The risks out-weighed the benefits.
“I'm not going anywhere with you,” I hissed at the traitor standing before me.
“Is that your final answer?”
Every cell in my body was soaked in adrenaline. I tried to tap into my magic, the task difficult under this much pressure. It was likely that the two of them had their shields up, but I was hopeful that I could break through at least one of them and get out of this without having to pull my dagger.
“Yes,” I grunted.
“Very well.” Lucan nodded at Calvin, who forced me to my feet by my neck.
Before I could react to the change of position, Calvin dropped his hand to my side, and my body recoiled at a stabbing pain, piercing between my ribs.
The knife cut deep, its lethal tip teasing my heart. There was a release of pressure as he pulled the blade out and my blood began to spill.
My eyes squeezed shut in agony, but no noise escaped my lips. I would not falter and show them any weakness.
“You may be the strongest in the empire with your gift, but even the power of a constellastone isn't invincible against magic suppressant,” Calvin whispered before releasing his hold on me.
The knife dropped to the floor with a clang, and my eyes darted to it, noting the deep green liquid of the toxin that dripped from the blade.
“Fuck,” I cursed. Within seconds, burning heat coursed into my blood, the sting sending every nerve in my body into overdrive.
My palms caught me when I fell back to the ground, fresh blood spurting from the hole in my arm as I removed the only thing holding it in.
I moaned in agony as the toxin circulated within me, and swore I could feel my magic disintegrating with each passing moment. Despite Calvin’s claim, I held my breath, biting back the pain of the suppressant and trying to summon my power.
It wasn't there. Not a shred of it.
There was no other option—I would have to fight my way out of this.
I released my breath and let the sting of the poison flow back in. I gave myself a moment to adjust to the pain, then used every ounce of my strength to block it out, needing to fight the ache just long enough to get out of here.
I pushed myself to my feet with my weak, paling limb, while using my good arm to reach for my thigh. My fingers locked around the hilt of my dagger, and before anyone could react, I spun on my heel, swinging my blade through the air and slicing through Calvin’s shirt. I curved my wrist sharply, gouging a chunk of flesh out of his bicep.
He cursed, and while preoccupied with pain, I swung at him again. This time I tore through his stomach, slicing through his navel deeper than intended. Layers of muscle snapped apart, yellow, fatty flesh peeking through the hole in his shirt.
Calvin growled as he stumbled back, clutching his abdomen. Plasma poured from him in an aggressive eruption, and if it weren't for his healing magic, he would have bled out within a minute.
My hand lubricated with my own blood as I clutched my side, putting pointless pressure on the hole between my ribs. The bleeding was thick and heavy, seeping right through the gaps of my fingers.
I was going to bleed dry either way, so didn't bother continuing to apply pressure. I dropped my hand and, while Calvin worked vigorously to heal the damage I’d done, put my attention on Lucan.
The king's poor excuse of an advisor didn't waste any time. I hadn't even taken a step towards him before he used his emerald magic to send vines twisting around my arms.
The creeping plant squeezed me so tightly that it forced my wrist open, and my dagger fell from my clutch. Lucan kicked it away and my eyes watched in panic as my only shot at saving myself slid across the floor.
Shit. And to think I really thought I was becoming skilled in combat.
Lucan then aimed his earth magic towards my legs, constricting my thighs with leafy green ropes. I tried to take a step forward, but he tightened his reins and I plummeted to the ground.
I narrowly avoided hitting my face, but Calvin—who was quicker at healing himself than I'd expected—came up behind me, slamming my head into the cement.
The bones in my face cracked against the cement as Calvin pressed his knee onto my back, holding me to the ground.
My ribcage was crushed by the force of the impact. The air escaped from my lungs, and the agony from the toxin was replaced by something much worse as I struggled to breathe.
Calvin jerked his leg back and forth, dragging my face across the rough stone. I screamed as my skin ripped, tearingin multiple spots, though I was no longer coherent enough to know where.
