Aþaswereswere being thrown about like ragdolls as Xaydin took out his vengeance against them. It was so potent that she wasn’t even sure if she should join the fray. For someone so terribly outnumbered, he appeared jubilant.
Never had she seen anyone so happy in a fight.
Masakage was driving the group around him back with green magic fire.
Grabbing theaþaswerenearest her, she engaged him with her sword. He turned on her with a vengeance, and as he did so, his body elongated so that he towered over her. His wings expanded.
Big mistake. The one thing Gisela couldn’t stand was whenever someone tried to physically intimidate her. Too many years under her mother’s thumb had left her raw over such actions.
She wasn’t a little girl anymore. She was a battle-tested warrior in her own right.
Growling in her throat, she quickly turned into a stonewoman and knocked theaþaswereflying.
Those around her backed away. Her temper flaring, she headed toward the one that was still fighting Xaydin, intending to guard his back.
Just as she reached him, Xaydin turned around.
When their gazes met, she saw his surprise. Then amusement before he stepped around her to counter a sword strike.
Xaydin wanted to be angry. He really did. But the sight of Gisela filling the room all the way to the ceiling was laughable. She was a gigantic piece of rock. One that was impervious to theaþaswerearound them.
His first thought was that he wouldn’t have to worry about her, until one of theaþasweres launched a fierce fireball at her. It landed on her shoulder with such force that it knocked her off her feet and left a nasty burn in her rocky flesh.
Now, he was furious. “Hey, punk!” He returned the hit with his own fireball. Then another in quick succession.
Screeching, theaþaswerefell back and ran from the tavern. Several others followed after him.
Xaydin put himself between Gisela and the others, waiting to see what they were planning to do next.
Theaþaswerewho started it came forward. “We are not your prey any longer. And you are no longer welcome here. Take your friends and get out.”
Xaydin wanted to argue. But they were drastically outnumbered. While he had all confidence that he could take a large portion of them in a fight, he didn’t want to chance Masakage or Gisela in a drawn-out battle.
Alone, he might have continued.
But he would never risk anyone else.
His gaze went past theaþaswereto where Masakage stood near the door. His brother still had a glowing green ball in his palm while he eyed theaþaswerearound him as if debating which one he wanted to launch a fireball at next.
Xaydin bit back a smile at the defiant stance from the one person he could always count on. And he’d never allow Masakage to be hurt. Not if he could help it.
With a deep breath, Xaydin turned to theaþaswerein charge. “We’re going. But I’m not the only one who’ll be after your friend. King Dash wants a head, and I will deliver it to him. One way or another, I will clash with the demon. Either now or when the bastard goes for Dash.”
Theaþaswere’s gaze narrowed.
It didn’t faze Xaydin at all as he sheathed his sword.
Gisela returned to her human form. She had her left hand over her right shoulder where she’d been hit. Blood oozed between her fingers and for that alone, he wanted to finish this.
Finish them.
The fact they had made her bleed… He wanted to return the favor with interest.
But first he had to get them to safety.
Holding his hand out toward her, he waited for her to take it with her right one. Keeping his eyes on their enemies, he carefully led her from the tavern.
Still holding a green fireball, Masakage stepped in behind them, covering their exit to make sure none of their enemies went for their backs. It was unnerving to have that many pairs of eyes watching them. As an assassin, Gisela was used to working in the shadows and never standing out.
