She looked predatory now, her movements fast and calculated. “You dare restrain me.” The voices poured out of her as she yanked her forearm up, the chains on her arms immediately cracking open. She slammed herself back, sitting all the way up despite the guards actively trying to hold her down.
She lifted her head towards the sky, light bursting from her chest. A gust of wind blew Taryn’s curls as the roof of the wagon blew off completely. She was up in a matter of seconds, grabbing a guard’s armored shoulder before throwing him against the back of the wagon, bars denting from impact. A handprint glowed where she touched him, his armor completely melted through.
Yelling had erupted from in and outside the caravan. She—and all the voices coming out of her—laughed. Taryn had no other choice but to watch in horror as another burst of light emanated from her body. The caravan exploded into a thousand wooden splinters.
Taryn was temporarily blinded as he flew through the air and hit the ground. He blinked, regaining his sight, and realized all his chains had been blasted off… besides the one connecting his ankle to the female.Of course.
Airess stood six feet away with her back towards him. Four guards already lay dead on the ground around them, their faces and bodies burnt beyond recognition. She gripped the male who struck her by the neck with her fist and slammed him down. The male began to scream, but his cries were in vain. Airess’ Magick was so hot, his neck disintegrated into nothing, leaving the male decapitated and lifeless.
Taryn watched her, a wild grin on his face. Perhaps he should be afraid, but he couldn’t help feeling enthralled with her power.
He sensed an attack from behind. He grabbed a blade lying on the ground and met his opponent, a guard younger and obviously not as skilled meeting his blade. Their blades clashed, but even Taryn knew he outskilled this young Elven male. A flash of guilt thrummed through Taryn as he thrust his blade into the neck of his opponent.
Taryn ripped the sword out. Blood splattered as he turned, ready for another opponent, but the screams had faded into an eerie silence. He looked around, every guard killed, their bodies mutilated.
He dared to face Airess, turning slowly, his eyes meeting hers. She looked like a vision of murder, crimson blood staining her face, neck, and clothes. She heaved for breath as she took a step towards him. Taryn backed away, eyes wide at what she might do to him, but her eyes softened, all that ancient rage slipping away.
She reached an arm out to him, as if she was reaching for him,pleadingto him. Her hair faded back to white, her eyes back to normal. That golden aura dissipated.
She fell to her knees as her eyes rolled back into her head. Taryn was already moving, catching her fall so her head wouldn’t slam onto the ground. Her face was void of any light. Any emotion. His heart beat rapidly as he looked around for more guards, but he found none living.
Around them lay shards of blasted wood, the metal bars from the caravan lay half melted against the forest floor, the metal still so hot it was glowing orange. The smell of burnt flesh infiltrated his nostrils.
He looked down at her face as he held her, that raging power now void, leaving only her Elven humanity behind. He could see it even as she was unconscious. Despite whatever power she wielded, she was scared and alone. He blinked.
What thehelljust happened?
Andwhatwas he going to do now?
He stared down at her beautiful face. He could take her to the Guild right now, turn her in as requested and bedonewith this. But could he do it, after witnessing and hearing everything they both just went through?
A decision was to be made, and he didn’t know what he was going to do.
All he knew was that he held a mysterious female in his arms. Everyone around them was dead, and if he didn’t move soon, more of them would be on the way.
Godssave me,he thought as he put one arm under the back of her legs and lifted her up, carrying her bridal-style. Her body was limp, arms splayed out, head hanging back. The chains connecting their ankles clanked in response to the movement.
Taryn cradled her head towards his shoulder as he began to sprint as fast as his body would allow away from the massacre. For the first time, he had no plan. No resources beyond his elemental abilities.
Yet, here he was, fleeing with the power of the Gods within his arms, only the sheer determination to live guiding his way.
Chapter 10
And when the God of Gods reigned down after The Division,
the entire universe shuddered.
— The book of Tevye
The Vulture
The Vulture knelt down next to the scattered debris. Splintered wood and half melted steel bars lay all around them. What the hell had happened? The smell of burnt flesh was pungent. Fresh. Whatever had occurred, it had only been a few hours ago.
The Vulture stalked over to one of the bodies lying on the ground. The head was severed from the body.Interesting.The Vulture picked up the head by the hair, inspecting the neck.
“Allow me—” one of The Vulture’s sworn attendants started, walking forward to retrieve the head. The Vulture raised their free hand, stopping him. The attendant stopped mid-step and gulped. The Vulture could feel the fear radiating off the attendant in waves, but they sure as hell didn’t need anyone to coddle them. The Vulture would be a ruthless leader, any fear of gore and death absent. They would show their subjects true strength.
“This head was severed by heat, not a blade,” The Vulture muttered to themself. Could the girl really be that powerful, even now? Even under Luciena’s barrier?
