43. Tempest
43
TEMPEST
T he Liege in the cave had adored my blood, implying it gave him a boost of power. If he’d had enough, I suspected it would’ve healed him. These fiends weren’t injured, but they still craved whatever power they could suck from my body.
My swallow clawed its way down my dry throat, and I yanked against my ties as Delaine moved toward the mountain peak, remaining out of the Lieges’ way.
Something blue streaked from the woods, scurrying toward me, followed by another. More beasts eager to lick my blood?
“Get away.” Delaine rushed back down the slope, flicking her hands in their direction, but they kept coming.
Two marscapoles scurried closer. Passing me, they leaped, one landing on Delaine’s chest, another on her face. She shrieked and spun, trying to dislodge them. As much as I’d love to watch them fight her, I remained staked out for the Lieges who didn’t appear deterred by the fluffy blue creatures attacking Delaine.
They floated closer, their arms lifting, and I expected their hoods would fly back from the wind as they descended around me to drink.
A pop, and Iasar appeared above me. He blasted fire toward the Lieges, but while they paused, milling around together, they didn’t burn, though I had no idea why. He kept shooting flames at them, however, and that held them at bay.
“I’m calling in that favor, troll,” I bellowed.
The ground shook and spun beside my right hip, and the troll I’d released in the hall popped his head above the opening he’d just spun through the ledge.
“Ye need help-ee from Cristalon?” he asked.
“Fuck, yeah.” My hysterical laughter bubbled up my throat, making me croak.
“Fuck, yeah,” he mimicked. He drew the rest of his body out of the ground along with a hammer with a head the size of my fist. He scurried along my right arm and with one blow, broke through the chains binding me to the stone. In no time, he’d freed me, and while I leaped to my feet and drew a dagger, savoring the feel of it in my hand, he scampered back into the hole in the ground.
“Favor done. Fuck, yeah,” he said as he slipped away, the hole closing behind him.
While Delaine was distracted, wailing as the marscapoles gouged her flesh with their claws and fangs, I staggered toward her, tightening my grip on my blade.
I didn’t hesitate, because giving this bitch even one instant would allow her to freeze me again. Iasar could only hold off the Lieges for so long.
Blood streamed from my limbs, and my wretched left leg could barely support my weight, but I could hobble. Gritting my teeth, I pushed myself to reach her.
The marscapoles flung themselves off her, leaving a clear path for me to seek my revenge. With fury making me shake, I slammed my blade into her chest. I groaned as I leaned into it, driving it all the way to the hilt.
She gasped, and her gaze met mine. Pink froth bubbled up from her throat, and she wavered, peeling away from my grasp.
She staggered. I struggled to remain on my feet. While living at the fortress, I’d killed more dregs than I could count. Three Lieges. But I hadn’t killed someone I used to consider an uneasy friend.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about that, but I knew one thing.
She was reaching for the blade, yanking on it with unadulterated rage blazing in her eyes. If she pulled out my knife, she would heal. She’d finish me off the next chance she got.
Back in the foyer, when I pinned her to the wall, she’d made it clear she didn’t fear me. Only Vexxion.
Now?
One could say that Vexxion had trained me well, but in my heart, I knew that this Tempest had always been waiting.
With a bellow, I shoved her.
She croaked, terror blazing in her eyes.
I reeled backward, my arms spiraling to help keep my footing on the uneven ground .
Delaine twisted, her arms jerking up into the air. Guttural groans erupted from her throat.
She gave me the oddest look as she toppled over the cliff.