53. Everly
Everly
Chapter fifty-three
We round the next street corner into hell.
Soldiers form a formidable line, their weapons at the ready, as the deadlings creep out from the depths of the forest.
With a growl, Tristan tosses me his sword. I catch it with ease, my reflexes sharper since my change. I spin the blade in a circle, testing the weight.
Giving Tristan a subtle nod, I seamlessly position myself among the soldiers. A murmur of confusion ripples through them, their voices blending together in a wave of uncertainty, but it quickly subsides as I raise my hand. Now is not the time to question my presence. They need to focus, or we will be overrun in seconds.
Stretching my free arm out, I extend my palm toward the ground, the cool breeze brushing against my skin. With unwavering concentration, I summon my magic, feeling a sudden surge of power flow through me, causing the earth to tremble beneath my feet. My breaths are sawing in and out as I try to concentrate. There's a deafening roar as a shockwave echoes through the air, rattling my eardrums. I watch as the earth rolls and buckles, a wave of energy radiating outward toward the approaching deadlings. The ground rises and falls under them forcefully, propelling them backward, their bodies soaring through the sky.
It only provides a brief respite, but I'm hopeful that it will allow more women and children to make it to the protection of the castle walls.
I can almost taste the tension in the air as the soldiers brace themselves for the impending onslaught. The deadlings, with their sullen flesh and milky white eyes, advance relentlessly, driven by their need to kill. In the dimness of the tree's shadows, I swear I catch a glimpse of the black beast's piercing crimson eyes.
With Tristan’s sword in hand, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what lies ahead. The first wave of deadlings lunge toward us, and I swing the sword with all my might, the blade slicing through the air, cleaving through their grotesque bodies. A mixture of fear, adrenaline, and an unwavering desire to survive fuels each and every strike.
Grinding my teeth together, I deftly sidestep, kick, and dodge the relentless creatures that are intent on ripping me to shreds. With each step, the metallic scent of blood fills the air, staining my face and clothes. It fills me with a sense of desperation, urging me to keep going despite the overwhelming odds stacked against me.
I catch glimpses of Kian and Tristan, their faces lined with determination as they fight alongside me, their own weapons carving a path through the encroaching hordes. We move in sync, relying on our training and instinct, as we desperately try to push back the onslaught.
Sweat trickles down my forehead, mingling with the dirt and grime already covering my face. The cut on my head has sealed, leaving behind a crusted layer of blood.
“Everly!” Raiden’s voice climbs above the chaos.
Spinning on my heel, I see him running toward me. Hope rises in my chest. If Raiden is here, Maxon must be close. I can barely feel him through the bond with all the adrenaline pumping through my veins.
My heart jumps to my throat, and I try to scream out as a deadling comes out of nowhere, jumping on his back. The creature grips his wings and tries tearing them from his back, but Raiden is quick, dislodging it in one swift movement, sending it hurling into the wall of a nearby building. Raiden looks furious, his whole being vibrating in anger, black blood smearing his face and chest.
Another approaches him, and I watch with wide eyes as he swiftly grabs it by the throat, crushing its windpipe and tossing it aside like a rag doll. Our eyes meet from a distance, and I immediately start making my way over to him, desperately needing to find Maxon. But a sinking feeling washes over me when Raiden’s face turns pale, and he shouts something at me. I spin around and come face to face with . . .
What the hell am I looking at right now?
I tilt my head back in confusion. Standing before me is an enormous creature with bluish skin, imposing horns, and charred clothing. Its looming hand hangs in the air, casting a shadow over me. Before I have a chance to react, it comes crashing down, sending me hurtling across the uneven cobblestone road. My sword falls from my grasp, the breath knocked out of me. The impact sends a searing pain through my head, like a hot knife slicing through my skull. With a groan escaping my lips, I gently extend my hand to feel the warm, sticky blood trickling from the new gash on my forehead. Just great.
Despite the shock, I gather my strength and slowly stand, my legs wobbling as I cling to a planter box for support. A hiss emanates from my left, and I catch sight of a sinister black smoke weaving its way through the street, heading directly for me. I glance back at the beast that knocked me into next week only to see Raiden engaged in a fierce battle with it.
With a flick of my wrist, vines burst from the ground, snaking their way around the monstrous creature's wrists and ankles, immobilizing it.
I know I only need conscious thought to get them to act, but I squeeze my fists anyway, making the vines tighten their grip, trying to hold it down. With a thunderous roar, it forcefully tears through the vines, breaking them into pieces. Damn it!
“Everly! Maxon is near the south gates, at the wharf. GO!” Raiden bellows.
I nod, knowing Raiden will fight better if I’m out of the way. I draw in a deep breath, and sprint toward the south gate, my heart pounding so hard I can feel it pulsing in my fingertips.
A howl sounds from my left before Nymeria and Anika burst out of a small alley, moving to flank me. Their white coats are now covered in a blackish red liquid, probably blood.
“It’s so good to see you two,” I whisper through harsh breaths.
Arriving at the south gate, I draw to a stop, hands on my hips, chest heaving. With Nymeria and Anika at my side, I feel more alive than I ever have before. I can sense Maxon down the bond. He is not hurt and is drawing nearer. There are fae fighting in the streets everywhere I turn.
In the midst of this chaos, I glimpse Maxon engaging in a fierce battle with several deadlings at the end of the street where the gates to the wharf are. And for the first time since this horrible ordeal began, a weight lifts from my shoulders as relief settles in. He’s okay.
As I look around, my eyes land on a cluster of children gathered beneath a cart. I sprint over, with Nymeria and Anika close behind, their paws pounding against the ground. My heart races as I kneel down and come face-to-face with multiple pairs of glowing yellow eyes, their tiny frames shaking with fear. Shifters.
“I know you're all scared, but you need to get to the safety of the castle. The way should be clear.”
It looks like we’re driving the deadlings back.
The children huddle closer together beneath the cart, shaking their heads in fear. My heart races. I know they are scared, but it’s crucial for them to reach the castle. Nymeria exhales impatiently, her paw scraping the ground.
I lock eyes with her. “Can you carry these kids to safety on your backs?”
Both wolves nod simultaneously, their eyes glinting with understanding.
My fingers grip the wood, and I lean back down. “Let’s go. My wolves will take you to the castle, where you can find your parents. If you stay here, you’ll be in danger.”
The four little shifters exchange glances, then cautiously emerge from beneath the cart. I release a deep breath, a wave of relief washing over me, as I extend my hand to help them up. Their small hands slip into mine, and I can't help but feel a surge of protectiveness. Carefully, I lift each one of them up onto Nymeria and Anika’s backs.
“Keep them safe.”
Nymeria and Anika both bow their heads in understanding, and I watch them leave.
I hear a roar that sounds like my name. My stomach twists like someone wringing out a wet towel. Amidst the chaotic scene at the gates, my eyes lock onto Maxon’s. His burning like embers, piercing and deadly. As he strides toward me, a nearby building erupts in a violent explosion. I instinctively duck, shielding my head from the onslaught of flying debris. The air is filled with the acrid scent of smoke, mingling with the metallic taste of fear in my mouth. As I rise to my feet, panting heavily, my ears still ringing, a dense cloud of smoke and rubble obscures my vision. Suddenly, a dark mass crashes into me, engulfing me in complete darkness.