Page 56 of Orc's Pretend Mate

“Just checking.”

“I am here, my dragoste,” he says.

One of the guards turns and barks something in their own harsh tongue, banging the bars with the hilt of his short sword. Vapas growls, deep in his throat. The guard glares through the bars, turning his sword in his hand so that the point protrudes through the bars.

Suddenly there is a booming explosion. The sound ripples through the stone. The flames of the torch dance wildly as both guards jump and straighten. They exchange surprised looks as another explosion follows, closer this time. The very air vibrates with it.

The guards bark at each other. One of them heads for the passage we came down, but before he reaches it, running footsteps echo from above. Someone shouts something that makes both guards stiffen, holding their weapons at the ready as they take up positions on either side of the stairs.

More explosions. Closer still. Dust rains down from the ceiling and the whole room shakes.

One guard moves away from our cells, looking from the other guard to the darkness of the stairs. His companion steps to his side, speaking rapidly. The words mean nothing to me, but their intent becomes crystal clear when both guards turn toward our cells, weapons raised. Cold certainty hits even as Vapas growls and fights against his bonds.

They're going to kill us rather than risk us being rescued.

The first guard reaches for the lock on my cell. Everything slows down, like I'm underwater. I see Vapas surge to his feet, chains rattling. But he's too far away, in the wrong cell with bars between us. There is no way he can reach me.

My mind flashes to all the times I've hidden. All the times I've waited for someone else to save me. Always depending on someone stronger, someone braver.

Not this time.

I don't think. I move.

As the cell door swings open, I launch myself forward. The guard expects me to cower, to retreat. Instead, I slam into him with my shoulder, driving him back against the bars. His sword clatters to the ground.

"Phoebe!" Vapas shouts.

The guard recovers fast, grabbing for my throat. But I drop and sweep my leg like I've seen the Zmaj do when they are training, though they use their tails. The guard's feet go out and his head strikes the floor with a loud crack.

The second guard shouts and lunges through the doorway. I roll to the side, feeling the wind of his blade passing inches over my body. My hands are still bound, but I manage to grab the first guard's fallen sword. The rope around my wrists cuts in painfully as I twist my hands to grip it.

Metal screams behind me. Vapas is slamming into his cell's bars with all his strength. The sound startles the second guard. He glances away from me for just a fraction of a second.

It's enough.

Getting to my feet I rush at him backwards, holding the blade tight in my bound hands. The blade slides in easier than I could ever have expected. For a split second I’m stunned as I hear the guard make a choked sound and stumble backwards before dropping to the ground with a final gurgle.

I killed him.

Another explosion rocks the chamber, much closer now. Shouts and the clash of metal echo down the passage. The first guard is stirring, reaching for a weapon at his belt. I kick it away, then bring my foot down hard on his temple. He goes still.

"Keys," Vapas growls urgently. "Check them for keys."

My hands shake as I search the unconscious guard. I have to try to force them to be steady.

“Nothing,” I mutter. “Damn it.”

I move to the other guard. He lies in a heap, doubled over with a pool of blood forming underneath him. One second I stare then another explosion jerks me into the moment.

Hands shaking despite the bindings keeping them behind me I kneel and dig through his pockets. It’s hard looking over my shoulder and trying to fumble my way around, but at last I grasp a ring of heavy iron keys. It takes three tries to get my bound hands to work the lock on Vapas's cell, but finally it clicks open.

He bursts out, chains and all. I drop the keys, trying to go back to the sword I dropped in favor of the keys, but Vapas steps in front of me.

"Dragoste," he says, his voice thick with pride and something else. Something that makes my heart race faster than the fight did. "You are magnificent."

Before I can respond, more fighters emerge from the stairway. Vapas’ hands are still bound, but unlike mine, his were bound in front of him. Four Maulavi stumble to a stop inside the room, jostling one another. Their eyes are wide as they take in the scene.

Vapas doesn’t wait. He rushes the four of them with a throaty, blood curdling battle cry. He drives his shoulder into one of them who flies into the group, causing chaos as they are knocked about.

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