Luckily, the hive is still focused on Cage. I’m ready if that changes.
I don’t know how long I run before Oliver reappears in a sudden blink of light. “I found it, me missus.”
I follow Ollie deeper into the forest, weaving through the trees and low hanging branches.
Between two fallen trunks, I spot it.
A massive Edax prowls slowly, coiling its limbs in its path toward Cage.
Once its tongue flicks the air, its head suddenly snaps in my direction.
I waste no time running straight for it. I raise one blade, arcing toward it just in time for its jaws to snap toward me.
The impact nearly knocks me off my feet. Its bite is far stronger than the others. I try to dig in, brace for impact—anything—but I’m thrown back.
My hands hit the ground to stop my fall, and dirt grinds into my palms.
The Edax rips the sword from my hands with teeth and tosses it aside. It’s already on the move again. It strikes out toward me with a shriek.
I stay low to the ground, forcing myself to wait until the last possible second.
When the Edax lunges again I push forward, the shield over me catching her fangs. Bone scrapes against the magical barrier. Her claws rake over it next, growing more frustrated as she tries to break through.
My magic-less weakness is no longer a whisper in my mind but a full scream as I depend on Ollie.
I slide under her belly, grit my teeth, and drive my second blade upward, aiming for her heart.
Black blood pours out in hot waves. The acrid stench fills the air, reminding me of the Crepitus Vox.
I clamp my mouth shut and hold my breath, unwilling to inhale whatever this is made of.
Planting my feet against her belly and kicking hard, I rip the blade free as I roll clear.
She lets out a piercing scream. My ears ring violently. Even when the sound fades, the deafening pain lingers.
Then I hear it.
Scampering paws thundering through the brush. Twigs snapping and leaves rustling straight toward me.
She called them.They’re coming.
I glance at the trees. They’re too close together for open combat. Plus, without my magic, I won’t survive long here.
I will not die here.I’m not finished yet. I have given everything and they have taken everything. I will get what I am owed.
I raise my blade again, aiming to take out the backs of her knees. I need her lower so I can hit her vitals or sever her head.
I manage to cripple one of her legs. She stumbles just as the first of her spawn crash through the trees.
Oliver reacts fast, trying to raise a shield around us to buy me some time.
Gods, she never stops biting.
I’m tired from fighting, from bleeding, from dodging relentless maw.
She lunges again and I kick her snout down and follow with my blade. I drive it into the side of her neck. She bucks back and shrieks, the force flinging me skyward.
Branches tear at my back as I crash through the canopy. My gown rips; my skin splits. Sharp fiery pain flares along every limb.
