The bushes rustled violently, the small leaves shaking and trembling, a few weak ones landing gently on the muddy ground. Eleanor and the prince waited with bated breaths and anxious, anticipatory gazes. Their senses were alert and ready to react quickly and appropriately in the face of any kind of danger.
Will's mind raced at a million miles per second as he felt his protective instincts enhance at the thought of any danger approaching towards them. Towards Eleanor. He would not let any harm befall her, especially not in his presence.
Before either of them moved they saw movements behind the bushes and figures started emerging through the green shrubs. One, two, three...-six.
Six burly figures with ugly faces adorning sinister smiles and eyes reflecting their cruel intentions walked out into the field and in front of the duo.
Will's steely iron orbs grew sharp and deadly, his stance defensive as he caught Eleanor's elbow and gently, but firmly pulled her behind him. He underestimated him and his men. For these men to accurately guess his whereabouts to this extent meant only one thing- there was a mole beside him. There was a traitor within his group of trusted individuals that he had handpicked himself. And he had a fair idea of who it could be. That person's trial period is now over because he decided he did not value his life anymore by making the decision of betraying the demon prince. He dared to act against the formidable force that is Prince Will. Even if he cries tears of blood and vomits all his guts out begging for mercy it will not be enough to grant him a quick death. He chose to befriend the wrong side, and he will pay dearly for it.
But, first Will had to take care of these six goons. All of them were taller than the prince and more buff than him. Seeing the masked man alone with a girl they grew over-confident and cheerful for an easy and sure victory. Unfortunately for them, the masked prince did not consider them worthy enough to be his opponents in a fight. He knew they were no match for him who was trained in various forms of martial arts since he was a child. He has fought and defeated opponents who were much better than these six goons. His only concern was the girl behind him. He did not want her to get hurt at all. If even a scratch is inflicted upon her then a storm is sure to hit the skies and drown that person. The prince will make sure that the person never gets to see the light of the day again.
They did not know that. Their employer did not know that.
Eleanor had gone silent at the arrival of the gorilla-like men. She thought they were thugs, though she had never encountered or heard about one being in this forest before.
Six ruffians now stood in front of her, however. She was scared. Not for herself, but for the guy who shielded her with his tall form and wide shoulders. She knew there would be a fight in which she couldn't participate. The poor girl was only mediocre in sports, her weakest subject. Though she sometimes did enjoy a few action movies, Eleanor had never been one for violence. One, because she was a healer. It wasn't in her to injure or hurt someone physically. Second, because she believed and was an expert in verbal fights. Any debate competition that she decided to ever participate in was always won by her. She could fight on either sides of the argument and ensure her victory with her confident words and irrefutable facts. She could make others agree with her, however wrong she might be. Even if her argument was for the weak side, she never backed down and unceasingly fought with charm and viciousness.
Sound of an evil chuckle travelled far and wide in the forest. One goon standing in the middle smirked wickedly and walked forward leading his group to close the distance.
"Do you see that fine piece of meat, my brothers? What a nice reward, isn't she? I call the dibs on her. After I am done you can share her." His nasally and rough voice jeered making Eleanor cringe and tighten her hold on the fabric of Will's clothes that she had in the clutch of her thin hands.
The other five goons laughed at the words of their leader, agreeing with him cheerfully. They all had their eyes set on the fair beauty that was a rare find from where they came from. Their sinful gazes became lidded and foggy with desire.
"Sure boss! But do let us watch. She looks undefiled. You'll certainly enjoy ruining her!" Their tones held a foreign accent that she did not recognize. But, Eleanor did not care for that. She felt their lecherous gazes and heard their disgusting words. She felt like she was standing naked before them. Tears pooled in her eyes and she felt so weak at that moment. She couldn't help but despise herself for being so weak. She had never felt so useless and helpless before.
Will's eyes narrowed and his hands tightened into fists when those words fell on his ears. It seems those goons were dense, for they failed to receive the meaning of the death glare that could have sent them twelve feet under the ground, had such a feat been possible. But the killing intent and scary aura that radiated off of the man did not go unnoticed by Eleanor. And she did not fear it, instead felt comfortable. It made her feel safe and secure, like no harm could ever befall her. She believed in him- a decision from her conscience without her consent, but she didn't refute.
"Sorry man, but blame yourself for your bad luck. You offended the wrong people." The same ruffian from before spoke up as he eyed his prey.
The rest agreed condescendingly with their yellow, rotting teeth in wide display. Their eager expressions mimicked hyenas waiting for their meal.
Will smirked coldly beneath his mask. So they did not even know about him? Seems they were not told. Wisely so. His ruthless reputation precedes him amongst the likes of them.
Not wasting time any further, the men attacked. Not altogether for they enjoyed playing with their prey. However, they failed to see they were not the real predators, nor were they on the winning side of the fight.
Will remained in his position, aloof and uncaring as two of the goons came closer. Lightly he tugged Eleanor's hands to let go of his back. She hesitated but consented. Although she did not want to send him to battle all alone she knew she would be nothing but a liability for him.
"Move back," he told her in a whisper. Eleanor did her eyes on his back. There was no visible fear or anxiety in his form. She removed her gaze and turned it on her surroundings to try and find a weapon.
'Ahha!'
She found a thick log of wood near her and picked it up in a hurry. It wasn't good enough to make them unconscious but it could cause them to become dazed enough for Will to land a hit. She embraced herself and returned her sights to check on the situation. She was not prepared for what she saw.
Three of the men were lying on the ground, unconscious. Three were engaged in a battle of fists with one man whose dark locks flew freely in a ponytail, the cap of his hoodie not covering his head anymore. How long did it take her to pick that stick?
She came out of her stupor when she saw one goon flying off and hit a tree beside her. She felt nothing as she stared at his motionless body. Should she pity him? Absolutely not.
She felt stunned when she saw how quickly and smoothly he fought. Will's movements were precise and strong sending his opponent flying or making them fall in just a few attacks.
Eleanor didn't know why, but to her it felt as if he was holding back. Playing with the goons when he could have finished them long ago.
Suddenly she felt a presence behind her. A stubby, hairy hand came from behind and wrapped itself around her throat. As if a pail of ice cold water had been poured on her, Eleanor felt shivers down her skin, goosebumps rising on her arms and tremors shaking her legs when she saw the knife placed near her throat. It was so close that one millimeter of movement could cause it to slice her throat like a piece of ham.
If there are six people in the front of her then where did this seventh person come from?