Untouchable by Marii Solaria

hapter 77 Choice

–

“You make choices that are good and sound, but the gods have other plans for you.” – Lisa See

Neron

un with

Oxygen forced itself into my lungs in a successful attempt to arouse me from unconsciousness. I woke up a startled gasp, along with the throbbing pain in the back of my head. My vision swirled with dark, indescribable colors as I rubbed the tender spot, aching for relief. Scrunching up my nose at the foul stench of death and blood assaulted my nostrils, the frigid air billowing around my form nipped at my naked flesh. It wasn’t natural to go from burning under the torrid sun to shivering under the ruthless cold.

The last thing I remembered was Lady Sanguine tackling me and falling backward into a shadowy mass that knocked me into oblivion. However, once my vision cleared, I took in the surroundings that had the power to make the strongest men quiver in the knees.

in a cell. A dirtied, fetid cell with rusted chains hanging from the walls with no windows for the sweet solace of the light. The air carried the essence of past prisoners, their haunting spirits wailing before falling into a deafening silence. Ghosts of the past were warning me to proceed with caution, for things aren’t what they seem here.

Lady Sanguine brought me here. This meant that I was far from my teammates and alone in an unknown place that could end up as my grave. I couldn’t ignore the heavy chills barreling down my spine as I rose on my feet, groaning at the tender back and muscle aches pulsating around me. The prison bars stood in front of me, posing as either my escape or my seal. Walking toward it, I grasped a bar simply to retract when audible sizzling echoed, my hand screaming in pain.

“Fuck!” I cursed, gripping my wrist. “Silver!” Lady Sanguine went the extra mile to ensure I wouldn’t get the chance to make an escape. The pain subsided after a minute, but my anger didn’t. She won’t keep me in here like a caged dog! I raised the hem of my shirt to my teeth and tore some fabric out to act as my shield for the

bars.

It isn’t much, but it’ll do.

Wrapping the torn fabric around the bars, I grasped it again and gave it a good shake. Clicking and clanking from the lock alerted me that the bars were unlocked this entire time. Part of me was elated, but the other

was suspicious. My eyes narrowed when I slid the bars open with ease, my heart picking up pace. One foot over the threshold and I’m out.

This was too easy. There is no way in hell Lady Sanguine would forget to lock the gates. I grew uneasy at the prospect of this becoming another trap. But trap or not, I need to find the woman in black.

“Be careful, Neron.”

Onyx warned. “Thone:

no telling what is lurking in the shadows.”

I slipped out of my prison into the echoing hallway, illuminated by flickering torches hanging on the walls. Prisons stood on either side of me, separated by a thick brick wall coated in muck and grime. The dark ambience added to the deathly mystery and darkness, obscuring its horrors in a haze of black. To think that Kiya was roaming these halls made me sick to my stomach.

Her bright and beautiful soul didn’t belong here.

175

Walking through the dungeon halls brought back repressed memories of when I’d go down to the prisons

pain of losing Mom and Nuria, Slams of the prison

reminded me of the monster I previously was. But what if

stayed. Because I needed to find Kiya

when I realized the blood belonged to people I knew well. Following the trail of spilled blood with hastened speed, I came across Ashley and Steven in two separate prison cells, bleeding. Their haggard breathing echoed with their pained wheezes as flood profusely seeped out of their large and plethoric wounds like crimson waterfalls into the pool steadily

were carved up

washed over her dark eyes as she sobbed.

the wall only to have her shake her head. “Don’t touch them! They’re made

asked, kneeling away from the pool of blood.

you?”

fell from her eyes. “My baby girl, S–She came here to “vent‘ out her frustrations and started cutting me up with her knife. She did the same to Steven. Goddess, his

torture marred on Ashley’s brown skin. Every cut, deep and superficial, told a story of how much fury Lady Sanguine harbored

for your life. K–Kiya has gone insane. She attacked our land, and this is what she did to us. There is no telling what she could do to you if she has the

eyes, frowning. “Are you telling me to

her body trembling in spontaneous pain. “Nothing we say will make her see reason. I’m her mother and I can’t reach her heart, and neither can her father. I don’t know

this.

hold that man has on her is absolute,

Chapter 77 Choice

should do? Because, from the looks of it, this hellhole will become our graves,

growled in the recesses of my mind, furious at the elder Beta. Neither of us believe we lost Kiya to the darkness because she isn’t lost. I saw her true self sprout with Nikolai and Lyra–she is fighting to get

She may

flinched. “Giving up on

you think.” Ashley fell into a fit of coughs once again, her breathing laboring. Fuck! Both she and Steven needed medical attention, but there is no way to get them the help they need. We’re trapped

need to

somewhat stained with her blood. “We’re connected through mind–link, remember? That is our only solace in this madness, Neron.” I nodded, scratching a to–do off the list. “When Kiya and Osiris brought us here, they took

Once this craziness settles and I get Kiya back, I’ll work on getting them the help they need. Werewolves are resilient, and I’m certain these

I walked down that path. My nostrils flared, desperatel to track his scent of cardamon and cinnamon. The prisons darkened significantly the further I ran down, the light of the torches snuffed out with only a wisp of smoke to commemorate its memory. Shadows lurking in the corners watched me with heavy eyes, tracking my every move. After about a minute

his blood billowed out of a grand, solid prison door with a miniature window peeking into the interior. There were torches inside his cell, flickering like a lightbulb but illuminating his face enough to expose his unhealed injuries and clothes stained with blood.

The s

Once his eyes found mine, his pale blues widened with shock as

his breathing hoarse. He looked worse for wear, perhaps in worse shape than Steven and Ashley. They had guts and gashes, but Dad had literal chunks of his flesh torn

doesn’t matter. I’m here to get

out of here, son!” Dad shouted with the miniscule strength

my head knocked

3/5

Chapter 3) – Chrice

door slam behind me. The scent of honeyed strawberries and vanilla, instead of lulling me into peace, burned my nose. It was no longer sweet, clear that Kiya had changed. Mixed in her scent was the

prison cell as clacking of heels resounded next to me. It made my

turned to my right to see Lady Sanguine leaning against the wall by the hip with her knife in one hand and a

eyes.

to the one you both