HPDBC Chapter 138 - CHAPTER 137 - Magic Circle.
Chapter 138 - CHAPTER 137 - Magic Circle.
Alex's footsteps faltered mid-stride as Sophie's panicked words echoed through their bond. His sharp eyes narrowed, and for a split second, his composed mask cracked, revealing a flicker of dread.
'What did you say?' he asked for confirmation.
[Z-Zahara... she fell for a trap!] Sophie repeated, panic still audible in her voice, making Alex clench his fists, his body tensed.
'Where is she?' He demanded, his mental voice steely.
[She was in your room. She triggered a magic circle. I-It was supposed to activate when the door was opened, I think. And... and she wasn't even aware of it—] Sophie's voice was laced with guilt and panic, an uncommon state for her; she didn't even know what she was saying, so Alex, gritting his teeth, cut her off.
'Sophie. Calm down,' he closed his eyes as he felt her silence and ordered, 'Tell me everything from the start.'
As Sophie began, Alex's feet moved. He turned to Vanessa, who was looking at him with a frown, and Alenia, who mirrored Vanessa's expression, "Mother, I might need both of your help."
That was all he said before moving forward. He didn't have time to waste, nor was he mentally stable. The only reason he was able to maintain a semblance of calm was because he knew he would get nothing if he didn't.
The only thing that entered his ears was the sound of his heels clicking against the furnished floor; everything other than that was dull.
He didn't even check whether Vanessa and Alenia were following behind or not, nor did he care about the other council members who were left frowning and shaken since Alex's expression right now was worse than the scariest expression they had seen on his face until now.
Mira, unlike others, had even stepped forward, only to be stopped by Vanessa. "Wait here," Vanessa ordered, her mind reeling as cold light flashed past her eyes.
Neither she nor Aleina knew what had happened, but as they spread their senses, they noticed something in the direction Alex was heading.
'Magic circle,' they thought, exchanging a serious look before they vanished from their spot, reappearing right behind Alex, who had already reached his room and was now staring at the magic circle.
There was dull white smoke rising from it, along with a slightly burnt smell. It was clear that the floor couldn't bear the weight of the magic circle, meaning it was a high-class magic circle.
'It was supposed to be me...' Alex clenched his fists, his mind racing. From what Sophie had told him, Zahara had tried to enter his room in order to surprise him, but...
[I-I am sorry... I shouldn't have been that relaxed—]
Sophie apologized again, as she blamed herself for Zahara's situation. She was the one who hid everything from Alex after all.
'Stop it.' But Alex's growl cut her off. 'Try to trace the caster, or find a way to activate the magic circle again—'
"It is a one-time teleportation circle." Alenia's words were heard breaking Alex out of his thoughts. She was observing the magic circles with a frown.
"Can it be used again?" Alex quickly asked, urgency clear in his voice. He had just now noticed the presence of Vanessa and Alenia.
"I... don't think so," Alenia answered, her tone a bit low as she saw Alex's urgent expression.
She turned to Vanessa, urging her to talk, as she couldn't be the bearer of all bad news.
That gaze made Vanessa grit her teeth, but she could understand how Alenia felt; even she could feel rage bubbling within her just by looking at how much her son was struggling.
His body kept trembling, his eyes