A steady stream of people still flee from the palace
Good.
I will take away something more from Rholker. I will slowly bleed him dry until he begs me on his knees.
I take Abi’s and Melisa’s hands, pulling them forward.
“Let’s go. The trees are too close together for giants to walk through. We don’t have much time.”
“Wait. A few of them are pregnant, some are mourning, some are furious at life itself—I don’t know what they will think of the Enduares, but I…” Her voice cracks as we move through the trees. ”I had to get them out.”
I nod as I listen, but then the words run out, and they are waiting for me to respond.
Sucking in a deep breath, I say the words, “How many are there?”
“Thirty-six.”
“Bring them all. The Enduares are a good people; they will be safe. They will find a place to heal.”
The other women watch our progression, and I wave towards them, signaling our time to sneak off. They are silent as they all push forward.
The feeling in the air is as electric as the way before me parts. I dash forward, running ahead of the group. They follow behind as we hurry past sawmills. Past the graves of our people, the pitiful huts, and the latrines. We dodge through fields of budding trees until we reach the end gate.
My eyes widen in horror as I see a group of three giant warriors. They must’ve already heard us because they are waiting, swords drawn.
“What is this?” the one at the front calls. “Are these the ones that attacked the breeding pens?”
I step forward, out of the cover of the trees, knowing we can’t win. But damned if I won’t try.
I just hope the others aren’t all visible.
“You are mistaken. The doctor sent us into the woods to search for herbs,” I shout back. “There’s an outbreak of disease.”
One giant sneers, “Disgusting lying, bitches. Step back.”
I don’t move, but a gust of wind blows back the corner of my cloak, revealing my costume and naked legs.No, no, no.My entire body freezes.
“Wait,” the one pointing a sword at me says. Then he approaches.
My skin tingles.
I can feel him studying me, but my anxiety mounts due to the dozens of women behind me who are unarmed and unprotected. What are we against spears and axes?
What aretheyagainst your magic?
Ever since I arrived in Zlosa, I’ve burned Rholker severaltimes. I burned the man at the party. My consciousness fumbles with the string in my chest, trying to get a firm grip.
He reaches out his spear further, using its tip to part the cloak and revealing the white pixie costume. He steps back and curses.
“You belong to the king,” he sneers. “Men, kill the others. They’re trying to escape!”
“Over my dead body,” I shout, spreading my arms wide and pulling back the magical trigger.
One single note vibrates inside of me and the white-hot glow is instant. The magic stretches as far as possible, but it’s too hard for me to hold. It richoches back and causes waves of light. They ripple through me and out into the open air.
It’s like a falling star has exploded.
Just as the giant lunges toward me, something flies through the air lodges itself firmly through his neck. He topples over with a gurgle as I hop back and inspect the arrow.
