Page 212 of Savage Throne
Leo snarled and swung again, narrowly missing the bird as it veered sharply to the side.
That’s right. Get him, crows!
I checked back to Lei.
He lay there crumpled on the ground, barely moving. The sight of him, so still, sent a wave of cold terror through me.
“Get up, baby!” I shivered. “Please, get up!”
The crows attacked again, one of them diving for Leo’s head. This time, he was ready. With a quick twist of his wrist, he slashed upward.
The blade caught the bird mid-flight.
Blood sprayed across the white bark, and the lifeless body tumbled down, landing with a sickening thud on the ground below.
The second crow screeched and backed off, circling above as if considering its next move.
Leo didn’t wait for it to strike again. He gripped the branch beneath him, using it as leverage to drop down to the next one.
He was almost on the ground now.
“P-please, Duck.” More tears spilled from my eyes. “He’s going to kill Lei.”
Duck’s voice broke through my haze of panic. “You can’t go out there.”
“He’s going to kill Lei and you’re just sitting here doing nothing!”
Chen’s voice cut in, low and tense. “Moni, listen to me. If you go out there, you’ll only make it worse. Lei needs to do this on his own.”
Duck widened his eyes. “Lei’s moving. Look. He’s getting up.”
We all turned back.
Lei was indeed trying to push himself up from the ground. His movements were slow, sluggish, but there was an undeniable determination in his eyes that was impossible to ignore.
He steadied himself with one arm, the other hanging limply at his side. It was apparent he was in pain but he didn't let it hinder him.
"Fight, Lei!" Duck roared. “Imperial Lament is six feet away!”
But then, Lei's body went limp, collapsing onto the ground with a heavy thud. His face contorted in pain.
“Oh, hell no! Let me go!” I fought harder against Chen and Duck. My nails clawed at Chen’s wrist, and I could feel the burn of their hands bruising my arms. “He’s going to kill him!”
“Stay here, Moni!” Chen growled. “You’ll only get yourself killed!”
With a speed that stole my breath, Banks turned around quick and launched himself at Duck.
What?!
Banks’s fist slammed into Duck’s chest like a battering ram. The force sent Duck stumbling back, and his grip on my arm loosened for a fraction of a second.
“What the hell?” Duck snarled and recovered but was still holding me.
Oh shit. Banks hit him again, so I can get free!
Chapter thirty-two
Against All Odds
