Page 73 of Lich's Mate

I’m still celebrating escaping in my mind when I run face-first into another xaphan.

Although I manage to stay upright and not fall flat on my ass, my heart drops when I look up.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!”

He’s a really tall, muscular one. He blinks fast, looking at his comrade slowly getting up behind me, and back at me. It dawns on him who I am and a grin spreads on his face.

“Oh, ho. Didn’t think I’d get to personally meet with the demon’s mistress today. Was hoping to just witness your death with my own eyes, not play a part in it.”

He licks his lips. “Ah, it must be my lucky day!” He laughs cruelly. “And your unlucky day, stupid fucking human.”

How many of them are there? I need to get away and back into the mansion!

He sees me glancing at the mansion behind him and laughs even louder.

“You’re not going anywhere, little former slave. You’re definitely not going back to that bastard demon.”

He pulls out a whip with unnatural speed and impressive skill. My stomach turns. I remember what xaphans are able to do with whips.

Before I can move a muscle to escape, a loud crack pierces the air and my thigh feels like it’s on fire.

I grab my leg, biting back a scream of pain, only barely able to hold back. Tears fill my eyes and I blink rapidly.

“Foolish human, you have no idea who you’re up against.” His high-pitched laughter drums into my ears and I have to focus hard to block it out and search for a way to escape this situation.

Think, Meera, think! You need to get away!

I look around but there’s nothing that could possibly aid me.

Fuck! There’s no hope! Unless I can…but he wouldn’t fall for that, right?

I look into his eyes and will myself to go calm. I straighten my back and start laughing, almost maniacally.

He stares at me, bewildered. His hand is raised in preparation to strike with the whip again.

“The only fool here is you. Because you don’t know who you’re up against.”

“What?” His jaw goes slack. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

I grin. “You’re about to find out.”

Making my eyes go wide to appear wild, I start to chant words that sound as if they’re from an ancient tongue. In reality, I’m only doing this to distract them. To scare them off. To give me a chance to run back to Kavian once the opportunity allows.

A gust of wind rustles through my hair, lending some dramatics to the moment.

“W-wait. Stop that. Shut up!” He stammers, his eyes panicked. “Stop whatever it is you’re doing right now!” His voice goes an octave higher at the last two words.

I let out a fierce battle cry and aim both hands at him.

The confused xaphan closes his eyes and blocks his face with his arms, wincing in anticipation of my attack.

As soon as his eyes close, I start running, swiftly making my way past him and towards the mansion.

I’ve only bought myself a few seconds, hopefully that’s enough.

“You fucking bitch! Get back here!” The whip just barely misses my back and I hear it sing behind me.

I run as fast as I can, doing my best to stay out of the claws of the many xaphans around me. They greedily reach for me and I only barely dodge them. The xaphans' angry cussing isn’t far behind me.

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