Chapter 42 Seth
Seth
The lion’s jaw slammed into a building, crushing the stone between its powerful teeth. I hit the ground, shielding my head from the crumbling debris.
Arrows arced toward me from soldiers stationed on the walls. Lunging from the shadows, my serpent intercepted them, snatching the arrows in its jaws and turning them to dust.
I couldn’t strike at these men, couldn’t kill them. I intended to save more than simply the people—those who had sworn loyalty to my mother long ago would not meet death by my hands.
Ripping its head from the building, the lion snapped at me. Shooting to my feet, I flew backward—straight into the path of its serpentine tail. The lion’s maw raked up a section of the road as venomous jaws clamped down on my spear.
The towering shadow of my cobra lashed down on the chimera’s tail, grabbing the living snake’s throat in its shadows. Managing to break free, I stumbled out of its reach.
Every attack from my serpent was wearing the chimera down—but not quickly enough. Eris must have instructed it to destroy everything in sight. It had continued marching into the city, breathing fire on everything not yet caught alight.
I gritted my teeth, desperately searching for a plan. There had to be a means to kill the damn thing.
A streak of white soared through the air, turning sharply above me before plunging downward toward the chimera. A flaming woman sat on the winged horse’s back—Seraphim. Whirling fire and blood spun through the chimera’s tail, severing the snake-head. It crashed into a bench, crushing it.
The winged horse flew past me, and Seraphim jumped from its back, scythe in hand. I blinked at her before gaping at the Pegasus that turned in an arc to fly back to us.
“Seth!” Seraphim shouted. “Why is everything attacking you?”
“Eris!” I hissed. “She’s charmed the men—and this thing, apparently.”
The chimera roared in pain, retreating as blood surged from its severed tail.
Clopping hooves sounded on the road as the Pegasus landed and rode to our side. Aethra sat on its back, clutching her side sword.
I recognized the steed’s pale yellow coat and white mane—was that Athena?
“How do we stop Eris’ charm?” Aethra asked.
“I don’t know!” I shouted back.
Athena reared as a pair of Ma’at knights rushed toward her. Darting between them, I parried the first’s strike and threw him off balance, bringing the haft of my spear down on his neck. Bloody vines ensnared the other, dragging him away.
Phaedrus emerged from the flames, choking on smoke. He stared up at the chimera with widened eyes.
Even our psychopath was frightened.
Steadying Athena, Aethra looked up as the chimera recovered, and its two remaining heads turned in our direction.
“Phaedrus!” She yelled. “Try to free the Ma’at knights from Eris’ control.” Her eyes landed on me. “Seth—please don’t die.”
I grabbed her wrist. “Where are you going?”
“To kill Eris,” she said simply. Driving her heels into the Pegasus’ flank, she ordered it to fly—and her hand slipped from my grip.
Gritting my teeth, I watched her ascend and decided to trust her. What other choice did I have? She’d proven herself countless times before.
Seraphim stood at my side, scythe at the ready as the chimera bore down on us. Screams carried over the crackling flame—a large crowd had been trapped between the fire and the western walls. Only Seraphim and I stood between them and certain death.
Lowering my spear, I called upon the shadows again. The serpent of the Empty burst from the ground behind me and bared its fangs at our foe.
“This thing doesn’t take one more step,” I said.
“As you command.” Seraphim readied her scythe. “Your highness.”
Flames brewed in the goat’s mouth, and the lion lunged for us. The cobra lashed forward to meet them, drenching the city in the darkness of the Empty.