Sold AS The alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 71 : The Dead City

I could barely catch my breath as I realized the entire city was still here and clearly full of people and life.

There was something off about the way the lights had turned on.

I could see into the streets of the city but I couldn't see any actual people.

Sure, lights were coming on all over the place, but where were the people? Initially, I thought the lights meant there were people still here in Myrel.

But where were they? Why weren't they coming out of the buildings to see what was going on? Ashudder ran through me when an eerie thought occurred to me.

Were there people at all? Maybe these lights were just responding to my presence like motion-sensored lights that came on when someone walked in front of them.

Had we discovered a dead city that still reacted when someone showed up? For some reason, that creeped me out in a whole different way.

I kept staring up at the lights as they came on, and that was exactly how Abe found me, dragging Jared along behind him.

Jared was a little pale, but he wasn't screaming in pain anymore.

His power had been contained, though it seemed like he was weak.

I couldn't tell if he was conscious...

his eyes were closed and his breathing was heavy and labored.

I knelt down next to him and put my hand on his forehead.

He didn't have a fever but his skin felt a little cold and clammy.

What had happened to him in the cave? Why had he lost control like that? What had caused him all that pain? "Eliza, we have a problem,"

Abe said.

He stood over me and Jared, his shadow swallowing us as more lights came on behind him.

Slowly, I stood up and pointed to the city above us.

Abe turned around and tilted his head back, looking at the city above us.

I heard him gasp and a strange look crossed his face.

"Okay, we've got two problems..."

Jared shuddered and opened his eyes.

Panting, he jumped to his feet.

"Hey.It's alright, we got you," I said, touching his shoulder.

Jared's eyes whipped around wildly.

Those big, beautiful, captivating orbs were so restless and unsettled.

I rubbed his arm comfortingly and finally, his eyes settled on me.

"Eliza.What...what happened?" He creased his brow.

"Don't you remember what happened in the cave?" I arched my eyebrow.

Jared had really scared me.I hadn't gotten around to doing what the vision of Draven had told me to do to help him.But he seemed recovered now...except for not being able to remember.He shook his head.

"No."

He pointed to all the lights, tilting his head back.

"What's going on up there?"

How could he not remember? He'd been in so much pain, screaming bloody murder.Maybe it was better that he didn't remember.I followed Jared's finger and saw he was pointing to the terrace above our heads where there were shadowy figures moving around.

Were they ghosts? Were they just shadows? At this angle and in this light, it was hard to tell.

"As I was saying, we've got a few problems," Abe jumped in again.

l opened my mouth to reply.

Crunch.

Crunch.

around in the direction

shadows, a woman

like she was

toes peaked out under the hem

dark hair, it glowed ethereally,

was willing to

said, beckoning

whisper and yet firm enough to hear over the cascading waterfall nearby.I swallowed and stepped toward her,

what are you doing?"

to follow her," I pointed after

who she is or what she wants.We can't just follow

like

our heads here," Abe added, standing shoulder to shoulder

Great.

were both ganging up on

begged, widening

jaw tensed and he

was trying to be protective, but I couldn't let that interfere with every lead

This was important.

was doing this to

"Come, come, my children..."

woman spoke again, that same otherworldly voice prickling the hairs on the back

was something

before, but I

could protest more, I turned around and followed " the woman.The ledge we were on

but I wasn't going to take any chances, not until I knew more about her and

Abel walked

the tension coming off

were both on high

one of the roads

and carved

have taken hundreds of years to carve

passed,

didn't see anyone turning

the windows were covered and I couldn't see

really seen shadows on the terrace, or was that a figment of my ; imagination? We approached a large, well-lit building with a fountain out front : splashing sparkling water droplets in lovely

air filled

playing inside the building we approached,

I glanced

was the same

that

led us up a large, wide stone staircase into

a ballroom with cathedral

the largest

marble with a matching floor,

orchestra music thrummed and echoed off the

else in the room

shadows moved around

flew

legs and outstretched arms as the mist took form and

I realized they

turned to Jared

"They're ghosts..."

"Ghosts?"

asked, arching an

gurgle.I remembered how Abe hadn't been able to see

again or having some kind of waking dream? "We see

Abe assured.

is very beautiful

sighed, hanging my

and put a comforting hand on

know why it made me sad

know who they were or

my heart

was something tragically beautiful about ghosts dancing to an orchestra playing an

the woman who led us here turned to

of the ballroom, I could finally see

I took a half step

me, and there were other similarities between