HUNTED-Chapter 321: Imprisonment (1)

[ Unknown Location: Travelled via portal ]

Standing on a precipice that would alter their lives forever, Gabriel watched as Einar, his warlock friend, spoke some mumbo jumbo, hand raised above a spring in a cave. The rock formations and the direction of the sun hitting the water through a slight hole above made this spring apparently radiate with hidden natural magical powers.

Something about the light at the right time when the walls emitted a certain degree of power.

He didn’t know the specifics because he didn’t listen to the warlock. The last forty-eight hours were a blur, and he had to keep his emotions in check so as not to have a vampire resistance take the hierarchy down and attempt to assassinate Esme while dealing with his brother.

Gabriel stared at this magical pool of green and blue, unexpectedly clear, revealing how infinitely deep it was. His features were icy and stoic, mouth set in a grim line as he heard his brother wriggle in the binds of the magic wrapped around him. The Vampire King turned to Cassius, an unspoken depth of meaning in his crystal blue eyes halted his twin from struggling.

If he did not cooperate, Gabriel would kill him.

There would be no hesitation this time. Cassius had always been slightly unhinged, never suppressing his urges for blood lust and power. But he’d always been the life of parties. Now he was leaving this world in ruins, the creatures exposed to the humans. Gabriel knew what to do next, but he was not going to follow his brother’s tyrannical plans.

The water began to glow, shooting golden light across the cave walls, interrupting shadows with the water’s reflection. Gabriel watched the spring as a black metal spiral staircase appeared under the surface leading all the way to where the water darkened, revealing nothing else of its depths or where it led. But the vampire held no questions as to where this staircase went.

"You should think about staying there for a while," Einar said as he stepped away from the pool, flicking his long black locks away from his shoulders that fell down his back.

"So, you can try and swoop in on Es? I don’t think so," Gabriel grumbled as he grabbed Cassius’ shirt by the collar, twisting it in his fist and started towards the pool. His brother cursed as he shuffled forwards. His legs were bound, but there was just enough room for him to move his feet a few inches.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

Einar faced Gabriel squarely, his two coloured eyes set on him in amusement. "Do you think she will so easily be swayed by looks?" He cocked a brow. "Or has she been dissatisfied with you? I personally do not mind wining and dining with her."

Gabriel glared at the arrogant warlock as he tossed Cassius into the water and took a step towards Einar. The warlock rolled his eyes and held his hands up mockingly. "So scary! I suggested staying so you won’t need to gift me another penthouse the next time you need a portal." Einar patted Gabriel’s shoulder. "You’re a God. Re-learn your powers.

But hey, why listen to me? I don’t mind accepting favours from Esme in return."

Einar was right. Gabriel should be able to create a portal to the underworld, like how he used to travel. But it was so long ago, and a lot had happened in that time; he was more ’vampire’ than a god. He barely remembers being cast onto earth, let alone leaving it. Still, he didn’t like Einar’s comment, especially when it involved Esme.

Gabriel grabbed his hand, snarling at his comment and narrowed his eyes. "No more favours," he ground out.

Einar wiggled his eyebrows. "That will depend on you, princeling." The warlock slipped out of his hold and clicked his fingers, disappearing before Gabriel’s eyes. The vampire returned his gaze to Cassius, who was barely afloat in the water. Not that it mattered.

Gabriel dipped in after him, taking the stairs, holding onto the rail and holding onto his brother’s arm, so he didn’t float away or sink or swim. He didn’t know what might happen if he released him in this portal. He might even die. It was a portal to the underworld, after all.

The water, like the lake water, didn’t affect either of them. The water felt heavy and uncomfortable in their lungs, but besides that, it was more of a nuisance. The more they stepped deeper into the darkening abyss, the heavier they felt until the last step slipped away, and the twins were sucked downwards.

Stars whizzed by, forming together like blurred white lights. Gabriel’s ears rang and popped as they were thrown from one side to the other, twirled and somersaulted until up felt down. His body was pulled inside out until they were spat out on their asses and landed on a pier. Their suits were not wet, nor was their hair.

Cassius was no longer bound, but he did not move and sat up frozen and wide-eyed at their surroundings. The barren, dead land of the underworld they once called their home surrounded them. With trees growing black like charcoal, their limbs hanging over them, almost reaching for them with non-existent leaves and the usual cries of souls were heard from a distance.

Unlike the dry, cracked land with heated embers beneath, snow always fell from the sky, never solidifying on the ground. The palace made of slate stood tall and mighty across from them, the large gilded doors already open, waiting, expectant of their arrival.

Cassius was the first to stand and brush down his clothes. His usual smirk and haughty attitude had dropped. He’d never been so quiet before, even in front of their father. Did seeing the land they grew up in make his brother think again about his deeds? He looked almost guilty.

But what was he guilty of exactly?

"There was no ferryman," Cassius finally spoke, his voice light, but his eyes were flat and hard, not expressing any emotion.

Gabriel played with his cufflinks as he replied, "that is because we are not dead. We are princes of the underworld. Hades would not have us arrive like others."

"Hades.." Cassius trailed off. "I wonder how mother is."

"Did you not think of her in all this time? When you were making such plans?" Gabriel snapped, thinking about their beloved mother and her warm, soft smile, so unlike the King of the underworld.

"She was not there," Cassius replied nonchalantly with a shrug making Gabriel clench his teeth together and then play with his fangs, piercing into his tongue at his irritation. "Cerberus!"

Gabriel spun around after hearing the ground thunder and shake. Their three-headed guard dog, who protected the land, stopped in front of them. All three heads with wide eyes, tongues out, tails wagging. Cerberus knew it was too big now to tackle them to the ground and so only lowered its heads, waiting to be petted. Cassius jumped into them, cuddling them, squeezing tightly.

Cerberus whined like they knew Cassius was not there to visit and play with them.

"Must I wait much longer for my insolent sons to come inside?" The ground shook from the thunderous voice of their father. The ground beneath their feet started to crack and break apart from the vibrations. Their dog instantly lowered their ears, lowering their heads like they’d been scolded.

Gabriel looked to Cassius, his face impassive though his chest tightened and itched. He gestured for his brother to go in first and started to follow behind him. Each step became heavier and heavier, but this was the best cause of action for his brother.

He’d spent long and hard watching Cassius at the castle; his men started to rip apart. Cassius was still his brother. No matter the deeds he had done, he was his brother. Death was not optional. It was not a punishment for creatures like them.

Cassius had no mate to return to and no fight to keep him from wanting to live. His cause had been buried swiftly. His tyranny which hadn’t fortunately begun, was ripped away from him. Death was easy.

But it was not easy for Gabriel. That was why neither of them had killed the other. This, though, was a worse punishment. One he inflicted on himself.

Who else could Gabriel send his brother to than their father, the King of the Underworld?