Page 61 of Triplets for the Barbarians

I’d hoped we might be able to sway these folks with the certainty of a cure for the plague now that we have it, but they’re definitely in a violent rage, consumed by a bloodthirsty haze that is far beyond reason.

All I can do is stick around and wait for the right moment to strike—should such a moment arise before they reach the palace or the western gate. I wonder how much they know about this place. They knew enough about the labyrinth to practically waltz right through it.

“Let’s see what the queens are up to at the palace,” Shaytan tells Blaze. “I must congratulate them for keeping this place so well for us.”

“I give the ladies and Solomon credit for keeping this place hidden for so long,” Blaze replies. I still can’t believe it’s in such pristine condition when we thought it was devastated by the bombing .”

At this point, I’d like nothing more than to shove my fist down his throat, but I doubt I have what it takes to fight him. The laser pistol in my leg holster is functional, however. I only need a couple of good shots, but it’ll be hard with so many guards hanging around them.

They march through the city with obnoxious pride.

The soldiers we have scattered throughout try to take them out, but they stand zero chance against their highly trained snipers. Above, I see the black mist spreading and gradually dissipating as the Sky Tribe jets manage to redirect their engine thrusts as they fly overhead.

Soon enough, the heavens will be clear again, the nocturnal canvas filled with twinkling stars to witness our demise.

My wounds are deep and may end up killing me, but as long as I’m still able to stand, hope is not yet lost.

Jewel is depending on Yossul and me to keep the enemy away from her and the long-range weapon. I saw the sensor drones flying out. They’d better spot something quickly, or we’re screwed.

“Nice digs,” Blaze exclaims as they reach the palace.

I stay hidden behind one of the ornamental fountains while their soldiers rush forward and up the palace steps. The whole place is riddled with enemy troops now. It reeks of doom and failure, and it’s causing bile to rise up in the back of my throat. Yet I persist, watching as Shaytan and Blaze make their way into the palace.

It doesn’t take long before they both come back out, clearly irritated. Shaytan barks a few more orders while the fighter jets roar above, surveying the area and clearly searching for something—or someone.

The queens must have gone into hiding.

With a trembling hand, I manage to pull my radio device out of my belt holster. The explosion damaged part of it, but I turn the frequency knob a couple of times until I get a clear line. Careful not to be seen or heard, I try to reach out to my brother.

“Yossul, come in,” I whisper. “Yossul, are you still there?”

The crackling at the end of the line doesn’t fill me with confidence.

“Yossul.”

Nothing. Dammit. I turn the frequency knob again.

“Yossul.”

“Fadai,” his voice finally comes through, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Yossul, they’re coming. They’ve breached the northern gate. Shaytan and Blaze. They’re here. They’re looking for the queens.”

“Where are you?”

“You need to—” I fail to get the rest of my message out as sparks fly out from my radio device. The damage it incurred during the explosion has finally rendered it dead, and I’m left without any means of communicating with my brother.

Cursing under my breath, I toss the damned thing into the pool and choose to follow Shaytan and Blaze instead. They’re pissed off as they come down the palace steps, guards close behind them. I count about fifty of them, each heavily armed and constantly scanning every inch around them. There’s no way I can get close enough for a clear head shot. Not here, at least.

“It looks like they left in a hurry,” Blaze tells Shaytan. “They must’ve seen us coming.”

“Which means they’re not that far away,” Shaytan replies, his red eyes darting around with renewed interest, making me feel extra anxious. I’m not safe in my position, but if I pull farther away, I’ll be out of earshot and unable to hear what they say. “There must be an escape tunnel somewhere nearby. Have the men scour the grounds.”

“Great idea,” Blaze replies.

About twenty minutes later, I’ve managed to tie a tourniquet just below my left knee. I’m limping and in a tremendous amount of pain, but the tourniquet will preserve my leg if I somehow survive.

The guards manage to fish one of the royal advisors out of their hiding place while Shaytan and Blaze casually wait at the base of the palace steps. Sky Tribe banners are already hanging from the balconies, a sign of arrogance and defiance against Opal City.

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