I lurched forward – but I was already too late.
The Fachan ran at Athair, his enormous sword high above his head. Despite his injuries, he sprinted with such speed that his movements were a blur. He feinted to his right, drawing Athair’s magic in that direction then swung to his left, his blade slicing far lower than expected. He pierced the flesh of Athair’s calf with such force that he exposed the bone.
Athair’s scream of pain was high-pitched. He spun towards his opponent and stretched out his weaponless hand. It connected with the Fachan’s flat stomach, and for a moment the fighting seemed to stop.
I couldn’t see what had happened. The Fachan’s back was to me and Athair was angled so that all I could glimpse was his arm reaching forward, but I heard the noise that Hugo made and saw his face turn grey.
Athair stepped back, blood still gushing from his leg wound and spilling onto the cave floor. That was when I saw exactly what he was holding: the Fachan’s intestines. Bile rose into my mouth and my knees felt weak. Athair had used his bare hand to claw open the Fachan’s stomach and yank out what lay inside.
A groan escaped the Fachan’s lips. In slow motion, his long fingers unfurled their grip on the hilt of his sword and it fell with a loud clatter that echoed around the cavern. That action alone answered my question. The Fachan would never allow his sword to drop, not unless the fight was over.
Athair laughed with genuine amusement and pulled harder, his fingers tangling with the bloody innards. The Fachan fell to his knees, his yellow eyeball wide and unblinking. ‘Uhhhhhh,’ he groaned.
Athair raised a bloodied hand and cupped his ear. ‘What was that?’
‘Uhhhhh.’
I gave a strangled cry. ‘Stop it!’
Athair’s lips tightened. He let go of the bloody mess and glared at me. ‘How about a little sympathy?’ he yelled. He gestured to his leg. ‘I’m injured here!’
The Fachan’s hands went to his belly and clung on to what remained inside him. I rushed forward just as he fell back and landed face up. His eyes were glazing over. ‘Hang on,’ I said desperately. ‘Just hang on. We’ll get you some help.’
Hugo had already ripped off his T-shirt and was by my side, pressing the fabric across the Fachan’s wound. It was immediately soaked with blood.
‘Stay,’ I begged the Fachan. ‘Fight. It’ll be okay. You can still heal.’
Athair laughed again. ‘No, he can’t.’ Sickeningly, I knew he was right.
The Fachan smiled up at me. There was no fear in his expression; in fact, I’d have described his face as peaceful. His cracked lips moved and I leaned in to listen. ‘Pathetic,’ he whispered. And then the light faded from his single eyeball and his body went limp.
He was dead.
Pain and horror stabbed at my chest and my eyes grew blurry with tears.No. Oh no.
Athair tutted. ‘Finally! I do not understand why so many creatures take so long to die. It’s impolite. He lost the fight – he should have displayed more honour and died with the speed and silence my victory deserved.’
The moment his words penetrated my grief and shock, cold fury ripped through me. I leapt to my feet and threw myself at him. There was no thought behind my actions, no plan. I simply wanted to kill him.
He was prepared for me. He thrust out his hand, slamming it into the centre of my chest and sending me flying. I landed on my back with a painful thud. Hester and Otis cried out andzipped towards me, while Hugo growled and conjured up a blast of white-hot fire magic.
Athair blocked it with nonchalant ease then grabbed Hugo by the throat, hauled him up until his feet left the ground and started to squeeze. My anger was immediately replaced by yet another surge of terrified horror.
I pushed myself up to a standing position. ‘Stop!’
Athair only increased the pressure on Hugo’s throat.
I snatched up Gladys and raised her high, preparing to slice down on Athair’s outstretched arm. He didn’t even look at me as he blasted a jet of air magic that forced my sword from my hand. ‘Stand back, daughter,’ he said, ‘or I will kill this one too.’
Hugo’s face had turned a nasty shade of purple and his blue eyes were bulging. I hissed. Hating myself for my lack of skill and strength, I stepped back. Athair loosened his grip slightly but he didn’t let go of Hugo’s throat.
‘You told me that you wouldn’t kill anyone for forty days,’ I spat.
Athair tilted his head. ‘So I did.’ He considered this for a moment. ‘It appears I lied.’ He grinned. ‘But it’s all your fault. You provoked me. I have shown you nothing but patience and restraint. Do not forget, daughter, that I have been waiting for you for thirty years. I can only wait for so long.’
‘Says the fucking fiend who’s all-but immortal,’ I snarled.
In response, Athair tightened his fingers around Hugo’s neck again. ‘It is time that you learned to show some respect for your elders. Speak to me like that again and the one-eyed cave dweller will not be the only death you cause. I have bent over backwards for you, shown kindness, been generous. In short,’ he said, almost sadly, ‘I have not been a good parent. Spare the rod and spoil the child.’ He shook his head. ‘I only have myself to blame.’
