Page 101 of Of Blood & Stone

He held up the compass. “Orym has about two days left to live. I’m finding his cure.”

“But you’ll die out there.”

“How generous of you to care.” He turned to her. “Good luck living the rest of your days in this cave.”

“Elnok,wait?—”

“I think you’re beginning to learn something, Sylzenya,” a deep voice echoed from somewhere in front of them, the dark fog obscuring them from sight. “Prince Elnok doesn’t have a very patient temperament.”

Three Dynameis pushed through the fog, swords unsheathed and bodies glowing with the power of their orodyte stones.

Sylzenya’s limbs grew cold.

It was Westley and Marlo–the two Dynameis that approached her and Nyla only days ago–flanking either side of Kharis.

Elnok stretched his arm over her body, forcing her to take a step back. She grabbed his wrist, her fingers picking up on his increased heart rate.

“This is pretty shitty of you, Kharis,” Elnok seethed. “I’m not even sure if Tosh would approve of you pursuing me like this.”

“Tosh is nearly dead and there’s nothing that can be done. I’ve accepted that,” Kharis replied, sending his sword into a wide arc. “I’d recommend coming back with us peacefully, and maybe Distrathrus will show some kind of mercy.”

Elnok scoffed. “Mercy.Right.”

Sylzenya stepped forward, Elnok’s muscles tensing as she pushed against his arm. “Kharis, you’re under his influence right now. Look deep within yourself and see the truth for what it is. Help us. Help Westley and Marlo.”

“You speak as if it’s something none of us wanted, but this is as it should be. Asyoushould be, Sylzenya. Don’t you see that he needs you? That he made you? That you belong to him alone?”

Elnok held up his sword as he stepped fully in front of her. “Over my dead fucking body.”

“Don’t be a fool,” she whispered, her cheeks suddenly warm.

Elnok didn’t respond, nor did he back down.

Kharis let out an exasperated breath. “If that’s what must happen, then so be it.”

As the Dynameis stepped forward, a loud crunch echoed from within the cave. Kharis stopped the other two warriors, his eyes focused at his feet. Sylzenya strained her gaze; a thin, translucent material shimmered in the fog.

“Serpentum,” Elnok whispered.

Suddenly, the ground shook violently, bringing Sylzenya and Elnok to their knees; the Dynameis managed to stay on their feet, their stances wide and swords readied.

A loud hiss slithered along Sylzenya’s bones, her stomach dropping as six large clouded eyes glowed in the darkness of the cave. Elnok grabbed her arm, stumbling as he dragged her away.

“I’ll take the serpentum, you two get the prince and Kreena,” Kharis yelled over the tumbling of rocks.

“Still not going to use your magic?” Elnok asked.

Sylzenya grabbed Elnok by his tunic and led them away from the Dynameis. “Not if I can help it.”

“What if I’m about to die?”

“Don’t you dare.”

“That’s answer enough,” he replied.

She gaped as he ripped his arm from her grasp, shoving the compass into her hand and running straight towards the Dynameis—the deadliest warriors on the continent—while three serpentums slithered out of the cave.

Chapter 24

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