Chapter 43
‘Hey!’ a guardsman shouts. He points at Levi, who’s in the middle of releasing a horse. ‘They’re attacking from behind!’
Guardsmen everywhere turn to look in Levi’s direction.
My heart leaps into my throat as Levi takes on his first opponent, his sword arcing with a precision I didn’t expect.
He blocks with a loud clang of clashing metal, then kicks the guy in the chest. He’s managing impressively, but there’s an entire swarm of men charging his way.
A fever comes over me as my hand dives into another saddlebag and retrieves a small metal ball – a present from Dezzy.
I remove the pin and throw it as hard as I can.
It lands between Levi and the men rushing him.
The explosion is mostly dirt launching into the air, but it works to scare away some of the guards.
It’s not enough – Levi needs a way out. I dig my heels in, and my horse springs into a gallop.
The remaining guards left standing around Atlas dive as I jump my mare over them and into the middle of their wagon circle.
I pass others as I ride hard to where Levi’s succeeded in releasing the horses from two trailers.
‘Get on,’ I shout. I hold out my hand and hug the neck of my horse tightly with the other, only marginally slowing down. I hope he’s as coordinated as he looks.
Levi’s eyes widen, then he grins and gets a running start. I strain to reach further; we’re only going to get one shot at this. We slap hand to forearm, locking our grip. I grunt, fighting to keep my seat as he heaves himself up, slamming into my back. I gasp at the pain.
‘Go, go, go,’ he urges, looking behind him.
I bank right and take off again, guiding my horse to skirt the outside of their wagons. Agatha. I search for her, then watch as arrows of fire fly across the sky from the trees. I guess the plan Sam settled on is to burn the trailers.
‘You might want to hold on for this,’ says Levi, gripping my waist tighter.
Oh. It’s not the trailers they want to ignite; it’s Agatha’s bombs. I brace as the lit arrows land on the now horseless trailers. But nothing happens. Maybe that wasn’t where Agatha’s compounds are being –
BOOM! The explosion nearly knocks us both from the horse.
I duck as a giant fireball erupts into the air, so much bigger than anything I could have imagined.
My pulse turns violent at the shock of it, the searing heat.
Briefly, my horse gallops away from the fight, spooked.
Men shout and scream. The ones not thrown back from the explosion try to organise.
‘Fire! They’re shooting arrows of fire.’
‘Take cover!’
The guardsmen huddle, weapons drawn, when Levi and I make it back to the wagons. I fight to rein in my skittish horse while searching for my sister. It doesn’t take long for Coatl’s bloated eyes to stand out. Agatha’s with him; he’s holding her as bait.
‘Let her go,’ I yell and draw my bow, but he jerks her in front of him. My arms shake as I lower them. ‘I’m going to need help getting Agatha out,’ I say to Levi.
‘At your service, my lady.’
‘Agatha,’ Ryland yells, drawing my attention. He’s about twenty feet away, trying to get to her. He swings his sword, blocking a blow, then promptly faces another one. There are too many guards around him.
‘No!’ I shout as he’s hit from behind and falls. He barely rolls out of the way in time to keep from being impaled.
‘Levi, help Ryland first,’ I yell over my shoulder.
Levi leaps from the horse, sword in hand. He cuts through one, then two men like a force of nature. I’ve never seen anyone so nimble with a blade.
I aim my bow at the guards around Ryland, then pause as I notice that some are fighting each other. It worked. A number of them are revolting and joining our side.
Ryland kicks out the feet of Petronis, then shouts at me. ‘Go get her.’
Gritting my teeth, I turn and find Coatl dragging Agatha away. He carelessly tosses her on to a catapult trailer.
I ride closer, anger consuming me. Nock an arrow. Aim.
Coatl steps behind the wooden frame of the launcher.
Cursing, I slip from my horse and run to climb onto the trailer.
Coatl pulls a lever, and the large bucket of the catapult swings, launching its load high into the air. It’s headed in the direction of our men who were shooting arrows of fire from the trees.
The explosion lands, and it’s as terrifying as it is mesmerising. Orange flames and black smoke billow into the sky. It’s a smaller explosion than the other trailer, but that wouldn’t matter if it was a direct hit. I hold my breath. Was it?
‘Let me go!’ Agatha yells.
I turn and find Coatl gripping Agatha’s wrist as he tries to reload for another shot.
I lift my bow and aim once again.
He ducks as I shoot. The arrow strikes his shoulder. With a cry of rage, he rips it from his arm. His nostrils flare. ‘Come here. Let’s end this properly.’
Yeah, no thanks.
He releases Agatha and reaches for his bow.
I race to nock another arrow, except there isn’t one in my quiver. Panic explodes in my chest.
Coatl grins as he takes aim.
Suddenly, the trailer he’s standing on lurches forward. Coatl stumbles to his knees.
I pant a relieved breath.
The distance between us expands as the trailer races off. Coatl rises, gripping the catapult frame for balance, then gives me an evil smile. My world slows with terror as he climbs over boxes to where Agatha is driving the horses and trailer.
No! Once again, I’m sprinting.
They hit a pothole and Coatl staggers but recovers quickly. It’s like watching a nightmare unfold as he reaches Agatha and wraps his hands around her throat.
‘Stop!’ I scream, pushing my legs faster.
The trailer slows as Agatha releases the reins. She desperately claws at Coatl’s hands. His arm.
My heart feels like it’s about to fail as I leap onboard the mobile platform and scramble over the boxes to get to them.
Agatha’s face is a horror, red and etched with fear. Her hands are weak as they bat the air.
I launch myself at Coatl, but he anticipated it and tosses my sister to the floor. His enormous hands fly to my neck, fingers crushing it. I’m so stupid. I knew Agatha was only ever bait.
I struggle against him as his scowling face draws close to mine to speak. ‘You have been nothing but a thorn in my side since the day I met you.’ Sweat pours down his brow.
I hit pressure point after pressure point on his arms. Dig my fingers into his wounded shoulder.
But he was my grappling teacher, and he easily flicks my hold off him with a cruel smile.
I attempt to knee him in the groin, but he stops me before I’ve barely lifted my leg.
It feels like my lungs are filling with acid.
My vision darkens around the edges. Fear hotter than a flame spreads through every limb. This is how I die.
Distantly, I notice the trailer moving again. I bend back one of Coatl’s fingers and do my best to break it.
It only makes him scream in my face. ‘Just die already.’
You first. It’s a beggar’s dream, because my strength is leaching from me like I’ve split a vein. Hang on. Just hang on.
Agatha appears over his shoulder. But we’re still moving, so who’s controlling the horses?
Her face is terrified, and she wobbles as the trailer bounces. After getting her balance, she lifts and lowers her hand slowly, rehearsing how to strike.
The world grows hazy; I’m about to lose consciousness.
Agatha bares her teeth, then gives up, dropping her hands.
Disappointment cuts deep as she disappears, but it’s probably for the best. She’d never win against him. Just run.
Suddenly she returns and crashes a wooden crate over the back of Coatl’s head.
The rage on his face drops. His legs dip, going weak, and his vice-like hold on my neck releases. Then with one well-placed kick to his back, Agatha sends him toppling over the side of the trailer.