I must have passed close enough to the gate to lure Gisila in, because she jumped at me. “I take it back, Considine is my personal statement to those who meddle in my affairs. Your price will be your life—after all the irritation you’ve put me through you owe me a few minutes of entertainment before I collect on your life.” Gisila pulled a dagger from a pocket of her jacket and tried to stab me.
I sidestepped it with my superior speed, then slammed my elbow into her throat.
Gisila exhaled a little, but she didn’t move, and my elbow smarted as if I’d slammed it into a sandbag with a cement core.
It seems she is much more physically tough than even werewolves. That is…not good.
Gisila tried to stab me again, this time aiming for a slice across my abdomen.
I’d put myself way too close with my attempt to injure her throat, so I had to physically suck in my stomach as I raced backwards.
The tip of her dagger caught the belly of my uniform and ripped it, slicing off a button, but I’d managed to avoid any damage to my body.
Okay, so I can’t afford to attempt attacking her. Even though I could injure her with a dagger, getting that close to her is too dangerous, and I don’t have my gun to give me the kind of distance advantage I’d need. I must focus on speed and defense, then. Or escaping.
I kept my eyes on Gisila to mislead her, then made a run for the lobby.
I heard the whistle of a weapon and veered left, almost tripping on the gate.
The ungainly moment gave Gisila just enough time to catch up with me—once again grabbing me by the collar of my shirt and tossing me back into the loading station.
I hit with a grunt and another roll—more bruises. It seemed I was starting a collection.
“I can’t begin to guess why Considine Maledictus is so obsessed with you. You’re so fragile. Although your tenacity is almost enough to keep things interesting.” Gisila laughed—a sound that almost felt insane with its carefreeness considering the situation.
I kept rolling and used the momentum to boost myself to my feet.
She’s certainly chatty—gleefully so. Whatever her ‘birthright’ is, she badly wants it. If only she’d get a little bit sloppy with her joy…
The roar of an inferno alerted me to the incoming fireball.
I tried to dodge, but when I looked up to track the fire’s trajectory I realized I’d chosen the wrong direction.
I threw myself to the ground, and the fireball passed overhead.
Move—I’ve got to move! I’m a sitting duck here!
I rolled to the side and managed to hop to my feet, but before I could get my full balance Gisila rushed me. She grabbed me by the throat and threwme to the ground.
I had barely enough time to wrap my arms around my head to protect it before I was smashed into the floor. The impact felt like it crushed my lungs, and all air left my lungs in a gasp.
Standing over me, Gisila laughed. “It’s pathetically easy to beat you in these terms. It’s a shame I only recently learned about the oracle, or this could have been over when I used Orrin for the first attempt.”
Wait—the oracle has been around that long?The thought managed to manifest in my brain despite the overwhelming sensation of pain that wracked my body.
She scooped me up and casually tossed me, throwing me into a wall as if I were a rag doll.
Another wave of pain cascaded through my body. I could feel my healing abilities activating, but the hot, knifing pain was too overwhelming. I couldn’t make myself move—I could barely even comprehend just how much Ineededto move as the pain gnawed at me like a wild animal.
Did I break something?I’m not feeling nauseous, so I think I avoided a concussion…
I opened my eyes, but my vision was hazy with pain. I had stronger healing abilities as a slayer, but it took time to counter this kind of damage.
“I’d like to keep playing with you, but despite the prophecy I’m well aware that every moment puts me in a more precarious position.” Gisila strolled up to me. Her black boots were the only thing I could focus on until she crouched next to me, spinning a dagger between her fingers. “So I’ll have to end things here. You should have kept out of the affairs of dragons, Jade O’Neil.” She held the dagger over her head, and I tried to rally my body to move.
Hair stick. I can pull my hair sticks from my belt and jab her. Come on!
My muscles shook when I tried to move, but my body refused to exert itself.
