Untamed - Book 2
Chapter 8

Coralie

The magic that rendered us all unconscious is a typical spell that is often used by the witch’s council, something that is weak, but effective. Unfortunately for my captors, the training sessions with the council helped me to build up a tolerance to their defense spells, making most less effective while some have no effect on me at all. This one left me unconscious for less than ten minutes, but I continued to pretend to be unconscious as I tried to sort out what Altier’s plan might be. We have all been moved to a dungeon like room where we are chained by the ankles and wrists. I listen as people come and go, never noticing that their spell has worn off. When I am sure we are alone, I inspect Darius, Danny and Jordan, but they are all still heavily effected and I am not able to use my abilities to wake then due to the enchanted shackles we are bound by.

We have been in the hole for hours, maybe longer, when I hear footsteps coming toward the door to our room.

“Take them to the chapel. The council will conduct their trial and execution at dawn.” A strange man’s voice calls out just before I am picked up. I hear the chains being rattled as they carry me and my friends out of the room. They carry us for what seems like an hour, though it was likely only a few minutes, before reaching a door to a room that is full of people talking. I can hear the rumbling mummers, but they are too muffled to understand what they are saying. I hear the loud creak of the door as it opens and everyone within the room falls silent. They place us on a cold stone floor and I hear a familiar woman’s voice call out from somewhere in front of us.

“Time to wake and face your judgement!” I hear the rattling of chains beside me, a sign that the others are waking up. I open my eyes and replace Jordan on his knees beside me white Darius is to his left and Danny is on the other side of Darius. I look up and meet the eyes the evil head of the witch’s council, Merida, and all of her soulless minions standing behind her.

“It took you long enough to replace me, Merida.” My voice is cold and taunting.

“You made the chase quite exciting, that is for certain. I believe you know our associate, Caleb Altier. He has been quite eager to meet you. I believe you knew his brother, Hector.” I can feel Jordan’s eyes on me and I know I should not react the way I usually would, but this woman is really annoying the hell out of me.

“I did. Our last meeting was ages ago, but as I recall, we had a bloody good time. By the time we were done, he was scattered across the countryside.” A loud, sinister growl shakes the room followed by loud, heavy footsteps entering the room.

“Awe, I think I stuck a nerve.” Merida scowls at me, but her lips curl as she lifts her gaze to the man walking up behind us.

“You never did know when to keep your mouth shut.” The man behind me moves to stand in front of us, crouching to look me in the eye.

“I had expected you to be more frightening, but looking at you now, you are just a pathetic, weak witch and thanks to those shackles, you are powerless. It is hard to believe my brother was bested by such a pathetic creature.” He stands up and walks to stand beside Merida.

“Are you going to get started, or are you planning on boring me to death?” He smirks and waves to someone behind me.

“Oh, we are just getting started. I thought you might like a little family reunion before I rip you limb from limb. Perhaps I should dismember Luca first so you can watch.” Two of his men came walking in, carrying a glass coffin and inside is Luca, my long lost brother.

“If you so much as touch him, I will fucking kill you.” Medica and Caleb begin laughing insanely, feeling unthreatened by me now that my witch abilities have been silenced by their pathetic shackles.

“Tsk, tsk, you should know better than to open that pretty little mouth when you haven’t the power to back your threats.” He shoves the cover off the coffin, sending it slamming into the ground and shattering. He pulls out a runed dagger and raises it above Luca’s chest while smiling at me.

“Caleb, before you do something stupid, would you like to know a secret?” His brow raises and his hand slowly lowers to his side.

“Surely you cannot be planning to entertain her nonsense.” Merida shouts at him, eager for him to finish what she never could.

“Silence! Let’s hear what the little witch has to say. It will be her final words after all.” I smirk at his ignorance. I look over at Jordan who has a fearful look on his face, but it is Darius, nodding at me, that lets me know I am making the right choice. I slowly stand up, calling forth my beast as the shackles bend and snap with the expanding of my limbs. Once my shift is complete, I stare at them with my teeth bared, taking in their looks of horror and disbelief.

“Haven’t you heard the tales of my monstrous deeds? If only you had realized that the monster is real.” Caleb drops the dagger, slowly stumbling back.

“How the fuck is this possible? How the fuck can you speak?!” His back slams into the wall, leaving him nowhere to run.

“Your brother died like a coward, so imagine my disappointment to see you going out the same way.” I raise my paw, claws extended, and swipe at his neck, tearing his throat out in a single, swift movement. I hear a loud scream behind me and turn just as Merida casts a swirling black orb at Jordan, but Darius shoves him out of the way and the orbs slams into Darius’s chest. I leap at Merida, my jaws wrapping around her head and closing down so tightly that her head is severed from her body. My beast takes control at the sight of Darius lying lifeless on the floor. We tear through each member of the council, blood and limbs littering the small stage like area they had been standing on.