ShadowBound: The Need For Power

Chapter 116 Blood Attack

Liam calmly trailed behind the guards as they exited the mansion and headed toward a sleek black carriage waiting in the moonlit courtyard. The air outside was crisp, a welcome change from the oppressive warmth of the festivities.As they approached the carriage, one of the knights—a burly man with a grizzled beard and an air of authority—cast a sharp glance over his shoulder at Liam. "Make sure you don't slow us down, kid. This may be just a

"Dangerous? Vlar, I've been coming here for ages," Elena replied, a hint of defiance in her voice. Her gaze shifted, however, as she noticed Liam standing quietly behind Vlar. Her brow furrowed slightly. "Who's this?"

Vlar stepped aside to gesture toward Liam. "This is a guest from Mrs Avanclare's gathering. He volunteered to assist in the search. He's only a year or two older than you."

Elena tilted her head, studying Liam with curious eyes. "He looks... stoic." She stepped closer, her expression softening. "What's your name?"

Liam didn't respond, his gaze flickering briefly toward her before scanning the surrounding area.

"Hey," Vlar snapped. "Lady Elena asked you a question. Answer her."

"I'm sorry," Liam said calmly, his voice devoid of apology, "but I think we should leave—now. Something isn't right here."

Vlar gave Liam a sharp glare but quickly turned to Elena. "Lady Elena, we should return to the carriage immediately."

Elena, sensing the sudden shift in tone, nodded. "Fine. Lead the way."

As they began to walk away from the cliff, ready to descend the hill, Liam felt it—an abrupt, crushing weight in the air. The already oppressive atmosphere turned suffocating, drenched in a malicious, almost palpable presence.

Then came the voice.

"How dare you try to take our food away?"

The words dripped with malice, a guttural growl that reverberated through the night.

Vlar spun around, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword. "Who's there? Show yourself! Before I turne you into pieces!"

A cruel, mocking laugh echoed through the trees, chilling in its amusement.

"You? A mere breath of a human? Turn us to pieces?"

From atop a nearby boulder, a figure emerged, bathed in the silver glow of the moon. His crimson skin shimmered faintly, his grin wide and lined with needle-like teeth. His yellow eyes glowed with predatory hunger as he surveyed the three of them.

The older blood demon tilted his head, his voice smooth and venomous. "How fascinating."

'A demon? Here in the capital?' Vlar's mind raced as his instincts kicked in, and he unsheathed his sword in one swift motion.

"Lady Elena, stay behind me! Don't move!" he barked, his voice filled with urgency.

His grip on the sword tightened as his eyes darted around, taking in the unsettling grin of the older demon on the boulder. 'The others... I need to send the signal now!' But as Vlar raised his free hand to summon the flare, a sinister chuckle echoed from above.

The sound was low and guttural, dripping with malice.

Vlar and Liam both looked up. Perched on a thick branch of a nearby tree, the younger demon crouched like a predatory beast. His claws glistened wet with blood, which dripped steadily onto the ground. His maw was stained crimson, and his sharp teeth glinted in the moonlight.

"You humans never cease to amaze me," the demon sneered, his voice a blend of mockery and glee. "You want to put up a fight, yet your 'comrades' are all already dead. Even that poor old man with the horses—what was his name? Ah, yes, Paul."

The words struck like a hammer. Vlar's face turned pale as the demon's meaning sank in.

Paul? Dead?

"You… you monsters…" Vlar growled, his voice trembling with fury. Slowly, his expression hardened, and an emerald glow began to surround him. His myst flared, wild and unrestrained, as his anger surged. "How dare you touch my people… Paul… I swear on my life, I'll—"

But the words caught in his throat.

Vlar froze, his eyes wide and disbelieving. Blood spilled from his mouth, trailing down his chin as his strength faltered. His legs wavered, and he staggered. Slowly, he looked down at his body.

The sight was horrifying.

The left side of his abdomen was gone, torn away as though bitten by some massive beast. Flesh hung loosely from the gaping wound, and blood gushed freely, soaking his armor and the ground beneath him.

Vlar fell to his knees with a choked gasp, his sword slipping from his trembling hand. Blood pooled around him as his breathing slowed. Within moments, his body collapsed, lifeless, onto the forest floor.

Elena screamed, her hands flying to her mouth as she stumbled back.

The older demon stepped forward, wiping his bloody maw with his free hand. His left hand, glistening red and dripping, was evidence of the deadly strike that had ended Vlar's life.

"Food with a fighting spirit loses its flavor quickly," the older demon said with a cruel smile, his deep voice calm and cold. "It's better to deal with it swiftly."