Page 205 of Savage Throne
Then I vomited black liquid.
Thank God. Get out of me.
Yet, the sound in the crowd carried through the night like a relentless storm, crashing and rebounding off the stone walls of the arena.
I heard Aunt Suzi’s voice rise. “Out of my way! Lei needs us! Leo is almost down!”
Her voice was followed by a scuffle—a series of sharp, irregular thuds as if someone had been thrown against the wooden seats. The screech of metal scraping against stone sent a shiver down my spine, followed by the distinctive sound of something heavy falling, the impact reverberating through the arena like a muffled explosion.
Who’s fighting?
The crowd added to the madness. Their voices an erratic symphony of gasps, curses, and cheers. Some were undoubtedly spectators caught in the crossfire, their panicked cries mingling with the aggressive shouts of those determined to fight their way down.
Ignoring the throbbing pain in my side and the fire still burning through my veins, I forced myself to stand.
My legs shook beneath me and for a moment, I thought they'd give way.
Not yet. Not yet.
My vision was still a bit blurry but I could see better.
Where is the sword?
Uncle Song roared from the crowd. “Get back, Min! You cannot help!”
The sharp clang of steel against steel followed his command.
Aunt Suzi’s voice cut through again. “You think you can keep me from my nephew? I’ll kill you myself!”
I spotted the sword and stumbled forward.
More black liquid spilled from my mouth.
Right as I dove for it, a sword slashed at my back.
“Arrhh!” I fell to the ground.
Me father laughed. “Where are you going, son?”
Someone shouted. “Hold her back! Hold her back!”
I rolled over and braced myself just as he lunged at me with Soaring Precious raised high above his head.
No!
I barely had time to react but my instincts kicked in. I managed to roll away just as the blade came crashing down, slicing the tiled ground where I'd just been.
The impact was so powerful, it sent fragments and dirt flying into the air.
Ignoring the pain that lanced through my body, I struggled to get back on my feet. My legs were still shaky and didn't want to hold my weight.
But I couldn't afford to stay down.
My father had Soaring Precious in the air, then something odd happened. Uncle Song yelled out and his voice was filled with horror. “LEO, WATCH OUT!”
What?
We both turned his way—my father and me.
