“Stop!”Iran over to the scope.TheGoldenArmywas pushingAvlynback again. “Raula, move it right, no, the other right.”Shedid asIordered, andIsaw the beam of sunlight cut across the buildings above the enemy.
“Shit, we need to go a little lower.”IheardKaleosgroan as he shifted the mirror again, but the beam moved down, and the full power of the noon sun hit the soldiers’ faces.Isaw them stagger.
“Wehave to sweep it.”Therewere more groans, butKaleosandRaulamoved the mirror back and forth.Thegolden soldiers would throw their hands up, trying to prevent themselves frombeing blinded, and then stagger when the light was moved away.Itwasn’t much, but it was enough.
IsawAvlynlead the charge of soldiers forward and press their advantage.Soon, they had the golden soldiers on the defense, and more of them fell until they were overwhelmed.
Astrong hand came down on my shoulder. “Prettyclever,dijurk.”
“Whatdoes that mean?”
Shelaughed, “Akind translation would be, ‘one who is studious.’”
“Andis it meant to be a kind translation?”
Shesmiled, exposing her tusks fully.Itwas mildly terrifying. “Today, it certainly is.”
“Weneed to get you to safety, my lady,”Kaleossaid.
Iignored him, looking through the telescope again. “Itlooks like everyone is gathering in the castle and mist district.Weneed to head there.”
“Mylady, we were given specific orders to—”
Iclicked my fingers andSpinnerscrambled up behind him, giving an adorably ferocious hiss.Theman blanched.
“Gods,Idon’t know whyIeven bother,” he groaned.
Raulalaughed and slapped his back. “Let’sget going,Lieutenant.”
Chapter 39
Abraxas
Myfae heart pounded, and my lungs burned asToriandIsprinted through the city’s streets and alleys,Toriat my side.Itwas like we had fought together for centuries, our movements so in sync.Oursubconsciouses connected through the bond, and we moved as one.Noone could stand in our way.Wecut down soldier after soldier, fighting our way through the city to the garden district.
Itwas so similar to howIhad run withAvlynthrough the streets five hundred years ago thatIcould almost laugh at the irony.Thistime,Ihad my mate at my side, and instead of being filled with despair and dread, hope clung to my heart.
Steelstruck against steel.Icleaved my great sword through foe after foe asTorisplit her blade into two parts and danced with a speed unmatched by any of my finest warriors.Emeraldgreen dragonfire flowed between us, scorching obstacles or men outside our swords’ reach.
Weencountered small groups of soldiers that were separated from their cohorts and a few battered citizens.Wheneverwe found one of our people, we sent them off towards the mistdistrict.Notmany were still alive, and the flames of anger licked at my heart.
Werounded a corner to the main street running down the market district.Alarge homeIknew well was surrounded by a dozen enemy soldiers trying to ram down the door.Itwas obvious civilians had barricaded themselves inside.Nowords needed to be spoken betweenToriand me as we descended upon them.
Dragonfire, viridian and incendiary claimed half of them.Theirscreams rent the air, butTorididn’t hesitate to strike down one right after the other.Ifollowed close behind.Soon, the entire host lay shattered at our feet.Tori’sbrow was drenched with sweat.Sheused the back of her hand to wipe her hair off her face, but it only managed to leave a streak of blood behind.I’dnever seen anything more beautiful.
“It’sgetting harder to call the mana.Ihave used too much calling on your dragonfire.Ifwe’re not careful, there won’t be enough if you have to shift again.”Inodded at her.Ihadn’t used this much magic in centuries.Sheplaced her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.
“Luckily, someoneIknow took down theDragonKingwith her swords alone.”
Shelooked up and gave me a flirtatious smile. “Iheard his skills in swordsmanship have been exaggerated, anyway.”Shewinked at me, andIsnarled, ready to show her exactly whatIcould do.Therewas a crash behind the locked manor doors.Thesound was like being drenched in cold water.
“Thisis your king.Wemust evacuate to the mist district.Comeout now and we can escort you.”Voicessounded behind the heavy front doors.Iheard crashing from the level above, and a face looked down at me from a window.
“It’sreally him!Openthe doors.”Theface disappeared.Groaningsounded from behind the entrance as theoccupants moved whatever they had used to barricade the doors.Theminutes seemed to drag on, andTorikept spinning around, watching the streets for our enemy.Despitethe distant sounds of fighting, the market district was now eerily silent.Dead.
Finally, the door opened, andLordNaluxstood before us, sweeping into a deep bow. “YourMajesty, we thought…”Heshook his head. “Igathered as many asIcould when the army breached the walls, butIdon’t think we could have held much longer.Thankyou.”
Ilooked over his shoulder and saw dozens of people from all races gathered in his foyer.Iclamped a hand on his shoulder. “Youalways were a good man,Nalux.ItisIwho must thank you.”
