Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 121924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
I buried the scythe into the biting bitch’s skull again and again. As she slid to her knees, I planted a boot into her chest and shoved her off the wall.
“Fuck,” cursed Bevan.
I looked to see that a lamiae had somehow managed to overpower him. He was flat on his back with her hovering over him, his sword inches from his bloodied and bitten hand.
Wicked fast, I swiped out with the scythe, beheading her.
Bevan scrambled backwards as the corpse collapsed to the stone floor of the battlement. Breathing hard, he looked up at me. His throat bobbing, he gave a curt nod of thanks and pushed to his feet.
Right then, I noticed that there were only two other lamiae on the battlements—both were being hacked into by officiates. Others from the Order were tossing ropes over the wall. Struggling to regulate my breathing, I flexed my hand around the handle of the scythe as I gazed down at the scene below. The battle was indeed over, thank the gods.
Bodies, burned and bloody and broken, littered the terrain. The majority were invaders, but some were sadly officiates—none of whom I knew personally, which made my chest flutter with relief. The latter were being healed by Delphiae officiates such as Layna and Jelani, so they might be injured as opposed to dead.
While many from the Tapestry were climbing up the ropes, others were walking around the battlefield, finishing off fallen foes by lopping off heads with axes or swords. The beasts that inhabited Deimos were hauling off some corpses either into the woods or under the water—probably to snack on later.
“So,” began Bevan, swiping his arm over his forehead, “is it only me wondering why the Sovereigns didn’t come out here to help?”
“No,” I replied. “I’m wondering the same thing.” Gently probing the bite on my face, I hissed through my teeth. Ow.
I had some claw marks here and there as well, and they were pulsing and stinging. I was more worried about the bite, since lamiae venom could inflict humans with the Red Thirst. But the ichor in my system should surely cancel it out.
I stood back as the officiates steadily scaled the wall. Some used the ropes while others accepted the aid of winged Phoenixians.
My attention went to Talon. My chest went tight at the many smears of blood covering him, along with the crimson splatters. There were also tears in his clothing and faint scrapes on his skin. The tightness in my chest loosened as I noted that he either had no real injuries or they had healed at preternatural speed.
Maybe he felt my eyes on him, because his gaze flew to mine. A gaze that gave me a fast once-over. His brow furrowed as he took in the bite and numerous scratches I sported.
Well, I didn’t like the wounds much either. Especially because I knew that, though the Delphiae could heal me and the other candidates, they wouldn’t unless the injury was fatal—it was a rule of Xalbia. It was supposed to encourage us to be cautious and learn to tend to our own injuries rather than rely on the skills of the Delphiae.
Talon prowled over, wholly focused on the bite on my face. Probably making sure the veins there weren’t darkening—it would be a sure sign that I was infected.
“I feel fine,” I told him. “No dizziness, no nausea, no other symptoms of infection.” Fingers crossed it stayed that way.
I picked up the bow and quiver from the floor, which was right when something caught my eye. I blinked, feeling my head slant as I straightened. “Is it just me, or is there a crack in the base of the Sovereigns’ fortress?”
Several people turned.
It was Ajax who replied. “No. No, it isn’t just you.” A cautious answer laced with surprise.
“What could have done that?” asked Bevan, taking the question right from my mouth.
Ajax exchanged a look with Talon, who appeared none the wiser.
It could have been one of the eagles, I supposed. They were huge enough to have caused a crack if they collided into the building. Though why they would have gone near the fortress, let alone bashed into it, I had no idea.
“Right,” Ajax called out, gaining everyone’s attention, “aside from those on sentry duty here, let’s get back to the garrison.”
Inwardly a little shaky from the battle, I spared one last look at the ominous crack before turning to follow the others back to the garrison.
Officiates and candidates alike gathered around, so I almost didn’t notice that the Sovereigns were furiously pacing in the center of the crowd near the courtyard.
“It’s good to see you’re okay, though that’s a nasty bite,” came a voice from my left.
Tracking it, I smiled at Khalida … until I got a good look at her arm. “Your one is worse,” I said, sidling up to her.