Interesting. If Xaphan’s concubines were here for
Dagan, they’d know he wasn’t just any reaper but one
of Sutekh’s sons. Since they seemed to be oblivious of
that fact, Roxy figured they were here forher.But she
had no idea why.
With the fire genie’s attention diverted, Roxy saw
her chance. Hauling back, she punched her as hard as
she could in the throat. The grip on her ankle loosened.
Roxy pressed her advantage and summoned every
ounce of her preternatural strength and speed. Catching a fistful of Naamah’s long, black hair, she yanked
as hard as she could, then slammed her cupped palm
against an exposed ear. The resulting howl was more
rage than pain. Still, it was satisfying.
Roxy’s own yelp was exactly the opposite, as her
palm bubbled and blistered at the contact.
Heart pounding, chest heaving, she cradled her
freshly burned hand against her chest and scrambled
away. She made it three feet before Naamah slammed
her open palms against the ground. Flames arrowed
across the dry grass, then burst into a ring of fire.
Roxy spun right, left, her escape cut off by a wall
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of fire on all sides. She was trapped, the heat coming
at her from every angle.
Through the fire, she saw Dagan surge toward her.
One of the downed concubines threw her weight
against the side of his knee. There was a sharp crack.
Roxy winced. Classic football tackle; easiest way to
shred the ligaments. That had to hurt. He didn’t even
