Page 59 of A Dagger in the Ivy

When my two attackers fall, I rush down the street to find the screaming woman.

I find myself in the town square, where the scene before me makes me gasp. Flames engulf a nearby structure, casting an eerie glow over the area. A long beam from a toppled lamppost lies across the area, pinning a screaming woman. Ropes bind her to the beam, and her arm is trappedbeneath the heavy wood, and beside her, a small boy desperately saws at the ropes with a tiny blade, his face a mask of determination and fear.

“Mama,” the boy cries, tears streaming down his cheeks.

As I draw closer, I see the woman’s belly is swollen with child. “By the gods!”

When I pull out my dagger, seven townspeople emerge from the shadows.

“Leave her!” one of them yells, his face contorted with a mix of fear and anger.

“She’ll be killed.” I lunge toward the woman.

“It’s her or us,” a woman from the group screams.

I stare wide-eyed at the woman. “You’re a third-born fae?”

She swallows hard, her face drenched in tears. “No. But my baby is.”

The baby in her belly. The townspeople are willing to let this woman fucking die because her baby will be third born.

I ignore the protests from the looming townspeople and cut the ropes. The woman shifts, trying to get to her feet, but she stumbles.

“I’m trapped.”

As I lean closer to inspect the situation, I find that her arm is stuck under the beam. I move to lift the beam, hoping my fae strength is enough to do the job.

With the beam in my grasp, a guttural growl freezes my blood. I whirl around to see a pack of carnoraxis emerging from the shadows, their eyes glowing with malevolent hunger. The one in the front lifts its skeletal-like head and releases a high-pitched whistling scream. The group of seven men and women who had been trying to stop me scatter, fear etched on their faces.

“Stay back!” I shout at the creatures, drawing my sword and standing between them and the trapped woman.

The carnoraxis charge, their monstrous forms illuminated by the flames. I slash at the first one, feeling the satisfying give of flesh beneath my blade. It howls in pain, but the others are undeterred. They come at me from all sides, snapping jaws and razor-sharp claws seeking to tear me apart.

I dodge and weave, my training taking over. My heart pounds in my chest as I fight for my life, each strike and parry a desperate attempt to stay one step ahead of the beasts. One of them lunges at me, and I sidestep, driving my dagger into its side. It collapses, but there are still more.

Just when it feels like the tide might overwhelm me, Mylo charges into the fray, his massive frame a reassuring sight. He swings his sword with brutal efficiency, cutting down one of the carnoraxis in a single blow.

Aila emerges, her sword in one hand and a torch in the other. She stabs one of the creatures in the neck, and she uses the torch on the other, shoving it into its chest. The carnoraxis becomes engulfed in the flames and shrieks as it crumbles to the ground.

“I’ve got the beam!” Mylo shouts over the din.

I nod, still focused on the remaining creatures. A pair of them split off and attack the fleeing group. The townspeople’s screams fill the air, and two of them are grabbed by carnoraxis claws. Blood splatters as the victims fall and are brutally devoured by the monsters.

My sword is firm in my grasp, and I lunge at the enemy. With a final, powerful swing, I dispatch the last of the beasts attacking me. Bloodied and panting, I turn to see Mylo lifting the beam with a grunt of effort. The woman sobs with relief as her arm is freed, and the small boy clings to her, tears streaming down his face.

“Go, get to safety,” Mylo urges them, his voice steady despite the chaos around us.

They nod and run, disappearing into the night. I take a deep breath, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins. We’ve won this battle, but the war is far from over.

The battle rages on around us, the clash of steel and the anguished cries of the wounded filling the air. But we stand firm, united in our resolve to protect the innocent and drive back the forces of darkness. As the last of the carnoraxis are driven back, we take in the sight of the buildings lying in ruins. Though the enemy’s retreat heralds our hard-won victory, the town has suffered a terrible tragedy.

CHapter

Twenty-Two

It feels like my skin is hanging off my bones. My mind is reeling from our battle, and I just want to forget the look of horror on that poor woman’s face. So when Isaac suggests we stop at a pub, I don’t decline the offer.

The pub stands nestled on a quiet corner of the town, its weathered, wooden exterior giving it a rustic charm that beckons passersby inside. As I push open the creaking door, the warm glow of lanterns greets me, casting a soft, inviting light over the cozy interior. The air is thick with the rich scent of ale and hearty meals, mingling with the lively chatter of patrons gathered around rough-hewn tables.

---