From what I’d seen, her blood, tears, and magic called to the bastards. The latter seemed safest. “Try your magic. Start small. See what happens.”
Serafina rubbed her hands, glancing at the ground around her. “I’ll give it a try. Hopefully, this works better than it did in the training arena.”
Whatdidhappen in that training session? I wouldn’t put it past Alaric to do something desperate, even harming Serafina to get his cure. At the thought, my inner fire crackled.
Serafina knelt in the barren soil, setting her palms into the earth, then closed her eyes. “I feel…” She burrowed deeper into the dirt. “There’s something here. Life under the soil, reaching for me. Maybe if I can reach back…”
Warm golden light surrounded her hands. Green sprouts poked through the dirt, forming a carpeted circle.
“Holy flames. She’s doing it.” Drazen barked a laugh.
The sprouts surged higher, thickening into stems, shiny leaves unfurling. Serafina’s forehead furrowed, sweat slicking her brow. Her hands glowed brighter as the buds formed bright red flowers. Their delicate scent mixed with Serafina’s essence, filling the air with a delectable fragrance that had my dragon stirring.
Finally, she slumped back on her heels, panting. She openedher eyes then grinned, pride evident. “Do you think anyone heard me?”
She had every reason to be proud. It was the first time I’d seen her wield her gift with purpose. I smiled in return. “Guess we’ll find out soon e—”
Serafina’s scream pierced my heart. From the soil, grizzled hands erupted, seizing her arms and legs. The flowers blackened, shriveling as the stench of rot and decay drowned out their sweetness.
“Flark. They look like ghouls!” She thrashed against their grip, knees sinking into the soil.
“That’s good, easier to control. Don’t let them bite you.” I dropped beside her, locking my arms around her torso and heaving back. “Drazen, Kronk, get a hold of those bastards and yank them out.”
“Got it.” Kronk seized one of the hands gripping her limbs, pried its fingers open, and yanked.
Bone cracked, skin split, and the decayed appendage tore free. Minus its owner. Black goo oozed from the ragged stump. A high-pitched screech rattled the earth. The soil rippled, one of Serafina’s attackers sinking back into the ground.
“Kronk,” Drazen barked at his brother. “You damn fool. We need the whole thing. How do you expect a single hand to lead us through the tunnels?”
“It could still crawl on its fingertips,” Kronk grunted.
“Somebody better do something before I’m the one dismembered,” Serafina shouted.
Wrapped around Serafina’s forearm were a pair of hands. Grimy rings glittered on the ghoul’s fingers.
“Grab the one in front,” I barked.
“On it.” Drazen crouched, grabbing the creature’s wrists.
“Its grip is tightening,” Serafina cried.
“Hold on.” Flames flickered at Drazen’s fingertips, andanother high-pitched screech rang out. Sera tumbled on top of me, and I scrambled back, dragging her to safety.
“Don’t pull,” Kronk ordered his brother, setting his palms against the ground. “I’ll push it out.”
The earth around the bejeweled creature vibrated. Inch at a time, more of the creature’s body emerged, Kronk using his control over stone and earth to bring it to the surface. At last, a filthy figure in a ruffled dress sprawled on the dirt.
Drazen wrestled with its grasping hands. Lank hair hung in clumps around its face. Dirt clung to its pale skin, its once fine clothing ragged.
“You,” the creature snarled.
“Quick, get the rope,” Drazen shouted.
Serafina and I rushed to our feet. From my pack, I extracted a coil of rope, bound its legs and torso, then yanked tight, leaving the end in my fist like a leash.
The ghoul peered at us, face screwed up against the light of the sun. “Burns,” it hissed.
“No. It can’t be.” Serafina gasped, covering her mouth. “It’s Lady Penelope.”
