I bled on the Ghertun king, coating his shoulder, as I got behind him, whirling him around so that we faced the guards, my arm wrapped around his neck.
Lozza screamed when I plunged my hand into his side, my claws curling deep into his flesh.
Shrieking cries rose from the Ghertun present in the great hall. There was a brief moment of panic, of fluttered movement, before the room seemed to still again. I backed up, walking to the throne so that I could see the whole room.
Lozza was already limp in my arms, his limbs heavy as I dragged him. His taloned feet scraped across the stone, an unpleasant grating sound.
“Wh-what did you do?” he rasped, the words sounding garbled.
“I made friends,” I hissed, flexing my claws deep in his side, making an anguished groan tumble from his lips.
The guards were frozen in the center of the throne room and I saw more had poured in at the entrance from the brief commotion. It told me everything I needed to know about Lozza’s army. That he might be right about having large numbers but that they were not trained. This never would have happened inDothikwith Dakkari warriors at theDothikkar’sside.
“Do you know whatenuwipis?” I asked him.
A garbled sound rose from Lozza’s throat and when I looked down at him, even though his limbs were limp, his eyes were panicked and rolling.
“The Killup are a good ally to have,” I told him. “Now that I have your undivided attention, let us make a bargain. Your cure for mine. Unless you wish to bleed out on your throne.”
The Ghertun in the great hall were beginning to get restless, an anger rising, palpable and strong after the shock had worn off. Because even though Lozza was no king, they still remained loyal to him. And I wasn’t so much of a fool as not to know that if they swarmed me, I would be dead. There were too many of them.
“Tell them to stand back or I will tear my claws from your flesh,” I rasped in his ear. “And you know what will happen when I do that.”
“We have survivedenuwipbefore,” Lozza rasped, his words slurred. “I will take my chances.Sebrissa!”
Vok.
My jaw tightened and I tore Lozza’s dull sword from his waist, tearing my claws from his body and throwing his limp form towards the throne, hearing his pained groan as he began to bleed out.
All at once the Ghertun in the room began to rush towards me. Most were unarmed but their numbers were great.
Closer and closer.
I growled, striking at the nearest male, slashing across his belly, and he fell. I switched my sword hand when Lozza’s blood made my grip slip, raking out with my claws, catching two Ghertun by surprise and cutting them. I hoped there was enoughenuwipunderneath my claws still to paralyze them, at least briefly.
My attacks only seemed to enrage the group of Ghertun more. All I heard was hissing and bones crunching as their legs propelled them closer.
One Ghertun launched at me. With a growl, I ducked, pivoted, and struck them down.
Then another came.
And another.
The wound in my chest seeped blood, pouring to my abdomen. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a figure launch at me. I turned, my sword raised, only to see it was a Ghertun child, its black eyes pinned on me, its lips pulled back into a snarl.
A child.
Horror filled me and I hesitated too long. I felt dozens of claws curl into my flesh, scrabbling, raking.
The mass of Ghertun hit me like a wall and an enraged bellow tore from my throat at the impact.
Nik, need to save her, need to get back to her, I thought, more blood dripping into my eyes, making them sting and blurring my vision.
The thought filled me with purpose—shefilled me with purpose—and my muscles strained and pulled as I held my ground against the dozens and dozens of Ghertun out for my blood. If they got me down, it would be the end. I needed to push them back, to keep my footing, no matter what happened.
Suddenly, a strange hum filled the room, one that made my skin tingle because it was familiar. Then there was a flash of blinding blue light, one that made the Ghertun screech.
In the light, I saw the hall had been flooded with Ghertun, more than I could ever take on by myself. Dark squirming bodies that had begun to race towards me before the light had stopped them all in their tracks.
