Chapter 18 #3
Her body flared with heat, and a half-second later, She stood behind the pivoting soldiers. Leaping atop the closest soldier’s back, She skewered Her blade through the nape of his neck.
The man dropped beneath Her weight, and She rolled free of him.
Something in the air had shifted with that kill; mayhem erupted, a mess of frenzied running and shouting.
One of the soldiers was barreling toward Tobias while the second gathered himself, stunned by Leila’s magic.
His hesitation was a gift, and Leila slid beneath the soldier, jamming Her blade into his groin.
With an agonized howl, he dropped to his knees, clutching the open wound.
He’d die from the blood loss soon enough, and Tobias was already making a quick end of the third soldier, who fell limp at his feet.
They glanced at one another, then to Enzo and Hylas, an unspoken command in their gazes.
“Spread out,” Leila said. “Kill the rest.”
“Hapa!” Enzo grinned, pounding his chest.
They poured from the chamber, scanning the space around them.
The soldiers could be anywhere. Leila peered over the railing, spying the bustling brothel beneath Her.
The atrium view was a blessing, as She could see the winding hallways above and below, could surely spot polished armor amid the debauchery.
There—just one floor below was the unmistakable red flourish of a helmet.
Enzo had already woven past Her, but Leila didn’t move.
Tobias stood across the way, a conflict She knew well ripe in his gaze.
A hook lodged in Her rib cage, pulling Her in his direction, but She turned away regardless, charging ahead while he bounded in the opposite direction.
Enzo was already trekking down the staircase, and Leila quickly followed, heading to the next floor.
Before She reached the final step, a thud shook the walls.
Enzo had wrestled a soldier to the floor, and based on the strength of his bearish hands around the soldier’s neck, he didn’t need Leila’s assistance.
The soldier’s face turned red within seconds, and when his end didn’t come soon enough, Enzo slammed his head against the floor, the repeated crack of his skull enough to make Leila flinch.
Shouting rang out in the distance. Another soldier had Ladon pressed against a wall, a spear pointed at his throat. Courtesans cowered at Ladon’s side, and their pleading set Leila’s insides aflame.
Closer.
She shadow walked past Enzo and broke into a sprint, emboldened by Her holy power. When the soldier finally looked Her way, She tackled him to the floor.
Shrieks sounded around Leila, but She was set on Her fallen foe.
She’d knocked the helmet clear off his head, and She punched his nose, embracing the sharp pain cutting through Her knuckles.
Snorting up blood, the soldier grabbed Leila’s throat, and She responded by wrapping Her legs around his waist and rolling him on top of Her.
Gazing up at his pulverized nose, She plunged Her blade into his exposed throat, and his eyes bulged before fading lifelessly.
She shoved the soldier aside and staggered to Her feet. The courtesans were huddled and shaking, and Leila took Ladon’s hand.
“It’s all right,” She said. “You’re safe.”
Ladon’s expression was warped with disgust, and he pointed a trembling finger forward. “It’s in Your hair.”
Blood-soaked locks hung in Leila’s peripheral vision, an afterthought.
Leila searched the madness for silver spears and red flourishes, then stopped when Tobias came into view.
He was a floor lower, blocking a soldier’s blow, then plunging his sword into the man’s lower belly.
Enzo was immersed in his own battle, pummeling a soldier to the floor with almost effortless power.
Was that the seventh kill or the eighth?
Courtesans shouldered past Her as they dashed down the hallway, their cries bouncing from wall to wall.
The chaos of the brothel became starkly clear, and Leila backed away from the railing, praying the patrons below hadn’t caught sight of Her.
Was Her sister safe? What about Tobias’s family, their allies?
Armor glinted ahead. A soldier sprinted in Her direction, and She cursed Her brief reprieve. She readied Her blade, but the soldier knocked it from Her hand, digging his forearm into Her throat as he slammed Her against the wall.
“By the order of Flynn Joseon, I will return You to Your betrothed,” he said.
She pounded Her heel into the soldier’s foot, and though he only flinched, She used his fleeting vulnerability to shove him away. He stumbled against the railing, righting himself as his gaze darkened.
“Long live the king,” he said.
A lump lodged in Leila’s throat. King. The title shook Her more than it should’ve, and once She’d steadied Herself, the soldier had shackles in one hand and his weapon in the other.
A flash of dark curls plowed into the soldier.
Hylas had launched himself at the man, knocking the assailant off center and thrusting him over the railing.
A piercing scream ripped through the brothel followed by a climactic crash.
Leila risked a glance over the edge, where stories below, the soldier lay in a mangled pile of broken limbs and blood.
“See?” Hylas stopped at Her side, speaking between shallow breaths. “I told You I’m willing to kill.”
The words had barely left his lips before he was hunched over the railing, spewing the contents of his stomach. Leila didn’t have time to react; Tobias ran toward Her and scooped Her into his arms, and Enzo followed soon after, wearing a triumphant smile.
“They’re all dead,” Tobias said, resting his head against Her bloodied hair. “They’re gone.”
“And the patrons?”
“Many left as soon as the soldiers arrived.” Hylas wiped his lips, chagrin flushing his cheeks. “People aren’t particularly fond of the military these days.”
“Leila!” Delphi was dashing toward them, and Leila threw Her arms around Her sister. The embrace didn’t last long, as Delphi pulled away, tossing a black cloak over Leila’s shoulders. “You have to go.”
“But what about—?”
“Yucana and Raphael are waiting in the woods. They have Your things.”
Tobias’s eyes widened. “Naomi.”
“We’re sharing a chamber. She’s fine.” Delphi glanced between them all. “You need to leave now.”
Leila’s thoughts became frantic, rifling through too many worries. “The bodies—”
“I’ll take care of them.”
“Delphi, you can’t—”
“Do You think I’ve learned nothing from You?”
“It isn’t—”
“Just leave.”
Leila nearly winced, wounded in a way She couldn’t articulate. How many times would they have to part? Why did it always feel like the end?
Delphi offered a sad smile. “I know. I love You too.”
A lump lodged in Leila’s throat, but She squared Her shoulders, willing what was left of Her strength to steel Her. She turned to Enzo. “Meet us in the woods?” He grunted in the affirmative, charging down the corridor. She took Tobias’s hand, wavered, then looked to Hylas. “Are you ready?”
She slipped Her free hand into his, and Hylas’s eyes went wide with realization. "Y-yes, absolutely.”
“You!” Isa stormed down the hallway, pointing at Leila as they stepped over a dead soldier. “You are—”
“Leaving. Yes, we know.” A spark ignited in Leila’s belly, filling Her up and pouring from Her fingertips. Isa’s ire grew distant as light engulfed Her and the men at Her side, a pain She longed for. Holding Tobias and Hylas tight, She disappeared amid Her power.
To the woods.