. Come into my home and try to hurt my children," the old hag screams. The same choking mist shoots out of her like a sea of black. The one she has used countless times on me, Rigel and others—to control, choke and incapacitate.

But our mate is ready for her. Her defensive shield keeps a barrier between the witch and us. The mist hits her back twice the force and she is knocked off her feet. Blood shoots out of her mouth as she coughs loudly.

"It’s not going to work Esmelda. Your powers are weak now. I am not going to let you hurt my mates anymore." Amaia’s wings unfurl from her back. Majestic and rippling like two black masts on the open sea. She takes flight swinging her double-edged sword. The black and purple electricity cackles on it.

Esmelda is rooted to her spot, horror etched on every line of her face. She tries to counter Amaia’s attack with her magic but fails.

Amaia hasn’t aimed to kill, she has aimed for her right arm. With precision she chops it off, sending it flying across the courtyard.

Her ear-piercing screams echo through. A sprout of blood shoots out of the gaping hole Amaia has left where her arm used to be.

"That’s for hurting my kind." Amaia hits her in the stomach with the blade of her sword, making her double over. "And now you are going to watch the same treatment repeated with your children," she rages, her face going red.

Clicking her fingers, she borrows a streak of Alnilam’s hair. They land on her hands, instantly turning black and purple with the electric charge. She hurls it towards Esmelda, binding her with her magic, immobilising her completely.

Outside the war gong is sounded. We know our forces have attacked and Natianu and the rest of the Dread Army must have gone to battle.

More guards emerge but our sentinels and the shield hold them back. They are unable to reach their queen, prince and princess. We are going to give them a show.

Leisurely, I stroll forward, balancing my scythe on my shoulder. Reaching with my hand I grip her fake hair and snatch it from her head.

Her bald head with thinned hair in patches appears from underneath.

The pointed tip of my scythe I place under her chin, and lift her head. Anguish and fear are crawling on her face.

"You love raping innocent and hurting the weak. You love taking other people’s children and turning them into slaves and monsters." I offer her the evilest smile I can muster. "It’s your turn to watch what we are going to do to your children."

I wink. "I am your grim reaper, today."

The horror descends on her and she screams, her body shaking nonstop. Picking up her fake wig, I shove it in her wide mouth until she begins to choke.

Placing my index finger on my lips, I maliciously whisper.

"Shhhh! The fun is just beginning. My brother Rigel is still itching to have his turn."

I step back, letting Rigel move ahead. The rage that’s exuding from him is terrifying and a weak heart will have a heart attack if they are in Rigel’s proximity at that moment.

Rigel looms over her like a dark shadow. She kneels with her mouth stuffed with fake hair. He tilts his head, eyes blazing with an unnatural fury. No one stops him. We only watch.

"Let’s see how you enjoy being choked."

His shadows from a death loop around her throat, cutting off her air supply.

She shudders, one arm gone, the other bound by Amaia. Her eyes bulge out, her mouth shoots open, gasping for breath which doesn’t come.

Alnitak gasps beside me and I hold him by the trembling shoulders. He is strong but I understand how difficult this is for him.

Alnilam is holding Mintaka and both watch with their jaws set tight and hands clenched into fists.

"Let go of our mother," Bellatrix squeals, straining against her binds. Betelgeuse is howling in pain from his broken backbone.

Rigel chokes her again and again. The tears flow from her eyes, until she collapses on the ground.

Rigel finally lifts his shadows. His eyes reduced to slits of hatred. He grabs her face and squeezes, turning it towards her son.

"You will watch without being able to do anything."

She made me watch while she tortured my brother. This was payback from us.

"Amaia, it’s your turn." Rigel pushes her face down and lands a kick on her temple before walking away.