Chapter 96: Addams Wesley
The hall was on fire with celebration; the music burst in colored waves, joy resounding within each voice and laughter, mingling species part into an endless tide of enjoyment.
All night, Reika wore a glittering sea green gown, her laughter tinkling everywhere.
She had just Finished speaking with a cluster of vampire elders, she turned around and walked toward Ileus, who waited on the stairs.
"Come on," she whispered, offering a merry grin as her extended hand to him "It is about time the Alpha dances with his Luna."
Ileus faltered, still chewing a little on what troubled him in that darkest part of his brain, but looked again into Reika's eyes-she was the only source of light inside him. He took her hand, and they went towards the center of the hall.
The music shifted, a soft, melodic tune filling the air as the crowd parted to give the Alpha and his Luna space. Reika placed her hand on Ileus's shoulder, and he rested his hand on her waist, pulling her close.
"You're beautiful tonight," Ileus murmured, his voice low and filled with admiration.
Reika smiled, her cheeks flushing. "And you're as handsome as ever, my Alpha."
They swayed to the rhythm, movements in perfect sync. The world faded out, and nobody else existed but those two wrapped up in each other's arms. Worries of the night, the weird feeling of Addams Wesley-even the weight of leadership-melted to the background.
"Ileus," Reika whispered low as the music, "grateful you allowed me to set this up-for seeing your smile makes all this worth it."
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You've done more than I could have imagined, Reika. This night is perfect because of you."
But then that frozen snapshot moment overbalanced and engaged a higher gear-the energy of the hall detonated all at once.
It suddenly was the sharp crackling of magic, and a shining bolt hurtled towards them; Ileus knew not. In that flash of a second-so instinctive-the instinct overtook him, and he grabbed Reika, flinging her aside. It was there that the bolt hit, sending shards of marble flying.
The atmosphere surged into bedlam as guests of the dinner sought their cloisters, amid gasps and panic-stricken struggles. Ileus whipped to face Addams Wesley, still on his feet, his right hand glowing bright blue from raw magic energy at hand, his glare cold, calculating.
"Addams!" growled Ileus, weighted with command. "What is this, huh?"
Addams snarled, his hand rising once more. "You think to unite the world of the supernatural, Alpha? Your race is not good enough to wield that much power."
Yet another bolt of magic coursed to Ileus this time, but something inside stirred. He didn't know well what, something coursed down his veins, and instinctively, his hand rose. The barrier of glowing energy coming in touched and deflected the attack as it flew to Addams.
The hall went silent in shock.
"Alpha," voices whispered, their eyes widened in disbelief. "He has magic."
Addams didn't give any time to digest this loud and noisy charge at him; suddenly, he started boosting themselves on barrages against Ileus. The power of fighters exchanged right under his face within a flash of the multicolour light, an orchestra of shots, hard counter from oncoming-end.
The two fought fiercely, their combat overspilling the tables, scattering decorations. Ileus moved with a precision born of years of combat, his magic knitting well with his physical strength. But Addams fought like one who'd honed his abilities for centuries.
"Everyone, out!" Ileus bellowed between attacks, voice commanding. "Get them to safety!"
Kael and the rest pushed the other guests toward the doors. Reika hung back, her heart in her throat, to watch Ileus fight; but Kael clamped a firm hand on her shoulder.
"You have to go," he said. "He'll keep us safe."
Reika's chest constricted, but she nodded, letting herself be swept toward the edge of the hall.
The battle raged on, the room a blur of overturned tables and shattered glass. Ileus felt the strain of each attack, his body pushed to its limits. But he also felt something deeper—a connection to the magic coursing through him, ancient and untamed.
"Is that all you've got, Alpha?" Addams taunted, his voice laced with disdain.
Ileus didn't bother answering. He reached deep into the well of energy inside him, calling a wave of power that slammed Addams into the wall opposite him. The fae groaned, the tiniest trickle of blood oozing from a cut on his forehead as he worked his way to his feet.
"You underestimated me," Ileus said, voice even though exhaustion was beginning to seep in. "And that was your mistake."
With one final surge, Ileus slammed Addams to the floor, defeated beyond the capability of retaliating again. The great hall was quiet once more, save the heavy breathing of the Alpha.
In quick and sudden motions, Ileus's men had Addams well bound before dragging him toward the dungeons. Addams watched Ileus with a glare that spoke silent hatred as he was drug off-one that fell to none.
The final guests having shown themselves out and the hall finally beginning to empty of people, it seemed Ileus finally buckled to the pressure. Buckling at his knees, he sank to the floor.
"Alpha!" Reika shouted, running to his side.
Kael was by his side in a second, kneeling beside his friend. "He's out cold," he said. His voice came out grim. "We have to get him to the hospital, NOW!
Reika supported Ileus's head against her lap, crying, letting tears fall on his pale face. "Please," she whispered imploringly. "Don't leave me."
Kael was yelling orders now, at the remaining warriors to hurry them to lift Ileus from the floor and carry him from the great hall. Reika followed hard on their heels, fear and doubt weighing upon her heart like a stone.
The doors boomed shut behind them, and the party still stood in complete disarray. The sparkling hall then lay eerily silent, ghostlike, evidence of a battle that had passed.
Among streamers strewn upon the ground and pieces of glass stood one immediate reality: Tonight, the world has witnessed what it had not yet been prepared for-the other face of Alpha in full earnest. For what cost?