"I …" Katelyn stuttered before taking a deep breath. "They threatened me. They told me that if I helped them ... with the Sages ... they wouldn't hurt you."
"They? You ... betrayed us? You ... sold out Alina, who trusted you ... loved you?" Jason said back quietly with arched eyebrows, his voice dangerously low.
All around him figures in black surrounded him. Some were armed private forces, with enough ordinance that would put the best militaries in the world to shame. Others were dressed more archaically while wielding cold weapons such as swords. Jason, without moving a muscle, eyed them ferally. Every person that felt his gaze shuddered; it felt like a dangerous predator was eyeing them.
"Please, they're only here to keep you from reaching the mansion," Katelyn said pleadingly, her emotions torn in two. Her love for Jason made her betray the people who treated her like family and this hurt her. She felt like she was ripping a limb from her body, but it was better than losing Jason, better than losing her heart. "They won't hurt you if you just leave with me."
"Sorry, but that's not the plan anymore," a rich man, dressed impeccably in a suit, and was clearly the leader, stepped forward from amongst the masses. Jason looked at him apathetically. He had recognized him.
"What do you mean, Christopher?" Katelyn looked at him with a sinking heart.
"What I mean is: you're a naive, stupid, bitch," Christopher answered with a sneer while Katelyn paled. "You really think we'd let that bastard go after he ruined my plans? After he slaughtered my people? That's right, fucking slut, I only lied to you so you'd lure him here. But don't worry, I'll keep my word. The Sages will soon follow him to hell. But not you, I have ... plans for you."
"Jason - I" Katelyn looked at Jason guiltily but Jason ignored her and looked at Christopher.
"Before you start killing me, indulge me for a moment. Have you ever heard of Air Embolism?" Jason asked Christopher in a casual voice. He made it seem like they were two old friends conversing, it was as though he was unaware of the danger, of the armed men, surrounding him. "It's when a bubble of air travels to your heart or brain and causes a stroke or such. Just goes to show how, hmm, fragile the human body is. Just. Like … this."
As Jason spoke the last word, he snapped his finger. For a moment nothing happened and Christopher sneered. He was about to reply when he heard noises behind him; all of his men, including the Practitioners, collapsed while clutching their chests or heads. A chill passed through his body as he turned to look at Jason who smiled back at him coldly.
"Oops," Jason said mockingly with a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Didn't see that coming, now, did you?"
"Jason-"
"SHUT UP!" Jason bellowed at Katelyn, who jumped back in fear. This was the first time he yelled and the ferocious air around him frightened her.
"I'll deal with you in a moment," Jason spoke quietly, his voice seeping through to her in a low growl. He turned to look at Christopher and smiled while taking a step forward. "You first, Christie."
Christopher pulled his handgun out and aimed at Jason. He was using both hands to steady the gun. "D-d-don't come any c-c-closer!"
Jason stopped and looked at Christopher who was stuttering in fear with shaking hands and rolled his eyes.
"Christie, remember, all the way back when ... what did I say about pointing guns at me?" Jason asked slowly.
A second later a blade of compressed air fell from the sky and cleanly cut both of Christopher's hands. The latter gazed at the stumps where his hands once were with blank eyes; he couldn't understand what happened.
"I. Hate. Guns. Pointed. At. Me," Jason said quietly, enunciating every word slowly.
Katelyn raised a hand to her mouth in shock. She knew Jason was strong but he never revealed his full powers to her. To her, killing a small army of mercenaries and Practitioners was unbelievable. Regret filled her heart as she realized that he was never in danger and that her action of betraying the Sages' was absolutely ludicrous.
"Now then, let's try a new trick, shall we?" Jason used telekinesis to pull the screaming Christopher towards him. "But first, some silence, please."
Jason stuck his hand into Christopher's mouth and grabbed his tongue. With a yank, he tore the latter's tongue out, silencing him permanently.
"There. That's better," Jason said as blood gushed out of Christopher's mouth while he tossed the torn tongue behind him. "And now ... open sesame."
As Jason spoke, he placed both hands at the side of Christopher's head and released an electrical flow that connected both their minds. The electrical current damaged Christopher's brain but travelled to Jason's body without harming Jason while allowing him to read Christopher's thoughts. Soon he grimaced and stopped the connection.
Right now, Christopher was spasming nonstop while red foam leaked from his mouth. His eyes were rolled back and he was gurgling nonsense laced with foamy blood.
"I see. I wondered what gave you the courage to stand up to the Sages. I should've known he was involved," Jason muttered before turning to Katelyn. "And, somehow, you realized that he was behind it all, didn't you? You realized that Alina's father wanted her dead. Wanted them both dead, huh, Katelyn?"
Katelyn didn't respond and stared at Jason sadly. She knew what she did was unforgivable but still, her heart bled when she saw his gaze; she could barely recognize the man in front of her, who was now refusing to call her Katie endearingly.
"So instead of coming to me, or Diana, you … you just switched sides? Just … gave up on Alina?" As Jason spoke through gritted teeth, his hands that were gripping Christopher's head tightened slowly and deliberately. The latter, though brain-dead, struggled as Jason slowly applied pressure on his head, deliberately crushing it in a slow manner. "You joined the winning side because you thought that Diana and Alina were doomed? You sided with this filth-"
The sound of a watermelon shattering sounded out as blood and brain matter splashed all over Jason's body and face; Jason had crushed Christopher's head with his bare hands.
"- and gave the enemy a way to kill everyone I hold dear?" Jason finished calmly while blood and chunks of white matter dripped down his chin.
"I-I only wanted -"
"SHE'S MY SISTER, MY SISTER! YOUR FRIEND! SHE LOVED YOU LIKE FAMILY! AND YOU SOLD HER OUT!" Jason shouted in rage and Katelyn flinched with guilt. Gathering his breath, Jason paused and shook his head in disgust. "And for what? Me? Did you think you meant more to me than her?"
Katelyn shook visibly as her face blanched, the blood leaving her head when she heard him.
"Let me tell you what you are, Katelyn. To me, you're nothing. A conquest, a game … a ... fucktoy for me to play around with. You are nothing to me. You mean nothing to me. Nothing. Nothing at all."
As Katelyn's mind reeled from Jason's word, she failed to detect the pain that passed through his eyes as he repeated the word 'nothing' continuously; it was as though he was trying to convince himself. True, Jason regretted his words as soon as they came out, but he didn't take them back. His anger, pain, and stubborn pride forced him to stride on, despite what he truly felt.
As Katelyn collapsed to the ground, Jason turned to walk away. "If I see you near Alina again, I swear, I will drug and throw you ... into a brothel. Don't you ever appear in front of me again."
After walking away and once he was out of her sight, Jason stopped and stabilized himself by leaning on a tree. He closed his teary eyes and took a few deep breaths. While he tried to calm himself, the sounds of a struggle reached his ear; clearly, reinforcements of Christopher's had arrived and captured Katelyn, who was the lone survivor at the scene. Jason considered turning back and rescuing her. He understood that her capture meant her death, but he hardened his heart; he needed to rescue Alina and her mother, and that was his top priority.