“What?” the female said, slipping as she tried to stab down at Daisy.
“A movie. Lexi has odd taste.” Daisy hopped up and changed tactics. She didn’t have enough skill to go at it with just a knife. Time to try mindfuckery.
Her magical sword changed into a staff, and Daisy attacked, moving and swirling it to throw the female off track. She stabbed, parried, and launched herself at the female. The female tried to backpedal, but Daisy was on her, grabbing her shoulders while swinging herself around. She went for the eyes, missed, then hooked her fingers into the female’s cheeks and tried to rip and tear. It was hostile and weird and off-putting all at the same time. Often those with superior fighting skills didn’t do well with these rough-and-tumble tactics.
The female flailed, as though overcome. Daisy didn’t miss that her knife was perfectly positioned, though. She just couldn’t get out of the fucking way!
The blade sliced across Daisy’s forearm. She sucked in a pained breath and reached for the wrist. Another knife materialized in the female’s other hand and she slashed.
“Are you…a fucking…magician, or what?” Daisy twisted, grabbed around the female’s middle with her legs, and used her leverage. She spun around and down, ripping the female to the ground with force. Daisy landed first and rolled, reaching for her knife as she scrambled up. The female flipped, kicked her feet, and suddenly tackled Daisy to the ground.
How the fuck…?
“Release my magic,” the female whispered as she wrestled Daisy through the blood. “I need to speak with you.”
So shedidknow Daisy had cut out her magic, but she wasn’t confused or concerned. She didn’t ask how. Did she know what Daisy was?
No, that was impossible. She couldn’t.
Wary, unsettled, Daisy tried to cut the female’s side. Once again, she got air as the female rolled away.
“I need to speak with you,” she hissed as she grabbed Daisy’s hair and yanked her head back. She stuck the knife in Daisy’s thigh. “Please.”
Daisy cried out in pain, and for reasons she didn’t know and would never understand, she did as the female said. She released her magic, still continuing to grapple and half wanting to give up. This female was better than her, faster. She was a fucking wizard.
Never say die,Zorn’s voice echoed in her head.There is always a chance you may live.
In this case, there was a chance she’d be broken into a thousand little pieces.
When the time comes, you must not be greedy for the kill,the female said through Daisy’s mind. If she had any other magic, she didn’t use it.One must never let down one’s guard, even when the enemy is on the brink of death.
She slashed another part of Daisy’s body, not taking any damage of her own.
Wait…This female was saying Zorn’s words. His teachings. Did she shoplift those out of Daisy’s mind at another time? Why?
Tarian cannot help you,she said.Not will not…cannot. Youmust do this. Remember your resolve. You are the only one who can save him. Who can save them all.
They rolled around, slashing at each other. The female grabbed Daisy and forced her onto her back, laying her on the ground. The female’s eyes were right over hers, urgent.
You are the key. The only one who can do it.
Daisy’s dagger filled her hand, though she hadn’t grabbed for it. Her magical knife suddenly rested against her skin, magically strapped to her side under her garments. This female was arming her.
What the fuck was going on?
The female’s fingers wrapped around Daisy’s wrist, and she yanked. The dagger pierced her stomach. The female elicited a bloodcurdling scream before convulsing on top of Daisy. Not usually what a stomach wound would do.
Violence will set you free.
With that, the female died. She draped down over Daisy and lay still.
Daisy breathed heavily for a long moment as hot liquid spilled over her, trying to make sense of it all. Trying to understand why the female would urgently feed Zorn’s teachings back to her and then kill herself for the trouble.
Clapping pulled her focus away, and then rough hands were grabbing her. Pulling her. The dagger was ripped out of her palm as she was set on her feet. Large, clumsy hands pulled weapons out of the sheaths wrapped around her body and haphazardly patted her down to find any others. A palm touched the magical knife under her clothes but didn’t stop, continuing to search.
That done, the guard roughly grabbed her arm and yanked her toward the dais. She limped badly, the knife wound in her thigh screaming.
The king leaned against the arm of the throne. The other royals lounged, ready to be through with the evening.
