46 #2
He looks at me with a mix of pride and annoyance in his features.
“You were supposed to run Maeve.” He shouts at me as I run towards my next victim.
“I wouldn’t have gotten far without you to take us home.”
I don’t look back to see Xander’s reaction as I keep running forward.
The party guests around me are all swarming for the stairs to take the top exit and get away from the fight.
About time.
I turn my gaze away from the guests and duck down to slice at the soldiers ankles as I run through, trying to clear as many as I can so we can all make a run for it.
One of Hidale’s soldiers must have followed my path, as just when I cut through the next soldier's legs, I get yanked up by the top of my hair. My scalp burns in response and I kick back at him as he hauls me up.
But his grip is too strong. He spins me around and slams me to the ground, the stone not giving me a nice welcome as my back meets it.
The soldier jumps on top and straddles me before he grabs my head and slams it to the ground. I hear my tiara drop to the floor, the sound of metal meeting stone rattling through me. My head starts pounding as I feel the warmth at the back of my scalp and I know that means he’s broken skin.
The fall knocked my dagger out of my hand. I see it next to me and reach for it desperately but it’s just out of arms length.
Pain runs through me as the soldier's hands find my throat and he squeezes hard.
How do I always end up in this position?
I try to ignore the growing pain in my throat and my breaths becoming harder as I reach further and further for my dagger.
I’m thankful he still can’t see me otherwise I’m sure he would have moved the blade further away to make sure I couldn’t get to it.
I let out a groan as I will my body further.
Suddenly, I hear Castor's voice.
“Where is she?” He demands. I look across slightly and see Castor with a soldier dressed in maroon. The King is pushing the man up against the wall, a blade by his neck.
“She will be returned to you safe and unharmed as soon as we have the assassin.”
“I did my part!” Castor shouts. “Now tell Hidale to give her back to me!”
I don't see what happens next as the soldier lifts me and slams my head against the ground, again.
Pain rushes to the back of my head and I start to see stars form in my vision. I try to punch at him but it’s useless, he’s much bigger than me and his body is held out of reach. I claw at his arms in my next attempt to be rid of him but he’s too stubborn.
“Remove your hands before I remove them for you.” I hear a familiar voice demand and I look up slightly to see Xander over us. He takes his sword and points it at the soldier's chest.
Without another second to waste, Xander drives his sword through the soldier's chest and the man buckles over as Xander pulls me up.
My invisibility falters as my energy has depleted from the lack of oxygen and efforts of trying to get out of the soldiers hold.
Worry flashes through Xander’s eyes as he notes that he can now see my own and realises that my powers are dwindling.
“Are you okay?” He asks, quickly assessing for injuries while making sure no one sneaks up on us.
“I’m fine.” I reply and quickly bend down to grab my dagger.
“Good, let’s get out of here.” He says, his voice slightly hoarse from fighting.
Xander takes my hand and leads me towards Cole who’s handling the remaining four soldiers.
Xander stabs one in the back while I throw my dagger in the other's neck. Leaving Cole and Xander to finish off the last two by slashing their necks with their swords.
Xander bends down and retrieves my dagger from the now deceased soldier's neck and hands it to me.
After I take the blade, Xander wraps his arm around my body and hauls me against him so I don’t pass out.
I’d normally protest but my body is enjoying the relief.
I look forwards and see that it’s only King Castor and the soldier he was yelling at before remaining.
“Let us walk out of here and I’ll spare your life.” Xander says but there’s no trace of forgiveness in his eyes. This is officially the end of their alliance.
“I can’t do that.” Castor says, readying for another fight.
“Why not, it’s clearly over.” Xander sneers at him, his grip on my waist tensing ever so slightly.
“Is it?” Castor asks with a sinister smile and looks behind him. More soldiers are heading towards the open doors, ready to take me.
Xander looks down and notes my condition. Concern flashing across his features and I hate it. I’m not naive enough to deny my current state but I’m not a damsel in distress either.
He leans his head in and whispers to me. “Run love, we’ll take on the rest and meet you when we can.”
“Absolutely not.” I groan out, pushing him off me to hold my own and get ready for another fight. I don’t think my dignity could handle running away and waiting for them.
He sighs and holds up his sword, getting ready himself.
“You’re going to be the death of me.”
I force a laugh that doesn’t quite sound right.
“And what an exciting death you’ll have.”
Cole shoots us a look that’s a mix of bemusement and tension.
“Maybe focus on the task at hand guys.”
I shrug and get my dagger ready, hating the way my body and throat feel.
“I’m great at multitasking, Cole.” I reply roughly with a smirk.
The soldiers start to charge forward and I hold my blade up. I may feel like I’ve been squashed by a mountain right now but I’ll never cower from a fight.
I charge forward, ready to make the first move when I’m suddenly blown back.
My eyes are wide as I fly through the air. Watching as the fire explodes all around us. After what feels like an eternity, I finally slam into the hard stone ground.
I’m unable to move as I watch the shrapnel land all around me. I hear distant shouts and screams that I can’t make out. My ears are pounding and my vision comes and goes in waves.
I can’t move to see if Xander and Cole are okay, my body is completely stiff.
Big cold hands are suddenly under my shoulders. I can feel myself being lifted and hauled away. The heels of my feet are dragging against the stone, the rubble occasionally flicking up to hit parts of my legs.
My mind tries to fight the person taking me away but my body doesn’t get the message. The room starts spinning violently before my heavy head finally tips back.
I see and feel nothing.