Page 41 of The Marked Princess

“There's someone up there!”

“Who are you?”

“Surrender now, we have you outnumbered.”

The figure remained motionless, the light from the staff growing brighter, so bright that the men were forced to turn their heads away. Josselyn's eyes closed against the glare, but they popped open wide when she heard a woman's voice whisper through her mind.

“Why have you not released your hellcat, Shendri?”

What? Who are you? And how are you in my head?

“All in good time, my dear. Right now you need to release Kella. Free yourself from these men.”

Kella? You mean the beast that came out in the forest and killed those men?

“Yes, you must let her out. Now.”

I tried, but nothing happened. I don't know how to call her.

“Is that so? Well, no matter, I can bring her out myself. Prepare yourself.”

The same voice that had just whispered through her mind now rang out for all to hear, loud and clear and strong. She spoke a series of words in a language Josselyn had never heard, each word landing with the power of a command in her chest. Heat stirred in her belly and pricked at her mark, building until she felt it pulling at her chest, painful, yes, but not nearly as much as the first time.

Shadows poured out of her, disappearing in the glare of the white light, until it dimmed, revealing a huge, black hellcat crouched on the ground as if ready to pounce. Shouts filled the air as the men saw the beast standing there, and they drew their swords as their horses danced around uneasily.

The beast ignored them, its glowing eyes focused on Conrad. There was a low growl, then a streak of black as it came flying through the air at them. The horse side-stepped, tossing its head nervously, but the beast flew past it, its large paws striking Conrad in the chest and pushing him off the horse onto the ground. Sinking its teeth into his flesh, it ripped out his throat before turning its predatory eyes on the other men.

One of them had taken out a bow, and was aiming an arrow at the beast's head. The cat just snarled, swatting the projectile out of the air as it prowled toward the archer. It stopped a few feet in front of him, planting itself between Josselyn's horse and the men. Opening its massive jaws, it growled, bearing its teeth and causing the horses to rear back and whinny in terror.

“She's a bloody witch!” One of the men turned his horse around, fleeing down the road toward Tallis. The others eyed the beast nervously before turning to follow him, apparently in agreement.

Josselyn's horse skittered to the side as the beast dissolved into shadows, flowing back into Josselyn's chest, and she felt herself starting to slip off its back.

“Easy, love. Noham ma lie.”

The cloaked figure from the barricade appeared beside the horse, reaching a hand out to stroke the side of its face. The horse stilled, pressing its face into the woman's hand. She turned toward Josselyn, pushing her hood back as she did.

Long, silvery white hair fell around her ebony face and her golden eyes danced as they met Josselyn's.

“Shall we get you down from there, then?”

She set her staff down before sliding Josselyn off the horse, her arms trembling under her weight. She lowered her to the ground and went to work removing the gag and bindings. She moved efficiently, rubbing Josselyn's wrists and ankles once they were free.

Clicking her tongue against her teeth, she stood, picking up her staff and holding a hand out to Josselyn, who'd been watching her in wary silence.

“Well, come on, then. Best not to linger too long. They may yet find their courage and come back, although I doubt it.” She chuckled. “More likely they're changing into fresh pants.” When Josselyn continued to stare up at her without response, she let out a sigh, placing her free hand on one of her hips. “Because they had the crap scared out of them, so they need fresh pants. It's a joke.”

Josselyn shook her head as she picked herself up off the ground. She flinched as pain shot up her legs, but otherwise remained wary.

“Who are you? Why are you helping me?”

The woman smiled as she reached out to touch Josseyn's cheek, tracing the bruises that were starting to blossom there and making a tskingnoise. “I'll need to make a poultice for those before they get any worse.” She dropped her hand and moved toward the woods. “Come along, now, Princess, my home is close by, and I'm afraid the answers you seek are far too lengthy to discuss out here in the open.” She paused, looking back over her shoulder, eyebrows raised in question. “Well? Are you coming, dear?”

Josselyn glanced around the dark road, at the barricade looming before her, and Conrad's bloody corpse splayed out on the ground. Her eyes caught on the horse, standing close by, as docile as could be.

“You could ride back to Tallis, of course, if that's what you wish, although you may run into those men along the way. I won't stop you.” The woman turned back toward the woods, her staff lighting up as she stepped into the shadow of the trees. “But if you want to learn about your beast, I'd suggest you come with me. The horse will find its way back home alright.”

Josselyn stood, torn with indecision, as the woman disappeared into the trees, only the faint flicker of light from her staff still visible from the road. She did save me from those men... and she called out the beast from inside me, when even I don't know how to do that...