Page 200 of Savage Throne
Every miscalculation deadly.
I hoisted myself onto the next branch.
The bark bit into my palms. The faint scent of blossoms mingled with the coppery tang of blood and the earthy musk of the ancient tree.
My lungs burned from the climb but I didn’t stop.
I couldn’t stop.
Not until this was finished.
A dead crow tumbled past me, its wings limp and lifeless eyes reflecting the pale light of the moon.
My father’s laughter echoed above.
I looked up.
He was higher now, perched on a thicker branch that jutted out over the arena. From his vantage point, he could look down on the chaos below—the crowd, the bloodied ground, and me, clawing my way toward him. He had small wounds on his face as if a few crows had gotten him good before dying.
He grinned down at me. “Hello, son. How are you doing?”
You fucking piece-of-shit pyscho!
“I never thought you would follow me here. You’re persistent, I’ll give you that, son.” He laughed and killed a crow that tried to slam its beak into his arm. “But persistence won’t save you.”
I continued to climb up as he got to rest.
Granted, the crows kept him reasonably busy.
Once I got close enough to him, I rose and planted my feet firmly on the branch.
Fuck.
It was a battle in itself to keep my branch steady.
How the hell am I going to get him out of here?
Keeping perfect balance, he swung at a crow and the blade sliced through the air.
The bird shrieked.
But in that moment, I saw a crack in his rhythm.
Got you.
I surged forward, leaping onto a branch just below him. The wood cracked under the impact but I didn’t pause.
Two more crows charged his way.
Good. Keep him busy.
He tried to keep his attention on me and stop those crows from slamming their beaks into his face.
I pushed off the branch, propelling myself upward in a burst of motion. Soaring Precious gleamed in the faint light as I swung, aiming for his exposed side.
He twisted at the last second, narrowly avoiding the strike.
Our blades collided.
