AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Khaaan!" she shouted. Blood was pouring from a wound on her head, her hand pressed tight to a slash on her bicep.
"What happened?" he demanded, racing to her. "Who did this?"
"The Pharoah is dead," Kemes gasped. "Khan, I found out and was leaving the training grounds when Sekmet soldiers ambushed us. The Medjai were trying to fight them off, and I barely escaped."
Khan went as gray as Kemes. "Fuck. Sit down so we can bind that wound."
"I'll get something. Keep pressure on it," Fen said, racing to her room for a clean linen towel. She tore it into shreds and hurried to Kemes. She was sitting on a chair, braced against Khan.
"Okay, let me look," Fen said. Kemes moved her hand, and blood rushed out of the wound. Fen moved quickly, dragging her finger through the blood and sketching healing runes. Magic pushed itself free, racing from Fen to Kemes. The warrior groaned, but the bleeding slowed enough for Fen to wrap the bandages tight around the wound.
"I need to find Kash," Kemes moaned, trying to stand. Khan pushed her back down.
"No. You need to stay here. Kash will return," he said. An explosion rocked the palace, making the bookshelves shake. Fen and Khan raced to the balcony. Beneath them, the courtyard was flooded with soldiers wearing House Sekhmet's armor.
"Khan, we need to get out of this room. They are here to kill you," Fen said, gripping his arm and pulling him away. He looked too stunned like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
The doors to the chamber were busted in, and three Sekhmet soldiers appeared.
"Khan Ankh-Muranu, we have been commanded to take you to the Pharaoh at once for judgment," he said, his voice distorted from the helm.
"The Pharaoh is dead. He's not making any commands," Khan snarled.
"Princess Hasina Ankh-Kasmut has been declared as the successor. Now, you will come willingly."
"The fuck he will," Kemes snarled. She pulled her sword free and tossed it to Fen.
"The Pharaoh did not say you needed to be alive," the soldier replied, lowering his lance.
Fen stood between Khan and the warriors. "I killed two cats and a chimera in the arena. You really think you three assholes are going to be a challenge?"
They didn't get a chance to reply as a roar shook the chambers, and Kashmet charged in behind them. His sword sliced through one soldier's back before being driven into the side of the man beside him. The third soldier turned in alarm, and Fen knocked his spear down and drove her sword into his chest.
"Y-You took your time," Kemes snarled. Her brother's fierce, blood-soaked face glared down at her.
"I was busy. Sekhmet soldiers were burning the serving girl's house by the time I got there. Fuckers attacked me on sight. I've been trying to get back." Kashmet spat blood on the floor. He grabbed Khan by the shoulder and gave him a hard shake. "Khan, get your fucking head on straight. We need to use the backup plan before more soldiers get here."
Khan's shock seemed to wear off. "Get Kemes. We leave at once. Fen, follow us."
Kashmet picked his sister up and tossed her over his broad shoulder. She swore loudly and foully at him. "Quit your bitching. Pain means you're still alive," he snapped.
Shouting and heavy feet came from the halls as more soldiers entered the chambers.
Khan opened the doors to his rooms, and they hurried after him. He went to a room filled with clothing and pushed a set of shelves out of the way to reveal a small stone chamber. Two tall statues of Inanna stood in the room, her wings touching to form a doorway.
Fen's blood roared in her ears, her adrenaline spiking as loud voices got closer. Khan went to the statues and pressed the glyphs carved into the goddess's arms. Magic surged through the air. The figures lit up like an invisible hand was carving runes with lightning along their curved bodies.
"They are here!" a voice shouted.
Fen turned to see a soldier aim his bow at Khan. She didn't think. She leaped. Hot fire struck her back and side as arrows pierced her.
Khan caught her with a cry of alarm. His eyes flashed, and he thrust a hand out at the archer with a roar of fury. Fen saw the moment the magic hit. The archer exploded against the wall in a rain of blood and flesh.
"We need to go, Khan!" Kashmet shouted. He slapped a hand over the last glyph.
"I have you, Fen. You're going to be alright," Khan said, lifting her up in his arms. "Just keep breathing."
The statues crackled with magic, and the palace went dark as all the power raced toward them. The space between the sculptures filled with golden light. Kashmet didn't hesitate but charged right through them.
