The black swirling on his skin was spreading, now just below his knee.
“His leg needs to be amputated right above where the markings end,” I said quickly. I looked at Silas. “Do you want me to do it, or you?”
“Me,” he replied, unsheathing his sword.
Edmund was trembling. I never knew a human could hold so many tears.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” he panicked, shaking violently.
“Shh,” Elowen put both of her hands on the sides of his temples. “Look at me,” she whispered. Her hands began to glow a soft, white light, and Edmund’s breathing slowly began to stabilize.
He gazed at Elowen with wonder. “T-the pain, it’s…it’s gone,” he breathed. Elowen softly smiled at him.
Silas wielded his sword, a long onyx blade, its handle bejeweled with sapphires, and paused while staring at Edmund’s leg.
“Right above where the black stops,” I repeated.
“I’m so scared,” Edmund uttered to Elowen with an embarrassed laugh.
“You won’t feel a thing, I promise.” She dragged her thumb along his cheek. “Just keep your eyes on me.”
Silas took a deep breath, then swung his sword, a mix of red and black blood spilling out as Edmund’s leg was cut clean from the rest of his body.
Moving quickly, I lifted what was remaining of his leg, blood drenching me, and brought my hand just above the wound. I willed fire to emit from my palm and burned the opening until the bleeding ceased.
“Feel anything?” Elowen asked.
He shook his head and gave a soft smile. “No pain, anyway.”
Color stained both of their cheeks. It was…sweet. Though I’m positive no one else thought so.
I gently placed his leg back down. The metallic scent of his blood alone was going to make me sick, but the putrid stench of the cursed blood was on another level.
“His arm next,” I said to Silas as I steadied my breathing and inhaled through my mouth.
Don’t get sick.
He turned his attention back to Edmund, who Elowen helped lean down further until his arm was limp against the ground. Silas clenched his jaw, then swung again, the blade going through flesh and bone before his forearm was disconnected. I cauterized the wound quickly, finishing the job at last, but that sickening smell paired with all the gore was all it took for me to place his arm down, turn, and vomit. I felt Silas tense next to me, but he didn’t do anything.
When I finished, I wiped my mouth and stood. A chuckle came from Rurik. “Not such a badass if something that small makes you sick.”
I glared at him, an evil smirk spreading across my face.
“Funny you say that when I could have you dead on the ground in seconds.” My hand began to emit fire once more, and fear swept over Rurik’s face. I scoffed as I eyed the soldiers raising their weapons.
My eyes met Silas, who didn’t bother raising his sword. Somehow, he knew I wouldn’t hurt them. Perhaps because even if I did kill Rurik, I would have to fight off everyone else, and all it would take is a sword to one of my people’s necks for me to submit.
Not a good plan.
“I’m a woman of my word.” I tilted my chin upward, offering my wrists up.
Edmund spoke softly, Elowen’s palms still on the sides of his head as he said, “Thank you, Lena.”
I blinked, then gave him a nod and a small smile while Silas once again detained me.
“I didn’t know the Undead were real…just a myth. Where did they come from?” Elowen asked me shakily.
I bit the inside of my cheek in contemplation. “The real question is, who is their master?”
