Page 146 of Of Blood & Stone

Tenserpentums.

Tree branches shook, the sound of skittering on the forest floor sending pumps of adrenaline into Sylzenya’s limbs. Large bulbous arachnis crawled over the serpentums’ bodies. A shriek sounded from above. She turned skyward; a myriad of dark beady eyes glistened against the dark leaves. Sharp legs splayed like skeletal wings attached to bodies as black as obsidian and as large as boulders.

They were surrounded.

Kharis cursed. “Sometimes, I really hate being right.”

Sylzenya felt for the roots beneath their bodies, feeling for what little life still remained in this deadened forest, for there wasn’t enough to create, only to use.

A serpentum struck.

On instinct, Sylzenya raised a single hand in the air.

Roots shot up from the ground, aimed for its throat, but it dodged. The sharp branch clipped its scales, a thin cut appearing along its neck. It hissed, turning around and flicking its large tail for her chest. Kharis picked her up, jumping backwards with a quickness that left her breathless.

“Thanks,” she gasped.

“Less talking, more roots,” Kharis commanded.

She called upon the earth again, sending her power deeper into the soil, curling her fingers as she directed the roots to become sharper—deadlier.

The serpentums and arachnis charged.

Kharis left her side.

Sharp, pointed roots emerged from the ground, sweat beading along Sylzenya’s forehead as five of them successfully found their targets. Two serpentums and three arachnis shrieked as they fought to free themselves from the roots lodged through their throats, spearing their mouths, and protruding from their heads. A third serpentum barely dodged the attack, shaking the ground more with its quick movements.

“Keep going, Sylzenya!” Kharis yelled from somewhere above.

She looked up; the man’s glowing veins shone against the serpentum’s head as he struck the monster clean through its snout. Kharis yanked the sword out of its head, disappearing into a light mist as he struck the arachnis jumping for him.

He appeared again, another serpentum snapping at him. Sylzenya sent an attack, missing the large creature by a hair. The warrior dodged, falling to the ground with a thud. Sylzenya felt for more roots, crafting their heads into sharper points than before?—

Crack.

Wind whipped past her as she skidded across dirt, her tunic ripping against sharp rocks. She coughed up saliva and blood,spitting it out quickly as she placed her palms on the ground. A serpentum and four arachnis charged towards her, their jaws wide and poison dripping from their fangs.

“Come on!” she cried, the roots responding far too slow.

She’d expected to hear Distrathrus bait her, whisper into her mind how he could save her—but she heard nothing. Perhaps Distarthrus had given up on her. Perhaps hewouldlet her die after all.

“On your right!” a voice yelled.

Sylzenya looked up, heart battering like a bird trapped in a cage. A man with disheveled black hair flew through the air, his body blazing with golden power.

“Could use a vine or something!” Elnok yelled.

Her breaths faltered.

He came back.

New adrenaline pulsed through her as she slapped her hand against the ground, grasping not for roots or vines, but for the dirt itself. If all of Aretta’s creation could obey her, then so could the dirt.It had too.

And so it did.

A pile of solid earth rose up—a pedestal—and Elnok didn’t question it as he used it to jump even higher. He unleashed his glowing whip, cracking it across the serpentum’s jaws, the weapon hitting once, twice, three times with thunderous cracks.

The serpentum’s head fell in pieces, sliding in opposite directions. The monster collapsed to the ground. Elnok landed in front of her, that damn half-grin plastered on his handsome mouth.

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