Chapter 33 #2
They go up in flames, but the dragon jolts as a blast of magic hits it from behind. Letting out an indignant roar, it turns toward a group of mages huddled together. It lets loose another surge of fire, only to meet a protective shield.
I’m about to jump in when the shield crumples under the inferno. My brow lifts, impressed.
The dragon keeps breathing fire, even as its amber eyes find mine.
They’re the same shade as Varian’s.
My expression must give me away, because the massive beast winks at me.
The mages’ agonized screams pull me from my shock, and I turn back to the exit doors. Unfortunately, I don’t look away quickly enough to miss the way the mages’ skin is starting to melt off their faces.
Fantastic. That’s going to haunt me forever.
It takes me a minute to climb over the charred bodies, and a glimpse of scorched purple fabric reminds me that the mage recognized my borrowed weapon.
Unease builds in my gut, and I pull back my Reaper powers. If the scythe is important, I’d rather that Need doesn’t know I have it – not when there are so many other weapons available.
The scythe vanishes, and I pick up a discarded sword off the ground instead. The handle is still warm.
Stepping outside, I find the courtyard has been transformed into a warzone. Hundreds of soldiers and mages fight the prisoners, but from the looks of it, the prisoners are doing a great job of holding their ground.
Just as I’m about to join the fray, I spot two familiar figures in the corner of my eye – Need and Leon.
I turn, immediately heading for them.
Need only looks mildly inconvenienced as she watches the chaos unfold around her.
Leon spots me first, but instead of looking angry, he gives me a patronizing expression. “Now, now, pet. Put the weapon down. We both know this is beneath you,” he tuts.
Weeks of repressed rage boil to the surface. “I’m not your fucking pet,” I hiss. “And you wish I was beneath you.”
My open defiance is all it takes for him to drop his mask of cool superiority. His expression twists into something dark.
Need finally looks my way and gives a small sigh, “Leon, do collect your property. She’s losing value by the minute.”
Leon starts toward me, but my pulse remains steady.
I’m not afraid.
Instead, deadly calm washes over me as I pick up a second sword off the ground.
Leon draws his own blade, and the blue diamond glitters in the glaring sunlight. “Are you going to try and fight me?” He gives a disbelieving laugh. “Come now, pet, I’ve had centuries of–”
I don’t let him finish. He’s had weeks of monologuing, and I’m done listening.
My steps are light as I launch forward. Leon twists, but not quickly enough. My blade catches his upper thigh.
“You little bitch,” he snarls, lunging for me.
Blow after blow, our blades connect, neither of us drawing blood. A crowd surrounds us, and I distantly realize they’re guards. Still, there’s more fighting beyond us, so I know we aren’t beaten.
Leon takes advantage of my distraction, and his blade nicks my cheek.
I hiss as blood drips down my jaw.
“Now look what you’ve made me do,” he growls. “That had better not leave a scar, Vivian. I want your face unmarked.”
I resist the urge to immediately slice up my other cheek.
It’s his blood I want.
Cassandra’s memories ring out inside my mind. ‘His hits are slower when he’s distracted. Anger him!’
The air beside my arm whistles, and I dodge Leon’s sword, laughing as I do it.
“You don’t get a say about my life,” I snap. At the same time, I spin, easily slicing his other thigh.
He might be quick, but Sin is faster.
Leon’s snarl deepens, his eyes taking on their familiar feral gleam. It’s the one that tells me he’s losing control.
A smirk curls across my lips.
“YOU ARE FUCKING MINE,” he roars as he lifts his sword for a killing blow.
I duck underneath it and kick his legs out.
Leon falls backwards.
Not hesitating, there’s a wet crunch as I thrust my sword into his chest. I put all my weight behind it, forcing the blade to sink deep into the grass.
The cuts on his thighs have already healed, but I only need a few seconds.
Proud fury rises within me as I meet his loathing glare. “I will never belong to you.”
I make sure I have his undivided attention as I shove my second blade directly into his crotch.
His howling screams echo through the courtyard. They sound like music to my ears as I snap the magic-binding cuffs onto his wrists.
Blood streams down his crotch, and no matter how hard he thrashes, he can’t pull himself up enough to dislodge my weapons.
The sight sends a dark, delighted thrill through me.
Looking up, I finally lock eyes with Need.
“Your reign is over,” I announce, and it comes out as a threat.
She doesn’t look even remotely threatened.
“No, Vivian,” she gives an impatient sigh.
“Despite your pitiful attempts, I assure you my reign is far from over. The prisoners may have taken the castle, but you’re still collared.
You’re still powerless, and whoever helped you escape will eventually be punished.
But for now, I’m afraid you’ll be leaving with me.
How painful that experience is for you depends on whether you agree to come quietly. ”
At least twenty guards step forward, but I don’t move. I just smile.
Darkness ripples across the wards above us.
Sin has arrived.
Need notices too, and for the first time, her calm facade fractures.
“What’s pitiful,” I say softly, reaching for the collar around my throat, “is that you still think someone freed me.” My fingers curl around the invisible metal, and my smile turns bloodthirsty. “You really should have killed me when I still believed I was weak.”
Beneath my skin, silver Reaper threads surge into the collar, brushing up against the barest hints of golden Creator light.
Need’s eyes widen with disbelief as crackling purple energy snaps over my body.
My collar falls to the ground.
And for the first time, I feel a fraction of what I’m capable of.